Standard Poodle Lifespan & Health Risks

The Standard Poodle is such a precious dog breed whose life span ranges from 12 to 15 years. While this may be a lot compared to other species, it’s certainly a short time frame if you think about human life!

It’s for this reason, as Standard Poodle owners, potential owners, and lovers of them, that we must do everything we can to contribute to their longevity as much as possible.

But, the only way we can do so is by knowing as much as possible about their health and breed characteristics.

To help better a Standard Poodle’s wellbeing, today we’re going to cover in this article a baseline set of information about their life expectancy and health. Expect to learn about their common causes of death, health issues, and differences between genders.

Breed	Average Life Expectancy
Standard Poodle	12-15 years
Chihuahua	14-16 years
Beagle	12-15 years
Labrador Retriever	10-12 years
German Shepherd	9-13 years
Bulldog	8-10 years
Overall Average	10-13 years

Do male or female standard Poodles live longer?

Compared to the other two types of Poodle, the Miniature and Toy Poodle, the Standard Poodle tends to live the shortest. This is because larger dog breeds have shorter lifespans due to them aging physically and mentally quicker than smaller breeds.

While there is a difference in size, there could be a slight difference in life expectancy amongst each gender of the Standard Poodle. I say could because there’s still a lot of research yet to be done on the life span of both genders.

On average, a male Standard Poodle tends to live slightly less than a female.

While there’s not enough scientific research to support this, it’s believed that their life expectancy is shorter due to their height and weight.

	Height	Weight
Male	45-60cm / 18-24 inches	45-70lbs / 21-32kg
Female	45-60cm / 18-24 inches	45-60lbs / 20-28kg

Arguably, looking at the dimensions above, you can see that a Male Standard Poodle tends to be slightly heavy, making them prone to more potential health problems and a shorter life expectancy.

In addition to this, there’s also more information to indicate that males and females can live long as long as they’ve both been spayed and neutered. It’s believed males can live up to 18% longer than non neutered breeds, and females can live up to 23% longer compared to non spayed breeds.

What is the oldest standard poodle age recorded?

Now you have an idea of the average life expectancy of a Standard Poodle; you might be wondering what is the longest one has lived up until?

I don’t blame you, as everyone loves a success story and information that strays away from the norm.

Life Stage	Age	Characteristics
Puppy	0-1 year	Rapid growth, lots of energy, teething, training and socialization.
Adolescent	1-2 years	Slower growth, continued training and socialization, may experience some behavioral changes.
Adult	2-7 years	Fully grown, active, healthy, and may participate in activities such as agility or obedience training.
Senior	7-10 years	May experience some age-related health issues such as joint problems, reduced energy levels, and changes in appetite.
Geriatric	10+ years	May require special care and attention, such as a modified diet, increased veterinary check-ups, and reduced activity levels.

The oldest Standard Poodle that has lived (according to records) is 18 years old. That’s a whopping three years extra than its expected lifespan!

Cool, right?

I bet the owner must have been pretty happy being able to live with that Poodle for so long. 

What health problems do standard Poodles have?

No one likes to deal with health issues in dogs, as they can be expensive, time-consuming, and exhaustive to deal with. But unfortunately, as a dog owner, that is a responsibility you have to accept when owning a Standard Poodle. It is something you MUST and SHOULD be aware of to let them live as long as possible with you.  

Most of the time, though, Standard Poodles tend to be a healthy breed, but they can be known to experience a few health problems such as:

Diabetes

Diabetes is a severe condition that is common in Standard Poodles. As a dog owner, you should not treat this condition lightly. Diabetes must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible as it could be detrimental to your dog’s health. 

If you’re not familiar with the condition, diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or does not use it appropriately. Depending on the type of diabetes, they may be subject to increased urination and  increased eating and weight loss. 

Today diabetic dogs can have just as long a lifespan as any other breed. Thanks to treatment such as insulin injections and regular fitness, Standard Poodles can enjoy a long life expectancy. However, to make sure they are diagnosed well, they will need to undergo laboratory testing, which means getting diagnosed and treated accordingly by your vet. 

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disease that causes convulsions in dogs. Seizures caused by e.g. low sugar or toxins are not epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is a disorder that causes seizures, despite there be nothing obviously amiss on lab work or diagnostic tests. If a dog has a seizure due to a brain tumor or low blood sugar, this is not epilepsy. 

