Medium Poodle Dog Breed Information and Pictures

Medium Poodle Dog Breed Information and Pictures

The Medium Poodle is the second-largest variety of the Poodle family. Like the other Poodle breeds, the Medium variety makes an excellent family pet. They love having an active lifestyle and when they aren’t playing or roaming around, they will most likely be glued to their owner’s lap.

Brown Medium Poodle
Brown Medium Poodle

These dogs are very intelligent and that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise because Poodles, in general, are extremely smart and witty. The American Kennel Club does not recognize this size variety and places these dogs in the two other varieties – Standard and Miniature.

medium size poodle mix
medium size poodle mix

Medium Poodle History

The Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years and is depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the first century. The subject is controversial of where the dog was officially developed and no one really knows the breed’s true country of origin. France has taken a claim on the origin, but the AKC gives the honor to the Germans, where they say it was used as a water retrieval dog. Other claims have been Denmark, or the ancient Piedmont. What is certain is that the dog was a descendant of the now extinct French Water Dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Hound. The name “Poodle” most likely came out of the German word “Pudel,” which means “one who plays in water.” The “Poodle clip” was designed by hunters to help the dogs swim more efficiently. They would leave hair on the leg joints to protect them from extreme cold and sharp reeds. The hunters in Germany and France used the Poodle as a gun dog and as a retriever of waterfowl and to sniff out truffles lying underground in the woods. The French started using the breed as a circus performer because of the dog’s high intelligence and trainability. The breed became very popular in France, which led to the common name “French Poodle,” but the French people actually called the breed the “Caniche,” meaning “duck dog.” The Toy and Miniature Poodle varieties were bred down from larger dogs, today known as Standard Poodles. In the 18th century smaller poodles became popular with royal people. The three official sizes are the Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodle. They are considered one breed and are judged by the same written standard but with different size requirements. Breeders are also breeding an in-between size called a Medium Poodle, sometimes called a Klein Poodle (Moyen Poodle) and a smaller teacup Poodle. Some of the Poodle’s talents include: retrieving, agility, watchdog, competitive obedience and performing tricks.
medium size poodle mix
medium size poodle mix

What is a Medium Poodle?

Falls in between the Miniature and Standard Poodle size. Not an official AKC size variation, however has become popular outside the USA.

  • Height: 15 – 20 inches (38 – 50 cm)
  • Weight: 20 – 30 pounds (9 – 13 kg)

Medium Poodle Health

Every dog can develop some health problems and Medium Poodle also can suffer from some conditions. To be sure that you will end up with the dog with the best possible health, always buy a Medium Poodle from a responsible dog breeder. Responsible breeders will regularly check their breeding dogs to ensure that their puppies will be without inherited diseases.Medium Poodle can suffer from:

  • Eye problems
  • Epilepsy
  • Luxating patella
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Von Willebrands disease

Medium Poodle Suggested Exercises

Medium Poodles need a daily walk. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. As with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off-lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. They adore water and love sessions of play. They are a very versatile breed with a hunting and retrieving beginning, although they excel in any performance event you offer them: agility, obedience, rally, conformation showing, and often one will leave one ring and go directly to another to compete again. Since they love water they are great dock diving dogs and love water retrieving.

What is the Medium Poodle Lifespan?

The average medium Poodle lifespan is around 12 years.

Coat Care

Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The teeth need regular scaling. Since the coat does not shed it needs to be clipped. There are several different types of poodle clips. The most common for pet owners is an easy-care clip called a “pet clip,” “puppy clip” or “lamb clip,” where the coat is cut short all over the body. Popular show clips are the English saddle and the Continental clip, where the rear half of the body is shaved, bracelets are left around the ankles, and pom-poms are left on the tails and hips. The AKC standard allows for a dog under a year old to be shown in a show-style puppy clip which has special requirements such as a pom-pom on the end of the tail. Other clip styles are the modified continental clip, town and country clip, kennel or utility clip, summer clip, and the Miami of bikini clip. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers.

Medium Poodle Temperament

  • This variety of the Poodle breed has a lively and active temperament. These dogs love being in the center of attention of the whole family and will do anything to achieve that goal. They will most likely try to make you laugh and don’t be surprised if these dogs try and outwit you. The Medium Poodles hate being left alone for too long and they can suffer from separation anxiety.
  • These dogs make great family pets that are intelligent and great playing partners for children. This variety is the best for families with kids because they are not too small so a child can hurt them easily, and not too big to accidentally hurt a child while playing. They love spending time with kids and other dogs.

Medium Poodle training and socialization

  • The Medium Poodle is considered as highly trainable. They are intelligent and eager to please their owners, and those two traits combined make for a dog that can learn quickly. Make sure your training sessions are not too long and keep them interesting. Use only positive training methods and reward your dog’s good behavior instead of punishing their bad behavior.
  • When socializing a Medium Poodle, make sure you expose them to different people and dogs. An ideal place for that would be a busy dog park where both you and your dog can interact with a lot of people and dogs. Make sure it is a positive experience for your dog and that way you will make sure that your puppy develops into a stable and well-behaved dog.

Suggested Medium Poodle Nutritional Needs

  • These pups thrive on a high-quality diet formulated for their specific life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, senior). Foods developed specifically for Poodles are a great option to explore.
  • To prevent your Poodle from becoming overweight, keep an eye on their food portions. And be sure to take treats into account when tracking their daily calorie intake. As a guideline, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s calories.

How to find your Medium Poodle

Every Medium Poodle fan can contribute to keeping the breed healthy by purchasing from a serious breeder. Responsible breeders are without exception members of associations and only give away their puppies if they are wormed, vaccinated and with a pedigree certificate. Furthermore, they voluntarily provide buyers information on cross-generational healthcare provision, give tips on character and nutrition and are happy to allow visits after prior notice so you can get acquainted with the parent animals and your desired puppies. Another element of responsible breeding is grilling the future owners, so don’t be surprised by potential questions on your circumstances and experience with dogs. You should be pleased that the breeder is concerned about the wellbeing of their puppies.

If an older Medium Poodle could also be a good fit, you can look around in local animal protection or special “poodle in need” associations. As with dogs of all breeds, Medium Poodles could be looking for a new home for different reasons: some may have outlived their owners or have ended up homeless due to a divorce. In any case, giving an older Medium Poodle a new home can be an enriching experience.

We wish you and your Medium Poodle a great future together with lots of feel-good moments!

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.