If you’re looking for an intelligent, highly trainable pooch - up for the challenge of almost any task you set them, look no further than the Poodle. These playful breeds are recognised as one of the most intelligent breeds in the world.
Whatever you do, don’t let your Poodle get bored! A bored Poodle can be very destructive so it’s important to keep them both physically and mentally stimulated. This is easy to do with a good selection of toys and plenty of exercise so if you’re an active owner all the better!
Poodles belong to the water dog family and are believed to have originated in Russia or Germany dating back to the 16th Century. A common star in today’s show dog competitions, it was first exhibited in England in 1880 and has gained world-wide recognition since then.
Whatever size Poodle (toy, miniature or standard) joins your family you’ll be adopting a loving, loyal and very smart family companion.
Standard Poodle Facts
There are three sizes of Poodle: toy, miniature, and standard. These are simply different sizes of exactly the same dog. Standard Poodles are the original - and also the largest with a well-proportioned build and long straight legs. Its head is triangular with a long muzzle and its ears are long and dropped. Poodles are eager, athletic, and wickedly smart “real dogs” of remarkable versatility.
- Breed Group: Non-sporting
- Height: Female: 38-55 cm, Male: 38-55 cm
- Weight: Female: 20-27 kg, Male: 20-32 kg
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Coat: Short-haired or Long-haired, Curly & Dense
- Colour: Black, Grey, Red, Blue, Cream, White, Fawn, Gold/Yellow, Brown/Chocolate/Liver
What Does a Standard Poodle Look Like?
The Standard Poodle has a graceful, medium-sized frame with a rounded skull, a long head and muzzle, dark oval eyes and wide, close-hanging ears. They have long legs that give them a springy step and compact feet. The coat is sometimes curly and wiry, sometimes soft and wavy, and can be any solid colour. Grooming styles include the “pet clip” (short all over), the “Continental clip” (the hindquarters shaved, half of the tail and the upper half of the legs) “English saddle clip” (same as the “Continental Clip” except the hindquarters are not shaved). Most show dogs appear with the “Continental Clip.”
Standard Poodle
Standard Poodle Temperament: Motivated to Learn
The Standard Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds. It loves to impress its human family and gets along well with children and other dogs. The Standard Poodle also excels at dog sports.
Poodles are obedient and playful. While they are far from being an aggressive breed, they do have watchdog tendencies and will bark to alert you to any noises or visitors. The breed’s response to unfamiliar faces can range from friendly and engaging to shy and reserved.
The personable Poodle loves interacting with humans and will do what he can to please his owner. There intelligence cannot be overstated; they seem to have a sense for reading their owners’ body language and expressions, making them intuitive companions. Their sensitivity doesn’t stop there; they’re also a little on the emotional side themselves; Poodles are hypersensitive pooches who can be easily startled by touch or sound, so watch out for bouts of anxiety.
These happy, highly-strung animals love to romp around, bounce, run, and play nearly non-stop as puppies and young dogs. Their activity levels do change with maturity however, and you can expect them to calm down a bit between 18 months and 2 years of age. Standard poodles are also generally calmer than miniature and toy poodles.
Keeping Standard Poodles Healthy: 5 Issues to Watch Out For
Poodles are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Poodles will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.
Hip Dysplasia:
When the hip socket is poorly formed or the ligaments are loose enough to allow the ball of the thigh bone (femur) to slide part of the way out of the hip socket, it's called dysplastic. Canine hip dysplasia is inherited, with environmental factors sometimes playing a large part in its development. Over time, there is degeneration of the joint that can cause arthritis and pain, even lameness. Excess weight, excessive or prolonged exercise before maturity, a fast growth rate, and high-calorie or supplemented diets can contribute to the development of canine hip dysplasia. Veterinary care includes nutritional supplements, medication and, in some cases, surgery.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):
PRA is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose sight during the day. Many affected dogs adapt to their limited or loss of vision very well, as long as the surroundings remain the same.
Epilepsy:
A common cause of seizures in all varieties of Poodles is idiopathic epilepsy. It often is inherited and can cause mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behaviour, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. It's important to remember that seizures can be caused by many other things than idiopathic epilepsy, such as metabolic disorders, infectious diseases that affect the brain, tumours, exposure to poisons, severe head injuries, and more. Therefore, if your Poodle has seizures, it's important to take him to the vet right away for a checkup.
