Curls are free, the attitude is priceless.
Also called Standard Poodle, Grand Caniche, Königspudel, Großpudel · Companion and Toy Dogs · France according to the FCI
Clever, cheerful and eager to please, the Standard Poodle pairs dignity with a playful, clownish streak.
a day
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Weight | 20 to 27 kg (45 to 60 lb)males 25 to 27 kg, females 20 to 23 kg123 |
| Height | 45 to 62 cm (18 to 24 in)45672 |
| Lifespan | 10 to 18 years128 |
| Coat | Curly or corded, single, non-shedding hair |
| Origin | France according to the FCI (breed of French patronage); the AKC and The Royal Kennel Club describe it as originally developed in Germany as a water retriever.91083 |
| Group | Companion and Toy Dogs (FCI group 9) |
| Exercise | 90 min a day |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
Clever, cheerful and eager to please, the Standard Poodle pairs dignity with a playful, clownish streak. It is deeply loyal, gentle and very affectionate with children, and it learns fast when training is positive and varied. Well-bred Standards are known for steady, calm nerves.6427
curly or corded, single, non-shedding hair
A tall, squarely built athlete with a long, fine head, dark almond eyes and a proud carriage. Its coat is a thick layer of fine, springy curls that keeps growing, or it can be left to form long cords of 20 cm or more. The high-set tail and light, springy trot give the Standard its elegant, confident outline.45610
A typical home-care rhythm for a Poodle (Standard). A starting point, not a vet's advice.
A true sporting dog at heart: give it one to two hours of exercise a day plus mental work. It excels at swimming, retrieving, agility, obedience, dock diving and flyball.281
Happiest in a home with room to move and ideally a secure garden, though it adapts to town or country life when well exercised. It is a people dog that should live indoors with its family.876
Needs plenty of human companionship and close involvement in family life; it does not enjoy long periods alone. Usually sociable with children and other dogs when raised with them.612
The coat never stops growing and tangles readily, so brush it thoroughly every day with a slicker brush (or keep it short) and plan a professional clip every 6-8 weeks. Bath about monthly and dry the coat fully. Show dogs wear the Continental, English Saddle or Puppy clip; most pets wear a practical sporting clip.2815
A complete dog food formulated for large breeds, fed as two meals a day; a slow-feeder bowl helps it eat calmly. Very active dogs may need a higher-calorie sport diet. Adjust portions to body condition and keep treats modest.217
Feed your Standard Poodle two meals a day using a complete large-breed dog food. A slow-feeder bowl can help it eat calmly. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet, as very active dogs may need a higher-calorie sport diet.21712
A complete dog food formulated for large breeds is best, fed as two meals a day. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Always avoid these and consult your vet for a safe diet plan.21713
Bath your Standard Poodle about once a month, and always dry the coat fully. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 28 days, but you can adjust based on your dog's activity and skin condition. More frequent baths may be needed if it gets very dirty.281514
Brush your Standard Poodle thoroughly every day with a slicker brush to prevent tangles, as its coat never stops growing. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every 2 days, but daily is ideal. If you keep the coat short, brushing can be less frequent.2815
Trim nails about every 4 weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part). If you are unsure, ask your vet or a professional groomer for guidance.14
Your Standard Poodle needs one to two hours of exercise daily, plus mental stimulation. It excels at swimming, agility, and retrieving. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests about 90 minutes a day. A secure garden is ideal, but it adapts to town or country life with enough activity.281
Brush your dog's teeth daily with a pet-safe toothpaste, and check ears weekly for moisture or debris. Floppy ears trap moisture, so dry them gently. Never push anything into the ear canal. For dental care, Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every 2 days, but daily is best.14
Standard Poodles typically live between 10 and 18 years. With good care, regular vet checkups, and a healthy lifestyle, many enjoy a long life. Senior years usually start around age 7.128
Yes, well-bred Standard Poodles are gentle, affectionate, and very good with children. They are usually sociable with other dogs when raised together. They need plenty of human companionship and thrive in a family setting.612
Standard Poodles need plenty of human companionship and do not enjoy long periods alone. They are happiest when closely involved in family life. If left alone for extended times, they may become anxious. Consider a dog walker or pet sitter if you are away often.612
