Our Standard Poodle dog breed information profile includes characteristics, traits, Standard Poodle personality and temperament, lifespan, suitability for children, exercise needs, training, health problems and much more. Enjoy our Standard Poodle pictures gallery, and send in your own cute Standard Poodle puppy photos!

Meet the Standard Poodle Dog Breed

The Standard Poodle dog breed is perhaps one of the most easily recognized breeds of dog in the world. Known for his unique coat (and the styles in which he is clipped), superior intelligence and for the ease in which he learns new tricks, it’s no wonder why the Standard Poodle has captivated people for centuries. While commonly mistaken to be a silly dog, due to the frou-frou styles in which his coat is often trimmed, few who have had the luxury of meeting a Standard Poodle mistake him for a frivolous pet for long.

Standard Poodle Facts | Standard Poodle History | Standard Poodle Appearance
Standard Poodle Temperament | Standard Poodle Exercise Needs
Standard Poodle Grooming Needs
Standard Poodle Training | Standard Poodle Health Issues
Is the Standard Poodle Dog Breed the Right Choice for You?

Back to Menu

Standard Poodle Dog Breed History

Believed to have originated in Germany, prior to the 15th century, the Standard Poodle dog breed was originally known as the Pudel, or by the name “Canis Familiaris Aquatius.” It is believed that the Standard Poodle developed as a water spaniel dog and was later mixed with Russian dogs to create the basis of the breed. He would first become standardized in France, where they would adopt him as the national dog, but the name “Poodle” is, in fact, an English term, taken from the German term pudel or pudelin, which meant for one to splash in the water. This was one of the things that Standard Poodles do best.

Well known for it’s skill in the water, the Standard Poodle dog breed was one of the ultimate water retrievers and a very popular duck hunting dog in it’s time. Despite many believing that the Standard Poodle coat is cut in frivolous styles, according to some strange dog-related fashion trends, the original Standard Poodle cuts were designed to lighten the dog’s overall body weight, grant him buoyancy, and protect him from debris in the water, while still giving protection to the dog’s joints from the cold waters they retrieved game from.

Once the Standard Poodle dog breed was recognized, the toy and miniature versions of the breed soon followed. The smaller varieties were favored as pets and truffle-hunting dogs. Smaller and more lightly built, they would do less damage to the delicate truffles than their larger counterparts, and so the Miniature poodles were employed for the purpose of scenting out and then digging up the edible fungus. Many claim that terriers were crossed with the Poodle in the hope of breeding a better truffle-hunting dog.

The smallest of the three varieties of Poodle, the Toy Poodle or Petit Barbet, as he would later be called, was created solely for the purpose of being a pampered little puppy for the royal courts of the day. It is interesting to note that the breeding of these smaller dogs was never documented, so it remains a mystery as to whether or not the smaller versions were simply bred-down versions of the Standard Poodle, or if they were 3 separate and unique breeds with a common ancestor. The world may never know.

Back to Menu

Standard Poodle Appearance

The Standard Poodle dog breed is very square, compact, and sturdily-built. Designed as a water-based retriever, he is muscular without being bulky and streamlined without being frail. The overall appearance of the Standard Poodle is very balanced and geometrical; attesting to his great athletic ability.

The eyes of the Poodle are intelligent and dark in color, somewhat oval in shape and set far apart on his head, coupled with a gently tapering muzzle to give these dogs a delicate and beautiful profile that is unique to the breed. While the dog’s straight topline is often hidden by their abundant coat, they are very elegant and straight-backed, with a short loin, well sprung ribs and strong hips, which taper off to tiny, yet efficient paws.

Poodles are only found in solid colors, such as black, gray, brown, silver, cafe-au-lait, apricot, cream and white. Any parti-colored dog is considered mismarked, which is disqualifiable and unregisterable.

