When you’re planning to own a Standard Poodle, you shouldn’t only learn about the good things. It’s also crucial to consider the downsides of owning one.
Sure, Standard Poodles are intelligent, elegant, and even considered hypoallergenic! But let’s go beyond that and focus on the reasons you wouldn’t want a Standard Poodle.
Standard Poodles require frequent grooming.
We appreciate the Poodle’s coat, as it doesn’t shed as much. As a result, sensitive pet owners are less likely to suffer an allergic reaction.
That said, some people may have an allergic reaction towards dead skin cells, saliva, or urine. It’s best to live with a Poodle for a few days to see how you and other household members react.
That said, a Poodle’s coat is considered both a blessing and a curse, grooming-wise.
Many potential Poodle owners are not aware of their dog’s requirements grooming-wise!
Poodles require daily brushing to maintain their low to non-shedding coats. Doing so will prevent any tangles and mats, which may cause skin conditions and discomfort.
Poodles also need regular grooming. You can either bring a Poodle to a professional groomer or bathe and trim his coat every 4-6 weeks. The grooming costs can be pretty high, but it’s the favored option if you don’t have the proper tools.
However, you can give your Poodle a simple haircut that’s easy to maintain for the long run. Your dog will still need daily brushing, but it won’t be a considerable hassle maintaining it with a shorter cut.
Besides caring for the Poodle’s coat, there are other parts of the body you have to take care of, such as nail trimming.
Inspect the Poodle’s eyes and ears, which are prone to infection. Check these sensitive areas once a week and clean them properly.
To prevent dental disease and bad breath, you need to brush your Poodle’s teeth every other day.
Plus, because of their coat, Standard Poodles cannot live outdoors. Like other dog breeds, Poodles are sensitive to extreme weather and do best living in a room temperature-controlled home.
If you can’t keep up with your Poodle’s grooming costs or make time to care for your Poodle’s coat, then this breed may not be best for you.
Standard Poodles are at risk of specific health issues.
While a Standard Poodle can live for 12-14 years, this breed is still prone to specific health conditions.
These are the common issues:
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine Bloat
Patellar Luxation
Diseases related to the adrenal glands
Blood clotting disorder
Cataracts
Von Willebrand’s disease
Retinal atrophy
Skin conditions or allergies
Fortunately, you can help prevent and treat any health concerns and genetic diseases. Before purchasing a Standard Poodle puppy, ask the breeder about the parent breed’s health clearances and family history. Doing that will give you more idea of the genetic condition your puppy may inherit.
You can also prepare for treatment options for the veterinarian to prevent diseases from worsening. Regular vet visits and updated vaccination records are also a must.
Because of the Poodle’s high risk for certain conditions, it may be difficult for a beginner family to take care of and treat. Some families may feel overwhelmed if their dog suffers from certain sicknesses. Not only can that take a toll on one’s emotional health, but the finances as well.
It’s important to financially prepare for your dog’s medical bills and consider pet insurance, besides the daily expenses of caring for a Poodle, such as food, pet supplies.
Standard Poodles are prone to separation anxiety.
Poodles love being the center of attention. These dogs want to be part of everything their family does. If not, then your poodle will act out.
Owners who leave their Poodles alone are prone to behavior issues and separation anxiety. As a result, your poodle will bark, whine, and even show destructive behavior.
That means you’ll need to spend most of your time with your dog. For potential owners who have very little time to spend at home and need a low-maintenance dog, this is one reason you wouldn’t want a Poodle.
Standard Poodles are very active dog breeds.
It’s good to own active dog breeds, but you might feel shocked by the energy levels Poodles have!
People bred these dogs to work as water retrievers. That’s why Poodles are highly intelligent and love to move around.
You will need to give your dog daily exercise. Not only do Poodles need body exercise, but mental stimulation. Adult Standard Poodles require 60 minutes of exercise a day.
You can do body exercise while walking, swimming, and hiking. As for brain exercise, there are plenty of fun games to play, like fetch, hide-and-seek, and dog toys that test your dog’s intelligence.
Besides physical and brain exercise, your poodle requires obedience training. While you can take your Poodle to doggie obedience classes, you can efficiently train it yourself.
Follow a positive training regime rather than acting too harshly. Positive reinforcement is the best (and only) method to teach an intelligent and sensitive Poodle. Give your dog a lot of verbal praise, treats, and playtime after he gets the commands correctly.
By giving your Poodle adequate exercise and training sessions, he’ll grow up healthy and well-behaved with you, other people, and animals.
If you’re a couch potato who doesn’t want to go out too often for exercise, it’s best to look for another breed.
Also, given their larger size, the Standard Poodle works best for families with a bigger house and yard. While Poodles can still thrive in smaller homes (like apartments without a yard), you’ll need to take Poodles out to the nearby dog park or around the neighborhood to spend their energy levels.
Dogs who don’t receive adequate exercise are at more risk of sicknesses. Poodles will feel bored and frustrated, acting out around the house to spend the pent-up energy. That can lead to destructive behavior, and your furniture will fall victim to it.
Standard Poodles are emotionally sensitive.
Poodles are one of the most emotionally sensitive breeds out there. If you feel sad or stressed, Poodles will mimic your emotions. Your dog can scare easily by tension and loud voices.
For example, if you touch your Poodle unexpectedly or startle him with a loud sound accidentally, it will flinch. Sensitive Poodles don’t go well with small children.
Besides their emotional sensitivity, Poodles are also very observant. If not properly trained, this breed will bark a lot if they see or sense something suspicious. Sometimes, Poodles are too quick to sound the alarm and be loud unless stopped while still young.
If there are too many fights, conflicts, or roughhousing in the house, Poodles will feel emotionally upset. These dogs pick up on tension and hate it, as they want peace and harmony at home. That means you have to be wary of your tone of voice and actions when speaking to your dog and other household members.
If you’re a loud beginner family who can’t devote too much time to their dog, the Poodle may not be the best breed for you. This breed requires a lot of time and attention to prevent separation anxiety. These are extremely sensitive dogs that follow their owner’s emotions and hate being alone.
If you’re afraid of the negative Poodle traits, you can avoid some of them by adopting an adult dog from the local animal shelter or rescue group. Adopting an adult dog means you’ll know what to expect with your Poodle, though it may mean having to train him, which is more challenging to do in older pets.
If you want a Poodle puppy, avoid a few negative traits by selecting the right breeder and puppy. Consider living with the puppy for a few days and see if both of you make the perfect match.
For those who want Poodles, note that we can’t accurately predict the inheritance of temperament compared to physical traits. You can still shape your Poodle’s behavior and temperament through proper raising and training. While you can’t get away with the grooming and daily exercise requirements, you can train your Poodle to behave excellently.
The Standard Poodle is a fantastic dog breed, but it isn’t for everyone. If you believe that the Poodle is the perfect breed for you, then choose the best size variety, Poodle breed, and a reputable breeder near you.