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Dog · FCI group 9

Poodle

The Poodle is an agile, highly intelligent dog bred originally for cold-water retrieving. The breed features a continuously growing curly single coat with low shedding. Poodles bond closely with family members and excel across diverse dog sports and working roles.

  • Intelligent
  • Alert
  • Trainable
  • Playful
  • Reserved with strangers
Poodle
OriginFrance
Size
Large
Adult weight
18 to 32 kg
Height at the withers
53 to 69 cm
Lifespan
10 to 18 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How big does a Poodle get?

An adult Poodle weighs 18 to 32 kg and stands 53 to 69 cm at the withers.

Data reflect the Standard Poodle variety under AKC standards. FCI Standard No. 172 recognizes four sizes: Standard (45-62 cm, 20-32 kg), Medium (35-45 cm, 9-13 kg), Miniature (28-35 cm, 4.5-7 kg), and Toy (24-28 cm, 2-3 kg).

[S1][S4][S7][S8][S9]

How long does a Poodle live?

A Poodle lives 10 to 18 years.

Large-scale epidemiological studies identify a median life expectancy of 14.0 years across Poodles. Standard Poodles typically live 10 to 13 years, while Miniature and Toy varieties frequently reach 13 to 18 years.

[S12][S13][S14][S15][S16]

What health problems are common in the Poodle?

The most common in the Poodle are: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat), Sebaceous Adenitis (SA), Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, Idiopathic Epilepsy.

Adults, with increased risk after 2 to 4 years of age

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat) [S26][S35]

A sudden condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on its axis, cutting off blood supply.

Ask your vet about:

  • Right-lateral abdominal radiographs
  • Emergency stabilization procedures
1 to 5 years of age

Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) [S31][S32]

An inflammatory skin disorder where the immune system destroys the sebaceous glands, leading to hair loss and scaling.

Ask your vet about:

  • Full-thickness punch skin biopsies
  • Evaluation by a dermatopathologist
  • OFA SA registry clearance
Young to middle-aged adults (average around 4 years of age)

Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism) [S33][S34]

A hormonal deficiency where the adrenal glands produce insufficient corticosteroid hormones.

Ask your vet about:

  • Baseline serum biochemistry for electrolytes
  • ACTH stimulation test
Night blindness begins around 3 to 5 years of age

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) [S35][S36][S37][S38]

A genetic condition that causes the photoreceptor cells in the retina to deteriorate, resulting in blindness.

Ask your vet about:

  • prcd and rcd4 DNA panels
  • Annual ACVO CAER eye exams
Laxity begins between 4 and 12 months; secondary joint disease appears in adulthood

Hip Dysplasia [S26][S37][S38]

Abnormal formation of the hip joint that produces joint laxity and progressive arthritis.

Ask your vet about:

  • PennHIP evaluation from 16 weeks
  • OFA pelvic radiographs at or after 24 months
1 to 2 years of age

Patellar Luxation [S35][S37][S38]

A condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal anatomical groove.

Ask your vet about:

  • Orthopedic palpation and grading
  • OFA patella evaluation
1 to 5 years of age

Idiopathic Epilepsy [S35]

A neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures without an identifiable structural cause.

Ask your vet about:

  • Neurological evaluation
  • Diagnostic workup for recurring seizures

What is a Poodle's temperament like?

Poodles are energetic, highly trainable, and alert companions. They form deep social bonds with their families and often remain reserved around strangers without displaying aggression.

[S4][S6][S17][S18][S19]

How much exercise does a Poodle need?

A Poodle needs 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day.

Adult Standard Poodles require 60 to 90 minutes of daily physical exercise paired with structured cognitive enrichment. Miniature and Toy varieties require 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity.

  • Energy4 / 5
[S20][S21]

How does a Poodle handle heat and cold?

Active deep-chested Standard Poodles can overheat during hot weather, and light or shaved skin can sunburn under intense sun. The single coat lacks a dense undercoat, which leaves Poodles vulnerable in freezing wet weather.

