Poodle (Standard)
An athletic, highly intelligent water dog under the famous curly coat, sociable and eager to work with people.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- 45–60 cm
- Weight
- Males 20–32 kg · Females 18–27 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Curly, medium, long
- Colours
- Black, White, Brown, Grey, Apricot, Red, Fawn
- Bred for
- Water work, Retrieving, Companionship
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 9, no. 172 · Companion & toy dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 5/5 – Very high |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 1/5 – Very low |
| Grooming effort | 5/5 – Very high |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an active, trainable dog for sports or long walks
- prefer a dog that sheds little
- enjoy teaching tricks and tasks
Think twice if you …
- don't want regular grooming costs
- can't provide daily exercise and mental work
- want a dog that is happy alone all day
Care
Temperament
Intelligent, affectionate and lively, often playful well into adulthood. Usually friendly but can be reserved with strangers.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour of exercise a day; enjoys swimming, retrieving, agility, obedience and long walks.
Grooming
The curly coat sheds little but must be brushed several times a week and clipped every four to eight weeks.
Training
Highly trainable and quick to learn; reward-based training and varied tasks keep it engaged.
Health
Hip dysplasia, Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis, bloat and some eye diseases are known in Standard Poodles. Ask the breeder for hip, eye and DNA results and about immune and skin conditions in the line.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
- Thyroid
DNA tests
- vWD type 1
- NEwS
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Poodle began as a water retriever in Germany and France; its German name refers to splashing in water, while the French call it Caniche, from the word for duck dog. The FCI counts France as its country of origin and recognises four sizes, of which the Standard is the largest and closest to the working original.
A Standard Poodle is an active, clever dog that enjoys swimming, retrieving and learning new tasks. It bonds strongly with its family and can be sensitive to tension at home. The coat does not shed much but grows continuously, so regular clipping is part of life with this breed.
Did you know?
The traditional show clip grew from a working cut that left hair over the joints and chest to protect swimming dogs from cold water.