Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles are the largest of their type and are known to be affectionate lively and highly intelligent dogs. They are superb family pets and companions thanks to their loyal and kind natures. Rarely showing any aggressive behaviour Standard Poodles are high-spirited dogs and love nothing more than to please which is just one of the reasons why they are so easy to train when correctly handled.

Standard Poodles soon let you know when there are strangers about and love nothing more than to be part of the family and involved in everything that goes on in the household. Over the years these elegant dogs have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people here in the UK and elsewhere in the world. They are always a huge hit in the showring and can often been seen taking part in canine sporting activities which the Standard Poodle really enjoys and indeed excels at.

The breed originates from Germany but it was the French who over time developed Standard Poodles to become the dogs we know today which is why they are often thought to hail from France. They were originally bred as working dogs and more specifically to work in water over marshlands and swamps to retrieve game for their handlers. With this said the actual origins of the breed remain a bit of a mystery. There are two trains of thought as to how the Poodle first came about. The first theory is that Poodles originated from Asia and that they are the descendants of herding dogs that were used by a north African tribe known as Berbers and that they were taken to Europe in the 8th Century by the Moors.

Another theory is that Poodles are in fact descendants of dogs that once lived on the Asian Steppes alongside the German tribes known as Goths and that they arrived in Europe when Ostrogoths travelled to Portugal and Spain. Ancient primitive sculptures have been discovered around the Med which leans towards the fact that Poodles may have indeed originated in Africa. This along with the fact that the North African Barbet is thought to be in the Poodle's ancestry although the it is known that the Barbet was introduced via the Iberian Peninsula to Europe.

What is known is that Standard Poodles have been around since the 15th Century with many dogs having been depicted in literature and art. A German artist called Albrecht Durer often painted them during the 16th Century and by the 18th Century Standard Poodles were a firm favourite with the Spanish well to do and were often depicted by the famous artist Goya. These large dogs are the oldest of all three Poodles with the Miniature and the Toy being developed much later and they were to become popular with many royals in the Courts of Europe thanks to their adorable looks and intelligence.

It was during the 1800's that Poodles were used to create and develop the Curly-coated Retriever. They were also mated to English Pointers with the end result being the Pudelpointer which was to become a popular and versatile hunting dog in Germany. Standard Poodles were also used to develop the Irish Water Spaniel another popular and well-respected breed.

Over time Standard Poodles earned themselves the reputation of being highly skilled gundog retrievers whether they were asked to work in marshy boggy environments or on drier land. But they also became firm favourites in a home environment too. Today the Standard Poodle has remained a popular choice as a family pet and companion dog with people throughout the world and they are always a popular breed in the show ring.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Standard Poodle a vulnerable breed? No they are among the most popular in the UK and elsewhere in the world
• Poodles are one of the most ancient breeds
• The name "Poodle" comes from a German word that means "splash in water" which is Pudeln
• Standard Poodles were bred to hunt ducks in France
• The Poodle was standardised and developed in France
• Poodles have hair like coats rather than fur like other breeds
• Poodles are related to other breeds which includes the Barbet Portuguese Water Dog and the Irish Water Spaniel
• Standard Poodles don't have that "doggy" smell about them
• Standard Poodles are invaluable and versatile dogs that have been used by the Police as therapy dogs and guide dogs

Height at the withers: Males over 38 cm Females over 38 cm

Average weight: Males 30 - 35 kg Females 21 - 32 kg

The Standard Poodle is a noble looking well-balanced dog that boasts a profuse curly coat. They are strong muscular dogs yet they move very gracefully which is just one of the reasons the breed is always such a hit and enjoys so much success in the show ring.

Their heads are long and refined boasting a slight peak. They have a moderate stop with a strong well-chiseled foreface. Standard Poodles have dark almond shaped eyes which always have an alert intelligent expression in them. Their ears are set low and close to their heads boasting long wide leathers. They have a strong jaw line with a perfect scissor bite where a dog's upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones.

A Standard Poodle's neck is well proportioned in relation to their body which allows dogs to carry them high adding to their graceful appearance. Shoulders are well laid back muscular and strong and their legs are muscular and straight. Standard Poodles have deep wide chests and well sprung ribs. Their back is short and slightly curved with broad and well-muscled loins.

Their hindquarters are well developed with muscular thigh and strong back legs. Feet are quite small for the size of these dogs and oval shaped with arched toes and thick hard well cushioned pads. Their tails are thicker at the root and dogs always carry them straight and away from their body.

