Poodle: temperament, training and care

At a glance

Temperament

• Very clever and athletic
• Hardly sheds, but needs clipping
• Sensitive to tone of voice

Training tips

Mix in tricks and games: a bored Poodle invents its own.

Poodles usually pick things up quickly, which also means they learn bad habits quickly. Keep sessions short and varied, and reward the calm behavior you want to see more of.

Start with a marker word, sit, come and leave it. For a puppy, see the puppy training guides.

Exercise and energy

A healthy adult Poodle typically needs around 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day. Walks alone rarely cover it: add sniffing games, training and play so their brain gets tired too. Puppies need much shorter sessions while they grow.

See how much exercise a dog needs and our games and enrichment ideas.

Health to watch

Things the breed is known to be prone to. Ask your vet what to check for your dog.

• Bloat. A deep chest raises the risk of a twisted stomach: no hard play for an hour either side of a big meal. See: Bloat (Twisted Stomach).
• Eyes. Prominent or sensitive eyes: see the vet the same day for squinting or a cloudy eye. See: Eye Injuries.
• Ears. Floppy ears trap moisture: check and clean them weekly, and dry them after swims.
• Skin. Folds and allergies need care: keep folds clean and dry, and watch for itching. See: Allergic Reaction.