The Standard Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds, second only to border collies and before the German Shepherds. They are the largest and oldest of poodle varieties. Contrary to the popular notion those poodles are a "rich man's dog", they were actually bred as water retrievers and gun dogs hence the name poodle, from the German word, puddeln, or to splash in water. Now, they are more popular as show dogs, best known for their elegant walk and dainty features. If you are thinking of raising a one from puppy, it is good to consider the innate characteristics of a Standard Poodle.

The Standard Poodle has a single layer coat with dense, curly, moisture resistant hair, which needs to be groomed regularly. These can be clipped in different styles, for show dogs this can vary on the club they are joining. Their coat is more hair like than fur, and most have single, solid colors, although there are those who are parti-colored with large patches of different colored hair and "phantom" colored with patterns of black and tan. They come in different solid colors, such as cream, coffee, apricot, red, grey, silver and blue. They are the lightest shedding among coated breeds and so they are mostly hypoallergenic.

In the US and some parts of Europe, Standard Poodles' tails are docked when they the dog is still a puppy; this practice is however banned in the UK and in Australia. They also have drop ears which are rarely touched or cropped. Standard Poodles are about 15 inches tall but there are some that can grow up to 24 inches.

When it comes to temperament, Standard Poodles are energetic athletes; they are good at retrieving and jumping and often advance in obedience competitions where these activities are involved. They are elegant and graceful, yet agile and strong, making them popular in dog show competitions. They are one of the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds, some even say that Standard Poodle, are actually able to understand words and sentences. They are often referred to as "thinking" dogs, when trained well from a puppy, they pay attention and respond quickly to commands and are mostly enthusiastic towards positive training methods.

Raising one from a puppy will require a bit of dedication, they are fond of challenging games and activities. Playing fetching games, running, hide and seek are some of their favorite activities. These puppies can not be left alone in a corner or a backyard without any activity. They often need moderate to high energy activities to keep them fit and happy. They need a lot of daily interaction and could suffer from depression and separation anxiety.

They are good watch dogs and have mild protective instincts without being too aggressive. When it comes to other pets, they are often gracious and overly territorial. Standard Poodles can be friendly to being politely reserved, without much socialization; they can be either too playful or too timid. They can sometimes be hypersensitive and some lineage can be unpredictable. They do not do well with sudden loud sounds and touches and tend to be too aggressive when surprised, making them not ideal pets for children.

Raising a Standard Poodle from a puppy can be quite fulfilling, combining beauty and strength. If you are an active person who enjoys outdoor activities, this dog breed could be for you. They are easy to housebreak and train, being one of the brightest of dog breeds. They are able to get along well with others are simply a joy to watch.