Brindle Poodle: Care Guide, Pictures, Info, and FAQ

Brindle Poodle: Care Guide, Pictures, Info, and FAQ

Height: 15 – 17 inches
Weight: 40 – 70 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Colors: Cream, brown, white, apricot, black, blue, gray, red, or silver with a dark, tiger-striped pattern
Suitable for: Active individuals and families looking for an allergy-friendly dog
Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, friendly, easy to train, gets along with kids and other pets

The Poodle is one of America’s most popular dog breeds that’s known for being intelligent, friendly, and easy to train. Poodles come in several colors, including cream, brown, apricot, gray, red, silver blue, or black. Poodles also come in three varieties including the Standard Poodle, which is the biggest of the lot, the Miniature Poodle, and the Toy Poodle.

A Brindle Poodle is simply a Poodle with a dark, tiger-striped pattern to its coat that results from layered black hair intermingling in areas of the base coat color.  This is the same color pattern often seen in Great Danes, Boxers, Greyhounds, and other breeds.

If you’d like to own a Poodle and want one that will turn heads whenever you’re out walking, consider getting a Brindle Poodle because they’re beautiful dogs! The unique color is always present on a Brindle Poodle, regardless of how often or how short the coat is taken down. Even if a Brindle Poodle is shaved down to the skin, the brindle pattern is still present.

It should be noted that while this article is focused on the Standard Brindle Poodle, the brindle coloring can also be found on the smaller Miniature and Toy Poodles.

Brindle Poodle Breed and Coat Coloration Guide
Brindle Poodle Breed and Coat Coloration Guide

What Does A Brindle Poodle Look Like?

Brindle poodles are known for their unique coat. They’re one of the rarest types of Poodles because their coloring can only happen with two recessive genes. This means that each of its parents must be brindle in color, as well.

Brindle Poodles - Have You Heard About Them?
Brindle Poodles – Have You Heard About Them?
Beautiful Poodle Puppies
Beautiful Poodle Puppies

This type of Poodle is highly sought after because of its striking color combinations, but still has all of the great traits of a standard colored Poodle.

Types Of Brindle Poodles

Brindle Poodles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of these different sizes include:

  • Miniature
  • Toy
  • Standard

The standard size Brindle Poodle should be more than 15 inches in height making it the largest type of this breed, while the toy size Brindle poodle should be no more than 10 inches in height. The miniature type falls in between both of these sizes.

While each type of Brindle Poodle is relatively the same other than size, there can be some key differences in temperament and personality.

The Origin Of The Brindle Poodle

  • According to the AKC, Brindle poodles are believed to have originated from Germany.
  • They share ties with many water dogs, which is how they got their name. The word pudel means to splash water, which is fitting for this breed since the poodle was initially bred to hunt in water.
  • Although they might initially have been bred to hunt, they became increasingly more versatile over the years.
  • Poodles have been used for anything from a guard dog to a circus entertainer. They eventually became a fixture in the world of dog shows thanks to their intelligence and long, curly hair.

What Are The Traits Of A Brindle Poodle?

While each individual dog won’t be exactly the same, all breeds have traits that are common to see. You can count on seeing these traits in poodles most of the time.

They include:

  • Whether they’re good family dogs
  • Temperament
  • Exercise requirements
  • Grooming requirements
  • Whether they’re recommended for first-time dog owners.

Keep reading for more information on each of these traits in Poodles.

How Much Do They Cost?

Brindle Poodles are one of the more expensive purebred dogs, ranging between $700-$3,000. The huge difference in price depends upon a variety of factors.

If you get your poodle from a breeder, the price will depend on the following considerations:

  • Health
  • The puppy’s lineage
  • The breeder’s reputation
  • Rare color
  • Local supply and demand

If you aren’t keen on spending that kind of money, you can use a website like PetFinder to see if a nearby shelter has a Poodle that you can adopt. In that case, you’ll only pay the standard adoption fee.

When it comes to Brindle Poodles, you’ll get what you pay for. If you want to ensure your dog doesn’t have health issues commonly associated with puppy mills, it’s best to spend the extra money upfront or you’ll pay for it later in vet costs.

Brindle Poodles are also more expensive than poodles of more common colors. This is because they’re rare, so the supply is limited.

How Can You Find A Brindle Poodle?

