Is the Standard Poodle the Best Dog for You?

Why Should You Get a Standard Poodle?

If you are looking for a dog that is extremely intelligent, good-natured, and fun-loving, the Standard Poodle should be at the top of your list. As a longtime owner of Standards, I can attest that they are fantastic dogs and one of my favorite breeds. If you talk with people that have or have had Standard Poodles in the past, you will be hard-pressed to find someone who does not have something good to say about this breed. Here are just a few of their positive qualities.

Beautiful and Hypoallergenic

Standards are great for people who are allergic to dog hair, as this breed does not shed. Your house will stay much cleaner with a Poodle living in it. They come in many different colors, such as White, Black, Apricot, and Silver. There are even multicolored Poodles, otherwise known as Parti Poodles.

Intelligent and Athletic

These dogs are so smart. They can actually learn and understand many different words. Some Standards also excel at agility, as they love to compete and are athletes by nature. Standards are a durable and strong breed that make great walking and hiking partners.

Affectionate and Loyal

Standard Poodles love to be with their people. They are happiest when they are following you around the house and sleeping in your bedroom. They thrive on attention and will reward you with loads of affection. They will be protective of their family and will alert you when strangers are near—yet they also love kids and get along well with almost any other pet you may have. Standard Poodles are proud and have an air of royalty to them, and they will return the love showered upon them many times over.

Things to Think About Before You Get a Standard Poodle

As great as Standard Poodles are, they do have a few drawbacks.

Weight and Size

Some full-grown male Standard Poodles can weigh up to 80 pounds or more. Smaller-framed or elderly folks can be easily overpowered by an adult Standard unless these dogs are trained from an early age not to pull on the leash. Standards also like to play rough. If you have little children underfoot, you may want to wait to get a Standard until the kids are a little older.

Food Expenses

Feeding a Standard Poodle can get rather expensive due to their larger size. Standard Poodles need to be fed high-quality food to stay healthy and look their best. For a large Standard Poodle, expect to go through 30 pounds of premium dog food every month or so. If you have not priced premium-quality food lately, you may be in for sticker shock. One bag of Solid Gold Barking at the Moon dog food (which we feed our dogs) costs approximately $53 for a 30-pound bag.

Frequent Grooming

This breed's hair grows constantly. Your dog will need to be groomed on a regular basis or you will have one shaggy-looking Poodle on your hands. Expect to take your Standard to the groomer every month or so. Since they are a larger breed, grooming can get rather expensive.

Poodles—if properly trained to be groomed as pups—love all the attention on the grooming table. I made the choice to learn how to groom my Poodles many years ago. Oftentimes when we are out in public with our Standard, people will actually come up to us and ask, "Who grooms your dog?" I am always glad that I took the time to learn how to groom Poodles.

Intelligence and Energy Level

If you want a dog that you can leave in the backyard for hours at a time, a Standard is not the best choice. You would have one unhappy dog on your hands, and he would be sure to let the neighborhood know of his displeasure by barking excessively and causing a scene. These dogs are too intelligent to neglect.

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Standards are such intelligent creatures, in fact, that they will often try to outsmart you. Standards have a long puppyhood and will not begin to mellow out until they are almost three years old. They will need to be kept active and exercised a few times a day to keep their energy level in check. They love to play fetch or go for walks.

Genetic Issues

While most Standard Poodles are healthy (and can live an average of 14 years or sometimes even longer), some can be prone to genetic problems.

Poodles May Seem High-Maintenance, but They're High-Reward

Please do not let some of this information scare you from getting a Standard Poodle; simply use it to make an informed decision. Any purebred dog you can research has their share of genetic issues, and it is always best to know ahead of time what you are in for rather than learn after the fact. For some, Standard Poodle may not be the best choice, but others may do the research and find that a Standard Poodle is the only breed of dog they will ever want to own. To me, the only thing better than having a Standard Poodle in your life is having two!

Additional Resources

• The Poodle Club of America
  The Poodle Club of America encourages and promotes the owning, breeding and training of purebred Poodles and doing everything possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.

Comments

Janice bird on August 13, 2020:

I am waiting to be a proud poodle puppy parent. Litter due 23/08/20 love poodles friends have them so very excited as i am retiring and looking forward to keeping active with my poodle

thanuja on July 12, 2020:

can i keep my standard poodle indoors, but not in an apartment

Peter t on June 22, 2020:

I have a 3 yr old

Named Benson

He's 48 lbs is a red standard

Perfect size . And is the sweetest most affectionate pooch I've ever known this breed will steal you're heart. He goes everywhere i go since 8 weeks. Total therapy dog for anyone he comes into contact with.

Not a barker at all

I lucked out there everyone loves there dog but I'm constantly told Benson is special!

Nita on June 06, 2020:

I would like to adopt a small dog.

J on May 13, 2020:

Love standard poodles. Have 3, each a different color, and different personality. All are loyal and protective. Love their affectionate disposition.

Stacey on April 16, 2020:

My standard poodle is almost 2. She is a fantastic dog! I am surprised that they are not a more popular breed. She loves her pack.

