First of all, I have nothing against other dogs. But when you start to dig in, it becomes quite obvious that the Poodle is an amazing and superior breed. Don’t believe it? Let’s take a look…
Let’s start from a top down view and see what the 10 smartest breeds of canines on the planet are:
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Labrador Retriever
- Papillon
- Rottweiler
- Australian Cattle Dog
Ok, the Poodle is Number 2, already pretty “doggone” impressive, right? Poodles are smart. Very smart. So let’s just go ahead and take a look at the two smartest dogs known to mankind. Before I go on please keep in mind that the Border Collie is an amazing animal, and no Border Collies were harmed in this analysis…
Both the Poodle and Border Collie have about the same average lifespan, about 12 years. They are both highly athletic dogs.
Both dogs are extremely alert and intelligent, but Poodles are easier to train and less stubborn. Border Collies are very high energy, somewhat tenacious dogs and demand an owner and trainer that is able to have this same high level of energy, making Poodles a better choice for those with children, those of us who are older, or cannot be home a hundred percent of the time.
Poodles are extremely loving and affectionate, more friendly to strangers, and better with children. Border Collies instinctively have that herding mechanism that can frustrate them when they are unable to control children (like we are sometimes!). Poodles have even been shown to have a sense of humor, something most dog breeds just don’t even get!
Because Poodles shed very little of their fur and tend to be odorless, they are ideal for those who are typically prone to pet allergies. Not so with the Border Collie and most other dog breeds.
Poodles have excellent hunting and water-retrieving skills, and although this might not be on the top of your list, it only goes to show that there’s a reason they have been with us for so many centuries and are highly prized as valuable assets over “just being a pet”.
Border Collies – You get basically one size. They range in size as an adult from about 19-22 inches male, and about 18-20 inches female. Not a huge dog, but not small either if that’s what you’re looking for.
The Poodle? Custom Choose Your Size:
- Tiny: An adult Toy Poodle ranges from around 9 1/2 inches to 11 inches (Some unofficially refer to even smaller Toy Poodles as Teacups, typically a Toy Poodle less than 4 or 5 lbs in weight).
- Small: An adult Miniature Poodle varies, but typically ranges from 10 inches to about 14.5 inches.
- Medium: The Medium Poodle can grow into adulthood from about 13.5 inches to 17.5 inches.
- Large: The Standard Poodle as an adult will get anywhere from 17 inches all the way up to 24 inches!
And I haven’t even mentioned grooming yet. This is probably one of the first things people think of when they hear the word Poodle, they’re famous for it right? But if you just prefer the traditional “doggie” groom there’s nothing wrong with that! Poodles look beautiful no matter how you groom them.
So there you have it! Unbelievably intelligent, long lifespan, loyal, easy and willing to train, friendly with kids, friends, even strangers…anti-allergenic, wildly groomable, and you have a wide range of sizes to choose from after all that! How could you possible be go wrong with the Absolutely Amazing Poodle!