Standard Poodle Breed Overview
The elegant Standard Poodle is an impressive breed. Known for being intelligent and alert, Poodles are affectionate family dogs. Dignified yet playful, they excel at obedience and agility training. A well-trained Poodle has a calm demeanor with a goofy streak. In summary, this natural born clown loves to be the center of attention.
Poodles learn fast and pick up tricks with ease. Consequently, they need to be challenged both mentally and physically. Incidentally, these "thinking" dogs make great watchdogs but are not aggressive.
For more on the breed check out the
American Kennel Club.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Standard Poodle is 14-18 years.
Size & Activity Level
Poodles come in three sizes. The Toy weighs 5 to 9 pounds. The Miniature weighs 12-17 pounds, and the Standard weighs 40-70 pounds. The Standard is part of the Non-Sporting Group.
They were originally bred to be a water retriever and need plenty of exercise. Moreover, his most outstanding trait is his high I.Q. Indeed this dog possesses amazing cleverness, therefore obedience training will be necessary or he will become the alpha in your household.
Care & Grooming
They are the lightest shedders of all coated dogs. But they also require a lot of grooming attention to stay beautiful. Their curly coat will need daily brushing to prevent matting and need frequent trimming. Most owners take their Poodle for professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Show ring clips are unnecessary, and a shortcut makes for easy grooming.
