Black poodles are the most popular and the most common color variation among the Poodle breed. Their solid black fur can make them look like they are coated with dark wet paint. Of all the color varieties of the Poodle breed, this black color is the most in-demand and adored. Due to their poor visibility at night, provide your pet with an LED collar to identify them in the darkness.
Black poodles conduct themselves with elegance and grace. These are lively, loving, and intelligent as any other Poodle in the world.
Table of Contents
Black Poodle Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Intelligent | High Grooming Needs |
| Hypoallergenic | Excessive barking |
| Ideal for allergic people | Emotional sensitivity |
Black Poodle Basic Information
- Name: Black Poodle
- Height: Over 15 inches
- Weight: 40 to 70 pounds
- Color: Black
- Coat: Thick, Curly, and Wiry
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Energy: Medium to High
- Activities: Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs
- Group: Non-Sporting Group
- Litter Size: 1 to 7 Puppies
- Life Span: 10 – 18 Years
- Breed Recognition: American Kennel Club (AKC), Canada Kennel Club (CKC), United Kennel Club (UKC).
Standard Poodles Vs. Toy Poodles Vs. Teacup Poodles: A Comparison
| Features | Standard Poodle | Toy Poodle | Teacup Poodle |
| Image |  |  |  |
| Origin | Germany, France | Germany | France |
| Height | Over 15 inches | Below 10 inches | Less than 9 inches |
| Weight | 40 to 70 Pounds | 6 to 9 Pounds | Less than 4 Pounds |
| Size | Medium | Small | Smallest |
| Group | Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting |
| Children Compatibility | High | Medium | Low to Medium |
| Family Compatibility | High | High | High |
| Pets Compatibility | Medium to High | Medium | Medium |
| Barking Level | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Shedding Level | Low | Low | Low |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grooming Needs | High | High | High |
| Overall Health | Low to Medium | Medium | Medium to High |
| Energy | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium to High |
| Exercise Needs | Medium to High | Medium | Low to Medium |
| Trainability | High | High | High |
| Activities | Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs | Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs | Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs |
| Complication in breeding | No | No | No |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 Years | 12 to 15 Years | 10 to 15 Years |
Black Poodle Personality
Black poodles are notorious for their intelligence and ease of training. They are active, lively, elegant, fun-loving canines with a sense of ridiculousness. Some Black Poodles will be groomed to meet the standards set for show dogs.
Recognized by AKC, Black Poodles have their noses, lips, eye-rims, and toenails colored black besides their coat. In addition, they have very dark oval-shaped eyes with liver noses. The texture of the coat is wiry and thick with curled fur. They have long, flat ears hanging close to the head.
In some instances, Poodle puppies are born black, but their coat color clears to blue or silver in a year or two. A pure Black Poodle should be in pitch black with no discernible shade. Silver or white guard hairs must be completely absent. Their color shouldn’t fade or “clear” and retain the pure black shade as they age.
Your Poodle pup should have 3 enzymes to maintain the pure black:
- Eumelanin
- TRP1
- TRP2.
As dogs inherit color from their parents, a Poodle with the genotype BB suggests that both the parents are black. The Poodle with genotype Bb has one parent in black and the other brown. However, black is dominant and passes down the same to the puppies. Rarely, brown puppies are found.
The presence of these enzymes will let you know if your pup is a true black. You can have them tested to find out for sure.
Their environment should be peaceful because extreme activities or rough handling can emotionally upset them.
Friendliness Overview
| Affection Level | High |
| Family-Friendly | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium to High |
| Strangers-Friendly | Medium to High |
Adaptability Overview
| Good for New Pet Owners | High |
| Good for Apartment Living | High |
| Sensitivity Level | Medium |
| Tolerates being alone | Low |
| Cold Tolerance | Medium |
| Heat Tolerance | Medium to High |
Black Poodle Temperament
A good family dog should possess qualities and traits such as gentle, alert, patient, playful, affectionate, friendly, and cuddly. Black poodles have these traits and efficiently meet the qualities mentioned above. Their patience makes them proficient in managing the excesses of children, and their capability to play for long hours makes them perfect for kids. In addition, their presence can be comforting to children and other members of a home.
However, the Black Standard Poodle is more recommended as the family dog of the three varieties of Poodles. If you plan on getting Black Poodles, make sure that you have enough energy and time to keep them entertained.
Black Poodle Training
Black Poodles are easy to train as they are people-pleasing and intelligent. They will showcase interest in obedience training, water retrieving, dock diving, agility training, tracking, dock diving, and other dog sports. Through regular exercise and positive reinforcement, Black Poodles will learn efficiently and quickly.
Early socialization can evade excessive protecting instincts and timidity. Therefore, it is essential to stimulate the Poodles to keep them occupied mentally.
Trainability Overview
| Easy to Train | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Prey Drive | Low to Medium |
| Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite | Medium to High |
| Tendency to Bark or Howl | Low to Medium |
| Wanderlust Ability | Medium |
| Attention/Social Needs | High |
Black Poodle Exercise Needs
Black Poodles love to be outdoors. So, you can take them for a walk daily. Black poodles are very energetic dogs who need regular exercise daily to maintain their high energy level. However, they can occupy themselves in different activities as they enjoy being entertained and keeping themself busy.
