Poodle: temperament, care and good with kids
The Poodle is one of the smartest breeds and comes in four sizes — from toy to standard. They barely shed, so they're often a good fit for allergy sufferers.
Temperament
Poodles are trainable, playful and very attached to their family. They learn quickly and love tasks; boredom doesn't suit them. They tend to be alert but not aggressive.
Good with children
★★★★★
They're great with children, especially the larger sizes. With toy and miniature Poodles, watch play with small kids because of fragility. A clever Poodle happily plays and learns tricks with children.
Care & upkeep
The curly coat doesn't shed but needs regular clipping (roughly every 6–8 weeks) and frequent brushing to prevent matting. Grooming upkeep is the main downside.
Exercise & daily routine
Exercise needs grow with size. All sizes need mental work — Poodles are workers and misbehave without tasks. They excel at dog sports.
Can you handle the daily care?
TestDog simulates the real routine of caring for a virtual dog — feeding in set windows and walks tracked by your pedometer. Try the responsibility for real before you get a Poodle or any other breed.
Download on theApp StoreWho the Poodle suits
Ideal for allergy sufferers and owners who want a smart, trainable dog and don't mind a regular groomer. Less suitable for those who don't want to deal with coat care.
Compare with other breeds in our dog breed guide.