Poodle
The Poodle is one of the world's most intelligent dog breeds, renowned for its remarkable versatility and sharp mind.
Originating in Germany and France as a skilled water retriever, the breed's name derives from the German word "pudeln," meaning "to splash in water." Today, Poodles come in three recognised sizes, Standard, Miniature, and Toy, each sharing the breed's distinctive curly, low-shedding coat and alert temperament.
25-34kg
Weight
Small
Size
12-14yrs
Lifespan
About the Poodle
Highly trainable and eager to please, Poodles excel in obedience, agility, and various dog sports, whilst remaining affectionate, lively family companions. They form strong bonds with their families, are excellent with children, and typically socialise well with other pets. Their intelligence and sociability mean they thrive on human companionship and mental stimulation. Poodles require up to an hour of daily exercise and consistent mental enrichment to prevent anxiety or destructive behaviours. Their grooming needs are significant, necessitating professional attention roughly every three months and daily brushing at home. Ideal for active households and families committed to regular engagement, Poodles reward their owners with devotion, playfulness, and outstanding trainability. Prospective owners should consider their lifestyle demands carefully, ensuring they can provide the physical activity and mental challenges this intelligent breed requires to flourish.
Poodle at a Glance
- Group
- Utility
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 25–34 kg
- Height
- 51–61 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Medium
- Sheds
- No
- Exercise
- Up to 1 hour per day
- Origin
- Germany, France
- Colours
- Black, White, Cream, Sable, Black & White, Blue, Grey, Silver, Brown, Red, Apricot
- Typical price
- £800–£1500
Poodle Temperament
The Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, and regardless of size, this sharp mind is one of its most defining characteristics. Lively, friendly, and affectionate, Poodles thrive on human companionship and form close bonds with their families. They are excellent with children and generally sociable with other dogs and pets. Their eagerness to please, combined with high trainability, makes them outstanding performers in obedience, agility, and various dog sports. They are also alert and observant, often acting as effective watchdogs. Without sufficient mental and physical stimulation, they can become anxious or destructive. A devoted, versatile companion for families and individuals alike.
Poodle Lifestyle
The Poodle is one of the breeds that copes well in a flat or apartment and is well suited to a home with a small to medium garden. They are comfortable in either a town or rural environment.
Dog Food for Poodle
Top-rated foods for Small breeds, ranked by FurScore. How we score →
Nutrition & Diet
Poodles can be incredibly sensitive on many different levels, including food. It is vital to always choose a high-quality diet developed from natural ingredients. Poodles can show signs of food intolerance or sensitivity, especially with formulas with gluten in them. Switching to gluten-free diets developed with sensitive digestive systems in mind can prove beneficial to the overall health of your Poodle. Hypoallergenic Digest Adult with rice, lamb and salmon is a great choice if you want to switch your dog’s diet. Always remember to introduce the new food gradually, mixing the new food with your dog’s current diet. Whenever your dog shows any signs of food intolerance or sensitivity even after switching to a gluten-free formula, elimination diet should be introduced. You should feed your dog a new food source of protein and carbohydrates for 12 weeks to see if symptoms subside or disappear. Hypoallergenic Skin& Coat . Poodles are prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus which occurs when twisting of the stomach causes a build-up of excess gasses or is triggered by such occurrence. The risk of GDV is increased with fast eating or having your dog’s bowl raised off the ground. Using a slow-feeding bowl, can decrease the chances of GDV occurring.
Recommended Food for Poodle
Poodle Food Costs
Estimated based on a typical Poodle weighing around 30 kg, using the food prices shown above.
Per day
£5.22 - £5.57
Per month
£157 - £167
Per year
£1906 - £2032
Poodle Characteristics
The Poodle demands serious exercise and won't be happy with a quick stroll around the block and trains well and tends to enjoy learning new skills. They are very patient and gentle with kids, but can be left for short to moderate periods without issue. The coat benefits from a brush once or twice a week and sheds moderately. They are sharp and quick-witted, which is a joy, but means they need keeping mentally occupied.
Poodle Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, consistently ranking at the very top
- A low-shedding, single-layer curly coat that's well-suited to allergy-sensitive households
- Highly trainable and versatile across a huge range of sports and activities
- Gentle and patient with children, making them wonderful family dogs
Cons
- Their coat requires professional grooming every six to eight weeks to stay in good shape
- Needs plenty of daily mental and physical activity to stay happy and out of trouble
- The Toy variety is quite fragile and needs careful supervision around young children
- Standard Poodles can be prone to bloat, so careful feeding practices are important
