Different Sizes Of Poodles

Different Sizes Of Poodles

With their impressive hairdos and regal attitude, a Poodle’s reputation precedes them. Pop a pencil into the hands of just about any person on the planet, and they can likely sketch one of these distinctive dogs in a flash. For this reason, if you are looking to get a Poodle, chances are you know mostly what you’re in for. However, you may still be left wondering just how big the Poodle size can be.

Learn The Poodle Sizes - Toy, Miniature and Standard
Learn The Poodle Sizes – Toy, Miniature and Standard

Our handy interactive puppy growth chart and calculator takes all the hard work out of predicting your puppy’s potential adult size. This helps you to know exactly what you are in for.

5 Most Popular Poodle Sizes
5 Most Popular Poodle Sizes

The good news is that these unique pups have an ancient lineage. This means that we have a very clear idea of their potential adult size, whether they be of the Standard, Miniature, or Toy variety. Scroll down to see the size by age tables for each type, and check out our interactive puppy size calculator to see how big you might expect your Poodle to get.

Poodle Size Predictions By Age

Elegant, proud, and clever, it’s hard to imagine Poodles were ever working dogs – yet it’s absolutely true. Poodle ancestors used to jump in and out of rivers, ponds, and lakes to fetch waterfowl for their hunter owners. They are also considered to be one of the most intelligent breeds in the world.

POODLE SIZE GUIDE: HOW BIG DOES A POODLE GET?
POODLE SIZE GUIDE: HOW BIG DOES A POODLE GET?

While commonly associated with France, Poodles actually originated in Germany, where even their primped-up, pompous-looking coat styles fulfilled a practical function. Namely, to protect the dog’s vital areas against the cold while avoiding the issue of overlong hair snagging on underwater debris.

What Are the Four Sizes of Poodles?
What Are the Four Sizes of Poodles?

Although frequently portrayed in the media as the snobs of the dog world, Poodles are, in fact, incredibly friendly canines who love being around their people as much as they can. These flamboyant pups are also athletic, energetic, and fun-loving. They are perfect for novice owners, families with children, and outdoorsy types, too.

To help you pick out your perfect Poodle, here are the growth charts for each of the three kinds:

Toy Poodles

Age 3 months 6 months 1 year Adult
Weight 2 – 6 lbs 4 – 8 lbs 4 – 11 lbs 4 – 12 lbs
Height Up to 8 inches Up to 9 inches Up to 10 inches Up to 10 inches

*A dog’s height is measured to its withers. This is the space between the shoulder blades.

Toy Poodles follow the small dog pattern of hitting their height and weight milestones a little earlier. Somewhere between 1 and 2 months they will get to 50% of their height and just about 100% of it by the time they are 6 months. In terms of weight, a Toy’s halfway point is 3 months, and they will have reached at least 80% by 6 months. These dogs stop getting taller at around 6-9 months and stop growing entirely by the time they are a year old.

Miniature Poodles

Age 3 months 6 months 1 year Adult
Weight 3 -4 lbs 6 – 9 lbs 9 – 18 lbs 10 – 20 lbs
Height 5 – 8 inches 8 – 13 inches 10 – 15 inches 10 – 15 inches

*A dog’s height is measured to its withers. This is the space between the shoulder blades.

Despite the differences in size, growing patterns for Miniature Poodles sit much along the same lines as for Standards (which only serves to highlight just how quickly large dogs can grow in the first few months of their lives).

Miniature Poodles achieve half their adult height somewhere between 2 and 3 months and half their adult weight about 5 months. By 6 months, they will be at 60% of their adult weight and 90% of their adult height. Miniatures stop growing in height somewhere between 7 and 12 months but could continue to gain weight until they are 18 months.

Standard Poodles

Age 3 months 6 months 1 year Adult
Weight 10 – 22 lbs 23 – 45 lbs 34 – 65 lbs 38 – 70 lbs
Height 13 – 19 inches 19 – 23 inches 24 – 27 inches 24 – 27 inches

*A dog’s height is measured to its withers. This is the space between the shoulder blades.

As is the case with most larger dogs, Standard Poodles have their most significant growth spurt before they are 6 months old. In fact, by the time they are 3 months old they will have already reached around half their adult height, and at 6 months, they will have got to 80% of their adult height.

Weight gains take a little longer. Standards will get to half their adult weight by 5 months, 90% at a year, but can continue to increase in weight until they are two years old.

Are There Different Sizes Of Poodles?

  • As covered above, there are three recognized sizes of Poodle: Toy (up to 10 inches, 4-12 lbs), Miniature (10-15 inches, 10-20 lbs), and Standard (24-27 inches, 38-70 lbs). The larger dogs are the originals, bred for retrieving. Both smaller types came about later as the French cottoned on to what excellent companion animals this breed made.
  • Beyond this, people may also speak of Klein (Moyen) Poodles which fill the gap between Miniature and Standard Poodles at 15-20 inches in height and 40-50 lbs, and Teacup Poodles that are around 5-7 lbs. These are both unofficial sizes, and Teacup dogs are discouraged in most breeds because of the potential health implications of breeding dogs so small.
  • There may also be some slight size differences between male and female Poodles. Yet, this isn’t quite as pronounced as in other breeds such as Huskies or German Shepherds.

