Standard Poodle
Standard Poodles are one of the better choices for a family with children. Expect a big dog that is high-energy, barely sheds and needs professional grooming on a cycle. The big catch is running cost — this is one of the pricier dogs to keep well.
The numbers
| Height | over 15 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 60–70 lb (male), 40–50 lb (female) |
| Life expectancy | 10–18 years |
Source: American Kennel Club breed standard.
What Standard Poodles are actually like
Almost everything people believe about Poodles is backwards. The breed is German in origin, not French, and it was a water retriever — the word comes from pudeln, to splash. Even the ridiculous show clip was practical: shave the body for swimming speed, leave puffs of hair over the joints and chest to keep them warm in cold water. Standards are athletic, unusually clever and often ranked just behind the Border Collie for trainability, which means a bored one invents its own projects. The coat does not shed into your house, but it never stops growing, and it mats to the skin without brushing between grooms. Poodle owners are not buying a low-maintenance dog; they are trading vacuuming for a standing appointment.
Day to day. High-energy — this is a dog that needs a real outlet every single day, not a stroll. Skip that and you get chewing, barking and digging, which is not naughtiness, it is boredom. On noise, it is about average for noise.
The coat, honestly. This breed barely sheds and needs professional grooming on a cycle. That is the trade every low-shedding dog asks for: you are not vacuuming hair, you are booking and paying for a groom every few weeks, and brushing between visits or the coat mats down to the skin.
Being left alone. Fine alone for a few hours. A few hours is fine; a full working day, every day, is asking a lot.
Training. Eager and easy to train. That makes it a forgiving choice for a family training their first dog, as long as everyone is consistent.
Get one if…
- You want a dog with a reputation for putting up with children
- Someone in the house genuinely wants to run, hike or train most days
- You would rather brush and pay a groomer than vacuum every day
- You have room for a big dog and a car it actually fits in
- This is your first dog and you want one that makes training feel possible
Think again if…
- Your daily walk is really a quick trip round the block
- Nobody has budgeted for a groomer every few weeks
- A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year
- You are in a flat, or nobody can physically hold this dog on a lead
What it costs to keep one
Rough running cost: $$$ (one of the pricier dogs on our list) — because it is a big dog, so food, medicines and anaesthetics all cost more, and the coat needs a professional groom on a cycle, and that is the bill people forget.
Those are relative bands, not live prices. For real numbers across every pet we cover, see the pet cost study and the cost calculator.
Looking for one? Start at a shelter
Rescues do have Standard Poodles and Standard Poodle crosses, usually adults whose size, coat and temperament you can see rather than guess at.
Often compared with
❓ Common questions about Standard Poodles
Is a Standard Poodle good with kids?
Yes — Standard Poodles have a strong reputation with children. As with any animal, an adult should supervise young kids and the dog together, and children need to learn to leave it alone while it eats or sleeps.
Do Standard Poodles shed a lot?
Very little. The trade is grooming: this coat needs regular brushing and professional trims, or it mats.
Can a Standard Poodle be left alone during the day?
For a few hours, yes. A full working day every day is asking a lot of any dog.
Is a Standard Poodle a good first dog?
It is one of the more forgiving choices. Easy to train and tolerant with families — the usual caveats about exercise and grooming still apply.
Should I get a Standard Poodle?
Standard Poodles suit a home that moves a lot, can work around the animal's day, and has grooming in the budget. Meet the dog itself before deciding. Get one if: You want a dog with a reputation for putting up with children; Someone in the house genuinely wants to run, hike or train most days; You would rather brush and pay a groomer than vacuum every day; You have room for a big dog and a car it actually fits in; This is your first dog and you want one that makes training feel possible. Think again if: Your daily walk is really a quick trip round the block; Nobody has budgeted for a groomer every few weeks; A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year; You are in a flat, or nobody can physically hold this dog on a lead.
📚 Where this comes from
We check our care advice against vets, animal charities, and government health guidance. Here is what this page is built on.
Vets, charities & official guidance
- Breed standards & vital statistics — American Kennel Club
- Preventing dog bites — AVMA
- Brachycephalic dogs policy — British Veterinary Association
- Puppy socialization position statement — AVSAB
- People foods to avoid feeding your pets — ASPCA
- Spaying and neutering — AVMA
Keeper & species-community guides
Checked August 2026. These are other people’s websites, and none of it replaces your own vet — if a pet seems unwell, call one.