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The Poodle is one of the most intelligent and versatile breeds in the world, originally developed as a water retriever and later refined into three sizes to suit different roles. Its curly, hypoallergenic coat and quick mind have made it a foundation breed for nearly every popular doodle cross, but the purebred Poodle stands on its own as a devoted, athletic, and highly trainable companion. This page covers the breed broadly; the Toy Poodle and Miniature Poodle each have their own page.
Poodles are exceptionally bright, eager to please, and quick to learn, which makes them one of the easiest breeds to train. They are affectionate with their families and generally good with children and other pets when raised together. Standards tend to be calm and dignified, while Miniatures and Toys are more energetic and often more vocal. All sizes are sensitive dogs that thrive on attention and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches.
The AKC recognizes three sizes by height. Toy: 10 inches or under at the shoulder, typically 4 to 6 lbs. Miniature: over 10 inches up to 15 inches, typically 10 to 15 lbs. Standard: over 15 inches, typically 40 to 70 lbs, with males at the larger end. Size is determined by the parents, and reputable breeders do not cross sizes.
The Poodle coat is dense, curly, and continuously growing, and it is hypoallergenic in the sense that it sheds very little and traps dander close to the skin. It requires brushing several times weekly to prevent matting and professional grooming every four to six weeks. Many owners keep a short sporting clip for practicality. Ears need routine cleaning and hair plucking, as the ear canals grow hair that can trap moisture.
Poodles can inherit Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis, progressive retinal atrophy, and epilepsy across all sizes. Standards additionally carry risk of hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat, which is a veterinary emergency in deep-chested dogs. Toys and Miniatures are more prone to patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and dental crowding. Recommended parent testing includes OFA hip clearances for Standards, patella evaluation for smaller sizes, eye clearances, and DNA screening for PRA.
Exercise needs scale with size. Standards want 60 or more minutes of daily activity and excel at swimming, running, and dog sports. Miniatures need moderate daily walks and play, and Toys are content with short walks and indoor activity. All sizes are indoor companion dogs that need mental stimulation as much as physical exercise, and they adapt well to apartments provided their minds are kept busy.
Typical lifespan is 12 to 15 years for Standards and 14 to 18 years for Miniatures and Toys. Dental care, weight management, and awareness of bloat in Standards support a long, healthy life.
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