How Long Do Poodles Live? Everything You Should Know About the Poodle’s Lifespan

Milka Mullanda |

Jun 24, 2024

Poodles are the epitome of beauty AND brains. Besides their head-turning looks, Poodles excel in various fields, from obedience training to agility competitions, water retrieving, tracking tasks, and truffle hunting. Not to mention, these curly-coated pups also make amazing service and therapy dogs.

The commonly held assumption is that the Poodle originated in France (largely because they’re the country’s national dog breed). However, this breed’s history dates back to Germany in the 15th century, where they were kept as duck hunters. In fact, Poodles got their name from the German word “Pudel,” which loosely translates to “splash in the water.”

When this charming, easy-to-train breed arrived in France, it became a prized breed among royalties and a favorite among natives, thanks to its high trainability and showy looks.

In the 16th century, breeders in France then focused on developing other Poodle varieties besides the Standard Poodle: the Miniature and Toy Poodles. The Standard Poodle became the go-to dog for duck hunting and retrieving, while the Miniature Poodle was specifically kept to hunt truffles in the woods.

On the other hand, the sole job of the Toy Poodle was to serve as a companion to French nobles due to its adorably small size. The Poodle breed received official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1886 and has since continued to capture hearts across the United States.

If you’re thinking of adding this fun-loving, eager-to-please, and hypoallergenic breed to your family, your mind is likely saturated with thoughts such as “How long do Poodle dogs live” to “Mini Poodle lifespan,” “Miniature Poodle lifespan,” “Standard Poodle lifespan,” “lifespan of Toy Poodle dogs,” “teacup Poodle lifespan” and “Toy Poodle lifespan.” Lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Poodle dog’s lifespan, including facts about the longest-living Poodle.

Average Lifespan of Poodle Dogs

Poodle running in a green grass field, the Poodle's lifespan ranges between 10–18 years — (Photo Credit: Skyler Ewing | Pexels) – Credit: https://www.pexels.com/

According to the American Kennel Club, the average lifespan of a Poodle dog ranges between 10 and 18 years. This range represents the Miniature Poodle lifespan, the Toy Poodle lifespan, and the Standard Poodle lifespan.

So, if you’ve ever wondered, “How long do Toy Poodles live?” “How long do teacup Poodles live?” or “How long do Miniature Poodles live?” the short answer is 10–18 years. Let’s break it down.

>Standard Poodle – 12-15 years

>Miniature Poodle – 14-17 years

>Moyen Poodle 12-15 years

>Toy Poodle – 14-18 years

It’s not uncommon for Poodles to live beyond their average lifespan, particularly those with a good quality of life.

Although there’s no official Guinness World record of the oldest Poodle to ever live, findings show one of the world’s longest-living Poodle was a Toy Poodle from New York named Uncle Chichi, who died in 2012. Uncle Chichi was estimated to be 24, 25, or 26 when he passed away. Records proving his real date of birth got lost, hence the estimation.

7 Common Health Issues that Affect the Poodle’s Lifespan

A Poodle standing on green grass, the Poodle's lifespan is between 10–18 years — (Photo Credit: Skyler Ewing | Pexels) – Credit: https://www.pexels.com/

Whether your furry friend is a Toy Poodle, a Miniature Poodle, or a Standard Poodle, they are, like every other dog breed, susceptible to certain conditions that can shorten their lifespan. Being familiar with these health issues is essential as a Poodle owner to help you take the necessary timely precautions that will increase your pup’s chances of enjoying a long life.

With that in mind, here are seven health problems that often afflict this lovely, athletic breed:

1. Addison’s Disease

Poodles are genetically predisposed to Addison’s Disease, an autoimmune disease characterized by the deficiency of key hormones produced by the Adrenal gland: Cortisol and Aldosterone. These two hormones are responsible for regulating stress levels and water/electrolyte balance, respectively.

Addison’s Disease — which can lead to death in severe cases — causes a wide range of symptoms, from lethargy to decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, hypoglycemia (drop in blood sugar levels), bloody stool, and irregular heart rate.

The common treatment and management option for Addison’s Disease is hormone replacement therapy.

2. Gastric Dilation Volvulus (Bloat)

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV), commonly referred to as Bloat, is a prevalent health problem in Poodles. In the simplest terms, Gastric Dilatation Volvulus is the sudden enlargement and twisting of the stomach after it is filled with fluid, gas, or food.

GDV is a life-threatening condition, which, without urgent medical attention, can lead to more complications and, ultimately, death.

3. Epilepsy

Unfortunately, Poodles are among the dog breeds prone to epilepsy. This breed is genetically predisposed to having seizures at an earlier point in their lifetime.

“My little guy had his first when he was about 1. He has petite mal seizures, doesn’t completely lose consciousness, but it’s so scary.,” commented one dog owner in a Reddit discussion on seizures in Poodles.

4. Eye Abnormalities

Poodles are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. These eye abnormalities can significantly affect your Poodle’s quality of life and, ultimately, lifespan.

5. Chronic Active Hepatitis

Chronic Active Hepatitis, a potentially fatal liver disease characterized by progressive inflammation of the liver, is common among Poodles. If not treated, Chronic Active Hepatitis can cause severe damage to your Poodle’s liver cells and result in liver failure.

6. Patellar Luxation

Research shows Poodles — especially Toy poodles — are prone to Patellar Luxation, an orthopedic condition common in small dogs. Patellar Luxation is characterized by abnormalities in the kneecap.

7. Legg-Perthes Disease (Legg-Calve-Perthes)

Poodles are highly susceptible to Leg-Perthes Disease, a painful hereditary condition characterized by the degeneration of the femur head (found in the femur bone of the hip joint) due to limited blood supply in this area.

6 Tips to Prolong Your Poodle’s Lifespan

Close up of a Poodle, the Poodle's lifespan ranges between 10–18 years — (Photo Credit: Berend de Kort | Pexels) – Credit: https://www.pexels.com/

Thankfully, there are certain measures you can take as a Poodle owner to extend your dog’s longevity. Here are tips to keep in mind if you wish to see your four-legged friend live beyond their average life expectancy:

Be sure to feed your Poodle a healthy, balanced diet. It’s best if your Poodle is on dog food approved by the vet. 6 Best Dog Foods For Poodles That Even The Pickiest of Them Will Love
Take your Poodle for regular check-ups to ensure any developing health condition is caught sooner rather than later.
Prioritize daily exercise and mental stimulation to help your dog maintain a healthy weight and good mental well-being.
Strive to offer your Poodle a comfortable, loving environment so that they can thrive and stay happy. For instance, regular brushing of their coat can go a long way in enhancing your Poodle’s comfort.
Ensure they have a regular dental care routine to keep their dental hygiene in check.
If you prefer to purchase your Poodle instead of adopting it, be sure to get them from a reputable breeder.