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Understanding Poodle Temperament: What Makes Them Unique
Standard Poodles are often admired for their elegance and intelligence, but there’s much more beneath their curly coat. Understanding their temperament is key to knowing why they make such incredible companions, working dogs, and family members. Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. Technically the second smartest breed, although in my very unbiased opinion (lol), should be the number 1 smartest breed. They learn commands quickly, adapt to new situations, and can excel in training for obedience, agility, hunting, therapy, service work, circus work, and so much more. Their intelligence also means they need mental stimulation; boredom can lead to mischievous behavior, so puzzle toys, training sessions, and interactive play are essential. Poodles form deep bonds with their families. They thrive on companionship and love to be involved in daily activities. While they are friendly with strangers when properly socialized, they can be naturally aloof toward new people, which is one reason early exposure to strangers is so important. Puppies that are gently introduced to a variety of people during their first months tend to grow into confident, well adjusted adults who are friendly without being overly dependent. One of the most unique traits of Standard Poodles is their sensitivity to human emotions. They often seem to “read the room” and respond accordingly. This sensitivity makes them excellent therapy dogs, but it also means they respond best to positive, gentle training methods rather than harsh corrections. While Poodles are active and love playtime, they are generally not hyperactive as adults. Their energy levels are balanced and flexible, making them suitable for both active families and those who enjoy a calmer, semi active lifestyle. Early socialization, including exposure to new environments and people, helps ensure they grow into confident, level headed adults. Poodles are naturally curious and confident. They approach new experiences with intelligence and composure, which makes them excellent at learning new skills and adapting to changes. However, this also means they benefit from consistent guidance and boundaries, especially as puppies, to help them develop into polite, well mannered adults. While Poodles are naturally intelligent and confident, how they are raised matters just as much as genetics. Puppies exposed to gentle handling, varied experiences, and socialization during their first six months tend to grow into well rounded, confident dogs. Think of your Poodle as a mirror, what you teach and model in those early weeks/months can shape how they respond to the world for the rest of their life. Standard Poodles are intelligent, sensitive, and versatile companions. Their unique temperament makes them both a joy to live with and a breed that thrives when given love, guidance, early socialization, and mental stimulation. Understanding their personality helps you create a life that allows them to flourish and be the loving, loyal, silly, and playful companions they were meant to be. Interested in a LoEll’s Standard Poodle Puppy? If you are considering adding a Standard Poodle to your family and would like to be considered for a future litter, we invite you to join our waitlist or complete our puppy application. 👉 Visit our Puppy Application page to learn more.
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Common Standard Poodle Health Concerns & What to Watch For
Standard Poodles are widely known for their intelligence, athleticism, and longevity. When responsibly bred and properly cared for, they are generally a healthy and resilient breed with an average lifespan of 12-15 years. However, like all dogs, Standard Poodles can be predisposed to certain health conditions. Understanding these concerns and knowing what to watch for allows owners to act early and support their dog’s long term well being. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation–Volvulus / GDV )Bloat is one of the most serious health emergencies seen in deep chested breeds such as the Standard Poodle. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and, in some cases, twists, cutting off blood supply. Signs to watch for:
Addison’s Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism) Standard Poodles have an increased predisposition to Addison’s disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate hormones. Symptoms can be vague, intermittent, and easily mistaken for minor illness. Signs to watch for:
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) Sebaceous adenitis is an immune mediated skin condition that affects the sebaceous (oil) glands. It is seen in Poodles and some other breeds. Signs to watch for:
Ear Infections: Due to their ear structure and hair growth within the ear canal, Standard Poodles can be prone to ear infections. Signs to watch for:
Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial condition, meaning it is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. While there is a hereditary component, factors such as growth rate, nutrition, body condition, exercise, and injury all contribute to whether a dog develops clinical symptoms. Signs to watch for:
Genetic Conditions Commonly Screened For in Standard Poodles: In addition to conditions influenced by multiple factors, there are some inherited genetic disorders seen in Standard Poodles that can be screened for through DNA testing. Responsible breeders test parent dogs so they can make informed breeding decisions and significantly reduce the risk of producing affected puppies. A standard poodle genetic panel consists of the following disorders:
Why No Breeder Can Guarantee Perfect Health: Ethical breeders work hard to stack the odds in favor of healthy puppies, but it’s important to understand that dogs are living beings, not products. Just like people, they are influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and life experiences. Even with careful health testing and responsible breeding practices, it isn’t possible to eliminate every disease, disorder, or condition. In the same way that two healthy human parents can have a child who develops asthma, allergies, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or other medical conditions later in life, two fully health tested dogs can produce a puppy who encounters health challenges at some point. This is why health guarantees exist. Some factors that are beyond any breeder’s control include:
Understanding this helps set realistic expectations and encourages a true partnership between breeder and owner, one centered on the long term health, care, and well being of a living, breathing family member. Health in Standard Poodles is influenced by a combination of genetics, responsible breeding practices, and lifelong care. Ethical breeders invest in health testing, thoughtful pairings, and transparency. Owners play an equally important role through proper nutrition, appropriate exercise, grooming, weight management, and regular veterinary care. Being informed allows owners to advocate for their dogs and address concerns early, often making a significant difference in long term outcomes. We don’t temperament test, here’s why!
