Mini or standard poodle for first family pet?

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Your views please? Kids are early secondary age. Thank you in advance

Standards are big dogs - do you have room for one in your car, for example? Can you afford the food, increases insurance and grooming costs? Are you strong enough to hold a pulling teenage standard poodle?

Personally I would go for a mini poodle ☺️

I've had both.
Standards can walk forever so you'll need commitment! Mine was so naughty when he got bored so we didn't have a choice.
As @coffeecupsandfairylights costs rack up even if they're healthy so if you've time learn how to clip.
My minis were filthy beasts and would regularly roll in fox poo. Baths and blow dry twice a week.
They're clever and joyous dogs but hard work!

Neither. Too bright, sharp and energetic for a first timer.

@coffeecupsandfairylights raises good points!

I'm a fan of standards though having grown up with them. They're great with children, gentle, fun loving - wonderful temperaments and have a natural sense of humour.

All poodles are incredibly intelligent so worth bearing in mind that some might be harder to train than others, simply because they're more independently minded!

Although I believe the difference in between size variations is less in poodles than other breeds, do you research as to temperament and behavioral variations between standards and miniatures. Miniatures are more likely to suffer from hip issues than standards - standards poodles are physically more robust than miniatures and toys and actually a breed that isn't inclined to much in the way of physical impairments/disabilities at all.

We got our most independently minded standard when I was the same and as your children. He took a lot of training in terms of recall when off the lead but strength wise no problem for me to manage. He was angel in all other respects.

I also think that training techniques and leads have evolved a lot since then so a pulling dog is much easier to manage - definitely get a harness rather than attach a lead to the collar.

I'd absolutely opt for a standard over a miniature no matter what age the children were :)

*same age as

This.

We had a mini and he was gorgeous but almost put me off ever having another dog.

I'm surprised at the negative comments above. I'm a first timer with a mini and he's a dream pet. I'd say def go mini as standards are pretty big and that can be tricky in terms of handling them when they're mucky or tired/unwell, higher grooming costs etc. Minis are big enough and robust enough for proper walks, ball play at the park etc but small enough to be handleable, cuddle on your knee etc. Ours is very cuddly!

That's my experience too.

I walk and dog-sit a mini poodle and he's fantastic. Robust enough to run and play, but fantastically calm and chilled in the house. He's good with other dogs, small enough to restrain or carry if you need to (eg. if he's injured) and very healthy and intelligent too.

He loves a cuddle and will curl up behind your legs all night and sleep!

😊 Yes, same here ^^. Really good in the house, not bouncing off the walls like some poodle/spaniel crosses can do.

We have a Toy Poodle so not quite what you are looking for, but my reason for going small (so in your case looking at the Mini) was that as I have two teen boys, who due to their age, shy away from parental affection - I wanted a dog to train and engage with but also small enough for them to be affectionate with. Our boy loves to snuggle up with my 17 year old!

I'm lost by this! Toy's are gorgeous but why can't they cuddle up with a bigger dog, I don't understand?

Our standards were always super cuddly and affectionate!

I guess because a standard is too big to sit on a lap or to be honest on my sofa with a couple of 6ft plus teens. That was just one of my considerations that's all. They're all adorable.

6ft plus! Yes good point, forgot how large teen boys get!

Minis they are fantastic. And not teeny tiny. Easy to train and so much fun. Standards are lovely but too big imo

I have a standard, who is just wonderful - funny, smart and so friendly. It took me a while to understand how to train her - but it was more training me than her really, as she picks stuff up so quickly. She's able to run alongside my husband in his wheelchair too, and her recall is great. I wanted a dog that big enough to make me feel confident walking her alone in the dark, but I should think any size poodle would make a fantastic dog, they are great.

Mini - poodles are so clever they would know you are a first timer! I am looking at my gorgeous rescue one. they are a dream dog for children, they are really trainable and love playing games/learning tricks etc so great fun. They love a cuddle and they are perfect for people with allergies. I would consider a rescue one if you can, dogs are very understanding of the tricky times teenagers face.

I’ve a family member who is a real standard fan, and I think with a good amount of research and support they are fine for first timers. Standards are BIG, so space is something to consider but I really think they are lovely dogs

As total dog novices, we got a mini poodle 2 years ago and it's been a fun ride! We got another last year! I think they're amazing and so easy to keep :)

Our first dog was/is a mini poodle. He was so easy to train and affectionate and clever, that we got another mini. Also lovely. They are great first time dogs. Clever and eager to please makes training easier.

My two minis are very different in size. One is 13kg (totally healthy and not overweight) and sturdy and as tall as my in-laws' small lab (but not as long). My other is much smaller (7kg) and daintier. I like that my little one can easily be picked up. Both love a snuggle on my knee but the little one totally fits in my lap like a cat and I enjoy that kind of snuggle.

We have a mini. He's great and was our first dog together (he's 10 now!).

I'd agree with other posters that they are incredibly intelligent. We have only recently had children and he's found the adjustment a bit of a challenge because he does, without a doubt, see himself as a human within the house.

He's incredibly routine driven and quickly learns who in the room is the "weak link." I.e who is going to feed him!!

Honestly though, he's been the light of our life over a very difficult few years, fun and energetic yet happy to cuddle on the sofa. I look into his eyes and feel like he's reading my soul. Irreplaceable.

I've got a small mini and she's great. I love that I can easy pick her up and poodle cuddles really are the best. She easily copes with any exercise we do.

Our breeder said a poodle is like having a Toddler and I have to say that's right! She gets naughty when she's bored.

As a standard poodle owner I am going to dispute that all standards are big.
In Europe there are four sizes of poodle the extra one being the Moyen - the medium size. These are registered as Standards in the UK. There are breeders in the UK who breed moyen lines and at full grown a make weighs about 22 Kg and measures about 50cm at the shoulder.
My boy is super intelligent, super loving and a constant source of fun and trouble.

Meant to add this to show the size difference between my two minis

Toy poodles are great & so are miniature poodles. I'd go for a toy

So glad there's so many poodle lovers on this thread. I feel like we are a disappearing collective amongst a sea of cockerpoo owners!