Poodle Life Expectancy: How To Live a Long and Happy Life

Poodles are known for their friendly nature, charm, and amazing personalities. All these qualities also make them ideal family pets. And, aside from being one of the smartest canines going, the Poodle life expectancy is pretty good too. 

But how long do these pups live for? And, is there anything you can do to increase it? Absolutely! There are things that every owner can do to ensure their furry best friend lives as long as possible, as well as having a happy and healthy life.

How Long Do Poodles Live?

Across all sizes, Poodles generally have a long life expectancy compared to some other dog breeds. The average lifespan of the breed is between 12 to 15 years, but with proper care and attention, they can live longer.

• Toy Poodle — 14 to 16 years is the norm, with an average lifespan of 15 years. Yet, they can live up to 18 years. 

• Miniature Poodle — typically 14 to 16 years, with an average of 15 years. However, they can reach 18 years.

• Standard Poodle — usually 11 to 13 years, with an average of 12 years. But, they can live up to 15 years.

Factors That Affect Poodle Life Expectancy

There are a few things that can affect the life expectancy of your Poodle. Some are out of your control, such as genetics, but others can be attributed to their lifestyle and the care they receive.

Variation in Poodle Size

According to many studies, smaller dog breeds tend to live longer than their larger breed counterparts. Experts believe that bigger dogs age faster. 

Hence, in the case of Poodles, Miniatures and Toys typically live longer than Standards. This is mainly due to their smaller size and, therefore, the reduced strain on their bodies.

Genetic Factors

Like many other breeds, Poodles are prone to certain genetic health conditions. However, some of these can be stamped out through responsible breeding and genetic testing. 

Diet and Nutrition

If you’re feeding your Poodle a diet that lacks the proper nutrition they need for their stage of life and lifestyle demands — e.g., energy levels —, it can have serious effects on their health over time. 

Adult dogs require a minimum amount of protein in their diet of around 18% to help build/preserve muscle, and strong bones and joints. If they don’t receive this, it can be detrimental to their health and, in turn, their lifespan.

Exercise 

Regular exercise is vital for all dogs — the Poodle is no exception. As this breed has a working dog history, their exercise needs, the Standard, in particular, are high.

The lack of activity can lead to weight gain, which can result in medical complications — e.g., arthritis, diabetes, and liver disease — and shorten your Poodle’s time on earth. And, like us humans, exercise keeps your dog fit and healthy. Research indicates that a dog’s body condition can directly affect their lifespan.

Veterinary Care

The absence of proper and regular medical care will definitely shorten your Poodle’s life expectancy. Without health checks, you’re missing out on the opportunity to spot issues sooner. 

Not receiving regular treatment for parasites and annual vaccinations will also contribute. What’s more, choosing not to have your dog neutered can also impact your dog’s likelihood of developing certain chronic diseases.

Health Issues Affecting Poodle Life Expectancy

Like most dogs, Poodles are susceptible to certain health conditions. These include:

• Progressive Renal Atrophy.
• Cataracts.
• Retinal Dysplasia.
• Corneal Ulcers.
• Glaucoma.
• Sebaceous Adenitis.*
• Hypothyroidism.
• Hip Dysplasia.
• Epilepsy.
• Addison’s Disease.
• Bloat.* 
• Von Willebrand’s Disease.

*Standard Poodles are at greater risk.

How To Help Poodles Live a Long and Happy Life

The reality for you as a pet owner is that in most cases, you will outlive your furry best friend. Losing a dog is heartbreaking, but there are steps that you can take as an owner to help extend your Poodle’s life as long as possible.

For the best results, these steps should be introduced while your dog is still a puppy. But it’s never too late to improve their life.

Proper Nutrition

Feeding your Poodle a balanced diet that’s specifically designed for their age, size, and level of activity is one of the key factors that contributes to their overall health and well-being. 

Ensure that your Poodle’s diet is full of:

• High-quality protein (particularly from animal sources).
• Good fats — such as omega 3 in salmon oil, for example.
• Plenty of vitamins and minerals. 

Here are a few more nutrition takeaways: 

• Avoid fillers and artificial additives.
• Offer treats in moderation.
• Probiotics for dogs can help balance the gut and boost overall health.
• Check out the nutrition and ingredients label. The higher up the ingredient list, the greater the quantity. 

