Poodle
Poodle: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Poodle: a good fit for you
Poodle: could work, with compromises
Poodle: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
According to the FCI, the Poodle comes from France; it was originally used for wildfowling and descends from the Barbet.[1] It became popular as a companion dog for its friendly, joyful and loyal character and for its four sizes and range of colours.[1] The standard describes a dog renowned for its loyalty and capable of learning and being trained, which makes it a particularly pleasant companion.[1]
- Size
- Toy–small–medium–large
- Weight
- 2–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
Poodle: origin and history
The French name ‘caniche’ comes from ‘cane’, the French word for a female duck, while in other countries the breed’s name is associated with splashing around in water.[1] In 1743 the dog was called ‘caniche’, meaning a female barbet, and afterwards the Barbet and the Poodle were gradually bred apart.[1] The AKC, which calls the Poodle the national dog of France, says that despite this association the breed originated as a duck hunter in Germany.[2]
The FCI standard describes the Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodles in relation to the Medium Poodle.[1] According to the AKC, the Standard was bred down to the Miniature, and the Toy was first bred in America in the early 20th century as a city companion.[2] The FCI classifies the Poodle in Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 2 (Poodle).[1]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- France
- Size
- Toy–small–medium–large
- Height at withers
- 24–60 cm [1]
- Weight
- 2–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Curly
- Colours
- Black, white, brown, grey, apricot, red
- Low-shedding coat
- Yes
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needshigh
- Trainabilityvery high
- Grooming needsvery high
- Sheddingvery low
- Barkingmoderate
- Good with kidshigh
- Good with other dogshigh
- Good with catshigh
- Apartment-friendlyhigh
- Copes with being alonelow
- Watchdog instinctlow
- Good for first-time ownershigh
- Affectionhigh
Poodle: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Yes. It rates 4 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs learn quickly and like working with you (5 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
2 to 3 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (2 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
About 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Plan for off-lead running or games, not just walks on the lead.
How long does it live?
12–15 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: eye disease, luxating patella, epilepsy.
How big does it get?
24–60 cm at the withers and 2–30 kg. The breed comes in several sizes (toy–small–medium–large), so check which variety you are looking at.
Is it a good family dog?
Yes. It rates 4 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 4 out of 5, with cats 4 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Very little: 1 out of 5 for shedding. The low-shedding coat is often better tolerated by people with allergies, but no dog is allergen-free. The coat keeps growing: brush it every day and have it trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.
Male or female?
Within each size variety, males are usually a little larger and heavier than females. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Poodle or Lagotto Romagnolo?
Biggest difference: trainability (very high vs. high).
| Poodle | Lagotto Romagnolo | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Toy–small–medium–large | Medium |
| Weight | 2–30 kg | 11–16 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 12–16 years |
| Coat | Curly | Curly |
| Trainability | Very high | High |
| Grooming needs | Very high | High |
| Good with cats | High | Moderate |
| Apartment-friendly | High | Moderate |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- live in an apartment
- are getting your first dog
- have children
- have a cat
- want a dog that sheds very little
- want to do dog sports such as agility or obedience
Poodle: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs about 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 12–15 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Struggles when left alone
- 2 to 3 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- High-maintenance coat
- 5 out of 5 for grooming. The coat keeps growing: brush it every day and have it trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.
- Breed-typical health risks
- Eye disease, luxating patella, epilepsy. Choose a breeder who screens the parents, and consider health insurance.
Poodle: puppy price and monthly costs
£800 – £2,000 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Agria Pet Insurance, 2026). From £69 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £800 – £2,000 [3] | from £69 [4] |
| United States | $1,200 – $5,500 [5] | $116 [6] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [7] |
| Australia | A$2,500–4,500 [8] | A$210 [9] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [10] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Groomer: £39 – £85 per visit, every 6 to 8 weeks (Asda Money).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Eye disease [17]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
- Luxating patella [18]
- The kneecap slips out of place, common in small breeds.
- Epilepsy [17]
- Can be inherited and is often well controlled with medication.
Health tests for the parent dogs
11 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center): hip X-ray (HD)*, kneecap check*, eye exam, and DNA tests (prcd-PRA*).
- No health test is required for breeding in Canada (Poodle Club of Canada); the table shows what is recommended.
- Required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand): kneecap check* and DNA tests (PRA*, prcd-PRA*).
| Test | United Kingdom [19] | United States [20] | Canada [21] | New Zealand [22] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | Recommended (only for some dogs) [23] |
| Kneecap checkPatella luxation | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | Recommended [23] |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | not in the rules | Recommended (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Thyroid testAutoimmune thyroiditis | not in the rules | Recommended (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: NEWSNeonatal encephalopathy with seizures | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended (only for some dogs) [23] |
| DNA test: OCOsteochondrodysplasia | Recommended (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: prcd-PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | Recommended | Required (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | Required (only for some dogs) |
| DNA test: rcd4-PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | Recommended (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: vWD1Von Willebrand disease type 1 (bleeding disorder) | Recommended (only for some dogs) | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended (only for some dogs) [23] |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: ● means a litter is only registered if the parents have the test.
* Only for some dogs of the breed, for example one size, one coat type, imported dogs or one state or region. The source says which.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), kneecap check, and eye exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for PRA and prcd-PRA, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [24] [25] [26] [22]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [27] [28] [29]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [30] [31] [32] [33]
No dog is completely allergen-free. If someone in your home has an allergy, spend time with the breed before you decide.
Similar breeds
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Sources
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 172: Poodle (2024)
- American Kennel Club: Poodle (Standard) Dog Breed Information
- Agria Pet Insurance (UK): Poodle Pet Insurance - The UK's Most Trusted Pet Insurer (2026)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- Spot Pet Insurance: What's The Price of A Poodle in 2025? (on-page heading: How Much Does a Standard Poodle Cost in 2025?) (2025)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Knose (pet insurer): Knose Poodle breed page (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Asda Money (Asda Pet Insurance, administered by Insurance Factory Ltd): Dog Grooming Costs - Average UK Costs
- Poodle Club of America: Health Statement for the Poodle Club of America (2024)
- Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 81(4):532-537 (Maeda K et al.): Evidence of genetic contribution to patellar luxation in Toy Poodle puppies (2019)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Royal Kennel Club Health Standard: A complete guide to health testing for responsible breeding (2026)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center (CHIC): CHIC Program Requirements and testing statistics: Poodle/Toy
- Poodle Club of Canada: Poodle Club of Canada Code of Ethics (2024)
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the POODLE (STANDARD) (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.