Few dogs evoke a sense of royal pampering as well as the Poodle. These small utility dogs are amongst the fanciest breeds one can purchase, and they’re even better if purchased as puppies. Purchasing a Poodle puppy requires a fair bit of forethought for many reasons, but if you’re willing and able to put in the effort, Poodle puppies may grow to be affectionate and loyal companions for you and your family.Poodles are popular at breed shows, where they have won numerous awards in the UK and worldwide. They aren’t all looks, however. Poodles are also one of the most intelligent dog breeds, second only to the Border Collie. There are many reasons to purchase a puppy Poodle, and fortunately, there’s quite a bit of variety and choice in this regard.
Why Poodles are Great
Some highlights of Poodles:
Intelligence: this breed is second only to the Border Collie in terms of intelligence.
Apartment living: Poodles are ideal for apartment dwelling and less open spaces, but take them outdoors regularly to keep them stimulated.
Drooling: for those that aren’t big fans of slobber all over their hands and clothes, Poodles are a great example of a breed that hardly drools at all.
Family-friendly: Poodles are quite sociable and are a good puppy choice for families and the elderly.
Adaptable: this breed is well-suited to warmer and cooler climates.
Things to Consider when Looking at Poodles for Sale
Some downsides to the Poodle:
Grooming: one of the biggest downsides of Poodles is their very high grooming requirement.
Exercise: due to their high intelligence, Poodles can become bored easily and as such require plenty of regular exercise, especially as puppies, to avoid destructive behaviour.
Cost: maintenance costs for Poodles can be high due to their high grooming requirement.
Negative stereotypes: unfortunately, Poodle owners tend to be seen by many as fussy or vain, perhaps due to the breed’s prevalence in dog shows as well as their high maintenance.
History of the Poodle
There are three categories of Poodle recognised by the Kennel Club of Great Britain and most other kennel clubs around the world: the Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle. The Standard poodle is the largest of the three and is also the original breed from whence the much smaller Miniature and Toy Poodles were bred. The Poodle was widely known in continental Europe during the late Mediaeval period, as attested by the drawings by famed German painter Albrecht Dürer. Only later did it gain its connotation of luxury and royal pampering when the Toy Poodle was introduced to the court of French king Louis XVI.It has been claimed that the Poodle originated in France, but most kennel clubs agree that the breed is originally German. Its name, Pudelhund, ‘Pudel’ dog, bears the Low German Pudel, cognate with ‘puddle’ in English. It’s from pudeln, ‘to splash water’ where one can make the connection with the Standard breed’s natural disposition as a gun dog used in duck and game hunting.Poodles are now typically companion dogs, but a resurgence in their hunting instincts in recent decades may help them once again become an ideal hunting dog (perhaps less so for Miniature and Toy Poodles). They are amongst the most popular breeds in the UK and are extremely popular worldwide.
Appearance
Ideally, Poodles should be squarely built with good proportions. All three types of Poodle may look different from one another, particularly in size, but all three tend to stand tall and proud with an intelligent yet active and energetic stance.This breed has a defining feature, their coat of fur which is often styled and groomed for elegance and aesthetics rather than for functional use. Their coat of fur is frizzy and may be either curled or corded.
How big is the Poodle?
Standard Poodles are medium-sized dogs. Males and females tend to grow upwards of 38 cm in height.Miniature and Toy Poodles are small dogs. Male and female Miniature Poodles grow to an average between 28-38 cm in height. Male and female Toy Poodles grow to an average between 24-28 cm in height.
How heavy is a Poodle?
Fully-grown adult male Standard Poodles weigh between 30-35 kg on average, whilst females weigh between 21-32 kg.Male and female Miniature Poodles weigh between 7-8 kg on average, whilst Toy Poodles weigh between 3-6 kg.
What colour is the Poodle?
