Poodle
A water retriever in a showy haircut.
- Weight
- 40–70 lbs
- Height
- 22–27 in
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
In short
The Poodle is a non-sporting-group water retriever bred in Germany and refined in France, weighing 40–70 lbs and standing 22–27 in tall in the Standard size, with an intelligent, trainable and people-focused temperament. It needs 60–90 minutes of daily exercise, mental work and frequent grooming for its low-shedding curly coat.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a brilliant, trainable all-rounder
- want a low-shedding coat and will groom it
- enjoy swimming, sports or long walks
Think twice if you…
- can't budget for grooming every 4–6 weeks
- want a dog that's content with little attention
- are away from home most of the day
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 3 × 10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 85–130 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study10.0/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingLight shedder2.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Curly single coat
Dense curls trap loose hair, so shedding is low but mats form without regular brushing.
-
02
Athletic frame
A deep chest and long legs give the Standard Poodle springy endurance for swimming and running.
-
03
Long muzzle
A refined, long muzzle and oval eyes give an alert, intelligent expression.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 60–70 lbs | 40–50 lbs |
| Height | 22–27 in | 22–26 in |
| Daily calories | 1,330–1,690 kcal | 980–1,310 kcal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Dense, curly, single coat that grows continuously | |
Personality
An elegant, quick-witted dog that wants constant engagement.
How it thinks
Among the most intelligent breeds, with rapid learning, strong memory and a flair for tricks and problem-solving.
At home
Affectionate and people-focused with family, sometimes reserved with strangers, and prone to anxiety when ignored.
Training
-
How often
3 sessions daily, 10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with grooming tools, strangers, other dogs and varied surfaces.
-
Self-control
Teach a settle and a calm greeting; reward quiet focus so sharp minds do not self-direct into barking.
-
What it works for
Small liver pieces reward fast, complex chains without slowing a quick learner.
Exercise
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Brisk walks and jogs
- Swimming and fetch
- Agility-style play.
Brain work
- Trick training
- Nosework and scent games
- Puzzle feeders.
Feeding
Can be prone to sensitive digestion and ear and skin issues. Feed measured meals of a clean single-protein diet and watch for bloat in deep-chested Standards.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 910–2,090 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 90–210 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–10 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 860–1,310 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 85–130 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–7 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,350–2,060 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 135–205 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–10 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 740–1,120 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 75–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 910–2,090 kcal | 28% | 18% | 90–210 kcal | 5–10 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 860–1,310 kcal | 26% | 15% | 85–130 kcal | 4–7 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,350–2,060 kcal | 30% | 20% | 135–205 kcal | 7–10 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 740–1,120 kcal | 28% | 12% | 75–110 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation | OFA hip and patella evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Progressive retinal atrophy and eye disease | Eye exam and DNA test | Yearly eye exam; DNA once |
| Addison's disease and bloat | Bloodwork and bloat risk review | Yearly bloodwork; review at adulthood |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Poodle breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- One elective test from the breed club list
Grooming Minimal; sheds very little year-round
Brush every 1–2 days to prevent matting, professionally clip every 4–6 weeks, bathe monthly, clean ears weekly and trim nails every 3 weeks.
History
Origins
German Water Retriever
Poodles began as water retrievers in Germany, and the name comes from the German pudeln, to splash.
Standardization
French Refinement
French breeders refined the curly coat and size varieties, and the breed became France's national dog.
Modern Companion
Companion and Show Star
Standard, Miniature and Toy sizes serve as companions, show dogs, service dogs and hunting partners.
Questions owners ask
Are Poodles easy to train?
Yes. Poodles rank among the most trainable breeds, learning quickly and thriving on variety. Keep sessions upbeat and challenge them, since bored Poodles invent their own jobs.
How many calories does a Poodle need per day?
An active adult Poodle (40–70 lbs) typically needs about 980–1,690 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 860–1,310 kcal and a working dog up to 1,350–2,060 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Poodle?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 85–130 kcal a day in total for an adult Poodle of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 4–7 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Poodles good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes, especially Miniature and Toy sizes. Standards also adapt to apartments with daily exercise, and the low-shedding coat helps, though grooming is a real commitment.
How much exercise does a Poodle require daily?
Standard Poodles need about 60–90 minutes daily of walking, swimming or play plus mental work. Smaller sizes need less.
What health issues are Poodles prone to?
Poodles can face hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye disease, Addison's disease, skin problems and bloat in Standards. Buy from health-tested lines and schedule regular vet checks.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Poodle needs only 4–7 pieces a day, well inside the 85–130 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Poodle ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Poodle
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
