In a past breed spotlight, we covered the adorable miniature poodle which continues to grow in popularity year after year. But we shouldn’t forget about the minis’ larger and older cousins, the lovable standard-sized poodle! These instantly recognizable pups still remain extremely popular as family pets, with their affectionate personalities and hypoallergenic coats. They make such wonderful pets, that many new designer breeds boast of their poodle heritage. But you can’t go wrong by sticking to this classic purebred pup, either!
Breed History
Although Poodles are thought to be French, they actually originated in Germany and were then adopted by the French. They were bred to retrieve waterfowl and their signature curly coat is meant to repel water. They became a favorite breed of King Louis XVI, which probably contributed to its inaccurate reputation as a French dog. Over time, the breed was bred down in size to create the mini and toy variety, but the larger Standard Poodle has remained the same over hundreds of years.
Standard Poodle Characteristics
Appearance & Coat
Poodles have an iconic curly coat that comes in a variety of colors, like black, brown, or white. Some owners will give them fancy trims, which make this breed truly stand out among dog lovers. Apart from their coat, you can also recognize Poodles by their tall and slender frames, about 21-24” tall, and large, floppy ears.
Temperament
Poodles are very smart and extremely affectionate, making them wonderful family companions. Their intelligence and obedience also make them ideal for training and a very popular breed for dog shows. Try giving them a job, like fetching the newspaper, to engage their mind and let them feel helpful to you. With proper socialization, Poodles do well both with other dogs or as an only pet and they are very gentle with young children.
Health
Poodles are generally healthy but there are some conditions that can be found in the breed. You should take your poodle to the vet regularly, and be on the lookout for hip dysplasia, eye problems, bloat, sebaceous adenitis, immune-mediated diseases, idiopathic epilepsy, and von Willebrand's disease.
Caring for a Standard Poodle
A Standard Poodle’s Ideal Home
A Poodle is pretty adaptable to any environment and does well with children, so just about any home will do! All they need is regular exercise to burn their energy. They especially love swimming and playing fetch in your backyard, thanks to their history as a waterfowl retriever. If you live in the city, be sure to take them to the dog park often and take daily walks.
Training Best Practices
As we mentioned before, Poodles are extremely intelligent and love pleasing their owners, so they’re naturally inclined to respond well to positive reinforcement training. Poodles enjoy a variety of canine sports if you’d like to train them in agility, obedience, or tracking. With their history as water retrievers, you could also train your Poodle in diving and retrieving.
Grooming & Hygiene
The Poodle’s hypoallergenic coat does require frequent maintenance to prevent it from matting. Brush your poodle daily to remove knots. Clipping their coats short will also help. If you’d like to make your poodle look fancier, you can take them to a professional groomer to give them a fancy trim. You’ll want to book appointments every four to six weeks to maintain their look.
Does the Standard-sized Poodle sound like the perfect companion for your family? Check out the listings on Lancaster Puppies today to adopt one from a reputable breeder!