Poodle Breed Guide: Size, Grooming, Temperament and Adoption
What were Poodles bred for?
UKC describes the Standard Poodle as having been developed first as a hunting dog and says it still serves mainly as a gun dog and companion. For the Miniature and Toy varieties, UKC says the likely route to a smaller dog was breeding small Standard Poodles with Maltese and Havanese, and that these varieties were strictly companions. AKC lists Germany as the origin of the Toy, Miniature and Standard varieties.
Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodle size
AKC publishes a height for the Miniature Poodle of 10-15 inches and a weight of 10-15 pounds. AKC says the Toy Poodle stands no more than 10 inches and weighs 4-6 pounds. For the Standard Poodle, AKC gives a height of over 15 inches, with female weights of 40-50 pounds and male weights of 60-70 pounds. UKC measures Miniature and Toy Poodles at the withers and sets the same height boundaries.
Poodle breed temperament and personality
UKC notes the breed for high intelligence, trainability and a sense of humor. UKC adds that Poodles are highly social and need regular, close interaction with family members. AKC uses the words active, proud and very smart for the Miniature and Standard varieties, and intelligent, agile and self-confident for the Toy. AKC rates trainability and mental enrichment at 5 of 5 for the Toy, Miniature and Standard varieties. AKC rates vocalization at 4 of 5 for the Toy, Miniature and Standard varieties, so many Poodles may be fairly vocal.
Poodle grooming and shedding: do Poodles shed?
AKC rates shedding at 1 of 5 for the Toy, Miniature and Standard varieties. UKC describes the coat as harsh, dense and curly, and says it may be shown naturally, corded or in one of several clips. AKC rates grooming frequency at 4 of 5 for each variety, which points to regular coat upkeep for Standard Poodle grooming as well as for the smaller sizes.
How long do Poodles live? Life expectancy
AKC gives a general life expectancy of 10-18 years for the Toy, Miniature and Standard varieties, so the figure covers the Toy Poodle lifespan and the average life expectancy of a Standard Poodle alike. A veterinarian can explain which health checks suit an individual dog.
Adopting a Poodle
Because the dogs shown here are cared for by other organizations, anyone looking at a poodle rescue or standard poodle rescue dog will work with that dog's own organization. Because UKC says Poodles need regular, close interaction with family members, an adopter should plan for time at home with the dog.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Poodle as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
Miniature Poodle
- AKC group
- Non-Sporting Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1887
- Height (AKC published)
- 10-15 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 10-15 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 10-18 years
- AKC size category
- Small
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 5 of 5
- Trainability: 5 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 4 of 5
- Shedding: 1 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 5 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 5 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Standard Poodle
- AKC group
- Non-Sporting Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1887
- Height (AKC published)
- over 15 inches (standard)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard)
- General life expectancy
- 10-18 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 5 of 5
- Trainability: 5 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 4 of 5
- Shedding: 1 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 5 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 5 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- DNA Test for Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEwS) or clear by parentage (Standard only)
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis Evaluation (Standard Only)
- Von Willebrand Disease I (VWDI) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Toy Poodle
- AKC group
- Toy Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1887
- Height (AKC published)
- No more than 10 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 4-6 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 10-18 years
- AKC size category
- XSmall
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 5 of 5
- Trainability: 5 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 4 of 5
- Shedding: 1 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 5 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 5 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Poodle | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Breed Standards : Standard Poodle | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Poodle (Miniature) - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
- Poodle (Standard) - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
- Poodle (Toy) - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
