Do Poodles Like Children? [Poodle Kids Guide]

Poodles are fun-loving dogs with pleasant personalities. They make perfect companions because of their loyalty to their owners. These canines have plenty of energy, so staying active is a must.

There are different types of Poodles, and each is unique in personality and sociability. Part of their charm is that they are eager to please and affectionate.

do poodles like children?
Do Poodles LIKE children? Can you mix young Poodles with young kids?

Do Poodles like children? They do like children, but each type has a favorite age group. In this article, I will describe each one and how they relate to kids.  

About Poodles

Poodles are protective animals and can be domineering if necessary, especially females. The girl dogs bond more with the entire family, while males typically favor one person.  

Poodles originate from Europe and made great hunters, swimmers, performers and guard dogs in the past. As hunting dogs, they brought back waterfowl to their owners.

They have a lifespan of about 10-18 years. The Toy and Miniature dogs live the longest, while Standard Poodles may live to age 15 due to their size.

Raising Poodles and Kids

Raising Poodles can be time-consuming. They do not shed, requiring daily brushing or regular trips to the groomer, which can be expensive. This dog needs regular ear care to remove wax and prevent ear infections.

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A Poodle being patient with his kid owner. (Image: Instagram/@chestersolobear)

Instead of fur, Poodles have dense, curly hair that keeps them warm while in action. For that reason, they cannot handle cold temperatures and are better suited for life indoors.

Poodles that are not active get cold due to their thin coats. They need to remain active while outside on cold days. Poodles like to exercise, including swimming, walking and jogging with their owners.

Poodles are good swimmers and enjoy being in the water with children, making them perfect for kids. Given their roots in hunting, Poodles have the instinct to fetch, so they love to catch toys in the pool.

Poodles are also phenomenal jumpers, so yards with tall fences will be best to keep them from escaping. They like challenges and games that test their intelligence in which children can participate.

Training Poodles

Poodles are easy to train because they require little motivation to learn. As natural learners, they follow commands well and are eager to please anyone patient with them. After they achieve basic training, they do well in obedience classes.

Toy Poodle looks happy
A Toy Poodle smiles for a photoshoot! (Image: Instagram/@markietoypoodle)

Because they are always alert, Poodles must learn the difference between kind strangers and threats. They are also simple to house-train and will be loyal when it is time to do their business outside.

Children can help Poodles learn commands by offering them treats. With an adult’s help, kids can walk the dogs as a way to get some exercise and learn responsibility.

Types of Poodles

Four types of Poodles, Toy, Miniature, Medium and Standard, have their place with children.

Woman-holding-toy-poodle
Toy and Teacup Poodles can be easily picked up!

Toy

Toy Poodles are the smallest, up to 10 inches tall and five to 10 pounds, which means they can become prone to injury if they play too rough. Their fragile tendencies and unforgiving natures make them bad fits for small children.

Miniature

Miniature Poodles, or minis, weigh about 10-15 pounds. Like the Toy breed, they are intolerable of hyper children and prefer people who are calm and patient.

Medium

These Poodles, or Moyens, are great cuddlers and love to spend time with families with children. They can get as big as 15-29 inches tall and 15-25 pounds. They are mild-tempered and adjust well to children.

Standard

These Poodles are best with babies and toddlers because of their gentle dispositions. They are energetic but still possess a sweet disposition compared to their smaller sizes.

Standard Poodles can get taller than 15 inches and weigh 40-60 pounds, with males being the latter of the spectrum. They are prone to bloat and gastric issues and typically live about 12 years.

Behavior

Poodles are not guard dogs because they are calm but can become anxious around strangers, new dogs or rough kids. It may take time to warm up to strangers, so patience is crucial.

woman carries Toy Poodle
A woman carries her Toy Poodle for a cuddle time.

Poodles are protective of their owners and property (especially the males) and will react with a growl, snap or bark at someone they do not know.

