Standard poodles are highly intelligent dogs, and they are eager to please, which makes the poodle easy to train. A high-energy breed, poodles require a minimum of two walks a day.

Poodles are excellent service and therapy dogs, and they are superb watchdogs. Due to the fact that they are gentle and friendly with children, poodles make very good family dogs. They are agile and excel at conformation exhibition, agility, rally, dock diving, obedience, and *Fast CAT®. (CAT is an acronym for a Coursing Ability Test. *The Fast CAT® is a timed 100-yard dash. Dogs chase a lure, running one dog at a time.)

Poodles are loving, and playful. Poodles have been known to invent their own games if they are bored, so it is best to provide lots of exercise, and stimulating toys for them to play with. Of course, if you are just looking for companionship and a total “love-bug,” then a poodle is the dog for you!

For allergy sufferers, it is important to note that poodles do not shed. *Poodles have hair, not fur. As a result, grooming on a regular basis is a necessity.