Poodle Breed – Is a Poodle Right for You?

By Dr. Sara Ochoa

Posh, elegant, and delightfully sophisticated are common associations for today’s much-loved Poodle.

But it doesn’t stop there.

They are also clever, confident, and beautifully athletic.

Their history is rich, their personality is winsome, and they love to make new friends.

If you’re considering bringing a new Poodle puppy home, today’s post is for you.

Following, you are about to discover specific Poodle traits, how to care for and best train a Poodle, along with what to expect in Poodle health.

You’ll also learn how and where Poodles originated to become the favorite pup they are today.

We’ll look at commonly asked questions, and as always, you’ll learn where is a great place to fetch your very own Poodle puppy.

I’m glad you’re here.

Let’s get started.

Poodle Appearance

Flaunting a square build and curly coat, the Poodle is easy to recognize and hard to forget.

The coat is wiry, dense, and water-resistant.

When left untrimmed, that signature curly coat will transform into long cords.

While there is only one Poodle, there are three varieties of the Poodle breed.

The tiniest pal stands no more than 10″ at the shoulder and weighs between six to nine pounds. These tiny pooches are called Toy Poodles.

Sizing up one is the Mini Poodle.

These pals stand between 10-15″ at the shoulder and vary in weight from 15-17 pounds.

The tallest of all is the Standard Poodle.

Standard Poodle adult dogs can reach 20″ tall at the shoulder.

Males will weigh between 60-70 pounds, while their female counterparts will range in weight between 40-50 pounds.

Regardless of the size, every Poodle variety is muscular and squarely built.

And when it comes to coat color, you can take your pick.

There is black, white, apricot, silver, cafe-au-lait, and cream, just to name a few.

In addition to the purebred Poodle, you’ll find a plethora of hybrid varieties.

Thanks to the Poodle’s largely hypoallergenic coat combined with his extreme intelligence, he is commonly mixed with other dog breeds.

The results?

You’ll find Labradoodles, Schnoodles, Bernedoodles, Goldendoodles, Cockapoos, and many other doodle varieties inside the dog world.

Poodle Personality

Dignified yet clever.

Elegant and athletic.

This sums up the ever winsome Poodle.

In personality, she is confident, playful, and a lover of people.

She loves action, so naturally, a favorite activity is playing fetch.

Grab a stick, ball, or favorite toy. Give it a toss, and you’ll be your Poodle’s favorite!

Swimming is another favorite pastime.

Her coat is made for the water: it’s water-resistant, dense, and wiry.

Thanks to her extreme intelligence, Poodle’s are quick to learn.

The downside?

Without stimulation, she’ll get bored quickly and have no problem showing a destructive flare.

The upside?

She loves learning new tricks, she’s quick to remember whatever she’s taught, and she absolutely thrives under positive reinforcement.

So, keep her busy with games of fetch and plenty of outdoor adventure.

Take her along shopping, eating, and when out with friends.

By simply giving her lots of stimulation, she’ll be too busy obeying and having fun to give destructive behaviors a chance.

How to Care for a Poodle

While still just a puppy, a Poodle needs only minimal care.

And throughout her lifetime?

She sheds so little she’s actually considered hypoallergenic.

So yes, if pet allergies are something you deal with, a Poodle maybe just your perfect fit.

Grooming

As a Poodle matures, her coat needs specific attention in order to stay looking her best.

The most popular cut for a Poodle entails short hair, with longer tufts on the legs, hips, and tip of the tail.

However, to maintain this look, your little pal will need to see a professional groomer every four to six weeks.

When at the groomers, your puppy will typically be bathed, groomed, and have her nails trimmed.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can always learn to groom your Poodle at home.

Here’s a quick read on how to get started grooming your puppy at home.

If short hair and frequent grooming sessions are not your thing, you can always let your pupper’s hair grow long instead.

Should you go this route, learn how to brush your Poodle daily to avoid unwanted mats and tangles.

When brushing, you always want to get near your puppy’s skin.

Otherwise, the hair will actually mat near the roots and become impossible to brush out.

