How long do small Poodles live

Did you decide to add a Poodle to your family? Whether you pick a Standard, Miniature or Toy Poodle, these dogs are guaranteed to bring you a lot of joy. Loyal, loving and highly intelligent, they take their owners’ hearts by storm. As you are preparing for your Poodle puppy, you might wonder: How long do Poodles live? The short answer is that the average life expectancy for Poodles is 11-15 years, depending on their size and health. 

Today we will look at what determines the length of your Poodle’s lifespan, as well as how you can make sure your Poodle lives as long as possible!

Table of Contents

What is a Poodle’s lifespan?

The Poodle’s lifespan is first and foremost determined by his size. The American Kennel Club recognizes three distinct types of Poodles: The Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. 

Across all dog breeds, large and giant breeds live the shortest, while medium and small dogs live longer lives. This is due to the fact that large dogs actually physically age faster than small dogs! The Poodle is no exception to this rule.

Standard Poodle Lifespan

A Standard Poodle’s lifespan is around 12 years. Some dogs may pass away as young as 10 years old, while others may live to be 13 or even 14 years. Standard Poodles are the largest Poodle breed, with a full-grown Standard Poodle reaching up to 70 pounds for tall and heavy males.

Miniature Poodle Lifespan

A Miniature Poodle will live about 15 years, with a range of 14-17 years. Miniature Poodles are between the Standard Poodle and the Toy Poodle size-wise. A full-grown Miniature Poodle weighs about 10-15 pounds.

Their smaller size makes them live longer than the Standard Poodle – following the rule that smaller dogs tend to live longer.

Toy Poodle Lifespan

Toy Poodles have an average life expectancy of 16 years, with the range being 14-18 years. As a very small dog, Toy Poodles are lucky to have a long lifespan if you care well for them. They are very healthy small dogs that often enjoy daily exercise and games of fetch even in old age.

What do Poodles usually die from?

When a Poodle passes away, what is most often the cause?

Heart disease & Cancer 

Unfortunately, health disease and cancer are the leading cause of death in Poodles. Like many other breeds, they tend to develop these issues later in life and often pass away from them.

While it is impossible to prevent your dog from having cancer or experiencing heart disease, a healthy lifestyle, daily exercise and regular vet visits can increase the chances that he will live a long and healthy life. Annual or semi-annual visits to your veterinarian will catch any potential issue early and make it easier to treat.

Genetics

Genetics are strong – not just when it comes to appearance (such as certain colors like the Parti Poodle), but also as it pertains to temperament, health and life expectancy! If you acquired your Poodle from a breeder, check with the breeder how long your dog’s relatives lived.

Knowing how long your dog’s grandparents, aunts and uncles lived will give you an idea of what life span you can expect for your Poodle.

Healthy Lifestyles for Long Lives

In order to set your Poodle up for a long and healthy life, it is crucial that you provide him with physical exercise and activities every day. While you may think that a Poodle is “just a show dog”, this could not be further from the truth!

Poodles were originally bred as water dogs and still have the same high energy and intelligence as their hard-working ancestors. You should not slack off on exercising your Poodle. This also applies to the Miniature and Toy varieties. The more active and fit you can keep your Poodle, the better.

Especially Standard Poodles tend to have a lot of gastrointestinal issues. While these are rarely fatal, keeping your dog at a healthy weight and making sure he is free of parasites is crucial to ensuring his longevity.

A Poodle’s coat requires regular grooming. If your Poodle’s hair is matted, he can quickly develop painful skin conditions. These can lead to infections and in the worst cases systemic diseases. Most Poodles need to be brushed once a day. Regular baths with a Poodle-specific shampoo and conditioner will keep the coat clean and shiny.

If you do not feel that you can keep up with your Poodle’s grooming needs, consider using grooming clippers to give him a short and manageable haircut. He will be much happier, and so will you!

Treats & Bones

Of course you want to spoil your Poodle, but don’t let treats cut his lifespan short! Your dog should not eat large quantities of treats. A high-quality, nutritious dog food should be the majority of his food intake, and any treats should only be a small addition. Many store-bought dog treats contain flour, preservatives, fillers and even sugar! Keep treats reserved for special occasions only.

Many bones are not safe for dogs either. They can splinter and get lodged in their throats. You should not give rawhides, chicken bones or deer antlers to your Poodle to avoid them getting stuck in his throat or intestines.

The Bottom Line

Poodles are a rather healthy breed. Depending on your Poodles size, his lifespan will reach from 12 years for Standard Poodles up to 16 years for Toy Poodles. Most Poodles will eventually die from cancer or heart disease. While you cannot prevent this, regular vet checks and a healthy lifestyle will go a long way to increasing the length of your Poodle’s life.

Life expectancy is partially determined by genetics as well. If you got your Poodle from a breeder, ask them how long his relatives lived to get an idea of your dog’s life expectancy.

What is the life expectancy of a small Poodle?

Can miniature Poodles live to 20?

What is the oldest Miniature Poodle?

What is considered old for a Poodle?