Standard Poodle

All you need to know about the Standard Poodle

The Poodle is what a lot of people would consider the true aristocrat among dog breeds! Smart, gracious, and extremely intelligent, these dogs are best known for their gorgeous curly coats.

However, despite people associating them with luxury and leisure, Poodles were originally bred as working dogs. They used to work as water retrievers, which means they were helping hunters fetch waterfowl from lakes and rivers.

The name Poodle is derived from the German word “pudel”, which roughly translates as “to splash in the water”. There are three sizes of Poodle, the Toy, the Miniature, and the Standard. Today, we will talk a bit about the Standard Poodle.

Are you planning to join the ranks of those happy Poodle owners that parade their gorgeous pets around the park each day? Read on to learn all you need to know about this breed.

Fast Facts

Group - Non-Sporting

Weight - 60-70 Pounds (male) 40-50 Pounds (female)

Height - 15-25 Inches (male) 15-26 Inches (female) 

Coat - Dense and curly

Shedding - Light

Lifespan - 10-18 Years

The Appearance of the Standard Poodle 

The Standard Poodle is a dignified breed and these dogs have a squarely built body that is well-proportioned. They have dark, oval eyes with an always alert, intelligent expression. Their ears fold closely to the head and are placed slightly below the eye level.

The Poodles are best known for their curly coat. People also associate them with a specific grooming style. This style is called the topiary continental clip, and it leaves curly pompons of hair around particular parts of the dog’s body. The hair is carefully shaped around the chest and joints.

However, this style of grooming is usually reserved for show dogs only. Perhaps it is just too flamboyant for family dogs. Most Poodle owners go for a more subtle clip that is a bit shorter and easier to maintain. 

The coat of a Poodle is single-layered and doesn’t have an undercoat. It is dense and curly, so these dogs don’t shed too much. 

Poodles are active, and you can tell that by their appearance. They have an aura of pride and elegance about them that draws attention wherever they appear. 

The Standard Poodle has a moderately rounded head. Their shoulders are strong and muscular, and they have a long neck with very snug skin near the throat. 

Their back is straight throughout, except for the small hollow behind the shoulders. Standard Poodles have a deep and wide chest and a muscular loin. And you will surely notice the tail of a Poodle. They carry it high and upwards, and it is straight and has some length to it.

What colors does a Standard Poodle come in?

The Poodle breed standard states that solid-colored and multi-colored Poodles can be accepted, although only solid-colored ones can compete in conformation. 

The most popular solid colors a Poodle can come in are:

• White
• Black
• Brown
• Gray
• Blue
• Silver
• Café au lait

There are many others which means everyone should find a Poodle in a color they love. As far as multi-colored Poodles go, you will be able to find them in:

• Abstract
• Sable
• Phantom
• Brindle

That completes the looks department. Next, we need to inform you about the personality of a Poodle!

All about the Standard Poodle personality

Poodles are highly intelligent dogs that are playful and obedient. They are not aggressive but might sometimes show watchdog impulses and bark to alert you of unknown visitors or strange noises but that’s about it.

These dogs are motivated to learn and are very athletic. Your Poodle will love interacting with you and will want to please you at all costs. This breed can read the expressions and body language of its owners. This intuition of sorts makes them excellent companions.

Poodles can also get emotional as well. These gorgeous pups are susceptible, and a sound or a sudden touch can startle them. They can also have bouts of anxiety, so watch out for that.

Still, that won’t happen too often, and Poodles are generally extremely happy and restless. They love jumping around, running, and playing constantly. This is especially noticeable while they are still young. They get calmer with age. Expect your Poodle to calm down a bit by the time it is around two years old.

It is worth mentioning that Standard Poodles are generally calmer than Miniature and Toy Poodles.

Once Standard Poodles meet someone new and unfamiliar, they can either be friendly or appear reserved and shy. It is quite hard to predict how they will behave!

Many people believe that Poodles are restless, but we would strongly disagree with that opinion. What a Poodle needs is a good owner that can be firm but not harsh and knows how to set boundaries. 

As mentioned, these dogs are brilliant so they always need something to do. They don’t like being bored. Also, training through socialization is important. Through firm but gentle disciplinary leadership, your Poodle will become a fantastic pet!

Is a Standard Poodle easy to train?

When training a Poodle, it is safe to say that you will be dealing with one of the best students possible. It all comes down to their high intelligence, which makes these dogs fast learners. They are simply a joy to work with!

Poodles shine in multiple canine sports thanks to their agility and intelligence. These include tracking and obedience, among others. It won’t surprise that they are also fantastic water retrievers since that was the original purpose of their breeding.

Another thing that helps their trainability is the fact that Poodles love to please and are people-oriented. Just make sure that you pick positive and fun training methods, and you won’t have a single problem. 