Standard Poodle Temperament and Personality

The Poodle is a very proud and noble dog and is well-known for carrying himself thusly. Very active and intelligent, they are keen canines who tend to consider themselves top dog. While they can get along well with children and other pets that they are raised with, they are originally bred as hunting dogs, so should be watched with birds and smaller animals. On the whole, however, the Poodle is a very attentive animal who seeks to please his human and keep everyone happy.

Back to Menu

Standard Poodle Exercise Needs

High-spirited and active, the Standard Poodle dog breed is one that likes to stay busy. While he does not require a home in the country, the Standard Poodle dog breed is still perfectly at home in those surroundings. If confined to city life, a Standard Poodle will drag his owner out for numerous walks or trips to the dog park on a daily basis. Due to their intelligence and activity levels, Standard Poodles are ideal dogs for obedience events and canine obstacle courses.

Grooming Standard Poodles

The Princess of Primp, the Standard Poodle is perhaps one of the most elaborately clipped dogs in the world. Whether clipped or unclipped, Poodles possess a curly coat that will grow in tight ringlets if left unattended. Of course, most people will tell you half the fun of having a Standard Poodle is the coiffed appearance of this pampered pooch. What few realize, however, is that there is more than one way to powder-puff your Standard Poodle:

The Puppy Clip: If under a year in age, the Standard Poodle is often shown in what is known as the “puppy clip.” In this clip, the face, throat, feet, and the base of the Poodle’s tail are shaved and the rest of the coat is left long, save for a pompon on the end of the dog’s tail.

The English Saddle: Clipping the face, throat, forelegs, feet and base of the tail, the Standard Poodle is left with puffs of hair on the forelegs and a pompon on his tail. A short blanketing of hair is left over the hindquarters, save for a curved shaved area on each flank and two bands shaved into each hind leg. The rest of the coat may be left long.

The Continental: When clipping the Standard Poodle dog breed in a “Continental” style, the face, throat, feet, and the base of the Poodle’s tail are shaved, as are the hindquarters. Optional pompons may be left on the hips, but the legs are always shaved with puffs on the front legs and bracelets on the hind and the dog sports a pompon on the end of his tail as well.

Sporting: The Standard Poodle that is clipped in a “Sporting” style has his face, throat, feet and the base of his tail shaved, but the top of his head is scissor-cut into a simple cap. The remainder of the body is either clipped or scissor-cut to a length of no more than an inch, following the lines of the dog’s body. As always, the Poodle’s tail sports a pompon at the end.

Back to Menu

Training Standard Poodles

The Standard Poodle dog breed is an incredibly intelligent one. Poodles want to please! For these reasons, Standard Poodles are generally very easy to train and receptive to the praises that he receives for good behavior. It is said that the Poodle is the quickest breed to catch on to verbal commands and that he is capable of understanding short sentence commands.

Obedience classes are highly recommended if you are inexperienced with training dogs. Not only does it teach your dog basic commands and obedience, but it also teaches you how better to understand your new Poodle puppy. You will learn what methods your Standard Poodle responds to best. In no time, you and your dog are sure to be teaching one another new tricks.

Back to Menu

Standard Poodle Health Concerns

Like any breed of dog, the Poodle dog breed can be prone to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Poodle puppy, check around with several Standard Poodle breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy.

Some of the health problems that can affect Standard Poodles include:

Progressive retinal atrophy
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism
Hip dysplasia
Von-Willebrand’s Disease
Addison’s Disease
Sebaceous Adenitis

Back to Menu

Is the Standard Poodle Dog Breed Right For Me?

The Standard Poodle dog breed is very intelligent and alert. Poodles require a great deal of care and attention. Not only does his coat require regular trips to the groomer and a daily brushing, but the Standard Poodle is  a very social dog that prefers to think of himself as a “person” and entitled to the same privileges and attention. If you don’t mind a lot of exercise and you have the time (or money) to take him to the groomer’s regularly, you may find that the Standard Poodle dog breed is perfect for you.

Back to Menu

If you enjoyed your visit to our Standard Poodle dog breed information resource, please let others know about it! You can link to this page, or post us to your favorite social networking site using the tools below! We appreciate it!