Poodle
Also known as: Großpudel, Kleinpudel, Zwergpudel, Königspudel, Schnürenpudel
Though the Poodle is now linked with French elegance, the breed actually started as a water retriever, sent to fetch downed waterfowl from lakes in Germany and France. The trademark pom-poms left on the joints and chest were never purely decorative: they protected vital areas from cold water while the rest of the coat was clipped short for easier swimming. The dense, curly coat sheds very little, but it mats quickly without regular clipping, so upkeep takes more time than most breeds demand. Poodles rank among the most trainable dogs around and pick up complex commands fast, which is why they turn up so often in circus acts and obedience rings. The breed comes in several sizes, so adult weight varies considerably depending on the variety. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.
Poodle: how old in human years?
- 12–15 yrsLife expectancy
- FCI group
- Companion and Toy Dogs
- FCI section
- Section 2: Poodle
- FCI
- 172
- Country of origin
- France
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Energy level
5/5 -
Trainability
5/5 -
Family friendly
5/5 -
Grooming need
5/5
At a glance
- Height
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Males not specified
Females not specified
- Weight
-
Males not specified
Females not specified
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 yrs
- Coat
- curly, dense, non-shedding (long)
Temperament & Family Life
Poodle's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.
- Family friendly 5/5
- Good with children 4/5
- Good with other dogs 3/5
- Friendly with strangers 3/5
- Intelligence 5/5
- Trainability 5/5
Exercise, Energy & Space
Poodle's energy and exercise needs are moderate.
- Energy level 5/5
- Exercise need 4/5
- Apartment friendly 3/5
- Prey drive 3/5
- Hunting instinct 3/5
Guarding & Alertness
Poodle's guarding and alertness traits are low.
- Guarding instinct 1/5
- Watchfulness 3/5
- Barking level 2/5
Grooming & Care
Poodle's grooming needs are low.
- Shedding 1/5
- Drooling 1/5
- Grooming need 5/5
Living with the Poodle
Walk to the door with the lead in your hand a couple of times and your Poodle will know you are going out, and if the lead stays on its hook, it will know that too. This is a remarkably clever dog that loves to learn, which makes training a real pleasure, as long as you are ready for it to pick up things you never meant to teach, such as how the treat cupboard opens. The breed comes from France and was once a working dog, and that working enthusiasm is easy to channel into tricks, scent games or agility.
There is no shortage of energy here, so a typical day means at least two walks with time to run and play, plus a bit of brainwork at home. With enough exercise and something to think about, a Poodle can live happily in a flat; a bored one will go looking for adventure on its own. It barks in moderation and announces visitors more out of curiosity than suspicion, so don't count on it as a guard.
Poodles bond closely with their family and get on well with children who know how to be gentle with a dog. With other dogs and strangers they are polite rather than pushy, inspecting first and making friends second. What they like best is being wherever you are, which is why long days alone don't suit them.
Grooming and coat
A Poodle's coat doesn't shed, but that doesn't make it low-maintenance: the tight curls grow without stopping, and the hairs that do come loose stay caught in the rest and turn into mats within days. Brush right down to the skin a few times a week, paying special attention behind the ears, in the armpits and across the chest, where tangles form fastest, and book a professional clip every month or two. Brushing doubles as a skin check, so look for flakes, redness or patches where the curls are thinning.
Poodle ears hang down and grow hair on the inside, so give them a look every week: they should be clean, pale and free of any unpleasant smell. On lighter-coloured Poodles, tears can stain the fur under the eyes a rusty brown, so wipe the corners daily with a soft damp cloth; if the eyes turn red, water more than usual or get rubbed with a paw, have your vet take a look.
Health and possible conditions
Poodles are long-lived dogs, with a life expectancy of around twelve to fifteen years, so you are signing up for a long road together rather than a short stroll. Under the curls sit skin, joints and blood that you cannot judge at a glance, which is why it helps to know what to keep an eye on. If anything seems off, let your vet make the call.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.
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Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a fault in how the hip joint develops: the ball and socket don't fit together as snugly as they should, so the joint wears faster. You might notice your dog hesitating before jumping into the car, getting up in two stages after a long nap, or pushing off with both hind legs together when running, a bit like a rabbit. A Poodle is a lively, bouncy dog, so a change like that stands out, and your vet is the one to say whether the hip is behind it.
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Epilepsy and seizures
Idiopathic epilepsy means repeated seizures for which no clear cause, such as an injury or another illness, can be found. A seizure can look like a sudden fall onto the side with paddling legs, or something as small as a blank stare and a few seconds of chewing motions. Poodles watch their people closely, so you will likely notice when yours seems to 'switch off' for a moment; note the time and how long it lasted, and let your vet draw the conclusions.
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Von Willebrand disease
Von Willebrand disease is an inherited clotting disorder in which the body is short of a protein that helps blood clot, so even a small cut can keep bleeding longer than it should. You might see a nail clipped a little short refuse to stop bleeding, or a nosebleed or bleeding gums with no obvious reason. A Poodle spends a lifetime visiting the groomer and now and then the vet, so tell your vet about anything like this early, well before any procedure.
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Skin problems
Skin problems is a broad label covering everything from dry, flaky skin to inflammation and patchy hair loss. With a Poodle's dense curls, what you notice first may not be the skin at all but flakes in the comb, an odd smell, or a thin patch where the coat used to be full and springy. Because the coat keeps growing and needs regular clipping, every grooming session is a chance to look at the skin, and anything new is worth showing your vet.
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Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Bloat is when the stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself, pinching off its blood supply; it unfolds within hours and is life-threatening. The dog turns restless, retches without bringing anything up, drools, and the belly swells and goes hard. Deep-chested dogs, the bigger Poodles among them, are the ones whose owners should know these signs by heart, and if you see them your dog needs a vet immediately.