The poodle is one of the most popular and coveted dogs, both the pure breed and its different mixes with other breeds. This may be because it has been listed as the second smartest dog in the world, being second only to the border collie.
If you are a lover of poodles, surely you already know that they are active, playful, and family; however, these are not the only characteristics that distinguish the breed. Before bringing a poodle into your home and making it part of the family, it is important that you know its personality traits (behaviors, requirements, preferences).
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What character (temperament) do poodles have?
Intelligent, active, loyal, instinctive, and alert are some of the best adjectives to describe the temperament of the poodle. In a general sense:
- It is a very cunning dog, capable of learning commands and tricks quickly, which is why it is a common breed in dog shows.
- He is usually very sociable; quickly attached to family members.
- He tends to be shy around strangers and rarely acts aggressively except for occasional barking.
- It fits perfectly in families of all sizes and ages and is an excellent option for those who want to be a new dog owner.
Activity levels
Due to the traditional cuts of their coats and their special grooming routine, some people assume that poodles are a fragile breed, but the truth is that this is far from the truth. The poodle is an active, outgoing, and friendly dog who loves to run, romp and play.
In case you did not know, this breed was originally used for hunting waterfowl, hence they are excellent watchdogs, have an alert temperament, and always notify their owner when a person or animal approaches (they are very sensitive to noise ).
Regardless of size, the Poodle loves to play. In fact, it’s vital that you get an adequate amount of exercise every day. If you don’t have an outlet to release your energy, you are more likely to get bored, restless, anxious, and cause trouble.
If the poodle is displaying destructive behaviors, one of the first steps its owner should take is to let it exercise longer ( walks, runs, games ). This should not scare you; poodles can play all afternoon with the kids in the yard and then curl up quietly in their corner at night.
The smaller poodle types are more appropriate for people with less active lifestyles, as long as they have enough toys and activities to keep them busy indoors.
Intelligence
Poodles are highly intelligent and need to use their minds as well as their bodies. It is important to provide them with mental activity to keep them busy. When they’re not busy with interesting activities or games, they may just leave you a surprise in your shoe or start chewing on things around the house.
They love to learn and want to please their owners; you can easily teach them to pick up the newspaper or bring you your sneakers. These dogs appreciate any opportunity to learn from the time they are puppies.
The intelligent nature of this breed can sometimes result in stubborn behavior, but they still make delightful pets and therapy dogs. His empathetic personality and natural ability to relate to people make the Poodle an excellent dog for visiting schools, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Likewise, it can easily capture the mood of its owner. If you’re having a rough day, your poodle may mimic that mood and end up having a bad day.
Conduct at home
Poodles are normally well-behaved indoors, but an apartment or condo won’t be the best environment for this breed unless its owner can regularly exercise it outdoors.
The standard-size poodle is a dog that needs room to move around, both indoors and out, which is why it is best suited to living in patio homes. For their part, the medium-sized poodle and the mini-sized poodle are better suited to apartment living.
He usually gets along very well with other animals in the home, as long as he has been properly socialized with these pets. He is an outgoing dog that thrives in large, active homes; he loves to be the center of attention while performing tricks.
However, he likes to live in peaceful surroundings. If your home is chaotic, this can cause a lot of unnecessary stress for your pet. When surrounded by the people he loves, in a healthy home environment, the poodle will always exhibit a cheerful disposition.
Instincts and alertness
These furry friends tend to be very instinctive. They show a somewhat excessive tendency to “mark their territory” so it is important to make sure you train them from puppyhood. The poodle’s instincts also make it respond to animals it perceives as prey, such as birds or squirrels.
Getting good obedience training is important to keep him calm when you go for a walk in the park or woods.
Without a doubt, it is one of the most remarkable breeds with an alert temperament. This makes them quick to respond to approaching strangers or anything else perceived within their territory.
Care requirements
Poodles require attention. They generally want to be close to their owners. This is why they are not usually suitable for older people or people with very busy schedules. This character trait can turn out to be negative in some cases, as a poodle left alone for too long can become neurotic or destructive ( separation anxiety ).
It can also develop bad habits when ignored, for example, nuisance barking. They are not good dogs to keep in a kennel.
Training and socialization
The poodle is a social dog. It is important to start training him as soon as possible to ensure a healthy and balanced adult dog. When socialized from a young age, poodles react very well to other animals, and children, and can become relatively friendly with strangers.
It is a breed particularly sensitive to the tone of voice, so it is recommended that the owner be firm but not abrupt. The best owner for poodles is one who projects calm and confidence. Keep in mind that harsh discipline will not be tolerated or heeded by these highly intelligent dogs.
Can personality vary depending on the type of poodle?
Yes. Not all poodles are the same; Depending on the size, there may be some important differences. The three official types of poodle are the standard poodle, the miniature poodle, and the toy poodle.
According to experts, each size displays a slightly different character, and while it’s not evident in all poodles, it’s a good idea to be aware of these specific traits and characteristics.
Standard poodle temperament
The standard poodle is very energetic, playful, and adventurous in nature, but tends to be a bit more reserved than Miniature and Toy Poodles. He is intelligent, obedient, and somewhat afraid of strangers. His attitude towards people ranges from friendly to politely reserved.
He gets along well with acquaintances and with children. Experts say that early socialization is important to avoid vigilance or excessive shyness.
It is a “thoughtful” dog that pays close attention to its owner, learns quickly, and responds enthusiastically to positive training methods. In fact, the standard poodle needs some type of mental stimulation to be happy, for example, advanced obedience classes, agility classes, or challenging games.
In most cases, they make excellent watchdogs; some may even develop mild protective instincts, but it is definitely not an aggressive breed. They can sometimes be hypersensitive. If you touch them unexpectedly or startle them with a sudden loud sound, they tend to shrink. The most sensitive individuals do not make good pets for very young children.
Miniature poodle temperament
Due to its size, this type of mini poodle is best suited for young children.
His personality is more mischievous than that of the standard poodle; in fact, the miniature is said to be the most active of the three. Some can bark quite a bit.
This sensitive dog tends to be devoted to one person, which is why he almost always follows his owner. Initially, he is shy around strangers but is generally good around dogs, other pets, and children.
Toy poodle temperament
The toy poodle is the smallest. He is an excellent companion and a great lover of positive reinforcement, deep reddish toy poodle wants praise, and physical attention. However, he is a very sensitive dog and you should not speak to him in a mean or aggressive tone.
Due to its diminutive size, it is not recommended to keep it as a pet for small children. He is also noted for his exceptional learning abilities.
See also: Types of Poodles – Sizes, Colors, and Other Differences
Is the poodle the right dog for you?
While many people are drawn to the idea of owning one of the world’s smartest dogs, it’s important to understand the responsibility that comes with this label.
Unlike other breeds, the poodle requires frequent and challenging play to bond with its owner, but being able to satisfy this psychological need isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing your pet.
The poodle can be a good choice if you are able to:
- Provide exercise and other challenging activities every day – do you like to go for walks? Can you play and teach him tricks?
- Avoid situations of emotional sensitivity, stress, tension, and loud voices. Is your home stress-free? Do you live with people who talk loudly or are emotional?
- Endure exuberant barking and jumping, especially when young – can you tolerate your pet being active and occasionally barking?
- Provide him with company most of the time – can you be there to give him attention and affection?
- Finally, keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits, such as size or hair loss. Behavior and personality are also formed through training and upbringing.
The character of a poodle will ultimately depend on its owner, the type of home it lives in, and the amount of activity it gets into on a daily basis.
