How big do Standard Poodles get?

They usually range from 23-28 inch.  To be considered a Standard Poodle by AKC, they must be over 15 inches.  Weight can be anywhere from about 35-90 lb.   However, it is not uncommon for pets to be smaller or larger than this.  Of course, there are toys and mini's that take up the bottom end of the scale.  Variety at it's best!  As an example, our black boy Flash is 19.5 inches.  He's still a Standard, just small. 

Will a Poodle run off if allowed off leash?

Depends on how well you train your dog.  I have all of mine completely off leash trained.  They have to be to do SAR work.   Overall, yes they can with training and bonding to their family. Start YOUNG and train well or stick to a leash!  No matter how well trained your dog is off leash, remember, no dog is 100% off leash trained.  There is always a risk going off leash and you must decide if the risk outweighs the reward.

I want a dog that I can take to the park and play ball with. Is a Standard right for me?

I want a dog to go hiking, camping, or other outdoor sports. Should I get a St Poodle?

YES!  We camp all the time with our guys.  They love to go and if trained right, can be left off leash if the park allows it.  

Do St Poodles bark a lot?

Each Poodle is different.  Merlot is not a big barker.  Only if someone comes around the house.  Ruffy talks more.  She will bark to get my attention if I am ignoring her.  Overall, they are not Yappers, but just use the voice to make a point or alert you of something.  Now, there are exceptions to every rule.

Are Standards good with Children?

Overall, I give this one a YES. If a Standard is raised with children there is very little problem.  They love kids, especially older one who know to be gentle.  Pick an outgoing pup who is not overly rough with you or the kids.  Don't ever choose the shy or pushy pups when getting a dog when you have young kids.  Remember, these are large dogs.  Training classes are a must for any family getting a dog, especially a large breed.

I have a Bird. Will a Poodle get along?

Again, it depends on the bird.  Generally there probably wont be much trouble.  However, I would never leave them together loose in a room without supervision.  Just use common sense.  

I live in an apartment. Do Standard do O.K. in apartments?

Most would be just fine.  As long as you have the time to run them.  They do have some energy, especially as young dogs, and need a way to get it out.  If you don't feel you have time for the runs, maybe you should consider one of the smaller versions of this breed.  Great thing about Poodles is the sizes they come in!!

Are Standards difficult to housetrain?

No more than any other breed.  Crate training makes this easier and if you get your pup from a good breeder, this will often be well on it's way.

Are Standards very destructive?

I haven't found them to be.  Generally, they are like any retriever, picking things up and carrying them around.  Most of the time it ends there, but occasionally they will chew, especially when teething.  Best thing to do is puppy proof your home (get down on puppy level and crawl through your home looking for any good "toy" objects).  Keep plenty of toys and chewies down, so they don't have a reason to destroy anything of yours..

Are Standards Diggers?

Do Standards make good Obedience dogs?

YES SIR!  I'm working that right now.  They are one of the smartest dogs I know.  Almost human in many respects.  However, you don't want to bore them to pieces working something they already know.  Keep it interesting and challenging and don't push if they aren't getting it.  Most cases is you are not explaining it correctly.    I have never seen another breed give the expressions this one does when they finally get it.  You can truly see the light dawn! However, they WILL shut down if you are pushing them to do something they do not understand.  Motivated training works best for them, with patience being the key.  They are not like working a herding dog or a Golden.  They need variety and fun or they will quit.

What health problems should I be aware of when looking for a St Poodle?

Go to the HEALTH section of this website for this info.

What are so things I should know about a Standard?

Some breeders are having temperament problems in this breed.  They shouldn't be shy or aggressive.  Calm, cool and collected. <G>  What I have found about Standards is that they are not easy to categorize.  I've lived with a lot of different breeds and most of the time you can say "A golden is a golden"   "A Shiba is a Shiba".  But with Poodles it is different.  They are all VERY different from each other.  No two Standard Poodles are alike in temperament.  You can generalize only so far with these guys.  Some are very very calm.  Some are not.  Some are pushy and obnoxious, some are princesses who don't like to get their toes dirty.  Some are hard headed, stubborn, and dominant, and some are at the totally opposite end of that spectrum.  AND you can get all those from one litter.  This is the number one reason why a breeder of Standard Poodles must keep a puppy journal and temperament test their babies.  The new  puppy owners need a guideline to work from and the breeder should provide that with each puppy they place.  The best thing is that you can usually find a good dog who fits your family since there are so many temperaments to select from. 

