Poodle: Your Complete Guide
The poodle, pudel if you’re German or Canichie, if you’re French, is a type of water dog. These dogs were historically trained to herd fish into a fisherman’s net or to track small animals through water. While poodles were bred with a purpose in the past, that’s not always the case today. Poodles are one of the most common dog breeds that you’ll come across. In fact, poodles are even used to create new and exciting dog breeds due to their intelligence, minimal shedding, and responsiveness.
Typically, poodles are bred in a few different sizes, including the standard poodle, miniature poodle, toy poodle, and medium poodle. While the size of each poodle is different, you can expect a similar personality from each one. However, some of the care requirements might change based on the size of the poodle.
If anything about a poodle interests you or you’re looking to adopt a poodle, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about the poodle breed.
Quick Look at the Poodle
Below is a quick glance at poodles in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 9-24 inches, 4-80 pounds |
| Coat Type | Curly, short, and long |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Loyal, smart, playful, and kind |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Poodles?
Poodles have been around for a long time, so there is quite a bit of history to go over. In fact, some historians suggest that poodles have been around since the Middle Ages. However, there is a bit of controversy about how the poodle came to be. On one hand, some people believe that poodles come from France, while the other side believes that poodles are from Germany. Additionally, there are people who believe that the poodle comes from Russia or even Africa. For these reasons, the origins of the poodle aren’t well-known and agreed upon. That said, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1887.
One of the more interesting parts of poodle history is how the breed progressed. While they were originally bred as water dogs to hunt and retrieve arrows or crossbow bolts, they quickly became show dogs due to their intelligence, lack of upkeep, and obedience. This was particularly popular in France, where some of the smaller poodle breeds originated.
These poodles were bred to be smaller to help with travel during circus events, but poodles would still get smaller from here due to popular demand for a loyal companion dog. This is when the toy poodle, as they’re known today, came to be; this took place in the early 1900s. Medium-sized poodles came to be soon after, but they aren’t accepted by all of the world’s kennel clubs.
To this day, poodles are still among the most popular breeds in the world. Whether it’s for shows or being a good companion, poodles continue to be adopted in large numbers, and they continue to win dog shows. For example, the poodle breed has won the Westminster 10 times (second most) and continues to be the third-most-popular FCI-registered breed around the world.
What Do Poodles Look Like?
Poodles are well-known for their fancy haircuts in famous dog shows, like the one hosted by the Westminster Kennel Club. However, poodles don’t naturally have those skinny legs, puffy paws, and round/fluffy midsections. Instead, most poodles have naturally curly coats that hug their body.
Floppy ears, a long snout, and small black eyes are also common for all types of poodles. When it comes to colors, all color options are on the table with poodles. They can be black, brown, red, blue, cream, silver, red, and pretty much any other color.
Aside from their color, poodles also come in a wide range of sizes, from small to large. While the standard poodle is a medium to large dog, the miniature or toy poodle is on the small side, with some poodles weighing less than 10 pounds.
What Size Is a Poodle?
Asking what size a poodle is can be a loaded question because there are so many different poodle breeds. It’s important to understand how each breed can be different in height and weight. The standard poodle is 18-24 inches, medium poodles are 14-18 inches, miniature poodles are 11-14 inches, and toy poodles are 9.4-11 inches.
When it comes to their weight, poodles have a wide range as well. Standard poodles weigh 50-80 pounds, medium poodles 20-30 pounds, miniature poodles 10 to 16 pounds, and toy poodles 4-7 pounds.
What Is a Poodle’s Coat Type and Length?
It’s common for breeds mixed with poodles to have a wide variety of coat types. However, any purebred poodle will have the same coat type, with the main variation being the length. Every poodle breed has curly hair, but smaller breeds have shorter hair that hugs their body tighter. For example, the standard poodle has longer hair than the miniature or toy poodle.
What Is a Poodle’s Temperament?
Poodles can have a wide range of personalities, but there are some common traits in all poodle breeds. Most poodles are intelligent, obedient, and easy to train. Poodles are known for being kind, playful, and alert. Some poodles are also gentle and quiet, so you don’t always have to worry about them barking at your friends or strangers.
While poodles tend to have great personalities, this isn’t always true, and some smaller poodles may have different temperaments. A great example is how some of the first iterations of the toy poodle had personality issues that ranged from aggression to spitefulness. Therefore, it can depend on the dog.
Are Poodles Good With Kids?
Poodles are great with kids! You’ll find that poodles love to play with children, and if you have little ones, they can tire each other out. While poodles are great with kids, you should always keep an eye on your children when your dog is playing with them. It doesn’t matter if you have the calmest dog in the world; it’s possible for them to feel scared and act out in certain situations. Therefore, we always recommend keeping an eye on your dog and your little ones while they play.
Are Poodles Good With Other Animals?
Poodles are great with other animals, but since they were bred as water dogs, it’s possible for them to have a prey drive. This is less likely to be a problem for smaller poodles because most animals will be larger than them anyway. While the prey drive can be a hassle, that doesn’t mean you have to worry about them chasing animals forever. You can always train them from a young age to prevent this behavior. Additionally, you can leverage socialization training from an early age to minimize any issues.
Are Poodles Aggressive?
Poodles are not aggressive dogs. While they can come to your aid in the event of an emergency, you’ll find them scaring off strangers or barking at people unless something is bothering them. That said, every dog has a unique personality, and it’s possible for some poodles to be aggressive, which is more likely with the toy poodle breed. Thankfully, socialization can help with any aggression.
Do Poodles Bark?
Poodles are known for barking but not for the reasons you may think. Most poodles bark to be social with other dogs or people, so it’s out of friendlessness instead of aggression. That said, some poodles will bark more or less than others, and this can come down to the dog.