The Kennel Club of Great Britain recognises the following colours for Poodles:
Apricot
Black
Blue
Brown
Cream
Red
Silver
White
Temperament
For those considering a puppy Poodle for their next pet, don’t overlook their excellent temperament. Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, which makes them easier to train. Conversely, such intelligent dogs require plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep them engaged and to avoid boredom, which in the case of Poodles can lead to damaged furniture, upholstery, and more undesirable negative behaviour such as excessive barking.Another important quality of Poodles is their friendliness with children, other pets, and the elderly. They’re an all-around excellent pet for families living in big or small homes alike. They’re also adaptable to various weather conditions and climates.
Do Poodles make good guard dogs?
This breed is a poor choice for a guard dog, but they do make for fine watchdogs. They are alert and agile and will bark whenever strangers or unwanted visitors approach you or your property.
Do Poodles bark a lot?
Poodles bark more than most other breeds. They can also bark loudly and howl, particularly if they’re excited, alerted, seeking attention, or afraid. Compulsive barking may become a problem if they aren’t given enough attention as puppies.
Are Poodles easy to train?
Thanks to their superb intelligence, Poodles are easy to train. They can learn commands without much repetition.
Are Poodles playful?
Poodles are more playful than most other breeds, especially as puppies. They may bark, nip, or chew whilst playing. This behaviour is normal, but aggressive nipping and chewing are undesirable and should be corrected at an early stage.
Are Poodles good with children?
This breed is one of the best choices for families with children. Younger children should be supervised, however, since Poodles may nip and chew.
Are Poodles good with other pets?
In a home with other cats, dogs, or smaller pets, Poodles generally get along quite well. They may play or chase, but they seldom create problems for other pets.
Can I leave a Poodle alone?
It is not advisable to leave a Poodle alone, even for short periods of time. For this reason, it’s best to purchase a Poodle if you or a family member can keep it company frequently. They are a social breed, which, when paired with their high intelligence, will not tolerate loneliness well and will engage in destructive behaviour.
Do Poodles like water?
For those that love the idea of going for a swim with their puppy, Poodles are one of the best choices. They were used as duck hunting dogs and as such are naturally great swimmers. They also enjoy being on boats.
Health
How long do Poodles live?
Generally, Poodles are expected to live anywhere from 12-15 years.
How much exercise does a Poodle need?
This breed requires more exercise than most other breeds. Take your Poodle for a walk at least once a day.
What are Poodles’ common health issues?
This breed has a few common health issues to note, such as a predisposition to put on weight easily. Monitor their feeding and adjust as necessary to avoid overfeeding. Plenty of exercise every day will also ensure that your puppy is fit and healthy.
Care
How much space do I need for a Poodle?
Poodles are an excellent puppy for smaller urban environments such as apartments or small homes.
What should I feed my Poodle?
Standard Poodles should eat 2 to 3 cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. Miniature and Toy Poodles may not need to eat as much due to their smaller size, so reduce their consumption as necessary to avoid overfeeding.
How much grooming do Poodles need?
Regular grooming is a must for Poodle owners. Their luxurious fur coats are prone to matting and need to be groomed personally or with the assistance of a professional dog groomer at least four times a year.
Do Poodles shed?
Poodles hardly shed any fur, which makes them easy to clean up after and an ideal hypoallergenic puppy choice.
Average Costs
How much does it cost to keep a Poodle?
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £800 and well into the thousands for a well-bred Poodle puppyOther costs (Vet, Food etc): £80-140 per month
Specific Buying Guide
You can read our general buying guide here, with the most important thing being going to view your Poodle puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Poodle puppy buying advice:
Research the specific type of Poodle - Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle - that you intend to purchase. Since Poodle prices can vary so widely and demand is high for this breed, many breeders will specialise in breeding one specific type. This may be a sign of quality and an assurance that the breeder is familiar with Kennel Club standards.
Avoid online scams and ‘deals’ from breeders operating ‘puppy mills’. Since these puppies command potentially high prices, questionable dealers may cut corners to provide you with a poor quality puppy worth far less than advertised.
Other Reading, Adopting Poodle Puppies and Rescue Organisations