We’ve been raising and breeding dogs for a collective 25 years, with 11 of those years focused specifically on Standard Poodles. Long before temperament testing became a trend, we were already doing the work to carefully select our pairings and being very intentional about who stays in our program. We do not (and will not) breed dogs that are fearful, aggressive, overly nervous, hyper, or otherwise not a fit for our goals. We’ve spayed or neutered dogs that were absolutely beautiful and had everything going for them except the right temperament. Beyond that, we carefully evaluate health, confidence, trainability, and stability because temperament isn’t just a personality trait, it’s a combination of genetics, early experiences, and ongoing guidance. Yes, genetics play a role, but how a puppy is raised matters just as much (if not more). In many ways, your puppy is a mirror of you, your training, and the traits you want you puppy to know (or not know). Early socialization is key: we handle our puppies gently, expose them to normal household sounds, as well as noise desensitization with sounds like thunderstorms, fire trucks, gun shots, etc, they meet people of all ages, begin early grooming, and experience a variety of safe experiences. These exposures set the foundation for confident, adaptable adult dogs. For example, I want my dogs to love the river and the water. So as soon as they’re fully vaccinated, I take them straight to the water and every single one I’ve introduced that way has absolutely loved it. On the flip side, a couple of puppies who missed early exposure due to cold Missouri winters either don’t like it or are fine with it, but they don’t have the same natural enthusiasm. Experiences matter. Temperament testing at 7–8 weeks of age is simply a snapshot in time, not a guarantee of future behavior. While these tests can offer insight into a puppy’s personality at that moment, temperament can change significantly as a dog matures. Training, life experiences, environment, socialization, or even the lack of these, play a major role in shaping who that puppy becomes as an adult. The same puppy tested at 8 weeks may present very differently at 2 years old. That’s why, instead of relying on a standardized test, we focus on creating stable, confident puppies through intentional breeding and thoughtful early life experiences. Due to our philosophy, we allow families to make their puppy picks between birth and 7 days old (assuming all puppies are thriving). In all my years of doing this, we’ve never had an issue with that approach. Ultimately, raising a happy, confident dog is a partnership between the breeder, the puppy, and the family. By choosing a puppy from a program that prioritizes careful selection and early enrichment, you’re setting your new companion up for a lifetime of success! Choosing Between a Male or Female Puppy:
I often hear from families who aren’t sure whether to choose a male or female puppy. While this decision ultimately comes down to personal preference, there are a few general traits people commonly notice with each. Of course, every puppy is an individual, but these tendencies can help guide families as they decide which may be the best fit for their home. Males: There is sometimes a stigma surrounding male dogs, but in my experience, males make wonderful companions for most families. While personalities will always vary, male puppies are often:
Females: Female puppies also make incredible companions and are often known for being:
So… Which Is Right for You? When it comes to Standard Poodles, there truly is no wrong choice. Both males and females share the breed’s hallmark traits: intelligence, loyalty, athleticism, and a deep desire to be part of the family. The most important factors are your lifestyle, energy level, and what you’re hoping for in a companion. Whether you choose a male or female, a well bred and properly socialized Standard Poodle will grow into a loving, devoted, and versatile family member. We’re always happy to help guide families toward the puppy that best matches their home and expectations, and we believe the right puppy has a way of choosing you, too. If you have questions or would like help deciding, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help you find your perfect poodle. Interested in a LoEll’s Standard Poodle Puppy? If you are looking for a responsibly bred Standard Poodle and would like to be considered for a future litter, we invite you to apply or join our waitlist. 👉 Visit our Puppy Application page to get started. We look forward to helping you find the right Standard Poodle for your family. Meet the Founder:
