Dog breed · Non-sporting
Poodle
Clever, active, proud
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 18–32 kg (40–71 lb)
- Height
- 38–60 cm (15–24 in)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Origin
- Germany and France
The coat
Curly
Stroke it to see how it lies.
At a glance
Are Poodles right for you?
You will love
- Gentle and patient with children
- Usually gets on with other pets
- Quick to learn
- Sheds little
Be ready for
- Coat needs regular grooming
- Several inherited health problems — choose a breeder who screens
How big, really
Adult Poodles weigh 18–32 kg (40–71 lb). Shoulder height shown at the top of the range.
About the Poodle
Behind the show clip, the Poodle is an athletic water retriever and one of the most intelligent breeds. Poodles come in standard, miniature and toy sizes, and their low-shedding curly coat makes them a common choice for people with mild allergies — though no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
Health to know about
- Addison’s disease
- Bloat (standard poodles)
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Sebaceous adenitis (skin)
Care in short
- Professional grooming every 4–8 weeks
- Brush several times a week to prevent mats
- Daily exercise and brain games — they bore easily
- Toy and miniature poodles are sizes of the same breed
Kit for a Poodle
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Best everyday brush
Self-cleaning slicker brush
4.6Fine bent wires lift loose undercoat; a button pushes the hair off.
- Quick to clean
- Suits most medium and long coats
Best for long coats
Pin brush and comb set
4.5Pins get through a thick coat; the comb finds the knots it missed.
- Gentle rounded pins
- Comb has two tooth widths
Best for busy minds
Treat-dispensing puzzle toy
4.5Turns part of a meal into a ten-minute job for clever, energetic dogs.
- Adjustable difficulty
- Easy to wash
Similar breeds
| Trait | Poodle |  Miniature SchnauzerCompare |
Cocker SpanielCompare | Bichon FriseCompare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 18–32 kg (40–71 lb) | 5–9 kg (11–20 lb) | 12–15 kg (26–33 lb) | 5–8 kg (11–18 lb) |
| Energy | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good with children | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Shedding | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Grooming needs | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Trainability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Questions owners ask
How big does a Poodle get?
Adults usually weigh 18–32 kg (40–71 lb) and stand 38–60 cm (15–24 in) tall.
How long do Poodles live?
Typically 12–15 years.
Are Poodles good with children?
Generally very good (4 out of 5 on our scale). Every dog or cat is an individual; always supervise young children.
Do Poodles shed?
Very little.
What health problems are Poodles prone to?
Addison’s disease; Bloat (standard poodles); Hip dysplasia; Progressive retinal atrophy; Sebaceous adenitis (skin).
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts