Highly intelligent and easily trained with a loving, even goofy personality, Standard Poodle puppies can be the perfect addition to any family
When most people think of poodles, they picture a regal dog with a fancy, carefully groomed coat. Don’t let that image fool you, though. Look closer and you’ll find an intelligent and friendly breed that is far from the pampered and fussy companion of the wealthy. Originally a working breed, Poodles are never happier than when they have a task to do. In fact, their original German name "pudel" translates as "splash in the water" and their French name "chien canard" means "duck dog". The breed comes in three sizes, with Standard being the largest at 15-22 inches with males weighing between 45-70 pounds and females 45-60 pounds. Their dense, curly coat is hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for individuals with allergies, and comes in several shades including blue, black, white, gray, silver, brown, café-au-lait, apricot and cream.
History
The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds, with illustrations of Poodle type dogs appearing on Egyptian and Roman artifacts dating from the first century B.C. The French originally used the breed for duck hunting and traveling entertainers quickly recognized their ability to easily learn commands and put that trait to use by training them to be circus performers. It was in this capacity that their coats were first sculpted into the fanciful shapes the breed became known for. The first Poodle was registered in England in 1874 and by 1886 the AKC had registered the breed. Poodles remained fairly rare in the U.S. until after World War II when their popularity boomed.
Temperament
Though Poodles can have a distinct dignified streak, overall the breed is known to be loyal, loving, intelligent and mischievous. They are quick to learn, making them easy to train, but that means they can pick up bad habits along with the good. That being said, Poodles love their humans and are generally eager to please. When trained properly and socialized early, Poodles have a calm demeanor that makes them a perfect family companion, getting along well with children and other pets. Although loyal to their family, the Poodle can be wary of strangers and may take a while to warm up to outsiders.
Environment
Poodles are fairly adaptable dogs, meaning they can get along well in almost any living arrangement, though the larger Standard Poodle will need a little more room to stretch his legs. As a loving and loyal companion, the Poodle is never happier than when they are with their family. Retaining their original working characteristics, Poodles are eager to please and enjoy working as water retrievers and hunting dogs.
Exercise
As working dogs, Poodles are highly energetic and require regular exercise to burn off excess energy. This makes them a great choice for active individuals and families. For Standard Poodles, that can involve frequently getting out and stretching their legs. Their keen intelligence makes them ideal candidates for obedience and agility training as well as hunt tests.
Grooming
The Poodle’s dense, curly coat is non-shedding, making them hypoallergenic, but it also requires a good amount of regular grooming so be prepared to put in plenty of time on maintenance and care. The unique, thick texture of the Poodle coat lends itself to trimming, clipping and shaving, resulting in the familiar "poofy" style most people associate with the breed but even if you opt for a more natural look, the coat will still require daily brushing in order to avoid mats. They will also need more extensive grooming every three to six weeks and can benefit from seeing a professional groomer. Other regular grooming includes clipping the nails, checking the ears for signs of infection and wiping away tear stains that will often accumulate under their eyes.