Hi, I’m Aubrey! I have been raising dogs for a combined 25 years. Before focusing on poodles, I raised English Bulldogs and Dobermans. While both are wonderful breeds, I have always had a deep love for Standard Poodles. I am a professional groomer of 25 years and previously worked in a veterinary clinic alongside my mom, who is a veterinary technician. She has also raised dogs for as long as I can remember, so our love of dogs and responsible breeding truly runs in the family. My role in our program consists mostly of behind the scenes work, including puppy clean up, grooming our puppies, and maintaining our adult dogs. After extensive research, I finally took the plunge and brought home our first poodle, Tallulah. I had groomed many poodles and adored them, but owning one took my love for the breed to an entirely new level. Tallulah can be found on our Retirees page. She is, and always will be, the star of LoElls Standard Poodles. Meet the Co-Founder: Hello! I’m Ella, and I’ve been working alongside my mom for the past near decade, learning the ropes of responsible breeding. I wear many hats in our program. I’m the photographer, website and social media manager, and the main point of contact if you have questions about our puppies. My mom and I work together on puppy socialization, early training, and preparing our babies for the “big world.” The love we have for this breed is truly unexplainable. Standard Poodles are intelligent, versatile, loving, and incredible companions. I may be a bit biased, but no breed compares. The poodles on this website that are owned by me are Valkyrie, Kyndell, Brynley, Fancy, and Nirvana, and yes, they are extremely spoiled and the light of my life. Our Mission & Breeding Program: We are deeply dedicated to improving the Standard Poodle breed by producing puppies that are structurally sound, healthy, intelligent, well rounded, and versatile. We are hobby breeders and actively show some of our poodles in UKC conformation. Ella has developed a strong passion for showing, especially because of the unique bond created in the ring. Ella and Nirvana have become quite the team, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for LoElls in the show ring. While breeding is our primary focus, we also occasionally rehabilitate neglected or abused dogs and help them find loving forever homes whenever possible. We follow a strict quarantine policy when bringing in rescues or new dogs to protect the health of our program. Helping animals in need has always been and always will be a large part of our lives. History of our name: LoElls is a combination of my first 2 loves, my daughters Ella & Lola and then combined with our love and passion for Standard Poodles! Health, Care & Puppy Raising: All of our dogs are AKC registered, with some also dual registered with UKC. We proudly participate in the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program. Our goal is to produce the healthiest puppies possible, which is why we perform extensive genetic health testing on our breeding dogs using every tool science provides. We are very selective when choosing homes for our puppies, as we want each one to have the best possible life. Our puppies and their families become part of our extended family for life. Our dogs are raised in our home, sleeping in their own beds, receiving constant love, and truly ruling the roost. They are family members, nothing less. Puppies are handled daily from birth until they go home at 8–10 weeks of age. Tails are docked to breed standard at 3–5 days old, and dewclaws are left intact. We begin grooming exposure, noise desensitization, ENS/ESI, and potty training early to help ensure an easy transition into their new homes. Our puppies also receive lots of love and socialization from Lola (age 12), who does an amazing job loving on them, as well as 5-16 year old cousins that love coming over to play with the puppies. All puppies are vet checked, up to date on vaccinations, and dewormed. Our dogs are fed NutriSource Large Breed, a high quality food we’ve found works wonderfully for our program. We offer a beautiful variety of colors, which is a fun bonus to raising healthy poodles. Ella has a soft spot for brindles, while Aubrey favors phantoms and solid blacks, but truly, every color is stunning in its own way. We are located near Nixa, Missouri, with pickup welcome and delivery options available. We’re happy to provide references from past puppy families, and every puppy goes home with a health guarantee, which can be found on our Health Guarantee & Contracts page. Building strong, lifelong relationships with our puppy families is incredibly important to us. These puppies remain part of our family for their entire lives. If you ever need anything; advice, support, or just want to share updates, we are always a call, text, or email away. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We believe transparency is key to building lasting relationships, and we are always happy to help you find the perfect poodle for your family. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at LoElls Standards and Tails of LoElls! For information on current and upcoming litters, please visit our Available Puppies page. At LoEll’s Standard Poodles, our program is built on more than just a love for the breed; it is rooted in generations of hands on experience with dogs, animal care, and responsible breeding.
