There are three different types of poodles which really only differ in size. There’s the toy poodle, the miniature poodle, and the standard poodle. Being the larger of the three, the standard poodle lives a long 12 – 14 years. This article describes standard poodles and what differentiates them from their smaller counterparts.

Measurements

Both the AKC (American Kennel Club) and the UKC (United Kennel Club) assign the standard class to poodles that stand over 15 inches tall, and that weigh between 40 and 56 pounds. Height is measured from a poodle’s highest part of its back between the shoulders (otherwise known as its withers) down to its feet. And you’ll find some poodles that reach all the way to 28 inches in height. There is a slight difference between female and male weight however. Standard female poodles tend to weigh between 40 and 45 pounds – standard male poodles tend to weigh between 50 and 56 pounds.

Longevity

Surprisingly, the standard poodle has a shorter life span than the smaller miniature or toy poodle.

Personality and Temperament

There’s only a slight difference between the behavior of the standard and the behavior of the miniature/toy poodle. All of them are basically friendly natured dogs, but when compared to the miniature and the toy, the standard poodle is rather distant. Not completely distant, mind you. In general, the whole gamut of the poodle species craves attention. This particular dog simply craves a little less. Like any other poodle, they still enjoy play time, training, walking and running, and everything else that their smaller versions enjoy. Standards just like a little alone time too.

Requirements

The size of the standard poodle obviously demands more room than what the miniature or toy poodle demands, so if you’re thinking about getting a standard poodle, make sure you have ample room in the house for the dog to maneuver around, and ample room in the back yard for the dog to run and play in. Make sure the back yard has a fence high enough to prevent the dog from escaping and strengthen the fence’s gates. (Refer to our article about hunting poodles to get an idea of how strong these dogs can be).

A Perk!

Such a tall height, sturdy weight, and strong disposition make standard poodles great guard dogs. These characteristics coupled with its natural “distant” perspective are enough to deter unwanted guests from entering your property.

The Royal or Imperial Poodle

The poodle that exceeds standard measurements is called a Royal Poodle or Imperial Poodle, and it’s neither more valuable nor more rare than any poodle in any category.