Poodle Growth Patterns

  • The growth patterns for your Poodle are very much based on which Poodle they are and their potential adult size. Most dogs of every breed and every size do an exceptional amount of their growing in the first half-year of their life. With small dogs, this happens in the first three months.
  • Your Poodle will likely reach their adult height somewhere between 6 and 12 months. Larger dogs will continue to increase in weight for a further 6 to 12 months after that, although their growth rate at this stage will be much slower than before.

At What Age Is A Poodle Considered Fully Grown?

  • Poodles are generally considered full-grown somewhere between 12 and 24 months of age, depending on their type. For Toy Poodles, it’s 12 months. For Miniature Poodles, it’s 18 months, and for Standard Poodles, it’s 24 months. This is when they will have reached both their adult height and weight.
  • If you’re looking for a friendly, fun pup with plenty of smarts, the Poodle is a good choice and available in a whole host of sizes and colors. As the breed has been around for a while, the standards are pretty much set in stone, so you can know precisely what you are getting. Otherwise, if you want to keep an eye on your pup’s size as they grow, our interactive puppy growth calculator can help you do just that.

How Big Is A Full-Grown Poodle?

Depending on the type of Poodle you have opted for, they might be anywhere between 7 to 27 inches in height and 2 to 70 pounds in weight at full size. As you can see, there is a massive range of Poodle sizes. You can get some idea of what to expect for each kind from the tables above.

Beyond that, keep an eye on how your puppy is growing.

  • For Toy Poodles, you will be able to calculate their potential adult weight at 3 months by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.
  • For a Standard or Miniature Poodle, you will be able to calculate their potential adult weight at 5 months by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.

A different formula you could use is:

  • Adult weight = Growth x 52 (number of weeks in one year)
  • Growth = current weight / current age in weeks

So, for example, if your 12-week old pup weighs 18 pounds. You simply divide the current weight by their age in weeks and multiply the result with 52:

18/ 12 = 1.5
1.5 x 52= 78 pounds

78 pounds would be the expected weight of your adult-sized Poodle.

Exercise, Grooming, and Feeding

A Poodle should be a member of the family. Prospective owners of Poodles should be equipped to provide a fenced-in area in which the Poodle can exercise or be prepared to walk the Poodle regularly on a leash. Poodles permitted to roam are likely to be stolen or killed. Poodles require regular clipping and grooming; a dexterous owner can readily learn how to groom his own dog or he can take the Poodle to a professional grooming shop. Poodles are not finicky eaters, unless made so by indulgent owners. They thrive on simple, prepared dog foods.

Buyer Beware

Puppy mills and pet shops, and/or those who exploit the popularity of the Poodle in order to make a fast buck, buy their dogs in litters, usually by mail, as early as they can be weaned. They are not concerned with temperament, hereditary faults or quality. They are simply interested in so many puppies that they can sell for so many dollars. They do not bother about medical care. They are not interested in what happens to the dog after it is sold. Although the puppy may be accompanied by a pedigree or AKC “papers” (eligibility for registration with the American Kennel Club), this is not a guarantee of health, disposition or quality.

Finding a Poodle

  • The best place to buy a Poodle is from a Poodle breeder. A reputable breeder tries to produce the ideal Poodle as described in the Standard of the Poodle. He or she plans breedings to produce a sound, healthy dog, excellent in conformation and temperament, one which will be both an ideal show dog and an ideal companion. This breeder has spent much time and effort in study, breeding and selection; his or her breeding program is based on accumulated knowledge of which dogs to use to produce the best Poodles.
  • Not all puppies in a litter will satisfy the definition of a show prospect. Maybe in a litter only one or two puppies will be retained for showing; the others will be classified as “pet puppies.” The differences will be so small that only an expert judge will be able to make the distinction; the eyes may be a bit too light, the tail a bit gay or the hocks a bit straight. All Poodles in the litter will display essentially the same characteristics, the same quality of construction, personality and health. For a pet price, a prospective buyer can purchase a well-bred, professionally raised Poodle, backed by the integrity of the breeder and accompanied by helpful advice, instructions and the enduring interest of the breeder in the welfare of the dog.

Learn More

Having purchased his or her beautiful Poodle from a reputable breeder and having noted all the helpful instructions and friendly advice of the breeder from whom the Poodle has been purchased, the new owner should check out publications recommended by The Poodle Club of America, Inc., subscribe to one or more of the magazines and, if interested, begin to build up a reference library. Whether a Poodle owner becomes involved in the intriguing but complex hobby of breeding and exhibiting Poodles, or takes pleasure in the happy association of a companion dog, the new owner will find the Poodle one of life’s great delights.

Final Thoughts

Poodle discussions have always been confusing for many of us. But when we talk about different poodle sizes, there are only four variants of pure-bred poodles according to standards. 

King poodles, medium poodles, mini poodles, and toy poodles. They all have similar characteristic features like color and curly fur. However, they differ in size and temperament.

King poodles are very calm and reserved. While on the other hand, mini poodles are very energetic, welcoming, and easily trainable. Miniature poodles have the longest life expectancy of 20 years.

There are also some unofficial sizes of poodles available but those are unhealthy and cannot live long. They are also many genetic health concerns attached to them.

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.