Standard Poodle

Like every breed, the Standard Poodle is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Start training and socialisation young, so your Poodle grows up confident and sociable.
• Use reward-based methods.
• Keep their minds busy with varied training exercises, games and puzzles.
• Consider a dog sport or training as a hobby, as they thrive on it.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Usually sociable with other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Often lives with cats when introduced carefully.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually needs a roomy home.

• Garden

  A secure garden is strongly advised.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Best with an experienced owner.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

  A gradual deterioration of the retina, which can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness. DNA tests for two forms (rcd4 and prcd-PRA) are available, and imported Standard Poodles must be tested before they can be registered with the Royal Kennel Club.

• Von Willebrand's disease

  A blood clotting disorder that can cause excessive bleeding. A DNA test (vWD1) is available.

• Hip dysplasia

  Looseness in the hip joint caused by poor development, which eventually leads to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme.

• Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)

  The stomach twists, trapping its contents and gas. It is an emergency that needs urgent veterinary attention and is often seen in large, deep-chested breeds. Smaller, more frequent meals may help reduce the risk.

• Eye conditions

  Poodles can develop cataracts, dry eye, distichiasis, where extra eyelashes rub on the eye, and entropion, where the eyelids turn inwards. Eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme is recommended.

• Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome

  Addison's disease is caused by too little cortisol being produced by the adrenal glands; Cushing's syndrome is caused by too much.

• Other conditions

  Other conditions seen in Poodles include epilepsy, a brain disorder that can cause seizures; cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart due to weakened heart muscle; intervertebral disc disease; hypothyroidism; Legg-Perthes disease; and patellar luxation, where the kneecaps slip out of place.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Standard Poodle home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Standard Poodle home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Standard Poodle suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Standard Poodles do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.