Obedience training is a must because it will help to keep your pup’s mind active. Bored Poodles do tend to occupy themselves in various destructive ways. Preventing this is easy, though, and maintaining a steady training routine should be a joy for both of you!

Now you know what to expect when it comes to behavior. No problems there, so let’ see how you should handle grooming with these curly pups.

How much Grooming does a Standard Poodle need?

Since Poodles’ training is so simple, problems are bound to appear in some other aspects of having them as pets, right? Well, yes, to an extent. Grooming can be a bit problematic with Poodles, although there are ways to make it less painful.

Standard Poodles are high-maintenance when it comes to their coat, and expect to groom them regularly. You should expect to do it every three to six weeks. Of course, daily brushing is mandatory to keep the coat tangle-free.

As far as grooming, most owners simply clip their Poodles’ coat short, so they don’t need to worry about it too much. You will still need to brush it, but at least it will be easier. It is advised to seek a professional groomer’s help since most people don’t have access to good quality scissors and electric clippers and blades.

However, if you are willing to do it yourself, you will need to dedicate a lot of time to learn how to do it. Of course, we can’t talk about the grooming of Poodles without mentioning the various puppy cuts. 

People love to style their Poodles’ coats differently, especially if their pets are competing on shows. We already mentioned the Continental clip as one of the most popular. Other well-known cuts include the English Saddle, the Scandinavian, and the Sporting clips.

These clips differ in which parts of the coat get shaven off and remain fully grown and fluffy. The coat of a Poodle allows for wonderful puppy cuts, and you can let your imagination run wild to make your pet gorgeous.

Other than that, you should make sure to brush your Poodle’s teeth regularly. Also, trim its nails once or twice a month. Ear checks are mandatory as well since you want to avoid ear infections.

Lastly, an interesting piece of information is the fact that Poodles barely shed. This makes them excellent pets for people with allergies! While no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, this one is as close as it gets. 

The Health and Fitness of the Standard Poodle

Poodles are an exceptionally healthy breed and they tend to avoid a lot of common health issues among dogs. Still, some diseases can occur.

Bloat can become a serious issue with Standard Poodles. This condition can become fatal and should be treated immediately. The symptoms are easily recognizable, such as failed attempts to vomit and problems with digestion.

Hip Dysplasia is relatively common as well, and some eye disorders can also become problematic. Another disease that can occur is the von Willebrand disease. This is a bleeding disorder that is quite similar to hemophilia in humans. 

Naturally, regular visits to the veterinarian should be mandatory, and you will most likely avoid all of these issues. 

The Nutrition of the Standard Poodle

High-quality dog food is a must and should be divided into two meals each day. Each meal should consist of around 1.5 to 3 cups of dog food. The exact amount will depend on the size and metabolism of your dog.

Do not overfeed your Poodle! Packing on too much weight can cause joint problems, among other health-related issues. 

Do not feed your Poodle table scraps often. That way, it might start to avoid dog food, which is more balanced and healthier in general. We know it’s hard to resist those gorgeous begging eyes, but you’ll have to do it! It is for the well-being of your pet.

Dog treats should be given in moderation. As with most things, it is best to consult with the vet about the type and amount of food you should give to your Poodle.

Where does the Standard Poodle come from?

Although we don’t have concrete proof for the Poodle’s exact origin, most agree that the breed comes from Germany. There it was known as the Pudelhund and was used mostly as a water retriever during duck hunts. The first mention of a Poodle in Germany was during the 15th century.

The breed was standardized in France, where they started breeding these dogs more regularly. Today, the Poodle is considered to be the national breed of France! 

This breed was also trendy in Spain in the 18th century. The love this country had for the Poodle can be seen in the paintings of legendary artist Francisco Goya. Although they started as working dogs, they have become wonderful family pets and show dogs with time.

Standard Poodle Mixes you would like to know about*

Dog crossbreeds or mixes are sometimes called designer dogs. The name fits since you are “designing” a new dog by mating two purebred dogs. It has become popular in recent times, and more and more breeds have several noteworthy crosses we could write about.

The thing with mixed puppies is that it is hard to know which characteristics they will inherit from their parents. You should research as much info as possible on the parent breeds to understand what you can expect. This way, you will find a mix that has all of the characteristics you want and love.

Read on to see the most popular Standard Poodle mixes:

• Labradoodle - Poodle & Labrador Retriever mix
• Giant Schnoodle - Poodle & Giant Schnauzer mix 
• Goldendoodle - Poodle & Golden Retriever mix
• Bernedoodle - Poodle & Bernese Mountain Dog mix
• Sheepadoodle - Poodle & Old English Sheepdog mix

*Not all breed mixes are equal in quality! Pets4you.com neither condones nor endorses any example of unethical and unhealthy crossbreeding. We encourage everyone to research in detail before they choose to get a crossbreed.