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Poodle (Standard). Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
The adrenal glands stop making enough hormone, causing vague illness that can become a crisis; lifelong treatment works well. Named as a breed health concern by the Poodle Club of America; no published rate ↗
The stomach swells and can twist, which is an emergency in deep-chested dogs. Named as a breed health concern by the Poodle Club of America; no published rate ↗
An immune skin disease that destroys oil glands, giving scaly skin and hair loss; a skin biopsy diagnoses it. Skin biopsy is an elective Poodle Club of America test; no published rate ↗
Loose hips that wear into arthritis; ask for the parents' hip results. Hip evaluation required by the Poodle Club of America; no published rate ↗
An underactive thyroid causing weight gain and a poor coat; treated with daily tablets. Thyroid test required by the Poodle Club of America; no published rate ↗
Seizures with no other cause, usually starting in young adults and managed with medication. Named as a breed health concern by the Poodle Club of America; no published rate ↗
From the breed club or a health scheme. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
Running costs for a Poodle (Standard), built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 103 kg of dry food a year | 338 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 345 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 461 GBP ↗ |
| Dog tax | 0 GBP ↗ |
| Licence and registration | 12 GBP ↗ |
| Grooming6 salon visits a year | 330 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 531 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Poodle (Standard) in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
See the rules and sources for every country
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Standard Poodles can have sensitive stomachs, so stick to low-fat, low-calorie treats like carrots or snap peas, and keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories to avoid weight gain and pancreatitis risk. Ask your vet if you notice ongoing tummy troubles.
Source: petmd.com vet.cornell.edu
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Siba, a black Standard Poodle registered as GCh. Stone Run Afternoon Tea, won Westminster Best in Show in 2020, the first Standard to do so since 1991 and the variety's fifth win there.15
Siba reportedly fuelled her 2020 Group and Best in Show wins with a fast-food chicken sandwich.15
In 1988 musher John Suter entered Standard Poodles in Alaska's Iditarod sled dog race; the trial showed their curly coats were not built for the snowy trail.10
Jacqueline Kennedy owned a Standard Poodle named Gaullie, and Elvis Presley often gave poodles as gifts.10
UKC places the Standard Poodle in its Gun Dog Group, a nod to its duck-retrieving roots.6
Poodle-type dogs can be seen in Roman tomb carvings dating from around AD 30.6
The French name Caniche translates roughly as 'duck dog'.10
The name 'Poodle' comes from the German word 'Pudel,' meaning 'to splash in water,' reflecting the breed's original work as a water retriever.16
I started my day with a long run in the park, splashing through the stream. Then I practiced my agility drills with my human, leaping over jumps and weaving through poles. After a nap in the sun, I helped my human with chores by carrying toys to their bin. In the evening, we played fetch until the stars came out. I am a happy dog!
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Films and series picked by Oskar, who made Pet Wiki.
Rhapsody in White, a Standard Poodle, is the reigning champion.
Dogs of poodle type appear in Roman tomb carvings from around AD 30 and in European paintings from the 15th century on. The Standard is the original form: a curly-coated water dog that retrieved ducks and other waterfowl, and even recovered arrows and bolts for hunters. Its German name Pudel refers to splashing, the French Caniche to ducks, and the FCI traces it to the Barbet, from which it had split by the 1740s. Hunters trimmed the coat to help it swim while keeping joints and chest warm, which gave rise to the famous clips; French fashion later added rosettes and pom-poms. In England early Standards worked as 'Rough Water Dogs', and Prince Rupert of the Rhine took a hunting poodle to the English Civil War. From the 18th century the breed also shone in circuses, and breeders scaled it down into the Miniature and Toy. The Kennel Club recognised the Poodle in 1874 and the AKC in the late 1880s; the Poodle Club of America formed in 1931. After the Second World War the Poodle became America's most popular breed for more than 20 years. Today the Standard works as a gun dog, service and therapy dog and sport competitor as well as a family companion.61810483
Popularity Poodle (Standard, Miniature and Toy combined) ranked No. 6 among AKC-registered breeds in the US, dropping out of the top five as the Dachshund moved up19
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Poodle (Miniature)
Poodle (Toy)
Barbet
Portuguese Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniel
Spanish Water Dog