Are Poodles Good With Kids? [2024 guide]

Choosing the right dog for your home can be a task. But choosing one when you have kids at home is a whole different story. While training can make most dogs kid-friendly, not every person has the time and the energy to invest in training their dogs. Not to mention while bringing up their children!

This is why we popularly find families going for some specific dog breeds if they have kids at home. You’ll find these breeds to be Golden Retrievers, Labradors, small dogs like Chihuahuas or Pugs, or a disciplined breed like German shepherd or maybe a Poodle.

You may want to consider things like the size of the dog, its temperament, how much exercise it needs, and how trainable it is. While each has its own pros and cons, let’s talk about how the Poodle breed fits into a family.

About Poodles

Mostly known as a show dog, Poodles are much more than just ribbons and hairstyles. Poodles are one of the most clever and affectionate dogs. They are amazingly fluent in dog training and enjoy doing tricks and tasks.

Poodles adapt to all kinds of spaces. So even if you’re living in an apartment, they won’t be a problem. If you are a first-time dog owner, Poodles are great. They aren’t fussy and take care of themselves to an extent.

However, they are peoples’ dogs and would want you to be around almost always. So, if you plan on leaving the dog home for most of the day, maybe Poodles aren’t the best choice for you.

With regards to kids, Poodles are quite sensitive and aware of their surroundings. They can also sustain in relatively warm and cold weather. They shed much less than most dogs and drool almost close to never. They are easy to train and friendly in general.

However, you will have to take into consideration some characteristics of Poodles that might not necessarily go with your image of an ideal family dog. Poodles can be curious and sometimes wander outside homes, and you have to go looking for them. This doesn’t happen with every Poodle, but some are notorious.

Another thing to consider is a Poodle’s energy level. A Poodle needs a certain amount of exercise and mental stimulation in order to not go crazy! You will require to be an active owner. You must take your Poodle for walks, playtime, teach them tricks, train them and give them simple tasks to keep them engaged.

If you are okay with getting off the couch and be active yourself, guess what, you will love Poodles! They are super playful, love spending time with their humans, and are sensitive towards children. They very much have the potential to be your next family dog!

Are poodles aggressive?

Poodles are definitely one of the friendliest dog breeds to exist. So aggression in Poodles is a little out of the question. But this does not mean that Poodles are absolutely aggression-free! Some pets may show the tendency of getting aggressive because of underlying behavioral issues.

As we have already established, Poodles need quite a bit of physical activity. They need you to play with them, train them, and spend as much time as you can with them. Without physical stimulation, a Poodle can get bored and annoyed.

A Poodle can be dominant and may think of itself as the alpha very easily. With training and daily exercise, you have to make sure your Poodle knows that you are the leader, and they must respect that order. Otherwise, internal conflict and confusion can lead to frustration and aggression for the Dog.

Lack of mental stimulation is also important to keep your Poodle’s health in check. You can keep them engaged with dog sports, playgroups, make them play in agility or other such challenging circuits, or introduce them to a companion to play with once in a while.

Poodles are highly sensitive, and that means they can get affected by small changes or hurdles in their life. They need help when dealing with stress, and if not available easily, this may lead to irritation and aggression.

Any dog can get aggressive in the wrong circumstances. Every dog breed has a tendency to become angry or unmanageable in some or another situation. With Poodles, these events occur less than most, and they can be brought under control with the right approach.

Are poodles aggressive with kids?

The difficulty with dogs around kids is that both are still learning to figure each other out and don’t understand each other’s language. In a tricky spot like such, dogs that are hyperactive or have difficulty staying calm should be avoided to keep your kids safe.

Poodles, thankfully, can stay calm and are smart enough to understand the difference between playtime and attack mode. So if your kid throws things at your Poodle, they won’t come to bite. Of course, the better the training, the better they will get at being around your children.

But in general, a Poodle does not show any aggression towards kids. If anything, they are sensitive and will enjoy playing with your children.