Poodles tend to become dominant and see families as packs, meaning they may take over as leaders. They love to be the center of attention and will dominate if you do not show them who’s boss. Training them as puppies will teach them to be protective without assuming the role of alpha, leaving you in control.  

Poodle Anxiety

Since Poodles love to be with people, they can experience separation anxiety and may bark continuously or exhibit destructive behaviors if alone for too long. For this reason, they do not adapt well to kennels.

Generalized anxiety can occur if a Poodle does not get enough exercise and interactivity with humans. Poodles that get to run outside with children exhibit less anxiety and aggression.

These intelligent canines are easy to train and are fond of agility and tracking activities. While they are puppies, you should encourage them to be social, especially females, to relate to people as they grow.

Health

Poodles are also prone to health problems, including hip dysplasia, epilepsy, thyroid disease, eye disorders and additional issues. Children must be careful when interacting with Poodles to help keep them healthy for as long as possible.

white Poodle looks classy
A white Poodle looks classy on a plain background.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia occurs when a hip joint deteriorates and dislocates from its socket. This genetic condition can cause debilitation over time in overweight or overactive Poodles.

Epilepsy

Poodles can suffer from seizures by displaying lethargy, drooling, pacing, stiffness, loss of consciousness or other unusual behaviors. Idiopathic epilepsy is a genetic form that affects all types of Poodles.

Thyroid Disease

Poodles often experience hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. These dogs may gain weight, lose hair, be excessively hungry or become sensitive to cold.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This condition affects the retinas of both eyes and can lead to blindness.

Knee Problems

Because of their size, Toy Poodles can suffer from a luxating patella, where the kneecap slides in and out of place and includes four grades of deterioration. Treating a Poodle too rough can cause early symptoms. Children must understand the importance of taking care of Poodles.

Do Poodles Like Children?

Most dogs love children, as do Poodles, but not all are ideal for families with kids. Having a Poodle is fun, but takes work to keep it healthy and happy. Children should learn how to care for animals, and having a pet Poodle is a great place to start.

girl hugs a Poodle
The little girl hugs her Poodle.

Features of Poodles that make them great with children include being affectionate, cuddly, patient, playful, friendly, gentle and observant. Because Poodles have energy, they are perfect for families with children who like playing chase and swimming.

Children like to stay busy, and because Poodles need exercise and stimulation, they are excellent for kids.

Another way Poodles like children is because kids like to brush animals. Poodles shed very little or none at all, making them nearly hypoallergenic. They love the attention they get from children.

Children who receive new pets in the home should learn how to care for them. Poodles can be patient, especially if they grow up with young children. Poodles can also be comforting to children with special needs because of their loving natures.

Babies

Gentler than the other two types, Standard Poodles are more tolerant of babies. They can take the occasional pull or tug from babies and toddlers. Once Poodles learn that a baby is a part of the family, they will protect it for life.

Toddlers

Poodles are easy to train with toddlers and will be patient with them during the transition. Once toddlers learn how to treat them, the dogs will be their friends for life.

Standard Poodles are gentler than the other two types, which are more high-strung and delicate, and are more tolerant of young children pulling their tails or ears. They are protective of their owners and will help comfort sick toddlers.

Older Children

Because of their delicate bodies, Toy Poodles are the better choice for older children. These dogs can be playful and easy-going, but they perceive rough play by small kids as a threat.

Older kids tend not to be aggressive with the dogs, so the Toy Poodles begin to trust the children over time. After establishing a relationship, they become buddies.

Conclusion

Why do Poodles like children? The Toy and Miniature Poodles love older children because of their gentle touch. Standard Poodles can tolerate kids of all ages and will follow them anywhere.

Since they love attention, Poodles make great companions for calm and easy-going children. All Poodles love to swim, take walks, jump high and fetch. They like children who enjoy those things as well.

Before considering a Poodle as a pet, keep in mind that they require significant attention and care. Children should learn how to take good care of Poodles and be gentle.

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