If you witness your Standard Poodle experiencing a seizure, please get in touch with your vet as soon as possible. Normally, dogs require lifetime treatment for epilepsy, and prompt blood tests are also needed. 

Please note the extent of the seizure and contact your vet as soon as possible. Lifetime treatment is normally needed to treat seizure disorder; periodically prompted blood tests are also required to monitor side effects. The standard Poodle can occasionally be afflicted.

Bloat

Bloat is a condition that occurs in large dog breeds such as the Standard Poodle. When their stomach gets stuffed and bloated, liquid fills up inside of it. As a result, their stomach twists, constricting blood flow to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. 

If left untreated, this disease can be fatal. When this happens, preventive surgery is often needed, which fixes the stomach together or pulled in place to not rotate.

If you see any symptoms such as visible abdominal bloating, persistent attempts at vomiting and constant drooling, you should take your poodle right to the vet! 

Obesity

If a Standard Poodle weighs more than 20% of its recommended body weight of 45-70lbs/20-32 kg, it is classified as obese. Obesity can be dangerous in dogs as it can cause stress on their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and joints. It can also increase the likelihood of surgery and osteoarthritis. 

Spay or Neuter

If Standard Poodles aren’t spayed or neutered, they could be at risk of having an unplanned litter or, even worse, contracting cancers. The best time to spay or neuter Standard Poodles is between 12 to 18 months, stopping them from getting uterine infections and breast tumors. Breast tumors are malignant in 50% of dogs. 

Sometimes though, spaying and neutering a Standard Poodle can be a questionable topic. There’s information available that suggests that spaying and neutering can increase the risk of certain cancers like prostatic cancer in males, increased risk of bone cancer, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism.

I can’t advise whether you should spay or neuter your Standard Poodle, but what you should do is keep on top of scientific research and speak to a vet for their opinion. 

Parasites

Anything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest your dog. Tapeworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can penetrate the intestinal tract differently. 

It’s important to recognize the signs of parasites which can include diarrhea, weight loss and an excess hunger. I recommend regular preventive treatments as prescribed by your vet to maintain your Poodle’s health and long lifespan. 

Dental disease

Standard Poodle suffers from teeth issues more often than other dogs. If a dental infection occurs, it most often can have a lasting impact. At age two, 80% of dogs are currently living with some dental condition. 

One common condition is periodontitis which is caused by their gums becoming inflamed and has a potential infection. If the infection is not treated, it can cause teeth to fall our and cause the infection to spread to their organs. You should clean your dog’s teeth with dog toothpaste around 2-3 times a week to avoid this. 

Heart disease

Standard Poodles also suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy, which is a fatal heart condition. This is when their heart becomes weak, thin, and large making the heart pump less effectively. As the problem progresses, they might act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe laboriously or cough. 

Tests are generally only advised should signs occur, or if a dog is to be used for breeding and we are screening them. For most, signs would not occur before the age of 3.

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s)

Cushing’s disease is a malfunction in the adrenal glands, which causes them to produce too much steroid hormone. Signs include drinking more water than usual and urinating more than normal, an excessive appetite and lower activity level followed by a potbelly, hair loss, and thinner skin. Treatment usually includes oral medications and involves close co-operation with the vet to ensure precise dosage. 

Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s)

Addison disease is an endocrine system disorder causing it when adrenal glands cannot produce the proper amount of hormone for normal function. Left untreated, hypoadrenocorticism is fatal. Symptoms usually mimic many other diseases, but you’ll need to conduct a specific blood test to check this condition. 

Hip Dysplasia

Standard Poodle also is at risk of hip dysplasia. This condition causes a malformation of hip joints which causes joint pain, osteoarthritis, and lack of mobility. You can severely reduce the risk by getting a Poodle from parents with a good hip score. 

Allergies

The allergy in the Poodle means that instead of sneezing, their skin is itchy. In addition, the feet, abdomen muscles, or ears can usually be affected. Symptoms start at between 1 and 3 years old and can get worse daily if left untreated. 

Skin Conditions

Poodles can suffer from all sorts of skin problems, including sebaceous adenitis. This condition normally develops when your pet reaches 1 to 5 years old. Sebaceous adenitis occurs when their immune system attacks Standard Poodles sebaceous glands. It’s unknown why this condition occurs, but the condition can destroy sebaceous glands. 

