The Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles have a reputation for being "Sissies" The way their hair is cut for shows probably doesn't help that image, but Poodles are by no means fragile, shrinking violets.  

Ranked second most intelligent dog breed, the poodle is skillful in many dog sports and activities, including agility, obedience, tracking to herding, circus performers or Therapy/Service dogs. Poodles have taken top honors in many shows including "Best in Show" at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and 2002, and at the World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.They are outgoing, friendly dogs who love to run and romp, and interestingly, they were originally used to assist hunters of water fowl. They are true family dogs who can play hard with children all afternoon, then curl up in the living room for an evening of relaxation.  Poodles make excellent watchdogs, they are alert and curious and will sound the alarm that a person or animal is approaching. They make an excellent choice for families of all sizes and ages, and are great for first time dog owners.

Standard Poodles are clean, calm, affectionate and move about in an elegant and graceful manner for their standard dog size. They are very observant and will catch on quickly to their owners expectations.  Some poodle owners believe their standard poodle can look them in the eye and know what they are thinking. The standard poodle is the base of all poodle breeds and are much like but also unlike their smaller counterparts. Often people think the standard poodle's temperament is comparable to the miniature/toy poodle who have been known for their growling, snapping, nervousness and constant barking but standards are quite the opposite. Standard Poodles are loving, loyal and a wonderful canine companion. Once you own a poodle be prepared to be spoiled! We love all our four legged friends however, after owning a poodle you will have less tolerance for the behavior of other breeds because your expectations have been set too high!

Standard Poodles are large dogs who need lots of room to move, both indoors and out. They are well-behaved inside, which can make them attractive for people who live in cities or in condominiums, but unless a commitment is made to exercising your Poodle, these may not be the best environments. Daily walks and the chance to run can keep your Standard Poodle happy and healthy.They are a smart breed who need to use their minds as much as their bodies, so it is important to give your Poodle lots of interesting activities to do during the day, and you should consider enrolling your Poodle in agility activities where they can use both mind and body at the same time.

Standard Poodles are highly trainable dogs. They catch on very quickly to patterns and don't require much motivation beyond praise and a couple of treats. Poodles have often been referred to as human like by many people. They have blazing personalities and will respond amazingly to positive reinforcement. Poodles should never be treated harshly as they will simply stop listening to you (like a human). They are natural learners, so they shouldn't test your patience too far during training sessions.Once basic obedience has been mastered, Poodles should graduate on to advanced obedience, trick training, or the agility course. They are thinking dogs and will appreciate the opportunity to learn new things.

The Poodle was bred as a working water retriever.  It is said to have descended from the Barbet and the Hungarian Water Hound.  The elaborate, exaggerated trims seen on Standard Poodles in the show ring today are actually a quite practical adaptation of trims developed to facilitate its life as a tough working water dog.  Its dense coat was shaved to facilitate its progress and speed, and to provide protection and maintain warmth in key areas, while it was retrieving in icy water.  This led to the clipping pattern that it is known for and shown in today.  It remains one of the best waterfowl retrievers.  The Standard Poodle was also admired for its ability to sniff out truffles, a prized mushroom that remains a culinary delicacy to this day.  Poodles were common in Europe well before the eighteenth century, particularly in Spain, Germany and France.  There are three distinct varieties of Poodles today: the Toy, the Miniature and the Standard.  They come in black, white, brown, red, cream, blue, gray, silver, apricot and any other solid color. However, despite the size differences, this is still one breed, governed by the same standard.  The Standard Poodle is the foundation for all other poodles.

The Standard Poodle stands 15 inches and taller (usually 22 inches); males weigh 45 to 70 pounds and females weigh 45 to 60 pounds. They will continue to grow for two years after they are born.

The average life span of a Standard Poodle is 10 to 15 years.