Dog Breed
Poodle
BraniacLong-livedHypoallergenic
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- Full Name
- Poodle
- Alternate Names
- Barbone, Caniche
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 14 - 18 years
- Weight
- 40 - 55 pounds
- Description
Poodles are unique in that they come in 3 size variations that vary greatly- from a medium-sized dog in the Standard Poodle (all the way up to 70 pounds) all the way down to the toy/teacup poodle which can be a mere 5 pounds. They are proud and lovely but sometimes can get jealous of their family. But, you should know that you will have a brilliant, obedient, and playful pet if you decide to buy one of these breeds. The poodle has the reputation as the "princess" of dog breeds, but in reality, they are one of the most versatile dogs. Also, they live a long life and are hypoallergenic, and do not shed very much at all. Officially Poodles live around 13 years, but we had a poodle live until she was 18 years old.
- Origin
- FranceGermany
- Bred For
- Retrieving through water
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
5/5
Is the Poodle good with children?
Yes! The Poodle is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Poodle is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
Stranger Friendly
3/5
Is the Poodle friendly with strangers?
The Poodle is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
Dog Friendly
3/5
Is the Poodle friendly with other dogs?
The Poodle is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
Likes to Cuddle
4/5
Does the Poodle like to cuddle?
The Poodle appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
Playfulness
4/5
Does the Poodle like to play?
The Poodle will almost always be ready for play! The Poodle is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
Service Dog Ability
4/5
Does the Poodle make a good service dog?
The Poodle can be a service dog with the proper training. Poodles are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
Ease for Novice
5/5
Is the Poodle good for first-time owners?
The Poodle is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
Training Potential
5/5
How well can the Poodle be trained?
The Poodle can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Poodle is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
Amount of Shedding
1/5
Does the Poodle shed a lot?
No! The Poodle does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the Poodle easy to groom?
The Poodle requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Poodle to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Poodle on your own as well.
Exercise Need
3/5
Does the Poodle need a lot of exercise?
The Poodle requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your Poodle to be happy and fulfilled.
Intelligence
4/5
How smart is the Poodle?
The Poodle is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
Amount of Barking
4/5
How much does the Poodle bark? Does the Poodle bark too much?
The Poodle barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Poodle will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
Guard Dog Ability
2/5
Is the Poodle a good guard dog?
The Poodle would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
Tolerates Being Alone
3/5
Is the Poodle good at staying alone? Is the Poodle independent?
The Poodle does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
Good for Apartment Living
4/5
Is the Poodle a good apartment dog?
The Poodle can be a good dog for apartment living. Daily exercise is still important, but the Poodle is a better fit for apartment living than most breeds.
Size
3/5
How big is the Poodle?
The Poodle is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
Tolerates Heat
3/5
How much does the Poodle tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Poodle?
The Poodle can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
Tolerates Cold
2/5
How much does the Poodle tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Poodle?
The Poodle does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Poodle if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Poodle.
Potential to Run Away
3/5
Does the Poodle try to run away?
The Poodle does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
General Health
4/5
Is the Poodle a healthy dog? The health of a Poodle should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Poodle is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Poodle high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
Energy Level
3/5
How energetic is the Poodle?
The Poodle has a good amount of energy and it's important to give the Poodle daily walks and ideally run time as well. A well-exercised dog is easier to train, and will be happier and have less likelihood for destructive habits.
Amount of Drooling
1/5
How much does the Poodle drool?
The Poodle does not drool at all.
Prey Drive
2/5
Does the Poodle have a large prey drive? Does the Poodle like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Poodle has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
Athleticism
3/5
Is the Poodle atheltic?
The Poodle is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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Breed Variations
Toy
Standard
Moyen
Teacup
Miniature
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Dog- Non-Sporting
- Poodle
- Poodle
The Poodle is a purebred dog that belongs to the Poodle sub group, which falls under the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique!
They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Poodle sub-group: Poodles will forever be some of the most famous dogs. They have strong personalities, and are oftentimes misunderstood. Because of their unique coat which is oftentimes styled in all sorts of elaborate styles, there is the misconception that they are only a show dog, and are not very sporty or fun. That is not true- in fact poodles are some of the most versatile dogs- both athletic and very intelligent.
Poodles can be trained well, and in fact need to since they can otherwise either become dominant or have behavioral problems. They are one of the smartest breeds, but also expect a competent owner in return. Poodles also have above average health, are hypoallergenic, and do not shed very much.
Poodles for adoption
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