The Vet’s Guide to Poodles: Facts, Care, and Training Tips

Poodles have been a popular dog breed for not just decades, but centuries. These pups may be recognised today as pretty posh pooches, but historically, the intelligent dogs were a top choice in the duck-hunting workforce. 

Dating back over 400 years to Germany, Poodles, known there as Pudel (which literally translates to puddle) were seasoned water dogs. Across the border in France, the Caniche, or duck dog, was equally as popular a companion among hunters. In fact, their recognisable grooming style was actually fashioned for functionality, offering them protection in the water, while also improving their agility.

While some Poodles are still put to work, the breed is now predominantly known as a household pet, and an ever-popular one at that! Intelligent and energetic, the breed makes for an ideal addition to many families, as they tend to be great with children. Thanks to three types of Poodle within the breed - Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle-  owners can choose a dog that fits their space,home, and lifestyle perfectly. 

An iconic dog breed, there are still some important things to consider when looking at bringing a Poodle home to join your family. 

Appearance: The size of your Poodle will vary greatly depending on which subclass of the breed you opt for. Measuring from floor to shoulder, standard poodles tend to grow between 45 and 60 centimetres tall, Miniatures between 28 and 35 centimetres, and Toys just a maximum of 28 centimetres. On average, poodles weigh in at 20 to 32 kilograms, 6.5 to 8 kilograms, and 2.5 to 4 kilos respectively.

Known for their curly coats, poodles come in a range of colours, including apricot, black, brown, cream, red, and white, among others.

Poodles are a hypoallergenic, low-shedding dog breed, so they’re a good choice for homes where family members are prone to allergies. That being said, no dog is truly shed-free, and so it’s imperative to stay on top of grooming both for yours and their sake. Improper or lazy grooming can lead to a number of problems for the pups, including skin irritation and health problems. Getting your pup used to the grooming process from a young age is the key to making it an easy part of caring for your four-legged friend.

Coat Types & Shedding Patterns: Poodles have a hair-like coat, similar to humans, as opposed to fur like many other dog breeds. Their hair is constantly growing, so they don’t have specific shedding seasons like other animals, but they do require constant upkeep and maintenance. The longer the hair, the more often it should be brushed, with daily combing recommended for those with long hair.

As their coat is dense and curly, a pin brush is often the best tool for detangling. 

Grooming Requirements: Your Poodle should be brushed multiple times each week, if not daily, and taken in for a professional pamper and grooming every 4-6 weeks. Dampening the hair before brushing can help to ease the process for you and your pup. Bathing is also recommended no more than once a month, using specially formulated dog shampoo. Be careful not to bathe your pup too much, as this can lead to irritation and dry, flaky skin.

If it’s the posh look you want for your Poodle, then a Lion Clip is the grooming style to ask for. This is probably the most recognisable style of grooming for Poodles, leaving them with lion's mane-esque hair around their head neck, down their chest, and around their ankles. It’s not all about fashion though! This grooming style actually serves a purpose for working dogs who retrieve ducks from water when hunting; their internal organs are kept protected and insulated from the cold by their remaining hair. The lack of fur elsewhere minimises the risk of getting snagged on something or slowed down while moving through the water. 

If functional fashion isn’t for you, then a Lamb Clip might be the right choice. This leaves an even amount of curls all over the body, likening your pooch to an adorable little lamb. 

Like we mentioned before, Poodles can have a number of health issues that are important to be aware of. Some of these can be eliminated through genetic testing and breeding, so if you do choose to get your pup from a breeder, make sure it’s a reputable and responsible one, and ask for a copy of your puppy’s pedigree. 

If you notice any signs of illness or pain in your pet, you should take them to see your vet as soon as possible to get a treatment plan in place.

Epilepsy, heart disease, and diabetes are common throughout Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles. Early intervention is the key to giving your poodle the best chance at managing any of these diseases, as this can be achieved through either diet, medication, or both. For this reason, any signs or symptoms that you notice should be brought to your vet’s attention as soon as possible. These can include seizures, lethargy, weakness, coughing, or difficulty breathing.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a degenerative condition that can lead to difficulty with night vision, and, in severe cases, blindness. There’s currently no treatment for this, however with proper care, dogs with vision difficulty can still lead happy and healthy lives.  PRA can be genetically screened, so if your poodle pup has come from a breeder, you should ensure that both parents of their respective litter have been tested.

Addison’s Disease: The immune-mediated disease occurs when the body attacks the outer layer of the adrenal glands. This causes a deficiency in key hormones that regulate the dog’s response to stress and water/electrolyte balance. Gastrointestinal distress, upset appetite, and lethargy are all common symptoms to look out for. Hormone replacement therapy through monthly injections and daily pills is the management system for this disease. 