Jess on March 27, 2020:

Best dog I’ve ever had just amazing but you need to dedicate your time to them you have to always consider their feelings sensitive smart and love giving hugs

Trudie lusted on April 01, 2019:

we have one beautiful boy called Sid, 3 and a half. He now has a baby sister, 13 weeks old called Olive. Love

Elaine Conness on August 30, 2018:

We poodle appreciatives are a breed apart; just like our poodles. Nothing like a Standard Poodle; hands down!

Sharron on March 09, 2018:

I had a cream standard for over 13 years. She was the most intelligent sensitive tuned in dog there is. At 12 until the cancer took hold she was still outrunning all the younger dogs. Still had a mouthful of fantastic teeth and her coat still luxuriously thick.hated all forms of dry food. Loved chicken tins of butchers tripe original and pigs ears. Yes they have a longer puppy phase but it is great because you get longer to teach them train them and they soak it up like a sponge and want and need to learn and to please. I found as long as she had her walks it didnt matter if it was short or long she was happy.i kept her in a lamb cut and a shorter one in summer. I always knew when she needed grooming as her appetite would wane. Then soon as she had a load off she was ravenous for a week as she went into wool growing mode lol! Yes they need to be near you and not kept outside.however she was fine left for a few hours on her own.as long as I said see you in two minutes she knew I would be back and was hapoy and calm.Before i bought her I bought a book about poodles. It said "poodles are houseproud dogs" i laughed disbeleivingly. But honestly you would not have known a dog lived in my house except for the bowls on the floor in the corner. She was never distructive wasnt even interested in chewing anything that didnt have a meaty taste to it. Im not actually a dog lover !'all that hair dribble and doggy smell. So ive decided Poodles are therefore not dogs he he! They dont smell like most dogs they dont dribble and they dont shed and they are just too clever to be dogs and I love them!! Gods gift. If you have a poodle in your life you are blessed and you will have gained an extra shadow. When my girl could no longer toilet with dignity I decided that was it.the vet came to put her to sleep. She is buried in my garden with a plaque that includes the words "see you in two minutes"

ricoh on February 26, 2018:

Standard Poodle are highly intelligent dogs with great love for family, in which they consider their pack. They have abundance of energy even in advanced years. I have two standards , my female is the senior at third teen years of age who has the stamina of a dog much younger, who still craves extremely long walks of at least one mile. My youngster is only six months loves long walks also. To keep this breed in great health a owner should have the dedication to walk these beautiful animals on a regular basis. Lastly the are excellent watch dogs, w ho will alert quickly if there is a intruder on your premise. They have a uncanny ability to sense strange characters while you walking your everyday walk, you can call it great dog awareness sense. They are truly the smartest breed by far

D Gicre (author) from USA on April 04, 2015:

Poodles are truly family orientated dogs, leave them alone for too long and they will start acting out. I know someone that had a Standard and she worked full time and her dog was a happy well adjusted dog. The key to a happy standard is wear them out to scrub off their energy. This means before work otherwise they will be climbing the walls before you get home. They also need to be inside the house with you when you are home and they will also happily share your bedroom and also your bed if you let them.

Kendall on December 15, 2014:

I am about to get my first Standard Poodle. I have a husband and 2 children and we re ready to love this dog with all of our hearts. We are ready to walk, and play and give tons of attention to this dog. People are being cruel though and telling me I shouldn't get one because my husband works for full time and I work Monday-Thursday 8:30-2:00. We can't possibly be with a dog 24/7! People can work and have a dog can't they? I don't even work full time. Anyway, I'm hoping that even though I'm not here 24/7 I can raise a sweet, loving, smart, and most of all happy dog!

chuck cashdollar on November 15, 2014:

my wife and i own 2 standard poodles one silver and one white names gg and christel the are sisters from same litter and are nine years old one about 55 pounds and one 50 they are the the best dogs and are the best dogs we have ever owned chuck

Ava on March 17, 2014:

I had 3 std loved them all so much 2 black one white.so beautiful so intelligent so well behaved still cry for everyone.

Now i'm very old have an 8yr old apricot. She was a breeding bitch A sweet girl so good from day one.she is so thankful for everything I do for her.

Your article was really good,to the point.

melinda on January 16, 2014:

Dominique...I have tears in my eyes after reading that. I can just picture what you're saying...I believe that she was conveying her love for you when she did that! I absolutely believe they love us and have emotions; they are God's gift to us...(besides our kids lol!)

Dominique on December 03, 2013:

I own my first standard poodle (parti) since november 2012. I am so in love with her! Of course she can be a brat and steel food on the kitchen counter when I'm not lo0king and still jumps on people when excited but we're working on her and are not letting go.

Yesterday in the car, she was sitting on the passenger seat and she put her paw on my harm and just stared at me. I swear, I thought she was trying to tell me something and it felt like she was human. I told her I loved her and she turned back to look forward again but kept holding my arm while I drove. My heart melted! I am so very much in love with her, even my kids never looked at me that way! :)