Dog breed

Poodle (Standard and Medium)

The Poodle is a French dog with a curly coat, originally a retriever of waterfowl and today one of the most intelligent family dogs. This page covers the two larger varieties: the Standard Poodle (45–60 cm) and the Medium Poodle (35–45 cm). Poodles hardly shed, which is why people with allergies often choose them.

Low shedding
FCI Group IX · Companion dogs · standard no. 172

Weight: 7–32 kg
Height: 35–62 cm
Lifespan: 10–16 years
Origin: France

How much food for this breed?Compare with another breed

Photo: Tim Wilson from Blaine, MN, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The Poodle is very different from its image as a parlor ornament. By origin it is a hunting dog: athletic, quick to learn and up for any activity, from swimming to agility and tracking. The AKC gives it top marks for trainability, playfulness and openness to people. A Poodle quickly reads the mood of its household and likes to be at the center of things, so it copes badly with long stretches alone. It usually gets along wonderfully with children, although a young Standard can be bouncy. It is alert and happy to announce a visitor with a bark. Intelligence comes at a price: an underemployed Poodle invents its own entertainment, and bright dogs pick up bad habits just as fast. The Medium variety is a bit lighter and fits more easily into an apartment, but its temperament is similar.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Poodle for?

A Standard or Medium Poodle is a good choice for an active family, a person with allergies looking for a low-shedding dog and anyone who enjoys training. It can be a first dog if the owner accepts the cost of a groomer. It won't do well with people who are rarely home or with those looking for a dog that doesn't need anything to do.

Pros

exceptionally easy to train
hardly sheds
friendly with people and children
long-lived

Challenges

regular, costly grooming
needs plenty to do
copes badly with being alone
can be barky

Size and looks

Size and looks: Poodle
Height at the withers	males 35–62 cm, females 35–62 cm
Weight	males 7–32 kg, females 7–23 kg
Lifespan	10–16 years
Coat	curly
Colors	black, white, brown, gray, apricot, red fawn
Country of origin	France
Classification	Group IX: Companion and Toy dogs
Also known as	Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Caniche

Care and exercise

60–90minof exercise a day

4/5grooming needs

1/5shedding

A Standard Poodle needs about one to one and a half hours of exercise and mental work a day, a Medium a bit less. Swimming, retrieving, dog sports and learning tricks all work brilliantly. The coat doesn't shed but keeps growing, so grooming is an ongoing commitment. A dog in a long coat must be combed right down to the skin every day, or mats near the skin will have to be shaved off. Most owners choose a short clip at the groomer every 4–6 weeks, together with a bath and nail trim. The ears need regular cleaning and removal of hair from the ear canal. As a deep-chested dog, a Standard Poodle should eat two smaller meals a day and rest after eating. Training goes quickly but needs variety.

How much should the Poodle eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

Poodles are among the long-lived breeds: a 2024 UK study found a median of 14 years for Standard Poodles. The AKC lists hip dysplasia, eye disease, idiopathic epilepsy, von Willebrand disease and immune-mediated conditions in the breed, and in Standard Poodles especially bloat and sebaceous adenitis. For the Standard variety, the British Kennel Club recommends DNA tests for two forms of PRA and for von Willebrand disease, an eye exam and hip X-rays. Wisdom Panel also lists degenerative myelopathy and osteochondrodysplasia as genetic diseases that can be detected by testing. A good breeder will show you the test results for both parents.

gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)The AKC notes that Standard Poodles are more prone to it than the smaller varieties.
sebaceous adenitis (SA)A skin disease leading to hair loss, more common in Standard Poodles.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)An inherited eye disease; DNA tests for prcd and rcd4 are available.
von Willebrand diseaseA blood clotting disorder for which there is a DNA test.
idiopathic epilepsyOccurs occasionally in the breed.
hip dysplasiaThe Kennel Club recommends X-raying the parents.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip X-ray (HD)
eye exam (ECVO)
DNA tests for PRA-prcd and rcd4
DNA test for vWD1
DNA test for DM

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The French name, caniche, comes from cane, meaning duck, which reveals the breed's original job: retrieving waterfowl. In other languages the name refers to splashing in water; the German "Pudel" is linked to the word for puddle. The Poodle descends from the Barbet and kept many of its traits; in 1743 it was still called a "female Barbet," and the two breeds separated only gradually. The signature pompon clip has a practical origin: the shaved hindquarters made swimming easier, while tufts of hair protected the joints from the cold. Thanks to its four sizes and many colors, the Poodle became one of the most popular companion dogs.

Fun facts

The classic pompon clip was meant to make swimming easier and protect the joints from cold water.
The FCI standard allows two coat types: curly, and corded, which forms distinctive ropes.
Under the standard, a Standard Poodle can be up to 60 cm tall, with a 2 cm tolerance.
The AKC and the Kennel Club don't recognize the Medium variety, which is a separate variety only in the FCI.

Frequently asked questions

Are Poodles good for people with allergies?

Poodles hardly shed, because dead hair stays caught in the curls, which is why they are one of the breeds most often recommended for people with allergies. No dog is fully hypoallergenic, though, since dander and saliva cause reactions too. Before buying, check how you react to a specific dog.

What is the difference between a Standard and a Medium Poodle?

Under the FCI standard, a Standard Poodle stands over 45 and up to 60 cm, and a Medium over 35 and up to 45 cm. Temperament and grooming are very similar, but the Medium is lighter and easier to lift and transport. The Standard is more prone to bloat.

How long do Standard Poodles live?

Usually 10–16 years, and many live longer than the average dog of their size. A 2024 UK study found a median of 14 years. Medium Poodles have a similar or slightly longer lifespan.

How often does a Poodle need grooming?

A dog in a short, practical clip needs the groomer every 4–6 weeks. A long coat also has to be shaped regularly and combed to the skin every day. A neglected Poodle mats quickly, and then the only option is to shave it down short.

How much does a Poodle weigh?

Adult dogs of this breed usually weigh: males 7–32 kg, females 7–23 kg. Height at the withers: 35–62 cm. That range is for healthy adults in good condition.