The result?

You’ll need to shave your Poodle and start over.

While on the topic of brushing, be sure to brush your pal every single day.

Because Poodles barely shed, any dead hair needs to literally be combed from your fur pal.

So if your pup has long hair, keep her looking sharp and healthy by brushing her every single day.

Avoid Tear Stains

Poodles are known to have weepy eyes.

The result?

If left untouched, the surrounding eye area will eventually stain.

Stains are most apparent on light-colored pups, although eventually, they can appear on any color of Poodle.

To avoid tear stains, simply pause each day to wipe around the eyes and face of your Poodle with an alcohol-free pet wipe.

A washcloth with warm water is the perfect combo to do the trick.

General Poodle Care

Like other puppies, the Poodle is no exception when it comes to general pupper care such as brushing teeth and cleaning ears.

Take time each week to gently clean your puppy’s ears and check for any dirt, redness, and bad odor.

(A foul odor is a likely sign your fur pal is fighting an infection.)

Brush your pup’s teeth every day or every other day.

And if you’re not having your puppy professionally groomed, clip your Poodle’s nails just before they start clicking on your kitchen floor.

Some puppies will wear their nails down naturally.

However, if you ever hear a clicking sound, you know it’s time to pull the clippers out.

When it comes to brushing teeth, cleaning ears, and clipping nails, it’s always best to start while your Poodle is still a pup.

This way she can get accustomed to the routine at a young age.

It’s always easier teaching a puppy versus a grown, adult dog.

Poodle Training

Thanks to their unusual intelligence, Poodles are super quick to learn and flourish under positive reinforcement.

History shows they are also experts in tracking, agility, and obedience.

Not to mention, they frequently compete in dog sports including water-retrieving, dock diving, and retriever hunt tests.

Just be sure to establish who is the pack leader between you and your pup.

Thanks to a Poodles delightful combo of clever and confidence, unless you step up and take charge, they’ll be more than happy to do the honors.

For good Poodle training, tap into frequent positive reinforcement.

When your puppy obeys and sports good behavior, lavish her with praise, playtime, a favorite toy, or even an occasional doggy treat.

Most importantly, when training your little pal, always be gentle, kind, and consistent.

In addition to training, don’t forget to socialize your Poodle babe.

Once she is properly vaccinated, take her along to an outdoor shopping center.

Visit your local dog park together.

Introduce her to new friends and neighbors.

Expose her to a variety of sites, smells, and sounds.

The more your Poodle is socialized as a puppy, the more well-rounded she’ll be as an adult.

Poodle Health

Poodles are generally healthy, thanks to responsible dog breeders who are regularly testing their breeding stock.

Still, issues can and do occur from time to time.

Issues specific to the Poodle breed include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Eye disorders
• Idiopathic epliepsy
• Sebaceous adenitis
• Von Willebrand’s disease
• Immune-mediated disorders

Toy and Mini Poodles are also more likely to develop orthopedic problems including Legg-Calve-Perthes and Luxating patellas.

Standard Poodles, in contrast, have proven more susceptible to bloat.

Whatever the size, Poodles typically enjoy a long lifespan ranging anywhere from ten to eighteen years.

The History of Poodles

Considered an ancient dog breed, Poodles first originated in Germany over four hundred years ago.

Today they are the national dog of France, although they haven’t always enjoyed such celebrity status.

In fact, Poodles were first bred for duck hunting.

Hence their giftedness in swimming, thanks to a water-resistant and curly coat.

Believe it or not, their flamboyant showy coat in fact serves a practical purpose too.

Hunters wanted dogs who could enjoy a free range of movement in the water while having their vital areas protected from cold.

So, a Poodle’s legs, neck, and tail were completely shaved.

The chest, hips, and leg joints were left coated, while rounded tufts of hair called pompons (not pompoms!) were encouraged on parts of the legs, hips, and tip of the tail.

While their ancestry is uncertain, Poodles were likely bred from the Barbet, a French water dog, and the Hungarian Water Hound.

Their name comes straight from the German word “pudelin” meaning simply to splash in water.

