Standard Poodles are, without question, one of the smartest breeds of dog. Although many dogs are experts in their particular breed function, the Standard Poodle can perform the job of every other breed! Perhaps not with the same finesse, but they will get the job done! Don’t underestimate their versatility! When it comes to protecting their home and people, they can become Dobermans in curls!! They live to please you, to protect you, to comfort you, to play with you, or just hang out and watch TV quietly. They get attention wherever they go. Few can resist the urge to touch that unique hair. Socialization is imperative with poodles. There are many stores that will allow dogs inside and it is great for socializing! They don’t need to be a service dog. There is a list on the internet of dog friendly stores, beaches, parks, hiking trails. Those with service dogs can go anywhere with their dogs. ESAs can go most places but not everywhere.

Their coat does need consistent care. Grooming is essential to the well being of the poodle. Poodles have ever-growing hair, like we do. The hairs can die and end up wrapping around other hairs at the skin level until you have a nasty mat. If you are not showing, the poodle doesn’t need to sport the big show hair. Find a good poodle groomer or learn to groom yourself. If you make a mistake - don’t worry - it will grow back quickly! There are excellent YouTube videos that can talk you through each stage of grooming for many styles. For everyday, the common kennel clip is the easiest. There are many different cuts that groomers use. That great hair poodles have is also exactly the right medium for the imagination of competition creative groomers. You can carve all kinds of things into those coats!

Standard poodles, in fact, all poodles are easily trained but also become easily bored by over repetition of a command or training move. They seem to believe more than 3 consecutive commands for something they know how to do is boring - mine have looked at me like they are questioning my ability to understand the command!! They are often pulled out in classes and used as demo dogs! However, if you don’t drain the energy, they can get rowdy and find their own game to play … like counter surfing or let’s chew up shoes, underwear, socks …. anything that catches their attention unless you put the time into training, playing, and spoiling them. i’ve found a flirt pole to be a great way to burn off their energy!! They are very sensitive to your disappointment with them when they do something wrong. Shouting doesn’t work and you shouldn’t beat your dog!!! Time out in their crate can be great as long as they don’t see it as punishment. Give them a treat or toy in there or, as I do, feed them in their crate so it is more of a reward but don’t leave them in a crate for more than 4 hours at a time. That is about the amount of time a fully grown poodle can control its’ bladder. Puppies … they need to go out within 15 minutes of eating for the first 6 months, then 20 minutes and it gets longer in about 3 month intervals of age until they hit the 4 hour mark. Overnight is tough on the puppies. Be prepared, let them sleep in their crate and have a washable pee pad (or several) because there will be accidents. Be prepared.

Standard poodles are fabulous service dogs, ESA (Emotional Support Animal), Search and Rescue, Police work and protection. They can also herd, hunt, retrieve on land or in water, are incredibly athletic as well as being elegant and refined in appearance. The poodle jaw power psi surpasses that of many of the protection breeds currently available. Those fangs aren’t there for decoration so don’t offer your hand as a toy to play with! We call them velociraptors until about 18 months of age, then it starts getting up to the time they are mature … 2 years old. I tell all my puppy buyers they don’t fully grow a brain until they are two. After that it is Einstein in poodle hair. There is nothing quite like having your poodle roll a side eye at you like they are judging you … which they are. They will keep you on your toes and also make the best snuggle buddy!

Standard poodles (all poodles) are hypo-allergenic. They do not have a “doggy” smell, even when wet (unless they roll in something noxious). They do not shed like a typical dog - but like humans, they do lose hair and if scratching or wrestling they can lose some. That hair clumps into what we usually call dust bunnies - they are easily seen and easily removed. The same cannot be said about the multiple breeds mixed with poodles and called “doodles”. A doodle is not a breed unto itself. It is a mixed breed, given a cute name and then sold for more than a AKC registered purebred poodle! No Health testing required and often a backyard breeder who follows no standards! There are no Royal Standards nor are there Teacup Toys. Those are marketing ploys. There is only 3 sizes recognized. The Standard, Mini and the Toy poodles. Poodle Club of America sets the standards for all poodles being shown in AKC conformation.