Hypothyroidism: When the thyroid gland is underactive, the condition is known as hypothyroidism. It causes the metabolism to slow down, so dogs who have this condition will be more prone to weight gain, as well as a slow heart rate, lethargy, and cold intolerance. While not curable, the issue is treatable through hormone replacement, which will need to be monitored and managed throughout their life.

Hip Dysplasia and Kneecap Dislocation: These joint issues are also common in Poodles of all sizes, so it’s important to make sure your pooch isn’t being over-exercised. Hip replacement is possible in extreme cases, along with knee surgeries for patella luxation (knee dislocation).

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV): Also known as Bloat, this is a stomach issue that occurs in Standard Poodles. This is when the stomach fills with air, causing a build up of pressure and limiting blood flow, which can in some cases be fatal. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, retching, pain, salivation, and restlessness. Dogs showing signs of GDV should be taken to a vet immediately where they may require surgery. While there have been various theories over the years, the cause of this problem isn’t officially known.

Von Willebrand Disease: This is a bleeding disease that can be common in Miniature Poodles, causing easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding after surgery or trauma. There is no cure for Von Willebrand Disease, but with proper care, there will be no impact on lifespan.

Poodles are a highly intelligent breed of dog, hence their history as hunting retriever dogs, as well as performers in circuses and shows way back when! Like with any dog, the sooner you start, the easier the training will be. Pups love treats, so utilising dog treats in training is a great motivator. Start simple with basic commands like “sit”,  “stay”, “heel”, and others that are important for day-to-day safety. Once those are down, it’s time to have fun with it! 

Poodles, just like other dogs, thrive on positive reinforcement from their beloved human. Be sure to show them extra affection when they get it right, and they’ll be more likely to repeat the action for you.

For the most part, Poodles are pretty placid, and don’t have many behavioural problems for you to contend with. Most commonly, the issues you’ll face with your pal’s behaviour are linked to socialisation. 

Separation Anxiety: Like we mentioned earlier, Poodles are known to pick their favourite family member. While they have plenty of room in their hearts to love a lot of people, if their #1 is gone for too long, it can cause some anxiety issues, leading to unwanted barking behaviour in this otherwise low-bark breed.

Protective Nature: Your Poodle will be sure to show plenty of affection to you, but can sometimes see others who approach you (human or dog) as a threat. While generally not aggressive animals, you’ll want to nip this in the bud by making it clear to your dog from a young age that other people and their pets aren’t a threat.

Each of these behavioural issues can be managed pretty easily with proper socialisation to other dogs and humans from a young age.

Poodles are full of beans, and have moderate to high exercise needs to burn off energy. 

Daily Needs: This means an absolute minimum of 40 minutes of active exercise each day, but ideally hitting the 1-2 hour mark. Stimulation should be both physical and mental, incorporating a variety of activities to tire them out.

Playtime Favourites: Standard games like fetch and tug will always be a go-to for pups, but Poodles can benefit from some more brain-teasing exercises. Obstacle courses, agility drills, and hide and seek are all great ways to challenge your dog intellectually. You can DIY these with blocks, boxes, and small cones for your pooch to navigate while completing their task. Given their water retrieving history, it’s no shock that swimming is also a favourite for these pets. 

Enrichment: When it comes to exercising their minds, Poodles can be made to work for their food and treats throughout the day. Toys like Kong Wubba's are a great idea and force the dog to think hard about the best way to get to their reward. You can also use things like lick-mats, and slow feed dog bowls to get their brain working around mealtime.

As size varies greatly between Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles, so too do their food requirements. Whatever food you choose for your Poodle, ensure that it is high-quality and made specifically for their size, i.e. small dog vs. large dog food. When it comes to treating your furry friend, you don’t want to give them more than 10% of their daily calories in treats, as this can negatively impact their overall health.

Standard Poodle: The biggest of the breed, it’s no surprise that these dogs need the most food, basing this off their large-breed dog food. This should be split into two meals per day. Puppies should start on puppy-specific food, and can begin being transitioned onto adult food at 18-24 months old.

Miniature Poodle: Your Miniature Poodle should also be fed based on the guidelines of the specific dog food you give them, split between two meals per day. From 12 months old, you can swap your dog to adult food, ensuring that the one you choose is appropriate for their size.

Toy Poodle: The smallest Poodles need the least amount of food, and, as with the others, the total amount should be fed based on the guidelines of the specific food they eat. This should also be split between two meals to space out the energy boost. These pups reach adulthood at around 10-12 months old, so can be swapped from puppy food to adult food formulated for small dog breeds around this age.

Whether you have a Poodle or you're thinking about getting one, we hope you learnt something by reading our article. Whilst this guide is great start to learning about Poodle ownership, never stop seeking out new information from reputable sources. Share your experiences with other Poodle owners, and always continue to learn more about your dogs breed, temperament and how best to care for and love them.

This article was written by Dr. Jane Miller