Poodle

A medium sized, curly-haired, golden pooch, with a round, fluffy head, long, thin muzzle and fluffy, square-cut ears sits on a concrete footpath lined with greenery. The pooch's eyes fixated above, no doubt spotting a bird or squirrel in the trees!

Poodle

If you’re looking for a wonderful breed of dog that comes in a variety of sizes and colours, Poodles are a fantastic choice. Whether you’re thinking of borrowing one or getting your own, we’ve pulled together lots of fun and interesting facts you should know about the breed.

What is a Poodle?

There are three sizes of Poodle - from smallest to largest they are: Toy, Miniature or Standard. Each of the three share the same characteristics. No matter the size, these pups are known for their bright, affectionate natures. Though they do not shed, Poodles require frequent, even daily, grooming. They can be a good choice for those looking for hypoallergenic dogs (although those with allergies should seek medical advice before spending time with any type of dogs).

Despite the name, the Toy Poodle is not a toy dog breed - all three varieties are classed in the “utility” breed group. In the UK, there are two reasons for a breed being in the utility group: either the breed does not fit in any other group or it is a working dog whose purpose has now become redundant.

How much exercise does a Poodle need?

The Kennel Club recommends that Poodles get up to an hour a day of exercise. They’ll absolutely love a rousing game of fetch or a hearty walk. The amount of exercise required should be adjusted according to the size, however, as a Standard Poodle is likely to appreciate more exercise than his smaller counterparts.

A tall, slim dog with curly cream hair that has been trimmed neatly is standing in a park on an autumnal day — Doggy member Angus

“His favourite form of exercise is chasing a ball. He is a very fast runner and will retrieve as much as you want him to. He needs a bit of restriction so he doesn't wear himself out!” - Rene, Owner of Archie

What is the temperament of a Poodle?

Poodles are lively and affectionate dogs, described by The Kennel Club as “a clown by nature, who gives amusement and devotion to his owners.” They are clever and friendly dogs with bubbly personalities.Miniature Poodles are an especially great choice if you have children as they are patient pups.

A young, curly-haired, golden puppy is looking comfy on a sofa — Doggy member Minky

“Luca loves playing in the park and taking a nap. He's calm, sweet and likes company while having his meals. He is fine with other dogs, but can be scared with energetic puppies.” - Paola, Owner of Luca

Are Poodles easy to train?

This pawticular breed is a delight to train. According to The Kennel Club, a Poodle “is extremely versatile and excels in obedience - indeed, there seems to be no end to his talents.” Studies have shown the Poodle to be the second most intelligent dog breed after the Border Collie and so should respond well to lots of training and entertainment.

“She is very well trained and knows many tricks and commands, which she loves performing. She is great indoors and outdoors, loves all kinds of people, and is good with small children.” - Cindy, Owner of Mika

That being said, here are a few funny quirks that some of our members’ pooches have:

Owner Tamara on her Poodle, Lola:

“She has the attitude of a 10 year-old, been-there-done-that kind of dog, meaning she likes all the attention, she prefers the best seat in the house and doesn't really care for new doggie friends, only human friends.”

Owner Suzanne on her Poodle, Poppy:

“Poppy is a qualified PAT dog (Pets As Therapy), which I am very proud of - so patient when she is with me visiting hospitals etc. She is well behaved alongside cafe and pub tables and knows that she will never get anything from the table, so begging is not an option. (She is however a very efficient Hoover if there are any crumbs around!)”

Most common Poodle names on BorrowMyDoggy:

Teddy
Buddy
Poppy
Charlie
Marley
Freddie
Lucy
Alfie
Fudge
Bertie

BorrowMyDoggy member, Sara, matched with two gorgeous Poodles, Meesha and Bella. Read their story to see why Sara says “My partner and I both had preconceptions about Poodles, but my goodness we are totally in love with them! Before BorrowMyDoggy, we would have never chosen to get a Poodle, but we have totally fallen for them. They are so well-trained, obedient, affectionate and have brilliant characters. ”