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Question for lifelong dog owners..what sets the Standard poodle apart?

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5.1K views 26 replies 21 participants last post by  Blazey  
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#1 ·
Hello!.

So I am a 1st time dog owner of a 4 month old Standard Poodle and after a few weeks of puppy blues..I'm fallen in love with the little dude and training him.

I was going to go on a long diatribe of how I came across this breed and why I chose it but I decided not too lol.

My boy does resemble a doodle but I did give him more a poodley cut recently as I like to experiment and naturally I've been getting a raised eyebrow on walks. I believe it's because here doodles are so common so coming across a pudel is so rare.


Anyway..I digress. I have a question for those have grew up with other breeds or have owned other breeds...what sets the Standard Poodle apart from other breeds?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
That's an interesting question. I'll give you my impressions after having Rhonda for almost six months. This is my first Standard Poodle (first purebred actually). I always had a thing about adopting from a shelter, but this time I tried something different. My other dogs have been mixed breed shelter dogs (three others).

What sets Rhonda apart, and I know I shouldn't compare, is that she is much more focused on human behavior. She likes to watch me and she looks directly into my eyes. It's as if she has something to communicate but I'm not getting it. She is a wonderful dog, not a mean bone in her body. She likes other people and other dogs. She is no problem whatsoever. She might be the perfect dog for me at this point in my life. I don't know about other Poodles but I'm guessing they are similar. We have been able to develop a connection that I didn't have with my other dogs. She is just a delight!
 
#4 ·
Growing up in a rural area I have had so many different breeds of dogs both purebred and mixed. My grandfather trained English Setter hunting dogs, and although beautiful and very well trained, they were hyper. My first encounter with a standard was a neighbor who had one as a therapy dog. This dog was so regal. When I would walk by with my dog, he was so calm and just watched us with such intelligence and direct eye contact. I knew at that moment that someday I would get a standard. Now that I have Duke, I have to say that he has that same calm demeanor. Both his parents were calm dogs. He is calm in the house, but always ready to play. The trainer says his eye contact is so good “it’s freaky!” You feel like he is reading you. He is just different in a really good way. I agree with others that I have a bond with him like no other dog I have ever had. 💙
 
#6 ·
I have had many different dog breeds , each has its own merit , I have come back to a poodle , 1) intelligence , 2 ) the coat , yes it’s a lot of work . So for me , there isn’t only one dog breed out there , it’s what suits at the time or at at which stage of life I am at . We had large protective dogs at one time , if my children went off with the dogs , no-one would have got near them , not without being bitten anyway .
not much help , but choose a breed that suits your lifestyle , much easier
 
#7 ·
I've had mixed breeds and purebred dogs. Breeder puppies and rescue dogs. I've had Phoebe Duck for only 2 weeks and she's definitely one of the smartest dogs I've ever owned, hands down. But that's not the only reason why I think the poodle is special. She is people focused and I can see her thinking and trying to puzzle things out. I've had smart dogs before. But she's different in that her intelligence is focused on her relationship with me and what I'm asking from her. My other smart dogs focused on what they wanted and how to convince me to give it to them.
Also ... Poodles just have style. Class. Panache. Very few other dogs can match it.
 
#16 ·
Johanna said:
You don't own a poodle - you have a companion.
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MaizieFrosty said:
The poodle is like a person and all other breeds are dogs, imho.
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I 100% agree. It can be a little eerie sometimes. And very challenging! But rewarding on such a deep level.

I love so many other breeds, but I now struggle to imagine myself with anything but a standard poodle.
 
#9 ·
I've had dogs all my life, hunting dogs, watch dogs, family dogs - alot of smart working dogs. Each breed has it's merits. However poodles just get under your skin like no other. Sometimes they have better ideas than you, and sometimes they think they have better ideas. You earn their respect and compliance. They teach you things that make you a better person.
 
#10 ·
I agree with everything that’s been said so far.

In addition, poodles have a wide range of abilities. Remarkable retrievers, great for long hikes or to curl up with on the couch, ready to play any sort of game. They can do Rally, Agility, nose work, etc. Poodles have even run the Iditarod.

Because of their focus on their people, they are very easy to train to do things around the house. My standard boy would pick up anything I dropped and give it to me. I never trained him to do this, just encouraged him. He would even empty the dryer for me, which was great because I have a bad back. It was like having an extra set of hands around the house.
 
#11 · (Edited)
If I had to sum it up in one word versatility. I've never seen a dog so versatile with such human like intelligence. I've had Beagles, Australian Shepherds, Mountain View Cur, Shih Tzu, and my last little dog Gwen a mix of Poodle-Bichon frize. I've had my share of other upland dog breeds also they couldn't hold a light to Dewy. He amazes me everyday sometimes he's too smart though. I've never owned a dog so easy to train till we got him. There is something to be said about the bond you form with a standard poodle. It is a very strong bond indeed. This dog loves to work and I love working with him. We work play do dang near everything together.
Image
 
#13 ·
Last week, I saw a new adolescent black Standard girl at the training center I go to. She had a longer sporting-style cut without a shaved face, and her owner was shocked I knew she wasn't a doodle. It wasn't just her outline - it was how she carried herself. She could have had a full doodle cut, and she would have been unmistakably Poodle. Though young, she had poise and was processing the world around her thoughtfully. :love: I melted as per usual, and l so look forward to having one of my own someday.
 
#15 ·
I've had 3 Toy Poodles, a Malamute-mix, a mix, and 2 Greyhounds in my life before adding a Standard Poodle to my home. Jasper is still a puppy but so different than our other dogs. All of the Poodles would prance when they move. Jasper is whip smart and cares what I think. My Greyhounds are intelligent but won't follow a command unless they choose to. I can see Jasper trying to work things out. With the heat we've been experiencing, I have leaned on puzzles (among other things) to keep the dogs busy while in the AC. Jasper literally watched the Greyhounds the first time.

