Are you planning to get a pet Poodle? Great choice! They are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Poodles are the 7th most popular dog breed by the American Kennel Club, and for a good reason.
This intelligent breed shows superior intelligence, affection, and enthusiasm, making them excellent family companions. Furthermore, the Poodle’s hypoallergenic, curly coat has them fit in with owners who have allergies.
But did you know that not all Poodles are equal? There are Poodle varieties, each of them coming at various sizes and slightly different temperaments.
While the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club recognize three types of Poodles, there are other registration agencies, breeders, and Poodle enthusiasts who recognize five.
The classifications of Poodle varieties depend on weight and size, more specifically, their height.
Standard Poodle
Standard Poodles are the OG breed standard, being the first Poodles to ever originate in Europe. They have a long and exciting history, originating in Germany for water retrieval, handling the cold water well, then becoming companion animals to the nobles and royalty in France.
Today, Poodles are a versatile breed and now the national dog in France! This breed can work as a circus performer, service dog, or a lovely pet Poodle for families.
What makes the Standard Poodle different from the rest is its size. Standard Poodles are the largest ones, standing tall at 15-27 inches in height, with most Poodles measuring between 22-27 inches. They weigh between 45-80 pounds, depending on their size and gender.
Many Poodle enthusiasts say that male Standard Poodles are bulkier than female ones. Male Standard Poodles weigh 45-70 pounds, while females weigh 45-60 pounds. Furthermore, the large breed has a Poodle lifespan of up to 16 years old, though this depends on their overall health and quality of care.
While Standard Poodles may not look visually intimidating, they are excellent guard dogs because they are protective, alert, and brave. Fortunately, they aren’t aggressive! They are also the more reserved Poodle varieties compared to others.
Standard Poodles are more hypersensitive to sounds and touch, making them less ideal for families with smaller children. However, they are still friendly and get along with kids if you teach younger children to play nicely.
We recommend the Poodle variety for first-time owners who want a dog that’s easy to train quickly. Since Standard Poodles are light on their feet and eager to please, expect them to be graceful and elegant. They excel in obedience classes, agility training, and obstacle courses, which is why you find many Standard Poodles joining agility competitions!
Being the original Poodle, breeders crossed them with smaller specimens, which paved the different varieties.
Miniature Poodle
The Miniature Poodle comes after the Standard Poodle and is considered the middle ground of sizes. They are slightly smaller than Standard Poodles, standing at 11-15 inches tall and weighing between 14-18 pounds.
Miniature Poodles have similar characteristics as Standard Poodles, but they are slightly more active and mischievous! They also have the longest Poodle lifespan, with some Mini Poodles living up to 20 years old.
Besides their cuteness and typical Poodle temperament, their size makes them easier to bathe and clip than the bigger Poodle variety. Even then, Standard Poodles excel in the same training classes as Standard Poodles do, requiring a lot of mental stimulation!
Furthermore, Miniature Poodles are the commonly-favored size variety in Poodle mixes because the Mini Poodle’s size gives breeders more versatility to cross them with other dogs.
Another unique fact about Miniature Poodles is how they come in two kinds of “builds.” The first build is considered the “correct” one, the athletic, square body. That means that the Poodle’s legs are straight and won’t interfere with their athletic performance.
The second build is in Miniature Poodles with a slight deformity known as chondrodysplasia. That means Poodles have shorter legs with a longer back, preventing them from having similar levels of athletic nature as the first build. Not to worry, as that won’t affect the Poodle’s friendly and loving temperament.
Toy Poodle
Now, on to one of the cutest Poodles that look like stuffed toys! The American Kennel Club considers Toy Poodles the smallest Poodle variety, standing at 8-10 inches tall and weighing between 6-9 pounds. They are pint-sized dogs that can fit bags and go well on your lap.
While Toy Poodles are companion dogs, they don’t sit around all day. They have high activity levels and have just as much energy as Miniature Poodles, though less than the Standard variety. But once you exercise the Toy Poodle, they’ll curl right up in your lap.
Toy Poodles are very friendly and affectionate towards their humans and other pets in the household. However, they are protective and can become more reserved or aggressive towards those they don’t know.
Also, because Toy Poodles are lap dogs and companion dogs, they are slightly more susceptible to separation anxiety. Toy Poodles are clever to pick up on your routine and memorize it, so they thrive on this. Any changes can lead to anxiety issues, especially when left alone for long periods!
Toy Poodles may, unfortunately, suffer from various health issues due to their size. While Poodle varieties share some of the genetic diseases they can inherit, Toy Poodles are more susceptible. Usually, the life expectancy of Toy Poodles doesn’t exceed beyond 14-15 years old.
Additional Poodle Types
The three Poodle varieties mentioned above are the ones officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. There are two new Poodle varieties introduced globally but are not official sizes or breeds under some organizations. However, it’s worth noting who these Poodles are and what they’re like!
Klein or Moyen Poodle (Medium Size Poodle)
Organizations don’t recognize the Klein or Moyen Poodle as a size variant, treated as Standard Poodles. Think of this variety as a smaller Standard Poodle, standing tall at 15-20 inches and weighing between 40-50 pounds. In terms of characteristics, they share the same looks and personality as the Standard Poodle.
Similar to Standard Poodles, they are effortless to train with loving and friendly temperaments. They make great family dogs with their athletic and energetic nature!