Typical symptoms to watch out for are hair loss, dandruff, musty odor, secondary skin infections, scaly skin, and more. Treatment is usually long-term which will likely take some combination techniques to determine what is most effective. The treatment response is highly variable. However, it is generally a good idea to get fatty acids and to use shampoos to get rid of dead skin and hair. 

Cancer

Cancer is the leading cause of death in older dogs. Many cancers can be fixed surgically, and a few types can be treated with chemotherapy. Early detections are crucial! Your vet will need to perform periodic diagnostic tests to look for lumps and bumps.

Kidney Disease

Glomerulonephropathy is an inherited disease that slowly damages the kidneys of your Poodle and causes them to fail early. Because damaged kidneys leak protein, your vet can test your pet’s urine each year for excessive protein as well as checking kidney enzymes in the blood and measuring the specific gravity (concentration) of the urine. Early detection leads to happier pets and cheaper and easier care. I may also recommend a special diet in conjunction with his treatment.

Bleeding Disorders

Standard Poodles are particularly affected by relatively rare diseases of the blood. There are numerous types of inherited bleeding disorders in dogs. Many pet owners may believe their pets can behave normally until they become injured or have surgery, leading to severe bleeding.

Eye problems

Poodles sometimes inherit or acquire many eye conditions. Some of those conditions can cause blindness if neglected. When the standard Poodle is examined, the vet will look for any signs of concern. Most of these conditions can be very painful due to the pain and discomfort associated with eye symptoms.

Bone and Joint Problems

Several musculoskeletal complications have been reported in standard poodle owners. There is a treatment approach that can minimize pain and suffering. Your doctor can give you the advice to maintain the quality of your pet’s health and take good care of themself.

It’s not guaranteed a Standard Poodle will have these health problems, but it is possible. To reduce their chances of contracting diseases or stop them from developing further, you should visit the vet frequently for routine vaccinations and health checkups, and should be purchasing Poodle puppies from registered breeders who only use the healthiest stock, that have had all of the relative health tests performed. 

How to increase the lifespan of a Standard Poodle?

Are you familiar with the saying, prevention is better than cure? If you are, you should be aware that you should do everything in your power to keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible as a dog owner. If you want to prevent early death, then you should do the following:

Reducing the risk of trauma

Standard Poodles are a highly active breed, and that means they love to play. Due to their playful nature, they can sometimes be prone to getting into trouble and sometimes accidents. If they’re playing outside your home, always supervise them, so they don’t get into trouble with another dog or injure themselves.

Preventing infections 

Infections are a big risk for Poodles, and if not addressed early, they can spread to other areas of the body like their organs, and infections could potentially kill them. You can reduce the risk of infections by bathing them, cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, and grooming them frequently. 

Health testing 

Some standard Poodles can be prone to inheriting health problems, and it can cause them to live a short lifespan. To reduce this risk, you should ensure your Standard Poodle undergoes yearly health tests to ensure their conditions can be treated or maintained. 

Similarly, if you’re planning on buying from a breeder, you should make sure that they do health and genetic testing. A professional and ethical breeder will not sell you a Standard Poodle with defects or mate Standard Poodles with defects.

Frequent exercise 

Standard Poodles are an active breed, and frequent exercise is beneficial as it will help make them lean and live longer. One of the easiest ways of incorporating exercise into their life is by taking them for walks, playing fetch, running in the yard, and taking them to the dog park.

Good Diet

It’s always best you feed your Standard Poodle nutritious food that’s been approved by a vet. A vet will advise food for you to feed your dog based on their weight, age, and medication conditions.

Conclusion

Standard Poodles are the tallest and heaviest type of Poodle that exists. This breed generally tends to be athletic and a healthy dog. However, due to their large size, they can be at risk of inheriting some conditions which can be diagnosed and treated through regular health checkups. 

The life expectancy of a Standard Poodle tends to be between 12-15 years and is slightly less than the Miniature and Toy Poodle. If you plan on owning a Standard Poodle, you can expand their Standard life expectancy by grooming them frequently, checking for infections, good diet, and regular vet visits.

What are your thoughts on the life expectancy of a Standard Poodle? Let us know in the comments down below.