Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Curly coat, long.
A Poodle suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 5 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 5 of 5)
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 5 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
The Poodle was the number 6 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 6.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Poodle vs Yorkshire Terrier · Poodle vs Wire Fox Terrier · Poodle vs Welsh Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Poodles good with kids?
The AKC rates the Poodle 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Poodles shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.
Are Poodles easy to train?
Trainability is rated 5 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 5 out of 5.
How much energy does a Poodle have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 5 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Poodle page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.