How to Select a Standard Poodle

The poodle, which is the national dog of France, comes in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy. Poised and extremely intelligent, the standard poodle is a developed swimmer that was once used to retrieve waterfowl. The standard poodle is thought to be gentler than its counterparts, the miniature and toy poodles.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric Dog Clippers
  • Dental Kits (for Dogs)
  • Dog Beds
  • Dog Brushes
  • Dog Collars
  • Dog Dishes
  • Dog Food
  • Dog Leashes
  • Dog Shampoo
  • Dog Tags
  • Nail Clippers For Dogs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Know that the standard poodle is very bright and quick to train. This dog also makes a great watchdog and guard dog.

    • 2

      Reconsider getting a standard poodle if you plan to leave the dog alone for extended periods of time. This breed needs to be around people and is very unhappy if left alone.

    • 3

      Select a standard poodle if you have children or other pets in the house. The poodle is friendly with all.

    • 4

      Remember that the poodle requires much grooming. Its coat will need to be clipped every six to eight weeks for it to maintain its shape. Your dog will need to be bathed regularly.

    • 5

      Note that standard poodles do well indoors and are happy to live in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise.

    • 6

      Look at the poodle's features when choosing yours. The standard poodle, the oldest of the three types, should appear gentle and charming with dark, oval eyes and a long muzzle. The coat should be thick, curly and colored either blue, gray, silver, brown, café au lait, apricot, cream or white.

    • 7

      Understand that standard poodles are prone to certain health conditions such as cataracts (cloudy eye lens), progressive retinal atrophy (progressive damage to the retina), allergies, skin problems, hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint) and Von Willebrand's disease (a bleeding disorder).

    • 8

      Check out potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask if they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check their references to make sure that they don't run a puppy mill and that they screen for health problems before they breed.

    • 9

      Know that female and male standard poodles will reach heights of up to 27 inches. Males will weigh between 25 and 70 lbs., while females will weigh between 45 and 60 lbs.

    • 10

      Realize that you'll probably pay between $300 and $1,500 for a purebred standard poodle.

    • 11

      Know that a standard poodle's life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years.