When it comes to their coat the Standard Poodle boasts a very dense and thick coat that is quite harsh to the touch. Their coats can be traditionally trimmed which is acceptable when showing these dogs. They come in many colours with all solid ones being acceptable which includes the following:

• Apricot
• Black
• Blue
• Brown
• Cream
• Red
• Silver
• White

Gait/movement

When a Standard Poodle moves they do so with a free-moving flowing light action that's shows a tremendous amount of drive.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and judge any faults on how much they impact a dog's overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to work.

Male Standard Poodles must have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and the size of a dog can be a little smaller or larger and they can be slightly heavier or lighter than stated in their breed standard which is given by the Kennel Club as a guide only.

The Standard Poodle is a highly intelligent dog that is ranked 2 out of 79 other breeds. They love to please and are always eager and willing to learn new things which in short means they are extremely easy to train providing they are correctly handled. Over the years these dogs have appeared in circus acts all thanks to their highly tuned sensitivity to tones and vocal intonation. They excel at all canine sporting activities and this includes agility Flyball and obedience trials.

In a nutshell the Standard Poodle is a high-energy above average intelligence character that loves nothing more than to please. They make wonderful companions and are a good choice as a family pet or companion dog. However they are not the best choice for first time owners who may not know how to manage train and socialise this type of dog well enough for them to be well-rounded relaxed characters. Standard Poodles need to know their place in the pack and who is alpha dog in a household or they may start displaying a more dominant and unruly side to their character.

However for people who are familiar with this type of high energy intelligent dog a Standard Poodle would be the ideal choice and more especially in a household where the family spend much of their time in the great outdoors in which case a Standard Poodle would fit in perfectly with their lifestyle. With this said Standard Poodles are better suited to households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they never spend too much time on their own.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Although they are a great choice for first time dog owners Standard Poodles need to be trained correctly right from the word go so they mature into well-rounded mature dogs. This means having the time to dedicate to an active energetic and immensely intelligent canine companion.

What about prey drive?

Most Standard Poodles do not have a high prey drive which is a trait that over time was bred out of them as they became more popular pets and dogs that are exhibited in the showring rather than being used in the field.

What about playfulness?

Standard Poodles are playful and fun-loving by nature and remain very puppy-like well into their senior years. They adore being involved in any sort of interactive game and they excel at canine sports which includes things like obedience flyball and agility.

What about adaptability?

Standard Poodles are very adaptable by nature and providing they are given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep their minds occupied they do adapt well to apartment living. With this said there's nothing a Standard Poodle enjoys more than being able to romp around in a secure back garden where they can really express themselves as they should.

What about separation anxiety?

Standard Poodles form very strong ties with their owners and families. As such they never like finding themselves on their own which can lead to a dog suffering from separation anxiety. The result is a dog that can become destructive around the home and one that shows other unwanted behaviours too which is their way of showing how stressed out they are at being on their own.

What about excessive barking?

Standard Poodles do like to bark and are always quick to let an owner know when there is something they don't like going on in their environment or when they are strangers about. However this is a trait that can be gently curbed when a dog is still young to prevent it turning into a real problem later on.

Do Standard Poodles like water?

Standard Poodles love being in water and will happily jump in whenever they can which is why it's essential that owners take extra care when walking their dogs off their leads anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case they decide to leap in.

Are Standard Poodles good watchdogs?

Standard Poodles have a nature instinct to "protect" their families and their property which in short means they are excellent watchdogs with the added bonus being that although they would put people off from approaching a property they would rarely do so aggressively.

Ranked at number 2 out of 79 other breeds the Standard Poodle is a highly intelligent character and a dog that is renowned for being easy to train. The reason for this is that these dogs thrive on being around people and like nothing better than to be taught new things. This is thanks to the fact they are ultra-sensitive to different tones in a person's voice and the fact they thrive on the one-to-one relationship they get when they are being trained and when taking part in any events or competitions.

With this said a Standard Poodle's training must start at a young age so they learn their place in the pack. They also need to be well socialised from a young age which involves introducing them to new situations dogs other animals and pets for them to be truly well-rounded outgoing dogs.

Standard Poodle puppies are incredibly cute and therefore it is all too easy to spoil them and to let them get away with things. However puppies need to know their place in the pack and who is the alpha dog in a household for them to grow into well rounded mature adults. A puppy's education must start as early as possible and they need to be taught the rules and boundaries. The first commands they must be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Once a dog is older they can be taught other more complicated commands to ensure they grow up to be obedient and well-behaved in all sorts of different situations and environments.

Standard Poodles are known to get on very well with children and are generally quite tolerant when they are around them. However due to their large size they do risk knocking a smaller child over which means it's always best for any interaction between the kids and a dog be supervised by an adult.

They also get on well with other pets and animals all thanks to their kind and accepting natures. However just like any other dog when a Standard Poodle is introduced to a new animal or pet it needs to be done carefully and calmly to make sure things go smoothly.