Are Poodles Affectionate?
Poodles are affectionate dogs. They have a high level of emotional intelligence and can bond with their human companions. Their affection doesn’t stop with bonding, though, and you can usually find smaller poodle breeds next to you or in your lap. Affection can also be shown through barking when you walk in your home and sometimes even jumping. If jumping becomes a problem, it’s a good idea to consider positive reinforcement training to prevent the behavior from becoming a problem.
Are Poodles Intelligent?
Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. Their intelligence makes them ideal for dog shows, which is why there are several types of poodles and one of the reasons they tend to win dog shows. Poodles are smart enough to learn more types of tricks and handle all types of training; this includes service dog work, therapy dog work, and other types of work.
Poodles are also emotionally intelligent and smart enough to know when something is wrong. In fact, poodles can be trained to offer deep pressure therapy (DPT) to help people calm down and recover from panic attacks.
Are Poodles Energetic?
Poodles have a lot of energy but not the most energy out of every breed. Typically, poodles are more energetic as puppies, and if you exercise with them and play with them often, their energy levels can remain consistent. However, some poodles are happy to lounge around and relax. It’s so important to note that the smaller poodle breeds tend to be more energetic than some of the larger poodle breeds.
Regardless of their energy levels, try your best to help your poodle get between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise each day. This can be accomplished through walking, running, and playing outdoors.
Are Poodles Easy to Train?
Poodles are one of the easiest dog breeds to train in the world; there’s a reason they’ve won the Westminster competition ten times. They can handle complex commands, a wide range of tricks, and almost anything else you can think of. You can also start training them during their puppy years, and a little bit of socialization training can go a long way in making the process easier. While poodles are easy to train, make sure you use positive reinforcement training for the best results.
Are Poodles Good Watchdogs?
Poodles can make good watchdogs if you train them to act like one. When it comes to poodles, you can train them to act however you want. Therefore, you can train them to look after your home and bark at people who approach your house. The only problem is that some poodles aren’t the most intimidating dogs and might not deter people from approaching your property. Additionally, smaller poodle breeds like the miniature and toy poodle may not scare people at all.
Are Poodles Good Service Dogs?
Poodles are excellent service dogs. The standard poodle is smart enough to learn complex commands and disciplined enough to handle service dog work. Furthermore, standard poodles are large and strong enough to open doors, escort people through crowds, and help people perform other complex physical tasks.
Aside from being good physical service dogs, poodles are also great psychiatric service dogs. They can form bonds with their companions and have enough emotional intelligence to help them through panic attacks using concepts like deep pressure therapy.
For these reasons, poodles are also great emotional support dogs (ESDs) and therapy dogs.
How to Care for a Poodle?
Poodles aren’t challenging to care for if you know what to do. Their coats have natural oils, so you don’t have to worry about bathing them too often. That said, you should still brush them often to remove any knots. You should also take your poodle to the vet each year, clean their teeth, and feed them a healthy diet that contains all of the macronutrients they need.
Do You Need to Groom a Poodle?
Poodles need to be groomed. You should take them to a professional every few months, depending on their coat length, how fast it grows, and how dirty they get. You might be better off waiting even longer if your poodle doesn’t play in the dirt or mud often. Still, you should try to brush them daily and keep their teeth clean with dental treats or a toothbrush.
Do Poodles Shed?
Poodles do shed, and they are known to shed more in the fall and spring months due to the change in seasons. While poodles shed, they’re a hypoallergenic dog breed, so you don’t have to worry about them causing major problems when they do shed their coat.
What Health Problems Do Poodles Have?
Poodles are a genetically sturdy breed, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to health problems. For example, some of the smaller poodle breeds may experience mental health problems, and some of the larger breeds may have hip problems later in life. The good news is that you can prevent most health problems by taking your dog to the vet annually. Additionally, feeding them a healthy diet and making sure they get 30-60 minutes of exercise can help them stay healthy.
As for the health problems unique to poodles, there are only a few you have to worry about. Addison’s disease is among the most common, and it’s caused by an issue with the adrenal gland. While the disease can become serious if left untreated, you’ll be happy to hear that poodles can live with this disease. To prevent Addison’s disease from getting worse, you have to spot the symptoms early. Symptoms to look for include bloating, fatigue, nervousness, and restlessness.
Bloating and thyroid issues are also common in poodles, and you can detect these problems early by observing your poodle’s stomach size, weight, and energy levels. The last health condition that’s more common in poodles than in some other breeds is epilepsy. This condition can begin early in life and can result in seizures. Proper treatment through visits to the vet and medication are necessary to help.
How Long Do Poodles Live?
Poodles can live for about 12-15 years on average. Smaller poodles tend to live longer than standard poodles, but there are outliers in both cases. Helping your poodle maintain a healthy diet with exercise is crucial for their longevity.
What Should a Poodle Eat?
As puppies, you can feed poodles two to three times per day, and make sure you feed them a blend of food that’s made for puppies. When they’re adults, switch to a meal plan that’s more in line with yours, so feed them around two times per day. Poodles also vary in size, so make sure you feed them a diet that’s made for their specific size. Standard poodles should have food made for medium-sized dogs, whereas small poodles should have food made for small dogs.
Is a Poodle the Right Dog for Me?
Poodles are one of the best dog breeds you can find. They work well for pet owners but also for people who want to take a dog to shows and compete. In fact, people who need service dogs can also benefit from poodles, and they make great emotional support dogs or therapy dogs. Poodles come in four sizes, which also makes them a good fit for people in houses, apartments, and other living situations.
Due to their calm temperament, low aggression, and trainability, it would be hard for us to recommend a different breed over the standard poodle. Plus, they’re easy to care for, not prone to health problems, and have a hypoallergenic coat.