Jasper is also a clown. I knew this going in but sometimes he will do things just to get a reaction from me. For example, this morning while putting my contacts in, he stood on his back legs and pawed my contact case away. I moved it so he started pawing it away from me again. I swear he was laughing at me.
 
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#18 ·
JasMom said:
I've had 3 Toy Poodles, a Malamute-mix, a mix, and 2 Greyhounds in my life before adding a Standard Poodle to my home. Jasper is still a puppy but so different than our other dogs. All of the Poodles would prance when they move. Jasper is whip smart and cares what I think. My Greyhounds are intelligent but won't follow a command unless they choose to. I can see Jasper trying to work things out. With the heat we've been experiencing, I have leaned on puzzles (among other things) to keep the dogs busy while in the AC. Jasper literally watched the Greyhounds the first time.

Jasper is also a clown. I knew this going in but sometimes he will do things just to get a reaction from me. For example, this morning while putting my contacts in, he stood on his back legs and pawed my contact case away. I moved it so he started pawing it away from me again. I swear he was laughing at me.
Click to expand...

Mine only listens when I have treats. I hope he grows out of it lol
 
#17 ·
Unlike many other breeds, everyone knows your dog is a poodle, even in a basic pet clip. And standards poodles draw a lot of attention. My standard boy frequently stopped traffic with people shouting out the window to admire him. I’m sure a lot of PFers have experienced this.

On the playground, little kids will say “look! A dog!” But with my standard boy, it was always “look! A poodle!”
 
#19 ·
Treats are very helpful at the beginning of training, slowly you can wean him down. Treats are still important though, dogs like to feel rewarded for working hard. Eventually you can build up to doing a jackpot treat at the end of training session, rather than treating for every time your pup listens.

ETA: the treat doesn’t have to be treat food. When Jasper wants to play, I have him practice sit/down/stay for me to throw or tug with him. He also sits politely (but with an air of impatience) for his meals to be placed in front of him.
 
#20 ·
Me, a smart cocker spaniel that did what she wanted and was treat motivated. Hated the fur mess.
3 toy poodles for us then a large supposed Golden doodle , that I’m pretty sure is just a large poodle at 58 lbs and 26 inches at withers. One golden doodle that is forty pounds and definitely a golden doodle, but super intune and calm poodle personality. Then one Moyen poodle that is just like the 58 pound Golden Doodle. The trainer we work with said, these two got the poodles, the rest of you got the lazy mixed breed with the super smart poodle intelligence. You are in for a ride because that poodle side is way smarter than you think. She also said she was not a poodle fan as they require so much more direct and purposeful engagement. But even the trainer said my big girl Koko looks and acts like a Poodle. I love my dogs, even if they aren’t 💯 percent poodle. I will always look for a poodle as a companion and the Standard size is just an amazing side kick.
 
#21 ·
I’ve been marinating on this question. Phoebe is dog number 6 for me (9-10 including childhood dogs, depending on how they’re counted). Second poodle, but my first poodle died as a pup… Poodles are just different. I feel like with both of my poodle girls, their thought processing is much more human than any of the others dogs I’ve had or known. I’ve had clever dogs. 1. A JRT with 3 other dogs, where she was by far the smallest, who would outwit the others by suddenly running to the door barking when she wanted their bone, knowing she couldn’t just physically take it away like she wanted to do. They’d be distracted, and she could do what she wanted. That’s just one example of her intelligence. 2. My big sweet mutt who could learn any thing under the sun. If there had been talking dog buttons then… she’d have been the talkingist!
Still. Poodles are just different. They’re always asking “why”. I would not be surprised at all to learn that their brain maps (is that the right term?) show that they think more humanly than dogly. Phoebe would not trick another dog into giving up something she wants. She would ask a person to get her something better. She is much more communicative than my previous dogs, even those that were so smart. She is a thinking being, truly on par with a toddler in how she can problem solve and communicate.
 
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#22 ·
@Starla Poodles are not as sinful as Terriers. It seems to me that they're more civilized and are willing to enter into a dialogue with you, and ultimately agree on a plan of action that's mutually beneficial. And, I sense that they have more innate shame (or pride if you prefer). The Terrier DIYs life with a pitchfork in paw and has eaten the good angel on his shoulder because it squeaked too much! We humans are superfluous in their lives--a down-time perk and not a necessity.

No really, joking aside, it's fascinating how what we breed into our dogs - both instinct and temperament - really does have massive impact on how their intelligence manifests and works for or against us!
 
#23 ·
The most human-like of all dog breeds. We have had two standards and a mini over the years. Our latest SPoo is an independent thinker, but deeply devoted companion at the same time (if that makes any sense). We have years of training in obedience and agility behind us as both of us enter old age. The combination of intelligence, calmness, ability to "work" with focus, and be a complete nut case when the time is right has been our joy for the years. We've worked with hundreds of other dogs and many breeds in our clubs, and our girl has always been a stand out charmer. I can take her to a business meeting, go to an outdoor fair, dine in a restaurant (if dogs permitted), take her shopping, go for a ride in the truck, and in any environment, always be confident that she will be a pleasure for all.
 
B
#27 ·
I was not sold on my poodle for quite some time, but my cousin has owned two. They both had crazy haircuts. That is not what sold me though. They were just soooo intelligent, both of them. I have up to this point always been a Husky guy. I find their outer beauty mesmerizing. I also love their spirit, but I was not in the mood to train another Husky. I am just too old for that:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:. I just like the trainable nature of poodles. My 5 month old Standard has not disappointed.
 
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