The average life expectancy of a Standard Poodle is between 11 to 13 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Standard Poodles like their miniature and toy counterparts are prone to suffer from certain hereditary and acquired health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning to share your home with one of these noble and elegant looking dogs. The health concerns that seem to most affect the breed include the following:

• Addison's Disease otherwise known as Hypoadrenocorticism
• Bloat/torsion
• Liver shunt and lobular dissecting hepatitis
• Juvenile renal disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Epilepsy
• Cushing's disease
• Squamous celled digital cancer
• Neonatal encephalopathy - screening available for both dam and sire
• Atrial septal defect - which is heart problem
• Hip Dysplasia - DNA test available under the KC/BVA scheme
• Melanomas
• vW1 (type1) - Test available
• Iris atrophy
• Eye problems including Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Tests available under the KC/BVA eye scheme
• Sensitivity to rabies vaccine

More about Addison's disease

Standard Poodles are predisposed to suffering from Addison's disease which is also known as Hypoadrenocorticism. When a dog develops the disorder there are specific symptoms they show which can be extremely worrying. Dogs vomit and regurgitate their food which leads to a loss of weight. A dog suffering from the condition will be depressed they shiver and shake while at the same time having an increased thirst which means they need to urinate a lot more too. They also have extreme pain in their abdomens.

The problem is that the symptoms can be sudden or they may gradually come or before disappearing again which makes it very challenging for owners to recognise there is something seriously wrong with them. A vet would need to carry out an ACTH blood test to confirm a diagnosis but the good news is that many Standard Poodles do recover once they are treated in a timely manner.

More about sebaceous adenitis

Sebaceous adenitis (SA) is a dermatological disorder that affects several breeds which includes the Standard Poodle. The condition affects a dog's sebaceous glands which become inflamed and this eventually sees them being destroyed. The result is hair loss and other secondary skin disorders and infections which are considered as being a real health issue for affected dogs.

A lot of research is being undertaken by the Animal Health Trust with the end goal being to identify the gene mutation responsible for the condition and where it originates in a dog's system.

More about melanomas

Research has shown that around 4% of tumours reported in dogs develop because cells contain the pigment melamin and that they can develop in the skin the mouth under toe nails and in a dog’s eyes with the severity of a melanoma being judged on where it is located and whether they are benign. Studies have also established that black coated dogs are more at risk of developing cutaneous melanomas with Poodles being among them.

More about vWD (type 1) and neonatal encephalopathy

Standard Poodles can now be DNA screened for vWD(type1) through the Kennel Club with Vetgen offering to screen dogs for Neonatal Encephalopathy using the same sample. The results will be kept by the Kennel Club in their Breeds Records Supplement and the details would also be added to a dog's registration documents as well as any of their puppies' certificates.

What about vaccinations?

All Standard Poodle puppies would have been given their first vaccinations before being sold but it is up to their new owners to ensure they are given their follow-up shots. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination
• There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

• Some vets recommend spaying or neutering Standard Poodles when they are 6 months old whereas other vets prefer to wait until a female or male is a little more mature and as such like to carry out the procedures when dogs are slightly older which is when they are anything from 9 to 12 months old.

What about obesity problems?

• Older Standard Poodles and dogs that have been spayed or neutered can sometimes put on too much weight. It's important to keep a close eye on a dog's weight and to adjust their calorie intake and the amount of daily exercise they are given accordingly. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years because it puts too much pressure on a dog's vital organs including their hearts.

What about allergies?

As previously mentioned Standard Poodles are known to suffer from a condition known as sebaceous adenitis which can lead to them developing serious skin issues. As soon as a dog shows any signs of there being a problem they should be examined by a vet so that a diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment plan set in place sooner rather than later. The earlier a dog is treated the more comfortable they will be made to feel and the prognosis is always that much better when the disorder is caught in its early stages.

With this said there are other triggers for skin allergies which includes the following:

• Environment
• A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
• Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
• Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
• Tick and flea bites
• Dust mites
• Mould

Participating in health schemes

All responsible breeders would ensure that stud dogs are tested for any known health issues before using them for breeding purposes. The tests available for the Standard Poodle are as follows:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
• Breed Club test - Sebaceous adenitis
• DNA test for vWD
• Neonatal encephalopathy - screening available for both dam and sire

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Apart from the standard breeding restrictions set in place by the Kennel Club for all recognised breeds currently there are no further breed specific breeding restrictions in place for Standard Poodles.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

It is mandatory for all Kennel Club Assured Breeders to have stud dogs tested using the following schemes and other breeders are strongly advised to follow suit:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Eye testing

Other tests that the Kennel Club strongly advises all breeders use are as follows:

• Breed Club test - Sebaceous adenitis
• DNA test - vWD