Explore the Standard Poodle: Real-World Advice from 9,000+ Owners

Discover the Standard Poodle, a breed celebrated for its friendly, affectionate, and playful nature. Considered a large dog, Standard Poodles were originally bred in France for waterfowl hunting beginning in the 15th century.

In this post, we share insights from almost 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective Standard Poodle owners. Whether you’re considering owning or rescuing a Standard Poodle yourself or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a friendly Standard Poodle.

As Sniffspot user Kaylin says, "Poodles are a large breed that is extremely intelligent and sensitive "

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

Standard Poodle Quick Characteristics

• Breed Type: Companion
• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
• Healthy Weight Range: 40 to 70 lbs
• Height Range: 15 - 24 in
• Temperament: Friendly, Affectionate, Playful
• Coat Type: Curly
• Color: Black, white, gray, brown, and cream

About the Standard Poodle

According to almost 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Standard Poodle, we learned these dogs are friendly and affectionate. The Standard Poodle is very friendly and social with children and very friendly with other pets.

When living with a Poodle, 82% of our owners said a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 32% of owners said a rural or suburban area with open spaces is also acceptable. This dog is highly trainable by all types of dog owners and owners say the Standard Poodle learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and socialization.

When it comes to exercise, 59% of Sniffspot owners say their Standard Poodle benefits from moderate exercise every day, including between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. The Sniffspot Poodle community would recommend this dog for first-time owners.

History and Origin of Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles, often mistaken as a French breed due to their national prominence in France, actually originated in Germany. Their name comes from the German word “pudel,” meaning “to splash in the water,” reflecting their initial purpose as water retrievers. Many are surprised the poodle is a breed of water dog!

This intelligent breed was used to fetch ducks and other game, a role that continues in some hunting circles today. The traditional Poodle cut, with its distinctive puffs and pompoms, was designed for functionality. It helps protect the joints and vital organs from cold water while maintaining buoyancy and swimming efficiency.

Poodles come in three sizes—Standard, Miniature, and Toy—all adhering to the same breed standards but with separate breed names. Despite their different sizes, Poodles require plenty of exercise, including fetch, jogging, and swimming, thanks to their active nature. Their hair, unlike fur, continuously grows and does not shed, which is a trait they share with humans. Known for their intelligence and versatility, Poodles excel in various roles, including service work, therapy, and even truffle hunting

Notably, they were once part of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1988, though their performance led to breed restrictions. American icons like Elvis Presley and Jacqueline Kennedy have also had a soft spot for these elegant and capable dogs.

Standard Poodle Traits and Characteristics

• Temperament: Friendly, Affectionate, Playful
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Trainability: Highly trainable - Learns commands quickly and responds well to training.
• Grooming needs: Very high maintenance - Needs professional grooming services regularly to maintain coat and hygiene.
• Good with Kids: Very friendly and social with children
• Good with Other Pets: Very friendly with other pets

What to Expect as a Standard Poodle Dog Owner

As a Standard Poodle owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips as well as expectations from current Standard Poodle owners.

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024

Grooming Needs

Standard Poodle dogs require very high-maintenance grooming. This means Standard Poodle owners should expect professional grooming services regularly to keep their coat beautiful. Standard Poodle dogs have a curly coat, ideal for water resistance. Their curly coat is considered low shed.

To keep your Standard Poodle's coat soft and up to breed standards, include brushing in their daily routine and regular brushing and trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. Of the coat types for beloved breeds in the companion group, the coat grooming needs for Standard Poodle are very high maintenance.

Exercise Needs

Standard Poodles require moderate activity each day, though they're typically a healthy breed. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Poodles are considered a very athletic, high-energy breed. Poodles make great pets, and they thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Poodles report their dogs especially love chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee, puzzle toys, and puzzle toys. Enrichment can also include basic obedience training and advanced training, stimulating these pups' need for mental activity.

