Standard Poodle: The Large, Lovable Laureate

Chic and fashion-forward, the Standard Poodle may be a staple in the world of finer things, but these posh puppers come from a much more rugged background. Bred to dive into frigid running water, the Standard Poodle was once an adept duck-hunting dog. In fact, the breed’s traditional “Continental Cut” was invented to keep the dog’s joints and midsection warm on cold, wet hunts while their limbs were free to paddle away. But today, the Standard Poodle has adopted a more sophisticated image in society—one that’s reinforced by the dog’s beauty and brains. 

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for a Standard Poodle. 

In this article, we’ll explore the history of this brilliant breed, provide some information and tips on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your smart cookie, the Standard Poodle. 

Quick Facts

Origin: Germany

Size: Large

Breed Group: Non-Sporting

Lifespan: 10–18 years

Coat: Long hair—weekly grooming recommended

Temperament: Very intelligent, loyal, bright & active

Exercise Needs: Standard Poodles need a little more exercise than their equally chic cousins, the Miniature and Toy Poodles. These dogs were once used for duck hunting, where they dove into moving water, retrieved fallen birds, and returned to their people, ready to do it all again and again (and again). So, it’s safe to say that Standard Poodles have a pretty deep well of energy. Daily exercise, like walks, hikes, and involved play, helps carve into that energy. If you struggle to meet your Standard Poodle’s exercise needs, their threshold for boredom is low. So, that energy may spill over into undesirable behaviors. 

Training: Believe it or not, Standard Poodles are more brains than beauty (and they are very beautiful). This dog is deeply intelligent and extremely eager to please. So, they gravitate fairly quickly to behavior training. Behavior training lets them flaunt their big, beautiful brains while also allowing you to guide them toward appropriate canine etiquette. To keep their minds sharp, you should continue this training well into adulthood. 

Dog Health: Standard Poodles are in a breed of their own. Their peculiar coat requires special care and attention, while their large size and surprising intelligence call for unique exercises and training. Their health is no different. Poodles can face unordinary health challenges that pop up at any age. We’ll discuss how to address your Poodle’s health below. 

Happy Paws for Standard Poodles

Enrich your Standard Poodle’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!

In-Depth Look at These Popular Supplements

Keep your Standard Poodle looking and feeling their best, ready to strut their stuff, with our line of high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements! These healthy treats use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your Poodle’s physical and mental health while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your Poodle.

Cognitive Dog Chews: Standard Poodles have a next-level intelligence, and our Cognitive Dog Chews help sharpen their minds well into their twilight years. These vegan, chicken-flavored chews use an array of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to promote optimal brain health and fight against cognitive decline.

Digestive Health Dog Chews: Our Digestive Health Dog Chews use powerful, all-natural probiotics and enzymes to enrich your dog’s gut health and strengthen their digestive system. These healthy, tasty dog treats offer a delicious pumpkin flavor that spoils your pet’s palate while fortifying their gut flora.

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten essential nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active. 

Bladder Health Dog Chews: Our Bladder Health Dog Chews contain powerful antioxidants, such as cranberries and Kona berries, to calm common urinary issues, like incontinence, frequent urination, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Immunity Booster Dog Chews: Allergies are common for this breed, and our Immunity Booster Dog Chews are here to help! These pumpkin-flavored soft chews use a range of adaptogenic mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enrich your dog’s immune system and build back stronger immunity.

Common Health Concerns for Standard Poodles

Like other large dog breeds, a Standard Poodle is often prone to common health issues like these:

Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up. 

Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of the joint. This can happen when a dog is consistently overweight. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help manage the condition, while joint-friendly supplements can help, too. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian about first steps.

Digestive Issues: Large to giant breeds commonly have digestive problems, like bloating. These issues can stem from their diet, lifestyle, or genetics. 

Cardiovascular Disease: Poodles are genetically predisposed to cardiovascular problems. So, feeding them a vitamin-rich, nutrient-packed diet is essential to help fortify their heart health.

Skin Infections: Underneath their iconic coat, a Poodle’s skin can get really oily, leading to seborrhea and dermatitis. While a snout-to-tail bath can help keep these problems at bay, skin-supporting supplements can also help maintain proper dermal health.