  • Handles heat3 / 5
  • Handles cold3 / 5
[S22][S23][S24]

How much does a Poodle shed, and how do you groom it?

Requires line brushing with a slicker brush and metal comb from daily to bi-weekly to untangle trapped shed hair, plus professional clipping, bathing, and ear maintenance every 4 to 6 weeks.

Curly, continuously growing single-layer hair

  • Shedding1 / 5
[S4][S23][S25][S26][S27]

Is a Poodle good with children and other pets?

Standard Poodles interact well with children when play is supervised. Miniature and Toy varieties adapt well to apartments if exercised regularly, while Standard Poodles need regular outdoor space to run.

  • With children4 / 5
  • With other pets4 / 5
  • In an apartment3 / 5
[S8][S10][S17]

Is a Poodle easy to train?

Poodles learn commands rapidly with positive reinforcement and puzzle work. Harsh corrections cause distress and avoidance, while inconsistent rules allow them to learn unauthorized habits quickly.

  • Ease of training5 / 5
[S6][S18][S26][S30]

What does a Poodle eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyProvide balanced puppy nutrition tailored to your puppy's anticipated adult size, and consult your veterinarian to establish an optimal developmental schedule.
  • AdultFeed an adult formulation balancing protein and moderate fat to match metabolic expenditure, and use slow-feeder bowls for Standard Poodles to prevent rapid gulping and aerophagia.
  • SeniorConsult your veterinarian to tailor nutrient density and calorie balance to your older dog's activity level and metabolic health.

Where does the Poodle come from?

The breed developed in Germany as the Pudelhund, an aquatic duck retriever, sharing early ancestral roots with the Barbet. France later refined the breed into its modern form and serves as the official country of origin under FCI standards. Breeders later downsized Standard Poodles to create smaller varieties for truffle hunting, circus performance, and companionship.

Country of origin: France.

[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]

Fun facts about the Poodle

  • The traditional Poodle clip left hair over the chest and joints to protect organs from icy water while shaving the legs to decrease drag during swimming. [S3][S5][S30]
  • Musher John Suter entered all-Poodle teams in Alaska's 1,150-mile Iditarod sled race from 1988 to 1991. [S3][S39]
  • The Poodle held the top rank as the most popular breed registered by the American Kennel Club for 22 consecutive years between 1960 and 1982. [S40]
  • FCI Standard No. 172 began recognizing multi-colored and phantom Poodles for international conformation rings in August 2024. [S41]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppyIntroduce line brushing with a slicker brush early so your puppy becomes comfortable with frequent coat maintenance.
  • PuppyPractice impulse-control exercises and loose-leash habits during daily training sessions to curb jumping behaviors.
  • AdultIncorporate structured cognitive tasks and retrieving games to meet your adult dog's daily mental and physical requirements.
  • AdultSchedule professional clipping and ear hygiene checks every 4 to 6 weeks to avoid skin irritation and mats.
  • SeniorVisit your veterinarian for regular examinations to monitor joint mobility and eye health as your dog ages.
  • SeniorMaintain consistent, moderate exercise routines that keep your older dog active without overstressing aging joints.
  • Hot seasonLimit physical exercise during peak mid-day heat hours and supply shaded areas and fresh drinking water.
  • Hot seasonProtect shaved areas of the skin from direct solar radiation to avoid sunburn during hot sunny days.
  • Cold seasonPut protective outerwear on Toy and Miniature Poodles during cold spells to prevent rapid body heat loss.
  • Cold seasonKeep your dog dry and protected during freezing conditions because single-layer hair lacks a dense undercoat.
  • Rainy seasonDry your Poodle's curly hair thoroughly after rainy outings to stop damp curls from compacting into severe mats.
  • Rainy seasonInspect and dry your dog's ears after wet walks to preserve canal cleanliness and avoid skin moisture problems.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).