Dog breed guide
Standard Poodle
An athletic, quick-learning dog beneath the curls. Standard Poodles need regular activity and professional coat care; low shedding does not make any dog reliably allergy-safe.
- Adult size
- Large
- Exercise needs
- High
- Coat type
- Curly
- Typical lifespan
- 10-18 years
Temperament & companionship
Many are attentive, lively, and responsive to training. Some are reserved with unfamiliar people. This profile covers the Standard variety; Miniature and Toy Poodles differ in size and some health considerations.
Exercise & daily life
Provide daily walks, mental challenges, retrieving, or suitable dog sports alongside rest. Plan time for coat maintenance and handling practice. Spend time with an individual dog before deciding whether an allergy-sensitive household can cope.
Grooming & coat care
Comb through to the skin regularly and arrange professional clipping on a schedule suited to the coat. Curls can hide painful mats. Ask a groomer to demonstrate maintenance and include ear, nail, and dental care.
Training & enrichment
Use varied reward-based sessions, cooperative grooming, and settling exercises. Intelligence does not remove the need for patient repetition. Rotate puzzles and scent games rather than leaving a bored dog to invent its own work.
Health considerations
Ask about hip and eye screening and breed-club recommendations for thyroid and sebaceous adenitis assessment. Discuss gastric dilatation-volvulus risk and Addison's disease with a vet. Health recommendations should match the Standard variety.
Sources & perspective
These are general breed tendencies, not a prediction about an individual dog. Size and lifespan are broad guides, not guarantees. Health information is educational and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. This guide has not been veterinary reviewed.
Updated . Consider rescue organizations and responsible breeders; ask for documented health and behavior history.