Temperament - Standards
Standard Poodle Temperament
Overview
With many breeds that can be found in more than one variety, there is often no difference at all that is seen other than size.
However, the Poodle is quite different in this regard.
The Standard Poodle (the largest of all varieties of Poodles) tends to have a unique temperament that differs than his toy and miniature counterparts.
Here, we'll cover the reasons why this is so.
Maturity Rate
No matter which size a Poodle is (Toy, Mini, Moyen or Standard) all fall under the one breed of Poodle. They have the same breed standards in regard to coat color and appearance.There is also no difference in intelligence or capability to be
properly trained. The main difference will be size and due to this the larger Standard will mature at a different rate than his smaller counterparts.
Reaching adulthood at the 18 month mark, he will hold onto his puppy-like tendencies up until that point or even a bit longer until the 2 year mark.
As he matures into adult-hood, he calms down and while still playful and attentive, will not be so hyper and super curious as he was when younger.
Temperament
Many owners and potential owners want to know if the Standard Poodle temperament is different than with the smaller variations of the Toy or Mini. While some may be surprised at the answer, the answer is a big YES.
And there is a logical reason for this... Over the many generations that breeding has been progressing, the Toy and Mini versions of this breed have been bred down in size...Why? Well, this has to do with temperament.
All Poodles originated as hunting dogs....they are fantastic swimmers and were used mainly for sport hunting...They would jump into water without hesitation to go after prey. (This is the reason that the pompon on the tail is customary...as it was once thought to allow the dog to be able to swim faster)....
While they were wonderful at this, they were not generally inside companion, family dogs.
Then, as time went on, there was public demand for this fantastic dog to be available in a smaller size. Therefore, over time the Mini and the Toy were developed into the dogs that we know of today. Why was there such a demand? Because for owners, a smaller dog = a companion dog (also referred to a a lap dog). And that equals a small dog that can easily live indoors with their human family members.
When a dog is integrated into the family as a member....and not used for hunting, etc....This allows the canine to develop traits that are sought after...one that loves to snuggle, be patted, can easily be carried around, and just as "lap dog" refers to, they can sit right on top of your lap without causing discomfort and keep you company.
Therefore, as time has gone by, the hunting traits of the smaller Toy and Mini were slowly taken away from them. (While some may have the instinct to chase, it is far less than their larger counterparts). The Standard Poodle temperament often still includes that strong hunting instinct and ability.... and generally a bit more of an Independence streak.
So, what does this mean for an owner?
For one thing, being a larger, stronger dog, they are able to withstand play with children better than the smaller versions... For example, a Toy can easily be injured by a child who does not know better and plays too rough. Being friendly, Standards will be able to play and even rough house a bit with older children.
Therefore, in a home with multiple children, the Standard Poodle temperament is a good fit...they are, in general, more tolerable to youngsters.
Another element is that while all 3 variations are rather active canines, the Standard Poodle will need to be exercised more often and for longer periods of time. It is not recommended to overdue exercise while they are puppies...the bones are still developing...however, once they are adult canines it is highly recommended to offer at least 2 daily walks, roughly lasting 30 minutes long. Alternatively, one may wish to offer 1 daily walk that lasts approximately 1 hour.
A Standard's general personality is often a great fit for many families. As an adult he is independent yet enjoys time spent together. He is alert to his environment but is not a constant barker. He likes to cuddle but also enjoys his own bed that is placed in the corner of an often-used room. He will patiently wait while take care of a task, entertaining himself, but leap to be by your side when it's time for a walk.