Our journey began with a deep appreciation for the Standard Poodle as a versatile, intelligent, and devoted companion. What started as a desire to add an exceptional dog to our own family quickly grew into a passion for preserving and improving the breed through thoughtful, ethical breeding practices. Our family’s involvement with dogs and animal care spans multiple generations. Both my mother and grandmother worked in a veterinary clinic for a combined 35 years, serving as a veterinary technician and professional groomers. This experience provided our family with extensive knowledge in canine health, preventative care, grooming, and overall wellness; a foundation that strongly influences how we raise and care for our dogs today. In addition, responsible breeding has been part of our family for generations. My grandmother raises Yorkshire Terriers, and my great grandmother also raised Yorkies. Going back further, our great-great-grandfather raised Black and Tan Coonhounds for hunting, while another great-great-grandfather raised Beagles and Basset Hounds for bird hunting. This long standing tradition has given our family a deep respect for breeding with purpose, temperament, and working ability in mind. This multi generational background has shaped our philosophy at LoEll’s. We believe that great breeding programs are built on education, careful selection, and a commitment to the long term health and temperament of each dog. We did not enter breeding casually, we invested time in learning breed standards, health testing protocols, structure, genetics, and temperament to ensure our program reflects best practices in responsible breeding. Each of our breeding dogs is carefully selected and fully health tested according to breed recommendations. We focus on producing Standard Poodles that are not only beautiful, but also healthy, stable, and well suited for family life and companionship. Our puppies are raised in a loving, hands on environment with intentional socialization, early grooming exposure, and age appropriate enrichment. These early experiences help our puppies develop confidence and adaptability, giving them the best possible start in their new homes. At the heart of LoEll’s Standard Poodles is a commitment to our puppy families. We value transparency, ongoing support, and long term relationships. Watching our puppies grow into beloved family members is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do, and we are honored to be part of each family’s journey. LoEll’s Standard Poodles was built on generations of experience, a passion for the breed, and a dedication to doing things the right way. We are proud of our foundation and excited to continue sharing exceptional Standard Poodles with families for years to come. Interested in a LoEll’s Standard Poodle Puppy? If you are considering adding a Standard Poodle to your family and would like to be considered for a future litter, we invite you to join our waitlist or complete our puppy application. 👉 Visit our Puppy Application page to learn more. Choosing a Standard Poodle breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a puppy into your family. A well bred Standard Poodle should be healthy, stable in temperament, and raised with intention, not just produced for profit.
At LoEll’s Standard Poodles, we believe education is key. Here are some important things every puppy buyer should look for when choosing a breeder, and how our program is designed to meet those standards. 1. Health Testing — Not Just Vet Checks Responsible Standard Poodle breeders perform breed specific health testing, not just routine veterinary exams. This may include:
At LoEll’s, our breeding dogs are health tested according to breed recommendations, and we are happy to discuss our results with prospective families. 2. Temperament Matters Just as Much as Looks Standard Poodles should be:
Our program focuses on producing Standard Poodles that are well balanced, affectionate, and suitable for active families and companion homes. 3. Puppy Raising Practices Make a Huge Difference How a puppy is raised in the first 8 weeks can shape their confidence for life. Responsible breeders focus on:
4. Transparency & Ongoing Support A good breeder will:
5. Red Flags to Watch Out For Be cautious of breeders who:
Interested in a LoEll’s Standard Poodle Puppy? If you are looking for a responsibly bred Standard Poodle and would like to be considered for a future litter, we invite you to apply or join our waitlist. 👉 Visit our Puppy Application page to get started. We look forward to helping you find the right Standard Poodle for your family. |
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March 2026
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