The Top 8 Reasons Poodles Are the Perfect Family Dog

If your family is feeling a little lonely, and you’re looking for a way to add love, warmth, and responsibility, read this article to discover the top 8 reasons that poodles are the perfect family dog.

It is also important to keep in mind that even poodles have different personalities and tolerances. Therefore, it is important to remember that this guide can give you an idea of what your canine may be like, but it cannot fully predict how your specific dog will be. 

The Top 8 Reasons That Poodles Are the Perfect Family Dog

1. Poodles Are Gentle

Poodles love to have fun and play. However, they also know when to tone it down, which makes them perfect for a family that may be older, a family with special needs, or a family that has children. 

2. These Canines Are Smart

Poodles are highly intelligent pups. For instance, if your kid has a talent show, these pups will surely bring the smarts and win first place.

3. They Don’t Shed

If you or your family members have allergies, a poodle may be a great choice for a dog. Since they do not exude fur, they are less likely to contract debris and allergens.

4. They Are Observant

If you want a dog who will be gentle and serve as a great guard pup, a poodle may be the choice for you. They are extremely on guard and can help you keep track of wee little ones on the run.

5. Fiercely Loyal

Poodles love to connect with their owners and will often show them unwavering loyalty. What’s more is that if you are looking for a dog who will greet you after a strenuous day of work, poodles will not disappoint!

6. Very Playful

Poodles enjoy a good romp! If you have energetic kids, a poodle is a great friend to help your kid get in exercise and still keep their energy at your kid’s pace.

7. Eager to Please

Poodles enjoy a good education. Therefore, if you’re looking for a family canine who wants to learn and is eager to gratify, a poodle is a good option for your family.

8. They Live for a Long Time

If you’re looking for a pup that will grow up with your family, a poodle is a great option. Provided that your poodle eats a healthy diet, visits the vet annually, and gets in an adequate amount of exercise daily, these dogs can live for a decade or longer.

Interesting Poodle Facts

Want to fall in love with poodles even more? Check out these 10 enchanting poodle facts.

1. The Word “Poodle” Has Different Meanings

Poodles were originally descended from Germany. The German word “pudelin” or “pudel” translates to “splashing in the water.” On the other hand, in France, the word poodle is “Canice,” which translates into “duck dog.”

2. Poodles Were Raised as Hunters

Before poodles became beloved family dogs, their original purpose of being bred was to hunt. In fact, some poodles are still used today to aid in duck hunting.

3. The Poodle Do Isn’t Just a Chic Look

For some poodles, the haircut is meant strictly for show dog purposes. However, the poodle cut is not just for its charming good looks. In fact, the reason that you see poofs of fur on the legs and body is to protect these dazzling pooches from sore and achy joints.

4. Different Hairstyles Are Required for Show Pups

Should you decide to enter your poodle into a show dog championship, they must have a Continental Clip, English Saddle, or Modified Continental Clip.

5. They Come in Various Sizes

Poodles are not one size fits all. In fact, poodles come in 3 different sizes: teacup, standard, and toy.

6. Poodles Are Energetic

As mentioned in this article, poodles are active pups who love to play. For instance, if you want a dog who will play frisbee with you, a poodle would jump for joy at the opportunity. 

7. They Love to Work

Poodles love to learn, and they are quick to pick up commands and tricks. Due to their high intelligence, they are the perfect dog to learn to work as therapy dogs, guide dogs, or even search and rescue dogs.

8. They Had Their Own Races in Alaska

At one point, there was an annual Iditarod in Alaska where poodles competed in sled racing. However, after an incident involving a group of poodles that were frozen and sore due to the ice and frigid temperatures, they were disqualified from future races. Furthermore, only dogs that could handle arctic weather, such as huskies and malamutes, were allowed to race.

9. They Have Hair, Not Fur

Most dogs have fur for a coat. But, in the case of poodles, these pups have a coat that consists of hair. While it was mentioned in the article that they never lose their hair, there are two exceptions. Firstly, a female poodle’s hair can respond to hormonal changes, which can cause it to fall out. Next, if a poodle gives birth, this can put them at risk of losing their hair.

10. Many Famous People Have Poodles

If you want a dog breed that is in demand by famous people, look no further! In fact, President Richard Nixon and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy both owned a poodle.

Grooming

If you plan to adopt or shop for a poodle, then you will need to get into the habit of brushing your hair daily to prevent matting. Also, they will need to be bathed every 3 weeks. 

Poodles also require visits to a professional groomer every 6 weeks to ensure that their fur is growing the correct way. The incorrect growth of fur can cause matting and even skin issues.

Poodles and Kids

As it has been said in this article, poodles love children. However, the exception to that would be the toy poodle, which can snap at little ones if boundaries are not respected. For this reason, the standard poodle is a better fit for a family with children. 

Keep in mind that no matter how docile a poodle can be, you should never leave a child unattended with any animal. 

Nutrition

Of course, you’ll want to feed your dog the best food. Before running to the store, it is important to do some research and see what other owners are feeding their poodles. Also, you may want to speak to your local vet and see what they recommend. 

Typically, canines that have a lot of energy will require a diet that is high in proteins, such as poultry or beef.

Exercise & Health

As mentioned above, poodles are high-energy dogs. Therefore, they require about 1 to 2 hours daily of playtime to keep them healthy and fit. Along with exercise, you will need to take your pup to the vet every year for wellness exams and any vaccines that they may need.

Summary: 8 Reasons Why Poodles Are the Perfect Family Pet

Whether you’re looking for a glamorous show dog for the kids, a loyal companion for the family, or a service animal that can assist your kin, these top 8 reasons are why poodles are the perfect family dog.

Reason	Explanation
1. Gentle	Poodles are gentle canines that can switch from hyper to calm when needed.
2. Smart	Your family is less likely to develop allergies since it is very rare that a poodle will shed except after giving birth.
3. They Don’t Shed	Their keen eye can keep guard of the home while protecting your children.
4. Observant	They love to play and have boundless energy to keep up with your children.
5. Various Sizes.	Poodles come in a teacup, miniature, and standard sizes, which means there is bound to be one variation that can accommodate your family.
6. Energetic	Poodles are eager to bring joy to their owners. Therefore, they will work hard to learn commands and tricks for your family.
7. Eager to Please	These sweet and gentle canines have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years with adequate diet, exercise, and care.
8. Long Life Span	They love to play, and have boundless energy to keep up with your children.