Regular Exercise

Daily exercise is a must for any dog, especially the athletic Poodle. And, as they’re brainy canines, they need to keep their minds active. The benefits of exercise include: 

• Lowers risk of obesity. 
• Improves heart health. 
• Strengthens muscles and bones. 
• Keeps them regular in the poop and pee department.

By gearing exercise toward your Poodle’s stage of life both physically and mentally, you can help to extend their life. 

Walkies aside, doggy sports, like fly ball, agility, or something similar, will exercise their brain and body. And, as they were originally water dogs, swimming is another fond pastime of the Poodle. What’s more, playing games of fetch in the backyard with toys, balls, or anything you throw will also flex their mental and physical muscles. 

Veterinary Care

Ensuring that your furry friend is getting regular vet check-ups — at least once per   year —, vaccinations are up-to-date, and preventative treatments are being carried out, are all part of your dog’s care. 

Other canine care includes:

Neutering

If your dog isn’t neutered already, carefully consider doing so. While with any major operation, there are risks involved, studies have shown that sterilization increases lifespan by almost 14% in males and just over 26% in females. 

Recommended Health Tests

To try and prevent your Poodle from having their life cut short by certain diseases — it’s recommended that a range of health tests are carried out, such as:

• Patella Evaluation.
• Hip Evaluation.
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod Cone Dysplasia.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD.
• Von Willebrand’s Disease.

Bloat

Lastly, for all you Standard Poodle people out there, bloat is a big issue for larger breeds, but you can lower the chances by:

• Offering smaller portions — instead of one big meal, split it into two — breakfast and dinner.
• Try to slow down the rate your Poodle eats. Sprinkle kibble on top of wet food, or use a slow dog feeder bowl. 
• Avoiding exercise directly after eating — wait an hour before you head out for walkies.
• Knowing the signs — swollen (painful-to-the-touch) abdomen, gagging, restlessness, excess saliva. And, acting quickly. 

Grooming Needs

Grooming is key to a happy life, especially for the Poodle, their tight curls are prone to matting. Start this from an early age as this will make it much easier — whether you decide to keep their coat natural or opt for a cute cut. 

Make sure that your Poodle’s coat, nails, and ears are maintained on a regular basis to prevent infections.

And, Poodles are prone to dental issues, so brushing and regular checks on their teeth can prevent problems from arising. 

Safe Environment

Keeping your dog safe lowers the chance of an accident occurring. For example, ensure your yard is enclosed with either a physical or wireless/invisible fence. And, keep your Poodle on a leash when walking the neighborhood. 

When inside your home, make an area that your Poodle can call their own — a comfortable bed in a quiet, draft-free spot, where they can retreat to if they ever feel anxious. 

Emotional Care

It goes without saying that you should provide your Poodle with plenty of love and attention. But they also need positive social experiences to keep them healthy and happy.

With the Poodle, you’re lucky, in the sense that this breed is naturally friendly with people and, on the whole, other dogs. So, socialization shouldn’t be too difficult. However, starting early on will make it a lot easier. 

Conclusion

Understanding the factors that can influence the life expectancy of your Poodle is essential to provide them with the best life. Diet, exercise, and regular vet care alongside emotional and mental well-being can help your pup live a longer and happier life.

The average Poodle life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years depending on their size. However, you could extend it by providing the steps above from a young age.

Poodle Life Expectancy FAQs

What Is the Leading Cause of Death in Poodles?

While Poodles tend to live long lives, as they age, cancer is one of the leading causes of death. That said, many types of this disease are curable/treatable with early diagnosis.

What Is Considered Old for a Poodle?

This depends on the size of your Poodle — the bigger they are, the quicker they age. 

• Toys and Miniatures are considered old at around 8/9 years old. 
• Standards are considered seniors at around 7 years old.

What Age Do Poodles Slow Down?

Every dog slows down as they age; it’s a natural process. You may start to notice them not being able to walk quite as far as they once were able. While all dogs are individuals, typically for Poodles, this starts to happen at around 7-9 years of age.

Which Poodles Live the Longest?

With the right care, the Toy or Miniature Poodle tends to live the longest, with an average lifespan of around 15 years. Although, they can reach up to 18 years.

How Do I Make My Poodle Happy?

In short, a happy Poodle is:

• Well-exercised. 
• Mentally stimulated. 
• Fed a balanced, wholesome diet. 
• Given plenty of love and care.