Poodle

Origin and purpose

The Poodle most likely comes from Germany, with strong later ties to France. It was bred as a water retriever that fetched ducks and other waterfowl, and the smaller Miniature and Toy sizes were later bred down to suit city dwellers. (AKC breed history)

AKC shows Standard and Miniature Poodles in the Non-Sporting Group and Toy Poodles in the Toy Group, and the breed ranked No. 6 in AKC's 2025 popularity rankings. (AKC breed guide; AKC Toy Group standards; AKC 2025 rankings)

Coat and energy

The dense, curly coat has a naturally harsh texture (or can be corded). It sheds very little but needs frequent brushing and regular clipping to prevent mats. (AKC breed standard; AKC breed guide)

Energy is high in all three sizes, so plan on daily exercise and plenty of mental stimulation. (AKC breed guide)

Nutrition and weight

The standard defines the three varieties by shoulder height: Standards are over 15 inches (the breed club says commonly 21-27 inches), Miniatures over 10 and up to 15 inches, and Toys 10 inches or under. AKC gives Standard males 60-70 lb and females 40-50 lb, Miniatures 10-15 lb and Toys 4-6 lb. (AKC breed page) (AKC breed standard; Poodle Club of America; AKC breed guide; AKC weight chart)

With adults running from about 4 lb to 70 lb, serving sizes and treat allowances should match the dog in front of you, not "a Poodle." (AKC breed guide; Merck (feeding))

Merck notes that small-breed puppies may need to be fed more than three times a day, which applies to Toy and Miniature Poodle puppies. (Merck (feeding))

For Standard Poodles, Merck lists once-daily feeding, dry-kibble-only diets and fast eating as bloat risk factors, and suggests several small meals instead of one large meal for high-risk breeds. (Merck (bloat))

Health watch

AKC gives a life expectancy of 10-18 years across all three sizes. (AKC breed page) (AKC breed guide)

• Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (Standard Poodles): a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach swells with gas and can twist. Merck lists Standard Poodles among at-risk breeds, and the breed club notes higher risk in Standards. Meal patterns matter: Merck lists once-daily feeding and fast eating as risk factors and recommends restricting exercise around meals, so avoid big treat sessions right before or after vigorous play. (Merck (bloat); Poodle Club of America)
• Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism), Standard Poodles: the adrenal glands stop making enough of some key hormones, causing vague, on-and-off illness that can turn into a sudden crisis. Merck lists Standard Poodles among overrepresented breeds. No specific treat link is known. (Merck (Addison's disease); Poodle Club of America)
• Periodontal (dental) disease, Toy Poodles: infection and loss of the tissues that hold teeth in place, caused by plaque buildup. In UK primary-care records, Toy Poodles had about four times the risk of crossbred dogs. No specific treat link is known. (RVC VetCompass)
• Kneecap dislocation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (Toy and Miniature Poodles): the kneecap slips out of its groove (patellar luxation), or the top of the thighbone loses its blood supply and collapses (Legg-Calve-Perthes, usually seen at 4-12 months). The breed club says both are more likely in Toys and Miniatures. No specific treat link is known. (Poodle Club of America; Merck (patellar luxation); OFA)
• Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas. Merck lists Poodles among breeds with a reported higher rate. Merck says dietary indiscretion (eating outside the normal diet) is believed to be a common risk factor in dogs, so rich, buttery pastry and table scraps are a poor fit. (Merck (pancreatitis))

Fun fact

The name likely comes from the German "pudeln," meaning to splash in water. The fancy show clip began as a working cut: hunters shaved the legs, neck and tail so the dogs could swim more easily and left hair over the chest and joints for warmth. (AKC breed history)