Few dogs are as well-known as the poodle. When you hear the name of the breed, an image of this long-haired, generally well-groomed, royal-looking dog probably comes to mind. However, people have a lot of misconceptions about poodles, and if you are thinking of adopting a poodle of your own, those misconceptions are important to clear up.

Misconception #1: Poodles are tiny dogs.

In the past couple of decades, miniature poodles have become quite popular. These dogs are about 20 pounds or less — small enough that you can easily pick them up. Miniature poodles have become so popular, in fact, that many people do not realize that they are not the originals. Standard poodles are larger — about 60 pounds. So if you are thinking of getting a poodle, make sure you know what size you are seeking. If you find a breeder selling standard poodles, know that those puppies are going to grow up to be quite large.

Misconception #2: Poodles have to be groomed with flashy hairstyles.

The infamous poodle hairstyle has a puff of long hair on the head, one at the end of each leg, and one on this tail. Some people love this look, but others think it looks silly. If you can't stand the look of the poodle cut, don't let that turn you off to this breed. You can have a poodle groomed with a normal haircut that is even all over the body without the poofs. Many poodle owners do this — so many that you may not have even recognized that the dogs you were looking at were poodles.

Misconception #3: Poodles are high-maintenance dogs.

Perhaps because the regal poof haircut is so popular, poodles are sometimes thought of as prissy or demanding. Actually, they are a pretty low-maintenance dog breed. They do need to have their hair cut regularly, but beyond that, they tend to be pretty healthy, have easy-going personalities, and get along well with kids. They're easy to train and respond well to positive reinforcement.

Misconception #4: Poodles are always white.

The image you have in mind of a poodle is probably white. For a long time, this was the color preferred by people who would show their poodles in dog shows. But if you don't want a white dog, don't worry. They also come in a beautiful apricot color, chocolate brown, and black. Many litters contain some of each, so you can have your choice.

For more information, contact a standard poodle puppy breeder.