  • While it’s not common to find a Brindle Poodle at a shelter, in the case that there’s one looking to be rehomed, rescuing can be a great option.
  • If you’re on the market for a purebred dog, the AKC marketplace works with the highest quality breeders to ensure you get the best dog. They set strict guidelines for all of their breeders so you can rest assured you’re only getting the best of the best.

Temperament

Brindle Poodles are intelligent and playful. They’re incredibly affectionate with their family and love being around their family.

Their main traits are:

  • Loving
  • Obedient
  • Playful
  • Easy to train

According to PetMD, depending on whether the Brindle Poodle is a Miniature or Standard size, their personality will be affected slightly. Miniature Brindle Poodles are much shyer and will take time to warm up to new people while larger Poodles have an easier time socializing.

Whether they’re most comfortable with you or will accept pets from anyone who crosses their paths, poodles love to be doted on and need a high level of socialization to remain happy.

If this need isn’t met, they’ll usually let you know in the form of barking. Get ready for plenty of petting and snuggles if you own one of these dogs!

How Much Exercise Do They Need?

Brindle Poodles are energetic dogs with lots of energy. They require daily walks, as well as some more rigorous activities to expend all of their energy.

Brindle Poodles are historically hunting dogs, so they love any activity that’s reminiscent of this and allows them to let their instincts take over. Y

our Brindle Poodle will love many activities, including the following:

  • Agility courses
  • Running
  • Playing fetch
  • Swimming

Beyond these common options, your poodle will likely love many different outdoor activities that are common in your household. As long as you make sure they’re not unsafe or too worn out, the sky’s the limit.

Grooming Requirements

The grooming requirements of the Brindle Poodle are quite intensive. They’ll need the following grooming care:

  • Oral care
  • Haircuts
  • Frequent brushing
  • Nail trimming

Since poodles have thick and wiry fur, it has the tendency to get matted if it isn’t properly taken care of, so they’ll need to be brushed daily. You can learn more about grooming your poodle by visiting our Best Dog Grooming Tools article.

While not all Brindle Poodles are shaved in the same style, the Continental Cut is the most universally associated haircut for this breed. The evolution of this hairstyle was first seen in paintings dating back to the 1600s that show poodles with long hair in the front and short hair in the back.

If you keep the Brindle Poodle’s coat short it can cut brushing requirements down to just once a week. Regular trimming should be done every 4-6 weeks. It’s also important to keep your Brindle Poodle’s nails trimmed and teeth brushed to promote overall health.

Do They Make Good Family Dogs?

Brindle Poodles make wonderful family pets, for many reasons:

  • Brindle Poodles are particularly affectionate with family
  • They do well with other animals and children
  • They’re easy to train because of their intelligence
  • They’re adaptable and, though they require a high level of exercise, they can thrive in apartment living situations.
  • Larger poodles take well to strangers, making them easy dogs to be around

Even though they’re good family dogs, toy and miniature Poodles can become afraid of children if accidentally mishandled, so you should always supervise your young children with any dog.

Are They Good For First-Time Owners?

  • Brindle Poodles make a great option for new dog owners, and are even featured on our list of the 20 Best Dogs for First-Time Owners! Aside from the daily grooming requirements, they have the ability to adapt to change and are playful and loyal. This makes them a great pick for someone new to owning a dog.
  • Although proper dog training can be intimidating to a first-time owner, Brindle Poodles want to please their humans and are easily taught, making training much easier for someone who’s inexperienced.

How Long Do Brindle Poodles Live?

The lifespan of a Brindle Poodle ranges from 10-18 years, with averages changing based on size. Typically, the smaller the dog, the longer it will live.

The average lifespans of each size are:

  • Miniature Poodle: 13-16 years
  • Toy poodle: 14-18 years
  • Standard Poodle: 10-14 years

With larger Brindle Poodles being on the lower end of their life expectancy range, there are many ways to make sure your dog enjoys the longest life possible. Regular vet checkups, teeth cleaning, and proper diet and exercise can ensure your pup lives a long, happy life.

What Is The Weight And Height Of A Brindle Poodle?

The weight and height of the Brindle Poodle vary greatly. There are three types of Brindle Poodles. These are the toy, miniature, and standard sizes, listed from smallest to biggest.