Gastric Dialtioon-Volvulus (Bloat):
This is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dogs like Poodles, especially if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid itself of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. It's important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA):
SA is a serious problem in Poodles, especially Standards. It's estimated that 50 percent of all Standard Poodles are carriers, or affected. This genetic condition is difficult to diagnose and often is mistaken for hypothyroidism, allergies, or other conditions. When a dog has SA, the sebaceous glands in the skin become inflamed for unknown reasons, and are eventually destroyed. These glands typically produce sebum, a fatty secretion that aids in preventing drying of the skin. It's usually first noticed when the dog is from 1 to 5 years old. Affected dogs typically have dry, scaly skin with hair loss on top of the head, neck, and back. Severely affected dogs can have thickened skin and an unpleasant odor, along with secondary skin infections. Although the problem is primarily cosmetic, it can be uncomfortable for the dog. Your vet will perform a biopsy of the skin if SA is suspected. Treatment options vary.
Caring for Your Standard Poodle Dog
Knowing how to take care of your Standard Poodle can help prevent many problems, both health-related and behavioural. All Standard Poodles need love, exercise, grooming and proper nutrition.
Grooming:
The Poodle is a non-shedding breed, and a good choice for people with allergies. Many allergic people are able to keep a Poodle with no reaction.
The hair is curly, wiry, and dense, and this unique texture can be trimmed, clipped, groomed, shaved, and otherwise manipulated into all kinds of fanciful shapes. If your dog is going to compete in the show ring, however, you can't go too wild with the styling; some kennel clubs will only allow specific clip styles for Poodles in conformation competitions.
Grooming a Poodle isn't for the faint of heart. Poodles are high-maintenance dogs requiring regular grooming, every three to six weeks (sometimes more frequently), to keep the coat in good condition. If you are considering a Poodle, consider the upkeep of the coat and expense of grooming but don’t fret; there are many ways to style the coat for easier care. (In fact, many owners simply shave it off!)
That said, easy care doesn't mean without care. Even when clipped short, your Poodle will still need to be brushed, bathed, and trimmed at least every three to six weeks, to keep the coat clean, short, and tangle free.
Many Poodles have weepy eyes that stain the hair under their eyes. The lighter your dog's coat, the more noticeable the tear stains. This can be managed by wiping around the eyes and face every day with an alcohol-free pet wipe such as the Petkin Bamboo Eye Wipes or washcloth dampened with warm water.
Be sure to check your Poodle's ears often every week for dirt, redness, or a bad odour that can indicate an infection, then wipe them out weekly with Petkin Bamboo Ear Wipes or a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent problems. Breeds with drop-down ears are prone to ear infections because the ear canal stays dark and moist. Also, hair grows in the Poodle's ear canal. Sometimes, this hair needs to be plucked. Ask your groomer or veterinarian if it's necessary for your dog.
Brush your Poodle's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Try the Nylabone Oral Dental Kit.
Nutrition:
Like any breed, the Poodle will pack on weight if he's overfed, which can lead to joint problems and other health woes. Limiting treats, keeping them active, and feeding in meals rather than leaving food available at all times will help keep is weight in check. To avoid creating a finicky eater, don’t give your Poodle table scraps (and do your best to resist those pleading eyes). You’ll risk them turning up their nose at dog food, which is much healthier.
Keep your Poodle in good shape by measuring the food and feeding them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether your Poodle is overweight, give them the eye test and the hands-on test. First, look down at him - you should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on their back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see the ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, they need less food and more exercise.
As for the best dog food for Standard Poodles, this breed, like all dogs, can benefit from a complete and balanced dog food, whether dry, wet or a combination of both. Royal Canin offers a breed-specific food specially formulated for Poodles needs and is available in adult and puppy formulas. A medium-breed dog food, like Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food, is another option for your adult Poodle.
Exercise:
Poodles of any size are very active dogs who require good exercise every day to suit their high energy level. Poodles are eager for all kinds of activity, and they enjoy keeping busy. Swimming is great exercise for them, and most Poodles love to get in the water. Bred as hunting dogs, their impulse is to retrieve, so tossing toys, sticks, or balls for them will exercise both their mind and body. They also thrive on going for jogs or long walks with their human. Invest in a good quality harness and lead from the EzyDog range.
Training Your Standard Poodle
Poodles are extremely intelligent and are easily trained. They are agile and graceful as well as smart, and they enjoy and excel in a variety of canine sports, including agility, obedience, and tracking. Poodles are very people-oriented, and if your training routines are fun and positive, they are quick to please you. Just be sure that you are being consistent with what you ask.
Have some healthy treats on hand for rewarding your Poodles good work.