One of the brightest breeds, poodles are energetic, playful and affectionate. Standard poodles are more easy-going around children than toy or miniature poodles, and get along well with other animals. They are eager to please and adapt well to city life as long as they get plenty of exercise and social interaction.

Breed-related concerns
Every dog breed carries a distinct set of genetic advantages and health risk factors. The following are the most common diseases found in the Standard Poodle breed. Hopefully, your standard poodle will not face these problems. However, early detection and preventive healthcare can make all the difference in helping your dog live a longer, happier life (see breed-related disease descriptions below).

Puppy (birth to 1 year)
Developmental bone/joint disease
Adult (1 to 6 years)
Sebaceous adenitis
Hypothyroidism
Addison's disease
Gastric dilation-volvulus (bloat)
Senior (7 years and older)
None listed

Breed-related disease descriptions
Listed in alphabetical order
Addison's disease. A disease caused by a lack of cortisol production of the adrenal glands. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, collapse and pale mucus membranes.

Developmental bone/joint disease. Includes abnormal development and arthritis of the hip joint (called hip dysplasia in large-breed dogs and Legg-Perthe's disease in small-breed dogs) elbow joint (elbow dysplasia) shoulder, knee, or ankle joint (osteochrondritis dissecans or OCD) or inflammation of the bones of the leg (hypertrophic osteodystrophy and panosteitis). Affects predominantly young, large-breed dogs. Dogs may show no signs or may show pain, lameness, and reluctance to exercise. With hip dysplasia, there may be muscle wasting in the hind legs.

Gastric dilation-volvulus (bloat). A sudden, life-threatening condition due to abnormal twisting of the stomach. Signs include dramatic abdominal distention (bloating), attempts to vomit (with nothing brought up), pain in the abdomen, weakness and collapse (shock).

Hypothyroidism. Insufficient thyroid hormone production caused by disease of the thyroid glands. Symptoms include hair loss, obesity, lethargy, cold intolerance and skin infections.

Sebaceous adenitis. Dandruff, hair thinning and hair loss due to disease and destruction of sebaceous (oil producing) glands in the skin.