The Standard Poodle is an elegant, medium to large-sized dog, with a profuse, but well groomed and clipped, wiry curly coat. The Standard Poodle has a delightful springy gait.

The Standard Poodle is proud, elegant, dignified and good-natured. These dogs are highly intelligent and one of the most trainable breeds. They are pleasant, happy and sensitive. The Standard Poodle tends to be a bit calmer than the smaller variety of Poodles. They need to be with people and dislike being alone. For the most part they are generally friendly toward strangers, and are excellent with children. The Standard Poodle is good with other dogs. Some Standards are good guard dogs and some can be trained as hunters.

Height, Weight
Height: 15 (38cm) or more.
Weight: Dogs 45-70 pounds (20-32kg.) Bitches 45-60 pounds (20-27kg.)

A long-lived breed, Poodles are, nevertheless, subject to many genetic diseases. Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy may cause blindness, allergies and skin conditions are common... possibly due to unskilled use of clippers or allergies to shampoo and/or color reinforcer. Hip dysplasia, runny eyes, and ear infections are also common. They are prone to PRA and Von Willebrand's Disease. Brown Poodles tend to become prematurely gray. Prone to bloat, so it is wise to feed your Standard 2-3 small meals a day, rather then one large one.

Standard Poodles are relatively inactive indoors. They will be okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. A small yard will suffice.

Although they adore water and love to go for walks, Poodles are not demanding as far as exercise goes. They however, will keep in better spirits and be fitter if given regular opportunities to run and play off the leash in a safe area. The Standard retains its sporting instincts, has great stamina, and needs more activity than the smaller varieties.

Life expectancy is about 12-15 or more years.

Extensive grooming is needed. They must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. The ears should be checked regularly for mites and the ear hair should be pulled out if necessary. The traditional clips were developed to lighten the weight of the coat for swimming while protecting the joints and major organs from cold, but many owners opt for the plain lamb clip - the same length all over, because it is easier and more economical to maintain. The teeth need regular scaling. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers. (See description for different styles of clips.)

Although the Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years, its origin is controversial. Whether it was developed in France, Germany, Denmark, or the ancient Piedmont, is uncertain.

The three sizes are considered as one breed and are judged by the same standard. Today, the Poodle is primarily a companion and show dog, though he can learn almost anything.

Lowchen (The Little Lion dog) is purely a pet dog and is suitable for old people or families with children. It's an extremely people-oriented dog. If it has to choose between humans and dogs, it might well choose its human family. The Lowchen loves everyone, but will usually pick a favorite family member. If you choose a Lowchen you will have a faithful, charming, fun friend through thick and thin. It's a friend for that will stay for a long time. The breed has no breed specific health problems and is long lived. Most Lowchens live for 12-15 years or more. Lowchen was named after the 'hairdo'. It is believed that the breed has its roots in early medieval times, in the Mediterranean area.

Bologna is a city of northern Italy, well known for centuries as a center of art and learning. The existence of the Bolognese has been recorded since the year 1200, most probably descended from bichon types brought in from southern Italy and Malta. By the Renaissance, the Bolognese had become a favorite of the nobility. Both the Gonzagas and the Medicis bred them and the Duke d'Este gave a pair to King Phillip II of Spain. Supposedly, he indicated that he had never received a better gift. This breed was also a favorite with La Pompadour, Catherine of Russia, and the ladies-in-waiting of many European courts. Today it is less known, in fact, almost rare in its homeland.

The Bolognese is a typical small bichon dog, intelligent, happy, faithful and companionable. While not hyperactive or high-strung, they are vivacious and full of fun. Breeders report that even ten-year-olds still play like puppies. They are quite fearless and love people.

Bred as companions, they need the attention and presence of their family. In fact, they become so attached to their owners they are like a shadow, following their idols from room to room. "To have a Bolognese in the house is to have someone to love and adore."

The cottony white coat requires daily brushing to keep it free of tangles. But apart from coat care, they are healthy, quiet dogs that make superb companions. They have acute hearing and eyesight, taking notice of anything new or unusual and notify their owners. So, while not barkers, they can be true watchdogs.

Bichon Havanais/Havanese. These charmers descended from bichon types of the Old World, but there is some argument about which specific type was the origin. Most researchers say they came with the Spanish as they colonized the West Indies, which would probably point to Tenerife and the Bichon Frise as the progenitors. But Cubans seem to feel the dog originally came to their island with Italian sea captains, thus pointing to Malta or Bologna as the source. Captains often carried illegal contraband to be sold to wealthy Cuban families. "Hence, the entree gift of one of these precious little dogs to the wealthy Sefioras [sic] opened the doors of her home to them."

The Havanese was soon a favorite of the very wealthy, and a frequent sight in the palaces and country estates. Catalina Laza, the wife of a wealthy Cuban sugar mill baron, raised the dogs for her own pleasure and to present to society friends. When the Cuban Revolution threatened the existence of these dogs and their owners, they were smuggled out by families fleeing their homeland. Quite rare today, they are now being revived and promoted by fanciers in the USA who have formed the Havanese Club of America.

Temperament for this breed is similar to all its bichon cousins—charming, intelligent and alert. Adults can be aloof with strangers. The Havanese has been known to guard children heroically and is a loving and devoted companion. Natural clowns, they are superb circus and trick dogs. Like the Bolognese, they make good watchdogs because of their alert demeanor and close relationship with their owners. One owner says they are "fantastic little friends." Their sturdiness and longevity make extra pluses as companions and their brilliance of colors, including cream, gold, silver, blue, black, chocolate (appropriately called "tobacco brown"), the rare white, or combinations of these adds to their appeal. Modern show dogs are kept free of tangles, but any trimming is prohibited.

The Coton de Tulear. Bichon dogs from Tenerife were brought to Madagascar and nearby islands on trade ships, probably before the 17th century. From these original imports came the Colon de Reunion, an extinct breed once known on Reunion Island. The descendants of the Coton de Reunion became established near the city of Tulear, Madagascar, and developed into the breed known as the Coton de Tulear.

The Coton (French for cotton) became a favorite of the merina, the French nobility on the island during the colonial days. In fact, prior to the 20th century, it was considered criminal for a commoner to own a Coton. This canine social climber soon took on the title of the "Dog of Royalty" and, even today, only socially prominent Malagasy own a Tulear.

This breed is devoted to its masters, wanting always to be in their presence and trying its best to please. Because of these traits, the Coton requires little in the way of discipline to create a fine companion. He is a dog only for a house pet, as he is so happy and friendly that he will not defend himself. Like the other bichon dogs, however, he is alert and intelligent and will inform his master of unusual events. As long as he is primarily a house dog, he adapts well to almost any environment or climate. The breed is healthy and vigorous despite its small size, and requires only a bit of regular brushing to keep it handsome. One of their most endearing traits is a tendency to jump and walk on their hind legs.

Like the other bichons, the hair needs regular grooming to keep the dogs looking their cuddly best. Shedding on all the bichons is minimal and an advantage to allergic owners. The Coton's expression is ''enquiring and adoring."