  • The miniature Brindle Poodle is slightly larger than the toy version, and has a height of 11-15 inches, and weighs around 15-20 pounds.
  • To be considered a toy Brindle Poodle, the dog must be less than 10 inches in height with a weight around 5-9 pounds.
  • The standard size Brindle Poodle is by far the largest of the breed, standing over 15 inches tall. They weigh between 40-50 pounds for a female and 60-70 pounds for a male.

Some individual dogs may fall outside these measurements and weights while still being healthy. If there are any concerns, your vet will mention something at your dog’s checkup, so don’t forget to take him or her regularly!

What Are The Diet Requirements Of The Brindle Poodle?

Poodles thrive on diets that are similar to most other dogs their size. Their most important needs are:

  • High protein
  • Wholesome ingredients
  • Clean drinking water

They do best when they eat 2-3 times daily because they’re prone to bloat. This can be a life-threatening condition and can be avoided by breaking up their diet into multiple meals as opposed to one large meal.

When deciding which brand of dog food to get, the label should list a high-quality protein source first, such as chicken or beef, and then include healthy fats, carbs, and fruits and vegetables subsequently.

Potential Drawbacks Of Having A Brindle Poodle

Just like any other breed, there are some negative sides to owning a Poodle. These can include:

  • Brindle Poodles are also quite expensive when purchased through breeders. This can be a hindrance for some who don’t have the budget to spend thousands of dollars on a dog.
  • The continual grooming that has to be done. If you prefer to keep the hair of this breed short, it will require frequent visits to the groomer, which could be an additional cost.
  • Brindle Poodles also require a strong commitment to exercise every day, so if you don’t already lead an active lifestyle this could be an issue.

If none of these drawbacks would be a problem for you, then a Poodle may be just the dog for you!

Common Health Issues Of Brindle Poodles

All sizes of Brindle Poodles are prone to certain conditions more than others, but they’re still considered overall healthy dogs.

These conditions include:

  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Cataracts
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

According to PetMD, Miniature versions of the Brindle Poodle can be at risk of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and von Willebrand’s disease (VWD). PRA is a degenerative disease that affects the eyes and will eventually lead to blindness.

VWD is a disorder of the blood in which it doesn’t clot properly due to low levels of a certain protein. It’s best to talk to your vet to establish preventative measures and/or treat pre-existing conditions.

Standard size Brindle Poodles are more at risk of developing hip dysplasia and bloat. Hip dysplasia affects the joints of the hips as the dog ages and can cause them chronic pain.

Bloat happens when too much gas gets stuck in the stomach. This can be avoided by making sure your dog doesn’t eat too fast and avoids intense exercise right before mealtime. A slow-feeder dog bowl is great for slowing dogs down.

What We Like About Brindle Poodles

The pros of having a Brindle Poodle are far and wide.

  • They fit in well with active lifestyles.
  • Brindle Poodles are playful and highly intelligent.
  • They’re not only attractive dogs with beautiful coats, but they’re also well-mannered.
  • They love being around people and children and will be affectionate towards you.
  • If you’re prone to allergies, this is a great breed to adopt because they don’t have fur. Instead, they have hair, which is considered to be hypo-allergenic.

With all of these great traits, it’s no wonder that Poodles are highly sought after, even making frequent appearances as the pet of choice for celebrities!

How Fast Do They Grow?

Brindle Poodles should reach their full height and weight by 12 months old.

Lifespan 10-18 years
Weight 60-70 pounds (male), 40-50 pounds (female)
Height Over 15 inches
Suitable For Playful, Adventurous, Good with Children
Grooming Requirements High maintenance with daily brushing
Health Concerns Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Cataracts
Temperaments High-energy, Playful, Loyal, Affectionate

The size will depend on which type of Brindle Poodle you have since they come in three different varieties; toy, miniature, and standard.

Final Thoughts

The brindle poodle is versatile and elegant, carrying itself to a high standard in the grooming department.

If a potential owner needs a hypoallergenic pup, the Poodle makes a great companion. They’re also incredibly intelligent and trainable, so having them around kids and animals is a walk in the park.

Their sensitive coat can expose the breed to allergens and irritation, owners should provide a clean environment for them to prevent issues. When well-maintained, the Poodle exudes a loving attitude that will keep you company.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.