It is important to note that no matter which breeds you bring home, you must introduce your dog and your kids to each other in phases and take your time as they get used to the other being around. Training your dog to be around kids is important and must not be skipped.

Do Poodles make good family pets?

One of the most popular dogs known for their friendliness and status of being a family dog, Poodles top the list for sure. But as a parent, it’s only natural to wonder if your new dog is safe to be around kids.

Well, if you are thinking of getting a Poodle, the answer is Yes, it is safe.

Poodles are loyal, affectionate, and super friendly. They are easily trainable and love company. They are active and need regular exercise. They shed minimal and enjoy cuddling and petting. Not only are they patient but also sensitive, which makes them one of the best dogs to be around kids.

One thing you must worry about less once you get a Poodle is allergies. Poodles have a Hypoallergenic coat, and that makes them much safer around children than most of the other pets.

When a canine psychologist did a study, he found out that Poodles are the second most obedient dogs, just after Border collies, who are absolutely wonderful at following instructions.

Poodles also adapt easily, which means a change in the environment, people, houses, or anything else is not much trouble with your dog. When there are kids around, adaptability becomes a much-needed brownie point.

It is suggested to train the dog to behave, especially around kids, and slowly transition into letting the dog alone be around the children. While beginning the introduction, it will help if the Poodle is tired out and doesn’t have much energy to spare.

Before the first encounter, train your dog with basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “stop.” For this, you must have trained them and spent time with them beforehand. Make sure you help the Poodle feel comfortable as well.

All the while, train confidently and calmly. A Poodle is a sensitive breed. If your dog senses fear or uncertainty, chances are they will try to take things under their control. Avoid this chaos by being firm and confident.

Which Type of Poodle is Best for Kids?

Once you decide that you want to bring home a Poodle, it is time to decide which one!

Yes, there are three different types of Poodles. All three have their own pros and cons. The major difference being their size and temperament.

Let us take a look at them.

Toy Poodles

Up to 10 inches in height and 5 to 10 lbs in weight, Toy Poodles can be absolutely cute, adorable, and very much toy-like, as the name suggests.

They are easy to carry and once your children and the dog form a bond, they will be able to carry the dog to their sports, playtime, or friend’s place!

While your children will mostly love the Toy Poodle, you should know that of the three different Poodle types, Toy can be the fussiest and most demanding. They are active and playful but also the most tempered amongst the three.

Miniature Poodle

With 10-15 inches of height and 15 to 20 lbs of weight, Miniature Poodles are the size between Toy and Standard.

They are highly cuddly, affectionate, and great with kids. They are sensitive, playful, and love being a part of the family. While with Toy Poodles, there is a chance of children hurting them, with Miniature Poodles, it’s not that much of a possibility. They are large enough to take care of themselves and can hold their own.

If you are looking for a dog who loves being around you all the time, Miniature is the breed for you. With training and practice, this Poodle will be your favorite dog for life.

Standard Poodle

Above 15 inches in height and around 40 to 60 lbs in weight, Standard Poodle is the largest of the three. With these, you don’t have to get worried about anyone getting hurt.

Compared to the other two, Standard Poodles shed the least and are get along well with other pets if you have any! They are very playful, active, do great with training, and enjoy the company. If you are looking for a colorful dog that is easy to adapt to and fits right in, Standard Poodle is your answer.

In order of preference for the best Poodle with kids, number one is the Standard Poodle, number two the Miniature Poodle, and last but not the least, the Toy Poodle.

Conclusion

If you are a first-time dog owner, a Poodle will be a great addition to your family. They are friendly, safe, and sensitive. If you have had a dog pet before, Poodles will be a piece of cake to handle around kids.

Any pet, when around children, must be monitored more than usual for obvious reasons. But relatively, Poodles will be easier to manage. As mentioned before, take your time while introducing your kids to your Poodle. Let them sense the friendliness in each other and they will gel right in!

Are Poodles Good With Kids? [Definitive Guide]