However, this Poodle variety is susceptible to many health issues, particularly:
- Cataracts
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Patellar Luxation
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
These are similar common health concerns other Poodle varieties are susceptible to, though the Moyen Poodle has a higher risk. Furthermore, they are pretty expensive, costing between $2,000-$3,000!
Royal Standard Poodle
Like the Klein Poodle, breed organizations recognize this variant as the Standard Poodle. This Poodle variety stands at 23-27 inches tall, weighing 50-80 pounds, making them slightly taller and heavier than Standard Poodles. However, they have similar exercise requirements and freedom of movement as Standard varieties.
Their bigger chests and feet make them different from Standard Poodles, though Royal Standard Poodles share the same temperament and characteristics. The variety suits families who want larger Poodles.
Teacup Poodle
Most major breed registries don’t recognize teacup Poodles. However, this is an unofficial name Poodle enthusiasts and breeders give tiny Toy Poodles.
As the name suggests, Teacup Poodles are small enough to fit in a cup, known as one of the smallest dogs worldwide. There are no specific size guidelines for Teacup Poodles, though they are usually less than 8 inches and weigh 5-7 pounds.
While they look adorable, we don’t recommend getting Teacup dogs. Because people breed Teacup Poodles as unnaturally petite dogs, they are prone to many health issues. Breeding Teacup Poodles on purpose is irresponsible and considered a cruel practice.
Also, while Teacup Poodles enjoy playtime, you have to be extremely careful because their tininess heightens the risk of broken bones. Teacup Poodles aren’t the best for families with small children.
Furthermore, their tiny stature makes it more difficult to bathe and clip, so it can feel nerve-wracking, giving them the proper care needed.
Some people may also feel surprised when searching for a Teacup Poodle, as breeders sell them at high prices. They cost about $5,000-$7,500, which doesn’t include their long-term care and health expenses.
If you do purchase or adopt a Teacup Poodle, make sure you do your research and prepare for any special needs he will have.
Other Poodle Mixes
Besides the Poodle varieties mentioned above, other Poodle mixed breeds come in different sizes, depending on the other parent breed. Some Poodle mixes can be as small as Toy Poodles, while others grow even larger than Standard Poodles!
Here are some of the typical Poodle mixed breeds:
- Cockapoo (Miniature Poodle and Cocker Spaniel)
- Labradoodle (Standard or Miniature Poodle and Labrador)
- CavaPoo (Miniature or Toy Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
- ShihPoo (Miniature or Toy Poodle and Shih Tzu)
- Goldendoodle (Standard or Miniature Poodle and Golden Retriever)
- Yorkipoo (Miniature Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier)
- Saint Berdoodle (Standard Poodle and St. Bernard)
- ChiPoo (Poodle and Chihuahua)
- CorgiPoo (Miniature or Toy Poodle and Pembroke Welsh Corgi)
- Boxerdoodle (Poodle and Boxer)
Take note that influential breed organizations don’t officially recognize these Poodle mixed breeds. Most of these Poodle mixed breeds are known for their hypoallergenic coat and intelligence, which they usually get from their Poodle parent breed. Such breeds get the best of both worlds from their parents, as long as breeders cross them properly.
What is the Best Poodle Variety?
There is no one best Poodle for everyone. Some Poodle varieties would suit some people over others; it will all depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
If you are a first-time owner living in a small house and want a Poodle as a companion dog, we recommend getting a Miniature or Toy Poodle. But for those with larger homes with a yard, a Standard Poodle is a great choice, especially if you want a bigger breed.
We recommend getting a Standard Poodle for families with younger children, as your kids can play rough and hurt smaller breeds. Seniors can enjoy the more reserved Standard Poodle, provided that they can give the grooming and exercise he needs. However, we recommend the smaller Toy Poodle for seniors as they won’t require as much exercise as Standard Poodles, given their size.
Regardless of the size or Poodle variety, all of them share similar looks and characteristics.
Expect your Poodle to be highly intelligent and loving, bonding excellently with his owners and other pets in the household. Furthermore, they are very friendly, calm, and affectionate.
While calm, they have a high activity level, as people originally bred the Poodle to work as a water retriever. Poodles are very athletic and love to move around, so daily exercise and training are a must.
As long as you can meet all their care requirements, from their food to exercise requirements, proper training to grooming, along with routine veterinary appointments, then your Poodle will love you for a long time.
We consider all Poodles fully grown adults once they reach two years old and will show sins of maturity once they hit 18 months old. So, if you’re worried about your Poodles experiencing the zoomies and constantly moving around, their hyperactive nature dies down a bit as they age.
Where Can You Buy Poodles?
If you’re interested in purchasing a Poodle, the best option is through a reputable breeder or in pet shops. We recommend conducting thorough research before you find a Poodle puppy of your chosen variety.
The breeder should have proper certifications and registrations for their dogs and create a good environment for their well-being. Their goals consist of breeding a healthy dog with an excellent temperament for future owners to enjoy. Reputable breeders usually go through a breeding program and care for their dogs and puppies excellently.
Unfortunately, some breeders run puppy mills, consisting of dogs living in inhumane conditions to breed as many puppies as possible. These puppy mills are illegal and may produce unhealthy puppies with a host of medical conditions and poor genetic health in the long run. Check with the breeder and ask for recommendations in your local area to know which ones to trust.
You can also choose to adopt, though this will take more research, as rescue shelters may not have Poodles up for adoption yet. You can find websites that show what adoption centers have Poodles, along with necessary information to plan for adoption. There will be a screening process and adoption fee, so you need to prepare yourself for this.