POODLE MYTH'S

Yes, poodles are bouncy.  Yes, poodles are clowns.  But no, they are not Foo Foo or Prissy and shouldn't be considered less because of the show haircuts or the picture you see of the pink poodle walking down the street.  They are very intelligent.  They are very loyal.  They can do anything you ask them to.  Why do you think they were popular circus dogs??  Because they are willing to please, eager to learn, and smart enough to do it!  Once you see my boys running thru the mud, you no longer think Prissy, though Sadie and her grandpup Cami can both pull a Prissy from time to time. :)  Visit the Poodle History Project to learn more.

Poodles are popular for one reason.  They are good dogs.  However, when a breed becomes as popular as the poodle has, you end up with a lot of low quality dogs who are no longer what they once were.  Yappy, high strung, nasty little dogs is what people think about when you say "poodle".  However, this is not the case for Standards and for well bred Mini's and Toy's.  Go to someone who breeds poodles with TRUE poodle temperaments and you will be amazed at what you were missing.

I have to tell you now, the most complements I get on my Standard Poodles are from men.  Yes, that is right, men.  They are impressed with how well behaved they are, how sociable, but not jumping all around them.  They are dignified, regal, and even a gun tote'n southern gentlemen can see it and be impressed.

Why?  I had Shiba Inu for years.  They could be considered rare.  They are an unusual breed.  However, I cannot do the things with the Shibas as I can with my Poodle.  Unusual or rare usually means "not suited for many homes".  I can say this and mean it, since I live with a "not suited for many homes" breed.  Shiba's can not be allowed off leash.  Shibas generally do not get along with other dogs (some exceptions).  Shibas shed, a lot.  Shibas are a dominant breed and show it at every turn by testing you all day, every day.  Poodles are often none of these things, except for the occasional dominant dog.  They make great family pets that you can train and they will actually LISTEN to you!  What a concept.

I fought getting a Standard Poodle, tooth and nail.  I can stand here and say these things because I thought them several years ago.  Now, I am converted and can honestly say, I will always have Standard Poodles around my house.  

POODLE TRAITS

POODLES BOUNCE!!  If you have ever watched a poodle running free, or for that matter, on a leash.  You will see them BOUNCE for joy or bound over things clearing them by a mile.  Poodles do everything with a spring in their step.  When I was doing Search and Rescue with Merlot, it was the most apparent how "different" a poodle moves than other dogs.  The German Shepherds will run, but they don't bound like a poodle.  The Labs will RIP through any sort of underbrush, but they do it like a speeding bullet, not like a ballet dancer.  Merlot always searched with style.  His body language was so very easy to read, because you KNEW, even someone who had no idea what to look for could tell, when Merlot had the scent of a person.  He would swing his head around, and bounce off in the direction of the person.  He would go OVER brush before he would go through it or under it.  It is like watching a Deer!  It is just part of being a Poodle.

POODLES ARE CLOWNS!! There is nothing better than making a person smile, at least to a poodle!  They made excellent circus dogs because of this very fact.  Merlot, as a pup, would lay on his back and grin.  Well, it made us laugh!  Now, when he thinks I am mad, he will grin at me.  When I tell him to down, he grins.  I can tell him to smile and he will.  It makes me laugh so he feels he is doing the best thing!  I can teach my dogs just about anything as long as I keep it fun and make a big to-do about what they are doing.

POODLES ARE MOUTHY!!  Boy are they!  This is the worst thing about the breed, but there is history behind this problem.  They are retrievers at heart.  Because of this, when they get excited, they want, they NEED to have something in their mouths.  Generally, the closest thing is your hand and so they try to grab it.  Curbing this behavior is hard, but necessary.  Teaching them to go get a toy does help and is a good way to redirect the problem.

POODLES ARE HAPPY!!  I have never meet a sad poodle.  Oh, I have met abused poodles, I have met controlling poodles, I have met dogs who are very sick.  Through it all, a poodle keeps it chin up.  Sometimes it is only a spark left in them that must be kindled.  My sister rescued a male Standard who was like this.  They saw the clown and the wonderful dog thru the abused shell.  He is now the most expressive dog I have ever know.  He is full of Joy and life.  It is just part of what a Poodle is.