Poodle

Expect a dog that wants to be involved. The AKC describes Poodles as eager, athletic and wickedly smart, and the breed was originally a water retriever. Most days include a walk or two, some play, a short training session and a fair amount of company.

Size is the main difference between varieties. Standards stand over 15 inches at the shoulder, Miniatures are over 10 and up to 15 inches, and Toys are 10 inches or under. The AKC lists adult weights of roughly 40 to 70 pounds for Standards, 10 to 15 for Miniatures and 4 to 6 for Toys.

Poodles are low-shedding, not no-shedding. Loose hair tends to stay caught in the dense curly coat instead of landing on the couch, so it has to be removed by brushing and clipping. Poodles also lack the heavy seasonal shed common in many double-coated breeds.

A Poodle in a longer coat generally needs brushing and combing down to the skin every day to prevent mats. A short pet trim reduces that work but does not remove it. Brushing a short coat can take roughly 10 to 20 minutes, and a long or easily matted coat takes considerably longer.

Many owners book a professional groomer every four to six weeks for bathing, clipping and nail trimming, and appointments often run several hours. The AKC's grooming guidance gives a wider bathing range of about every four to eight weeks, depending on coat length, activity and how well the coat is kept up. Check the ears regularly, since drop ears and hair around the ear canal can hold wax and moisture, and brush teeth as part of routine care.

On allergies, low shedding is a separate question. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, because allergens come from proteins in dander, saliva and urine. If someone at home has allergies, spend time with the individual dog first.

The AKC rates the Standard Poodle highly for affection with family, for children and for openness to strangers, and a little lower for other dogs. Those are tendencies, and each dog is an individual. Children need to be taught how to handle a dog and should be supervised, and cats and other pets need careful introductions, especially if your dog likes to chase or retrieve.

Size matters here. A Toy Poodle is physically fragile around rough handling, and an exuberant Standard can overwhelm a small child without meaning to. For more breeds that suit families, see our list of family-friendly dog breeds.

Apartments can work, especially with a Miniature or Toy, and with a Standard whose exercise, training, grooming and quiet time are all covered. The AKC rates the Standard's adaptability at 4 out of 5.

This breed tends not to suit a home that wants a low-maintenance coat, little daily activity, minimal training or a dog left alone for long stretches. It also does not suit a household unwilling to budget for regular grooming.

These figures are for Standard Poodles, from Spot Pet Insurance, published October 17, 2025. Prices vary by region and provider, and smaller varieties will differ.

• Breeder purchase price: about $1,200 to $5,500, from $1,200 to $4,000 in the Midwest up to $2,000 to $5,500 in the Northeast and West.
• Adoption fee: about $50 to $500.
• Food: about $140 to $405 a year for an adult, not counting treats.
• Grooming: about $55 to $160 a session, commonly 4 to 8 sessions a year.
• Puppy vet visits: about $65 to $170 each.

The same source puts lifetime ownership at about $28,260. That is an insurer's estimate, not a complete budget for every size or health profile.

The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation is the breed club's national rescue network, and its contact page lists regional groups. Shelters and all-breed rescues sometimes have Poodles and Poodle mixes too, though availability varies by location.

To estimate how big a puppy will get, try our puppy size predictor. To compare other breeds, start at the dog breeds hub. Poodles also appear in our lists of dog breeds that shed less and small dog breeds.