Standard Poodle
About the Standard Poodle
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 18-24" |
| Weight | 40-70 lbs |
| Coat Type | Curly |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
High - Daily
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,500/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Standard Poodles may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
- Low-Maintenance Seekers
Guides for your Standard Poodle
The story behind the Standard Poodle
Despite the breed's strong association with France, the Poodle's origins are generally traced to water retrieving dogs of Germany and the wider continent, where curly-coated dogs worked wildfowl in lakes and rivers; the German name refers to splashing in water. The traditional clip, with hindquarters shorn and joints and chest left covered, served the practical purpose of aiding swimming while protecting vital areas in cold water. France adopted and refined the breed enthusiastically, and the Poodle became a national breed there, used for retrieving, truffle hunting and, later, performance in circuses. Smaller varieties were developed as companions from the standard-sized original. Breed clubs and standards were established in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the Poodle spread worldwide. Standards are still used as gundogs by some enthusiasts, though most live as companions, show dogs and sport competitors.
Originally bred for: Water retriever, wildfowl gundog, performing and companion dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Standard Poodle
Feed a large-breed puppy diet for controlled growth, then a complete adult food matched to a genuinely athletic dog's workload. Split into two meals and allow quiet time either side, since deep-chested breeds are generally fed this way as a sensible precaution.
Watch for: No single food sensitivity characterises the breed, though poodles are among the breeds sometimes seen for allergic skin disease, where food is one possible contributor among several. Investigation and any elimination trial should be directed by a vet rather than attempted independently.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Standard Poodle
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.
Want the long read? Our full Standard Poodle breed profile covers temperament and living needs in depth.