Allergies: Seasonal allergies can affect this breed, like many other dogs. Typically, allergies will present as skin rash coupled with scratching and itching. A strengthened immune system can help combat these common allergies.

About Standard Poodles

Although the Standard Poodle is the National Dog of France, this breed was first introduced in Germany over 400 years ago, specifically for duck hunting. They would track the fallen bird, paddle out to retrieve it, and bring it back, sopping wet with an ear-to-ear smile. This ancestry is why the Poodle’s coat consists of two layers—a waterproof outer coat and an insulated inner coat. Over the decades, the Standard Poodle became a regular at dog shows, flaunting a range of fashionable hairstyles. Now, the breed is associated with luxurious lifestyles—but they still have an almost undeniable calling to water!

Their Temperament

Compared to other Poodle breeds, the Standard Poodle is slightly more energetic and just as intelligent. The Poodle is beloved for having a surprising level of intelligence. (They’ll start outsmarting you before you know it!) They are intensely loyal and always affectionate, saving a special pedigree of love for their owners. Their high intelligence contrasts with a calm resilience; they won’t quit until the job is done. And their strong independence is coupled with a fierce loyalty. Once these dogs see you as family, nothing can break that bond. 

How to Care for a Standard Poodle

While they may look high-maintenance, a Standard Poodle isn’t necessarily high-maintenance. But there are a few essential activities you’ll need to do to keep them looking and feeling their best. Here are a couple tips to help keep your Standard Poodle happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Weekly Coat Maintenance 

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of owning a Standard Poodle is the thing they’re best known for: their coat. A Poodle’s hair is unlike any other breed. This hair closely resembles human hair and continuously grows. A Poodle’s hair rarely sheds, so you’ll need to routinely trim and groom their coat to keep them looking and feeling their best. 

Daily Exercise

Like other strong, active breeds, Standard Poodles need plenty of daily exercise. This exercise can include long walks, hikes, or runs. They love involved play, so fetch, tug-of-war, and other games will become life-long favorites. 

Mental Challenges

This high energy is matched by high intelligence—an IQ that stands near the top of all breeds. So, mental exercise is also crucial for keeping your Poodle at top mental clarity. These mental exercises can include expert-level training or puzzle solving; just make sure treats are readily available as rewards. 

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements 

Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your dog easily with healthy, tasty dog treats. 

FAQ

Is a Standard Poodle a good pet?

Standard Poodles are the largest of the Poodle family and, when properly trained, can make great pets for those in homes or apartments. These dogs are deeply intelligent and love latching onto their people. Standard Poodles are a tad more energetic than other types of Poodles and require special grooming. So, you’ll need to carve out time for exercise, play, and monthly grooming sessions.

Is a Standard Poodle a good family dog?

A well-trained, socialized Standard Poodle is compassionate and loyal, sticking to their owner’s side no matter what. With the right training, a Standard Poodle can make a great family dog. Their high energy and surprising intelligence can make for very entertaining playtime. It’s best to start training them during the puppy stage to ensure their training sticks. This early start will help your dog understand how to behave appropriately around children and elderly family members or friends.

Can a Standard Poodle be left alone?

This breed is pretty independent. But, like other dogs, it’s best to leave your dog alone for only a few hours. 

Do Standard Poodles shed a lot?

All Poodles have long hair that grows continuously and rarely sheds. So, you won’t find much Poodle hair bundling up around your home. But you will have to cut this hair periodically to keep it short. 

Are Standard Poodles high maintenance?

Typically, when people say a dog is “high maintenance,” they’re referring to the dog’s exercise or grooming needs. Well, Standard Poodles need a ton of exercise and do require expert grooming sessions. So, do they qualify as “high maintenance”? Maybe, but they are just so beautiful, so it’s an easy compromise. 

Do Standard Poodles bark a lot?

Standard Poodles can be quite vocal. Typically, they bark to alert you, get your attention, or just to check in, maybe to let you know how their day is going.

How do you give a Standard Poodle health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.