In France, their name is Caniche, derived from “chien canard” and interpreted duck dog.

With duck hunting as their origin, Poodles were also employed by Gypsies and traveling performers in European circuses.

Thanks to a Poodle’s attractive appearance combined with exceptional trainability, they acted as delightful entertainers.

Poodles began in what today is considered the standard size.

Over time, they were bred down to mini.

At this point, the Poodle enjoyed a transition into luxury as both standard and mini Poodles became favored by nobility in France and other parts of Europe.

Eventually, during 20th century America, the mini was bred down to a toy Poodle, making them a dream match for small apartment living.

The Kennel Club in England first registered the Poodle in 1874.

Then in 1886, the American Kennel Club also welcomed the Poodle into its ranks.

However, prior to the second world war, Poodles were rare throughout the United States.

Not until the mid-1950s did Poodle popularity begin to sore, nestling them secure as the most popular dog in the U.S. for the next twenty years.

Where Can I Find a Poodle?

When choosing your very own Poodle puppy, there are several things to note.

First, ensure your puppy is coming from a reputable source.

Avoid pet stores, as many of them are supplied by puppy mills.

Be wary of hobby breeders.

And if you know you want a Purebred Poodle, a shelter may not be your best option either.

Instead, purchase from a quality dog breeder who is dedicated to raising happy and healthy Poodle puppies.

By purchasing straight from a breeder, you can talk to your puppy’s expert directly – after all, it’s the breeder who has been by your new puppy’s side straight from day one.

He was there when your puppy was born.

He’s an expert in the breed.

He’s watched your puppy grow.

And he cares deeply about finding a safe and happy home for every single one of his little Poodle babes.

To purchase straight from a quality Poodle dog breeder, come on over and browse these newest Toy, Mini, or Standard Poodle puppies for sale.

Poodle FAQ

Q. Are standard Poodles aggressive dogs?

When properly trained and socialized, Poodles are not typically aggressive. Instead, they are confident, clever, and athletic. However, although it’s unusual, Poodles can develop anxiety which leads to aggressive behaviors.

Q. What color Poodle is the smartest?

While there are dog lovers who say black and white poodles are the smartest because they were the original standard colors, evidence has not shown one color to be smarter than another.

Q. What do I need to know before getting a Poodle?

They shed very little, they are extremely intelligent, and they thrive alongside a kind, gentle, and consistent pack leader. Plus, they are social pals who love people and flourish with positive reinforcement.

Q. Do Poodles bark a lot?

Poodles are considered a moderate barker. However, thanks to their extreme intelligence, they can be trained to bark very little. Standard Poodles carry the strongest bark, with mini and toy Poodles following respectively.

Q. Are Poodles high maintenance?

If you are wanting your Poodle to have short hair, then yes, they are high-maintenance. They’ll need to be groomed every four to six weeks, with a daily brushing on the side.

Ready to bring home your very own puppy? Don’t miss our very newest puppies right here.

As always, thanks for being here.

I’m cheering you on in your puppy parenting journey!

Barks and wags,

-Sara

References:

8 Things You Should Know (n.d.). World of angus. Retrieved from https://worldofangus.com/blogs/dog-style/84813697-8-things-you-should-know-about-owning-a-poodle.

AKC (n.d.). Poodle (standard). Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-standard/.

How Many Types (2020). Purely pets. Retrieved from https://www.purelypetsinsurance.co.uk/blogs/how-many-types-of-poodle-are-there/.

Poodle (n.d.). Dogtime. Retrieved from https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/poodle#/slide/1.

Poodle Puppies (n.d.). The dog people. Retrieved from https://www.rover.com/blog/poodle-puppies-everything-you-need-to-know/.

Sara Ochoa, DVM is an expert veterinarian ready to help you give your dog an amazing life. Stationed in East Texas, Dr. Ochoa specializes in small and/or exotic animals. She’s currently loving life alongside her husband Greg and their three fur babies: Ruby the Schnoodle, Monkey the tortoise, and Oliver James (affectionately dubbed “OJ”) the cat.