Standard Poodle
active / proud / very smart
A bright, athletic companion with a low-shedding coat and a love of learning.
Photo: Tim Wilson from Blaine, MN, USA · CC BY 2.0. Resized and cropped. Photo details
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Standard size only. Toy and Miniature Poodles require separate IDs and source-confirmed photographs. Also documented as: Caniche, Poodle (Standard), Standards.
The breed at a glance
- Official name
- Poodle · Standard variety
- Origin / registry attribution
- France
- AKC origin attribution
- Germany
- Group
- Non-Sporting Group
- Original purpose
- Water retrieving
- Height
- over 15 inches (standard)
- Weight
- 60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard)
- Typical lifespan
- 10-18 years
- Coat type
- Curly
- Coat length
- Long
- Shedding
- Very low
- Drooling
- Very low
- Barking
- High
- Grooming
- High
- Exercise needs
- High
- Mental stimulation
- Very high
- Trainability
- Very high
- Children
- Very high
- Other dogs
- Moderate
- Cats / small pets
- Individual assessment required; breed suitability unknown
- Apartment adaptability (editorial)
- Moderate
- First-owner suitability (editorial)
- High
- Climate
- Unknown; individual veterinary advice recommended
Measurements, coat facts, and trait ratings: AKC Poodle (Standard) breed guide. Origin classifications can differ between registries; both attributions are retained where available. Apartment and first-owner ratings are editorial planning estimates.
Temperament & lifestyle fit
active / proud / very smart. These are general breed tendencies; upbringing, age, health and the individual dog matter.
- Energy and exercise
- High
- Grooming needs
- High
- Trainability
- Very high
- Family compatibility: children
- Very high
- Apartment adaptability (editorial)
- Moderate
Use these ratings to plan your routine, rather than to predict an individual dog’s behavior. Children need supervision and introductions to other pets need individual assessment.
Find breeds that fit your home, activity and care preferences · Understand our source ratings and editorial estimates
A history that shapes daily life
Poodles have a water-retrieving heritage associated with Germany, followed by development and standardization in France. This record covers the Standard variety only; Miniature and Toy care requirements should not be inferred from it.
History and breed background: AKC Poodle (Standard) breed guide.
Coat care & everyday routines
Professional grooming and mental enrichment are essential; low shedding does not guarantee allergy compatibility.
Reported coat colors: Apricot, Black, Blue, Brown, Cream, Red, Silver, Silver Beige, White, Cafe Au Lait, Gray. Color listings reflect the source registry and do not establish health, temperament, or show eligibility.
Plan daily activity and age-appropriate enrichment, a comfortable resting area, gradual alone-time training, and regular preventive care. Choose a routine you can maintain throughout the year.
Coat and care source: AKC Poodle (Standard) breed guide.
Health conversations worth having
Reported concerns include hip dysplasia, eye disorders, sebaceous adenitis, and gastric dilatation-volvulus. Review Standard-specific health screening with a veterinarian.
Screening listed by the source breed club
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- DNA Test for Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEwS) or clear by parentage (Standard only)
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis Evaluation (Standard Only)
- Von Willebrand Disease I (VWDI) - DNA Test
Health screening does not guarantee an individual dog will be free of disease. These lists are not a diagnosis or an exhaustive account of possible conditions.
Health source: AKC Poodle (Standard) breed guide · Parent breed-club health statement.
A realistic monthly care budget
$195–$380 USD per month · adult-dog planning estimate.
- Food
- $55–$100
- Routine veterinary reserve
- $60–$125
- Parasite prevention
- $20–$40
- Grooming & coat supplies
- $40–$75
- Treats, toys & replacement supplies
- $20–$40
Editorial U.S. adult-dog planning ranges, reviewed October 1, 2026. Routine veterinary care is averaged across the year. Local prices and individual health needs vary. Excludes purchase or adoption, initial supplies, insurance, emergency and specialist care, boarding, daycare, training classes, and pet rent. Sources inform care categories; these breed estimates are not supplier quotes.
AKC: lifetime dog-care costsASPCA: planning for pet-care costs
Sources & research status
- FCI breed nomenclature: Poodle · checked 2026-10-01
- AKC Poodle (Standard) breed guide · checked 2026-10-01
- FCI official breed standard
- Data coverage, editorial estimates, and matching methodology
General breed tendencies do not guarantee individual behavior. Children need supervision; existing pets need careful introductions. Meet the dog and discuss individual health and care needs.