(Standard) Poodle Dog Breed

Yes, Standard Poodles are generally excellent family dogs. Their gentle and playful nature makes them good with children, and they can get along well with other pets, too. 

However, their size and energy levels can sometimes make them a bit of a handful for smaller kids or pets if they get over-excited!

Standard Poodles are larger and more robust than the smaller Poodle varieties, so they’re better suited for homes with active children. 

It’s important to supervise any dog around children to prevent any accidents or inappropriate interactions.

Poodles are incredibly affectionate dogs. They like to be close to their humans, often tagging along with whatever you’re doing around the house. They wouldn’t want to miss out on any fun!

Their loyalty and strong bonds to their family mean they can become anxious if left alone for long periods.

Poodles are known for their snuggly side! They’ll happily nestle in with you on the sofa after a day of play, like an adorable weighted blanket. 

However, they usually don’t like strangers rushing up to them or fussing them. They much prefer to take a few minutes to warm up to someone new. Once they’re happy with someone, though, they usually make themselves the centre of attention!

If you’re looking for a dog who’ll give you plenty of love and attention, a Poodle won’t disappoint.

Absolutely! Poodles are known for being playful and energetic. This makes them wonderful and quirky four-legged friends when their needs are met.

But be prepared to keep them entertained, as a bored Poodle knows how to make their own fun - sometimes at the expense of your favourite belongings!

They were bred to retrieve, and they love a game of fetch, find it, and hide-and-seek. It can also be wonderful fun to teach them new tricks or watch how quickly they pick up dog sports like agility, heelwork to music and scent work.

Standard Poodles are the quietest of the three sizes, but they still like to use their voices sometimes. 

Poodles are on the ball and may bark to tell you about visitors, strange noises, or anything they think is interesting. They can also bark to let you know they’re feeling excited or bored. 

But if you give them the right training and get them used to people and animals, you can teach them to only tell you if something’s wrong.

Barking is often a sign that they’re intelligent and want to communicate with you, so if they have enough to keep them busy, they usually bark less.

Any dog can show behavioural problems if they don’t get what they need. This includes the right training, becoming used to people and animals, enough exercise, and the chance to use their brains.

Poodles are no exception. Having such quick minds, they can get bored easily, so they need plenty of physical and mental exercise to avoid them making their own mischievous fun.

This breed is very social, outgoing, and loyal. They bond strongly to their favourite people and so they can get anxious or destructive if left alone for long periods. 

They might also show you they don’t like being away from their humans with behaviours like excessive barking, chewing, or digging.

Poodles are natural retrievers; they like to pick up and hold things and can be prone to chasing small animals like squirrels and rabbits. Sometimes they grab household items you’d rather they didn’t, like your socks or tea towels! 

They can also get defensive around their things if they feel insecure or threatened – for instance, if their favourite items are always taken away.

Lastly, Poodles sometimes don’t like being groomed or touched. This is especially true if they’ve had a bad experience like a very intense grooming session or brushing through lots of tangles. 

Poodles do best in homes where they get plenty of attention and use their brains. They can thrive in a variety of homes, families, and lifestyles. 

Poodles are a brilliant choice for families with other pets, as long as they’ve been taught how to be good with other animals. They can also do well in flats and small homes if they get enough exercise and time outdoors. 

To help them live their best life, make sure to give your Poodle regular one-on-one time with you, sniffy walks in nature, daily playtime, brain games, and regular brushing.

If you leave your Poodle home alone, they’ll need extra attention from you when you’re there. They do best in homes where they’re only left for shorter periods.

Standard Poodles are active dogs. Regular exercise keeps them happy, healthy, and out of mischief! They need daily walks, but they also love to run, play fetch, and have a go at activities like swimming, hiking, and agility training. 

Did you know the word Poodle comes from the German word that means “to splash about”? This is because they were bred to jump into the water and swim to pick up animals like ducks! So, they tend to enjoy being in water and are quite athletic.

Poodles are ready to adapt to what goes on around them. Whatever exercise you enjoy, they’ll probably be excited to do it with you! They’re also a great choice for anyone considering dog sports. 

Remember to exercise your Poodle’s brain, too. They’re one of the smartest breeds in the world and need puzzle toys, interactive games, and regular training sessions to keep them entertained. If they get bored, they’ll start to show behaviours you may not like.

All puppies need to learn how to be around people, pets, and other dogs, calmly and politely (known as socialisation). They also need help to feel calm, comfortable, and confident in everyday situations like travelling, the sound of traffic, and being in busy places (known as habituation). This is essential to prevent tricky behavioural problems in the future, and you'll be off to a great start with your ongoing training.

This brainy breed loves to please, making them quite easy to train. They quickly pick up on commands and enjoy learning new tricks. 

However, they can also be a bit “too clever” and work out creative ways to make their own fun, so it’s important to stay consistent with training.

All dogs need reward-based training and guidance on how to interact with other dogs, animals, and people. Otherwise, they develop unwanted behaviours.

This shouldn’t stop at puppyhood, either. As dogs mature, they go through several life stages that can change their behaviour and mean you need to re-focus their training. We can help you with this through our free behaviour helpline. 

Common behavioural issues in Poodles include:
- separation anxiety
- getting defensive of their things (resource guarding)
- jumping up
- problems being handled
- pulling on the lead

Poodles are known for their gorgeous, soft coat. It needs regular grooming to keep it at its best. 

Their curly, low-shedding fur tends to be a good option for people with allergies, but it should be brushed several times a week to prevent matting. If it isn’t brushed, your dog can develop painful tangles which may need to be shaved very short to help their coat grow back healthy.

Professional grooming every four to six weeks is ideal for keeping Poodles’ coats in great shape with clipping or trimming. These adorable dogs can be groomed in a huge range of styles, from a simple pet trim to elaborate show cuts.

Regular baths, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care are also important for your dog’s overall well-being. These can be done at home if you show your dog grooming is enjoyable from the start.

Poodles are generally healthy dogs, but they can be prone to certain conditions. Some common health concerns include:
- dental issues
- ear issues
- digestive system issues
- hip joint problems (called hip dysplasia)
- eye issues
- Addison’s disease (which causes a lack of certain hormones)

All dogs need regular vet check-ups and vaccinations, a balanced and complete diet, consistent exercise, and to be a healthy weight. This can reduce the risk of your Poodle getting ill and help them live a long and happy life.