Breed guide
Standard Poodle Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
Standard Poodles are a healthy, long-lived breed with a narrow genetic base in some lines, which is why coefficient-of-inbreeding awareness sits alongside standard health tests in serious programs. They are also the foundation breed for most doodle crosses.
Standard Poodle at a glance
Typical litter size
5–8 puppies (average around 7)
Birth weight
8–12 oz (230–340 g)
Adult weight
40–70 lb (18–32 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Usually straightforward whelpers with good maternal instincts. Trim the coat around the rear and nipples well before the due date.
Breeding and whelping notes
NEwS is a lethal neonatal condition; both parents must be tested or one must be clear.
Addison's disease and sebaceous adenitis have no reliable predictive DNA test; pedigree research and the SA biopsy are what you have.
Bloat (GDV) risk is elevated in deep-chested Standards; families should be told about it and about prophylactic gastropexy at spay/neuter.
Coat colour genetics are complex (fading, parti, phantom, brindle); test if you are making colour claims.
Health testing before breeding
•
Hips: OFA or PennHIP
•
Eyes: annual CAER exam
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DNA: prcd-PRA, vWD (von Willebrand disease type 1), NEwS (neonatal encephalopathy), DM
•
Sebaceous adenitis: skin punch biopsy
•
Thyroid panel
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Cardiac exam
•
Many programs also run a diversity/genetic COI analysis
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Standard Poodle litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Standard Poodle litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Standard Poodles have?
Typically 5–8, average around 7.
What health tests do Standard Poodle breeders do?
Hips, an annual eye exam, DNA tests for prcd-PRA, vWD1 and NEwS, a sebaceous adenitis skin biopsy, thyroid and cardiac exams are the usual set.
How big is a Standard Poodle puppy at birth?
Usually 8–12 oz (230–340 g), light for the adult size the dog will reach.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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