What’s the Oldest Poodle? (2023)

We all want our canine companions to live long and healthy lives. But what’s the oldest Poodle? Just how long can this beloved breed live?

In this guide, we’re going to discover a few fun facts about the Poodle, and we’ll discuss how you can keep your pup healthy so that he can live as long as possible. Whether you have a Poodle now, are thinking of adopting one, or are just curious about the Poodle’s lifespan and care, this guide is for you!

Before reading this guide, “What’s the Oldest Poodle,” check out: Poodle Tails: To Dock or Leave Naturally? (2023) and 6 Fun Games to Play With Your Poodle! (2023).

What’s the Oldest Poodle?

According to records, which include local news stories and anecdotal information, the oldest Toy Poodle ever lived to be between 24 and 26 years old. His name was Uncle ChiChi and he was a rescued dog; the pup was rescued from a shelter in Charleston, South Carolina.

Unfortunately, because Uncle ChiChi was a shelter dog, we can’t verify his birthday or age with 100 percent accuracy. However, the John Ancrum Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is the shelter he was adopted from, did their best to determine his age with the information he had. Sadly, Uncle ChiChi died of cancer in 2012.

The oldest Poodle (not a Toy version of the breed) was called Lady, and she lived from 1908 to 1937. Think about it — the Poodle saw two World Wars, the Great Depression, and even the sinking of the Titanic! We know Lady didn’t understand these events, but we’re sure her human companions didn’t take her comfort for granted.

Your Poodle may not live to be quite as long as Lady or sweet Uncle ChiChi, but we hope this guide helps you ensure that your pup lives for as long as he’s possibly able.

Let’s take a look at the average lifespan of a Poodle, and what you can do to prolong your fur baby’s life.

What Is the Lifespan of a Poodle?

On average, your standard Poodle will live to be between 12 and 15 years old. The animals have very few health concerns (which we’ll look at later) and are a relatively low-maintenance breed.

The age your Poodle reaches will depend largely on the care you provide to him or her. Regular vet visits are a necessity. Plan to visit once each year unless a concern arises; you’ll obviously want to schedule a visit if this is the case.

Feed your Poodle quality dog food for the best chance at extending his life, and be sure it’s appropriate to his age. Seniors and puppies will require different foods than adult dogs will, and if you have special needs pups they’ll have different needs, too! Talk to your vet about the proper nutrition for your Poodle.

As far as exercise is concerned, we’ll talk a bit more about that later. In the meantime, understand that your Poodle only needs about an hour of activity each day. This is manageable for most people, so get out there and walk with your pup.

As mentioned, your Poodle won’t have too many major health concerns to be worried about, but regular trips to the vet are essential to your pup’s health. Let’s take a peek at some of those health concerns.

Poodle Health Conditions

In a perfect world, your Poodle will live to reach the average lifespan of 12 to 15 years old. Better yet, your dog may be the next contender for the world’s oldest Poodle! The breed is fairly healthy and doesn’t have too many health issues that afflict it, but there are a few things you’ll want to look out for.

Bloat is first on the list. This is a condition that can affect any dog, regardless of breed. It’s caused by air or gas getting trapped in the dog’s stomach, and it can be fatal. The disorder is extremely painful for your dog and you should seek a vet’s attention immediately.

Addison’s disease affects the Poodle, too. Defective adrenal glands cause your Poodle to become lethargic and lose his appetite due to improper production of hormones.

Skin allergies affect Poodles frequently. Speak with your vet about antihistamines or other solutions to this easy-to-fix problem. Allergies typically do not impact your pup’s lifespan.

Hip dysplasia can be a painful disease, and it can cripple your dog. It’s a deformity that develops as your dog grows and your vet can speak with you about the best solution for managing your pup’s pain. Hip dysplasia isn’t fatal, but it can decrease your dog’s mobility so he may not get the exercise he needs.

Finally, thyroid issues are fairly common in the Poodle. Hyper- or hypothyroidism can have a huge impact on your dog’s health, so medical attention is recommended.

As you can see, the health problems typically experienced by Poodles are relatively minor. Regular visits to the veterinarian can help mitigate the onset of these conditions.

How Much Exercise Does My Poodle Need?

As mentioned, your Poodle will require about an hour of exercise per day. A Standard Poodle will be perfectly happy with a romp in the park or a riveting game of fetch, while smaller Poodle versions may not need quite as long.

Poodles love to swim! Swimming is a wonderful, low-impact exercise you and your fur baby can both enjoy, so don’t be afraid to bring your buddy fishing or boating with you! Walks and hikes in the woods are adored by Poodles, as they can exercise their legs and their brains.

Speaking of their brains, you can help extend your Poodle’s lifespan by keeping his mind alert, too! Brain games for dogs like hide and seek and even just a few rounds of fetch help keep your dog’s mind active and prevent the onset of dementia. This is important to your dog’s longevity!

It goes without saying that before you adopt a Poodle, you should consider the amount of exercise he needs to thrive. Please do not adopt if you’re not willing or able to commit.

What Kind of Food Should Poodles Eat?

Are you wondering how to feed your dog in order to make him a contender for the world’s oldest Poodle? Well, you’ll first need to start with quality dog food. Choose a brand free of extraneous fillers that contains real meats and grains. Your vet can help you determine which brand and flavor is best.

Speaking of flavor, there are many available! Your Poodle will love salmon, lamb, beef, chicken, and other varieties. However, you’ll need to ensure that your pup isn’t allergic to any of these ingredients. If so, adjust his diet accordingly.

How much food should you give the soon-to-be world’s oldest Poodle? That will depend upon his age, health, and activity level. As a rule of thumb, plan to provide your puppy with 40 to 55 calories per pound body weight.

Adult dogs will need around 35 to 45 calories per pound, and a senior dog will need somewhere around 40 calories per pound, assuming they’re not as mobile and active as they once were.

Talk to your vet about an appropriately balanced dog food, complete with protein, grains, and fats. Your dog needs all three in order to maintain a healthy coat and body, and to keep his organs working perfectly for many years.

What Is the Leading Cause of Death in Poodles?

Cancer and other health issues are the leading causes of death in Poodles. Whether you have a Standard, Toy, Miniature, or any other size Poodle, this is what makes veterinary appointments so important.

When you bring your dog to the vet at least annually, you increase the likelihood that your dog will remain healthy. That’s because your vet can detect the early signs of cancer, thyroid disease, and other concerns before they become irreversible.

Exercise, diet, and social activity are also crucial to keeping your dog healthy. Remember that most diseases common in Poodles are treatable, so early detection is critical to your Poodle’s well-being.

How Can I Help My Dog Become the Oldest Poodle?

You want your dog to earn the record for the world’s oldest Poodle, right? Of course! Everyone wants their fur baby to live as long as possible, and you can absolutely help your dog earn the oldest Poodle distinction.

All the tips we’ve mentioned — diet, exercise, and regular trips to the vet — will help your dog on her way to becoming just that. We can’t guarantee that your dog will set a record, but we can promise that every detail counts. Quality food and medical care go a very long way on the road to a full and healthy life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion for “What’s the Oldest Poodle”

The oldest Poodles on record lived well into their 20s. While that may not seem like a lot in human years, that’s almost a century and a half in dog years!

If you want your dog to be the next world’s oldest Poodle you can start with the tips we’ve offered in this guide. Meanwhile, enjoy your Poodle while he’s in your home. Our fur babies are priceless companions; we want to keep them around for as long as possible!

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