The Pampered (Standard) Poodle

Today I thought I would focus on one of the more elegant, high-maintenance breed of dogs: the Standard Poodle. This breed can be thought of as snotty, stuck up, or just plain bratty. The Poodle can also be extremely graceful and is often a champion in the show ring. If you are thinking about getting a Poodle, hopefully this post will give you insight into what they require, and how they behave.

Physical Description of the Standard Poodle:

Height: over 15 inches

Weight: 45-70 lbs

Life Expectancy of the Standard Poodle: Approx. 12 to 15 years

The Standard Poodle is considered a medium to large sized dog, and it's coat is incredibly curly. Grooming of this breed takes a large amount of time, and if you take her to the groomer's it requires a lot of money. There are several different options as far as the coat is concerned. You have the pet or puppy clip with short hair all over the body (this makes the most sense for family pets), the "Continental clip" - seen in dog shows with the rear half of the body shaved, pom poms on the hips and tail, and rings of fur around the ankles, finally you have the "English saddle clip". The coat can be any solid color.

Personality of the Standard Poodle:

They are regarded as one of the most intelligent breeds of dog. They can be trained easily and are good natured, happy, dignified and sensitive. This breed does not do well by itself, they like to be around people. The Standard Poodle is an excellent choice if you have children, they will get along splendidly!!

Exercising Your Standard Poodle:

As with all other dogs, this breed needs to be taken on a daily walk. However, the walk does not need to be strenuous as their exercise requirements are not demanding. For their metal well-being, you should allow your Standard Poodle plenty of time to run and play off-leash, this will keep her in good spirits around your house!

Living Requirements for a Standard Poodle:

This breed is relatively inactive indoors, so keeping a Standard Poodle in an apartment is fine as long as they are taken outside for regular exercise. If you own a home, the yard does not have to be big to accommodate the Standard Poodle.

Common Health Issues of the Standard Poodle:

This breed is subject to many genetic diseases and can include cataracts. Skin conditions as well as allergies are common. As with other large breed dogs the Standard Poodle is prone to hip dysplasia. Take your Standard Poodle to the veterinarian on a regular basis to keep her healthy!