Are Poodles Good With Kids?

Poodles are beautiful bundles of sunshine and energy, but sometimes they have a certain reputation for being “yappy” or aggressive. Unfortunately, that reputation causes some people to hesitate when it comes to getting a poodle of their own – especially if they have children.

But, are the stereotypes true? Are Poodles good with kids?

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Not at all! Poodles are consistently rated as one of the best dogs for kids, scoring a 5/5 in the American Kennel Club’s “good with young children” rating. But, you don’t even have to take the AKC’s word for it. Let’s dive a little deeper into why poodles are good with kids, and what you can expect from owning one.

Why Are Poodles Good with Kids?

One of the best things about having a poodle around children is its small size – typically around 15 inches tall for a standard poodle. If your children are very young, you don’t want a dog around the house that could accidentally knock them over or unintentionally harm them just because of their size.

Poodle pawing his owner — A Poodle is pawing his owner. (Image: Instagram/@tokyo_poodle)

Of course, this advantage is less present for oodle and doodle crossbreeds, but that’s not the only great thing about a poodle! They are also very playful and energetic, making them delightful companions for young kids.

Sometimes it feels like no matter how many times you play a certain game with your kids, they never get tired of it. Dogs are often the same way, and poodles are no exception. A poodle will be able to keep your kids entertained for hours on end, leaving you some time to sit back and relax (as long as you’re keeping an eye on them, of course!).

Their playfulness is related to another one of their delightful qualities – poodles are very smart dogs.

There are two major benefits to that intelligence: First, it means they’ll learn things faster. Dog training can be both rewarding and tedious, but a dog that picks up on obedience and tricks faster will make them more accessible to your children.

are poodles hyper exercising black poodle — Are Poodles hyper? They sure love to run and exercise!

Also, the more tricks you teach a dog, the more things your kids have to do with them while playing. Kids will bore less easily when playing with a smart dog, so you’ll be able to relax just a little bit longer.

Poodles are also highly affectionate creatures, which makes them excellent dogs to welcome into your family. An affectionate dog can change the whole dynamic of your home environment in the best way possible. It is a beautiful thing for kids to have a pet around the house that expresses love in the middle of a sibling fight or is willing to snuggle up amid family hardship.

On top of being affectionate, poodles are also known for being very alert dogs. As your children grow up, you’ll want to be able to safely leave them alone with your pets knowing that the dog will let you know if there is any danger present – and a poodle certainly will.

Finally, if you have children with allergies, poodles are a perfect dog to accompany them because of their hypoallergenic nature. This means that they don’t shed their fur (it grows instead), they don’t drool very much, and they have low dander, which means dirt and other outside allergens don’t get trapped in their hair very often.

good boy Poodle — The Poodle in the jacket stays in place. (Image: Instagram/@stanley_pups_adventures)

Problems You Might Encounter

The only real potential downside of having a poodle around your children is a matter of preference – the gift of having a high-energy dog around children can also become a curse.

brown poodle — A Brown/Chocolate Miniature Poodle

If your family is having trouble keeping up with all the energy in your household from your young children, buying or adopting a poodle almost certainly won’t get rid of that problem. Instead, poodles can magnify the overall level of energy in your home, making an already chaotic situation feel even more overwhelming.

That said, if you want some of the benefits of poodles (like their affection and intelligence) without the high energy, you can always go for a poodle crossbred with a lower-energy dog.

Poodle loves playing water — A Poodle is an active breed that loves water! (Image: Instagram/@vegan_poodle_jet)

Best Oodle and Doodle Crossbreeds for Kids

If you don’t want a purebred poodle for your family, there are so many poodle crossbreeds that work well with children as well, including:

Cockapoos
- Cockapoos are poodles crossbred with Cocker Spaniels. They are one of the best poodle crossbreeds for your children because of their long 14+ year lifespan and sweet personality.
- Are Cockapoos good with kids?

Labradoodles
- Labradoodles are poodles crossbred with Labradors. Labradors are another popular family dog, and it isn’t hard to see why! These doodles were originally bred to be therapy and service dogs, which is part of why they work so well with children. They’re patient, loving, and smart.
- Are Labradoodles good with kids?

Goldendoodle
- When you cross a golden retriever with a poodle, you get a Goldendoodle. This is another world-renowned family favorite dog due to its affectionate and gentle personality. Goldendoodles also adapt easily to different lifestyles – as long as whatever lifestyle you choose involves giving them a lot of attention!
- Are Goldendoodles good with kids?

Schnoodle
- Schnoodles are great dogs for many reasons (not least of which is their name, which is very fun to say). This cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle is a working dog at its core, but its playful personality will make any Schnoodle an excellent play partner for your kids. Even when it’s playing, it will be watching out vigilantly for any potential danger.

Maltipoo
- Maltipoos are a cross between Poodles and Maltese. These dogs are popular, adorable, and friendly – a great combination for your kids.
- Are Maltipoos good with kids?

One thing to note is that some of these crossbreeds, especially Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, can get pretty large – up to 65 pounds for the labradoodle and up to 90 pounds for the Goldendoodle. If you were planning on getting a poodle crossbreed for their small size, you might want to reconsider those two options.

That said, both dogs are gentle giants. Typically, they will be very careful with your children despite their large size. So, they aren’t necessarily unsafe to have around young children as long as you keep an eye on them.

cockapoo and poodle smile — The smile of a happy Cockapoo vs Poodle side by side

Enjoy Spending Time with Your Oodles, Doodles, Poodles, and Kids!

Poodles are incredible family dogs. You shouldn’t hesitate to get a poodle or crossbreed to accompany you and your family unless you’re worried about energy levels. Beyond that, get ready to enjoy your time playing with your children and poodles together! Get the whole family involved when it comes to picking out your poodle, and you’ll see your kids light up when it comes to your new furry family member.