When large breeds like Poodles don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out on undesirable behaviors like growing reserved or aloof. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular moderate exercise to avoid excess energy.

Diet and Nutrition

What should you feed your Standard Poodle to keep him healthy? As a moderate energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 58% of our community feed their Poodle commercial dry kibble.

With moderate exercise, Poodles should eat 2 to 3 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 40 to 70 lbs. However, your Standard Poodle's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.

Breed Health Concerns

The Standard Poodle breed is most prone to ear infections and digestive issues (e.g., bloating, sensitive stomach). A reported 49% of our Standard Poodle owners reported ear infections caused by allergies, ear mites, or contact dermatitis. Poodle's risk for these challenges increase as they age.

Similarly, 41% reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Lastly, 21% of Standard Poodle owners claim their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis — a common Poodle health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your Poodle's vet.

How Friendly Are Standard Poodles?

Another important thing to consider when adopting a Poodle is whether or not they fit with your current family. How friendly are Standard Poodles compared to other large-sized breeds?

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

With consistent training, you can hone your Poodle's instinct into a loyal and playful family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like growing reserved or aloof. Our community Standard Poodle owners comment on their pet's friendliness:

• Incredibly smart, obedient, and friendly. Knows how to “turn it off” and be a couch potato despite being energetic. (TV)
• I love having dogs that give off " humanoid alien in a dog suit" vibes. Poodles have such expressive faces, strong preferences, and love to communicate. They're also endlessly snuggly and affectionate; as I type this I'm in the middle of a snoring poodle sandwich. They really want to understand what you're saying and doing and they pick up on training and routines quickly if you communicate clearly. (JH)
• They are a velcro dog, my boy loves doing most things as long as I'm involved and enjoys being around me often. (Tori)

How to Train a Standard Poodle

Whether you're adopting a Poodle puppy or a grown Standard Poodle adult, training is a large part of owning a large breed. When you fail to train your Poodle properly, they're more likely to display undesirable behaviors like growing reserved or aloof, and so on. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your Poodle.

As a companion breed, Standard Poodles benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our Poodle community recommended based on their experience with their own dog:

• Positive Reinforcement (92%): This includes treats, praise, rewards, and so on for positive behavior
• Consistent Routines (58%): A consistent training routine allows your pet to get comfortable with expectations
• Socialization (52%): Socializing your dog with other pets, dogs, and people prepares them to interact with the world

As dogs bred for waterfowl hunting, Poodles are considered highly trainable by all types of dog owners.

Herman Aasly on Unsplash

What Do Owners Love About Standard Poodles?

We asked Sniffspot Poodle owners what they love the most about their Standard Poodle pups, and here's what they had to say:

• Poodles are incredibly intelligent, and from my experience with my two, and hearing from others, are at minimum very affectionate with their own humans and therefore very loyal. (Kristina V)
• Standard poodles are VERY loving and attach very deeply to their people. (WK)
• All love, all day, every day !!! They are amazing loving companions. (M.A.)

What Are the Biggest Challenges for Standard Poodle Owners?

Similarly, Poodle owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with Standard Poodle:

• I have found poodles to be “too smart for their own good” I.e. finding a way to do things they shouldn’t. (Kaylin)
• They are intelligent, which can be challenging at times. They are also very sensitive - as a first-time dog owner my first poodle is incredibly reactive and my second less so (sometimes a bit shy/can be startled). The first may have come from a not-so-reputable breeding program, that I didn’t know what I didn’t know at the time, but I’m now recognizing that even with what I thought was a great effort in socialization to all the things and helping try to have calm and confident dogs, it wasn’t enough in the end. They are lovely in the home, and great with each other. They have a high prey drive and that can be difficult outside. (Kristina V)
• Because of the combination of their high grooming needs and high-energy personalities, it can be hard to get them used to grooming even starting as a puppy. They also tend towards anxiety - COVID definitely made it worse for all standard poodles raised during that time (I'm a vet worker and I see a lot of doodle/poodle mixes) but even naturally they have to be well socialized and can often develop separation anxiety at a young age. (WK)

Is a Standard Poodle Right for a First-Time Dog Owner?

Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey

According to 64% of our Sniffspot community, Standard Poodles are a great first-time dog. This comes from their friendly nature and moderate exercise needs. Standard Poodle owners say it best:

• All love, all day, every day!!! They are amazing loving companions. (M.A.)
• Incredibly smart, obedient, and friendly. Knows how to “turn it off” and be a couch potato despite being energetic. (TV)
• Loyalty, intelligence, allergy-friendly, affectionate. (Nicki)

Advice for Standard Poodle Owners

Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy Poodle owners. These Standard Poodle breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:

Commit to daily grooming.

• You need to groom daily if you’re serious about poodles. (Bethany)
• Plan for regular exercise and mental stimulation. (Kathy)

Plan for regular exercise and mental stimulation.

• Be prepared to spend at least 2-3 hours per day walking and playing with your dog. A happy standard poodle is a tired one. (RS)
• They are much like having a child, a major time and energy commitment- but the best companion ever. (Jessica)

Invest in training and positive reinforcement.

• Responds well to positive reinforcement, they can have a high prey drive so safe introductions to smaller animals are a must at a young age. (Christen)
• Be prepared to change your training style to fit the dog in front of you. (Sparrow)

Research breeds and be prepared for costs.

• Find a good groomer and a good breeder or a good rescue and work with them closely. (Imani)
• Work with your breeder, groomer, trainer, and vet to create a team. Once you get into the swing of a poodle, you won’t change until you’re tired of grooming. (Tom)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Standard Poodle

What is the average lifespan of a Standard Poodle?

The average lifespan of a Standard Poodle is typically between 12 to 15 years years.

What is the size of a Standard Poodle?

An adult Standard Poodle weighs between 40 to 70 lbs pounds and stands between 15 - 24 in tall.

How much grooming does a Standard Poodle need?

Standard Poodle dogs require very high-maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Standard Poodle dogs have a curly coat, which is well-suited for water resistance. They are considered low shedders.

To maintain your Standard Poodle's coat, it's important to brush them daily and commit to trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. Among companion breeds, Standard Poodle grooming is amongst the most intense.

How much exercise does a Standard Poodle need?

Standard Poodles require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Poodles are classified as a moderately athletic, somewhat high-energy breed.

Poodles are excellent companions and flourish with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Poodles note that their dogs particularly enjoy chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee, puzzle toys, and puzzle toys.

If large breeds like Poodles don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.

How friendly are Standard Poodles with children?

According to our data, Standard Poodles are very friendly and social with children.

How well do Standard Poodles get along with other pets?

Our research indicates that Standard Poodles are very friendly with other pets with other pets.

What should you feed your Standard Poodle to keep him healthy?

As a moderate energy breed, the diet of your Poodle is crucial. A significant 58% of our community feed their Poodle commercial dry kibble.

For optimal health, Poodles should consume 2 to 3 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 40 to 70 lbs pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Standard Poodle's sex, activity level, and age.

What health concerns are common for Standard Poodles?

The Standard Poodle breed is particularly prone to ear infections caused by allergies, ear mites, or contact dermatitis and digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Our data shows that 49% of Standard Poodle owners reported ear infections caused by allergies, ear mites, or contact dermatitis. Poodle's risk for these health issues increases as they age.

Additionally, 41% reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Finally, 21% of Standard Poodle owners indicated their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis, which are common Poodle health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your Poodle's veterinarian.

Resources for Standard Poodle Owners

Whether you're a current Standard Poodle dog owner or you're considering adopting a Poodle, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Standard Poodle owners.

• Most Popular Names for Standard Poodles
• Poodle Club of America Foundation
• ASPCA Poodle Information
• Enchanted Poodle Club

Sources:

• Poodle. (Britannica)
• Standard Poodle Facts You May Not Know. (American Kennel Club)