Swimming is an excellent activity for them, and most Poodles relish getting in the water. Bred as hunting dogs, their impulse to retrieve balls and toys will stimulate them mentally and physically. They will also thrive on walking and jogging with their owners.
Exercise Needs Overview
| Energy Level | Medium to High |
| Exercise Needs | Medium to High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Intensity | Medium |
Black Poodle Grooming
The coat of the Black Poodles is curly, thick, wiry, and needs a lot of maintenance. Many owners often clipped in a short trim to avoid brushing every day. However, daily brushing from the roots is necessary to prevent matting. While some owners learn to trim, clip, and groom themselves, many go for professional groomers every four to six weeks for a bath, nail trim, and grooming.
Black Poodles require grooming once every four to six weeks to keep the texture of their coat. Sun exposure can affect Black Poodle’s skin. Hence, to prevent skin sores, irritation, and color fading, use dog-friendly shampoos and maintain the coat color and health.
Black Poodles are hypoallergenic and do not shed much. Therefore, this breed is a better option for people with allergies.
Grooming Overview
| Amount of Shedding | Low |
| Tendency to Drool | Low |
| Tendency to Snore | Low |
| Easy to Groom | Low |
Black Poodle Health
Health Overview
| Basic Health | Low to Medium |
| Weight Gain Possibilities | High |
| Size | Medium |
A Black Poodle can be exposed to the same health problems as any other colored poodle; some of the most common conditions are listed below:
- Addison’s disease (or hypoadrenocorticism)
This is a common health issue in Poodles that occurs when the Poodle’s body stops producing sufficient amounts of some hormones.
Some common indications of this disease are lack of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, slow heart rate, lethargy, and dehydration. However, unlike bloating, Addison’s disease is a less deadly health difficulty.
- Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
Excess production of cortisol because of any imbalance in the adrenal or pituitary gland or other health diseases can cause Cushing’s disease. The indications include excessive water intake, excessive thirst, and excessive urination. If your Poodle shows these symptoms, consult a vet quickly for proper treatment.
- Bloating
A canine is said to be bloated when gas gets trapped inside its abdomen. As a result, the stomach twists on itself, preventing the digestive flow, causing pressure build-up.
This can cause death if immediate action is not taken to relieve the dog’s painful ordeal. Bloat symptoms are panting and pacing, excessive drooling, restlessness, sudden distress, and an expanded stomach.
- Luxating patella
Patellar luxation is the malformation of the knee joints affecting the bone to slip out of its space in the knee. The disease depends on the dog’s age and severity when it gets affected.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes
This is a genetic condition occurring from the degeneration of the femur in the bone joints of the Black Poodles, which are sensitive to certain diseases common in canines. But, in general, Black Standards lead a long, healthy life.
Legg Calve Perthes can occur in small breed dogs. If the severity worsens, it can cause arthritis or the inability to walk.
- Epilepsy
This is a seizure dysfunction that Black Poodles are diagnosed with after they have undergone seizures frequently. This can be a very traumatizing disease for both the Poodle and its owner.
- Sebaceous Adenitis:
Sebaceous Adenitis is often mistaken as hypothyroidism, asthma, or other illnesses as it is difficult to diagnose. Sebum produced from the sebaceous gland protects the coat. In dogs with sebaceous adenitis, the sebaceous gland will be inflamed, leading to the dog’s death. This is a prevalent hereditary condition. The symptoms include hair loss, rough, scaly skin on the dog’s head, neck, back. When the situation is severe, secondary skin infections and skin thickening can also occur. The vet will perform a skin biopsy to confirm and provide appropriate treatment for this condition.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy affects the photoreceptors of the eye. In this degenerative condition, the affected dog will eventually be blind due to the deterioration of the photoreceptors cell.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease:
VWD is an inherited condition in which the ability for blood clot is disturbed. Some of the symptoms are extreme bleeding after surgery or injury, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. As there is no cure available for this condition, a blood transfusion from a healthy dog can be done.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Digit (SCDD):
Black Poodles are susceptible to SCDD. This causes bone disease in the toes. Standard Poodles suffer from multiple recurrences, one after the other. However, not all Poodles are prone to SCDD. Dark-colored Standard Poodles are at high risk, while light-colored Poodles are almost never affected.
Black Poodle Diet and Nutrition
Black Poodles need good quality homemade food or dog food depending upon the dog’s weight, age, and health condition. It is recommended to consult a vet or breeder to form a diet plan. As they are prone to getting overweight, note their weight level and calorie consumption. Measure and serve your Black Poodles twice a day and never leave food out for them daily. You can also serve fruits and dog treats to Black Poodles in moderation.
Black Poodle Living Condition
The Black Poodles should stay indoors as they are not fit for outdoor living or being enclosed in a shelter. Even though they have a thick coat, they have no immunity to resist extreme cold. If you have a Black Poodles, avoid exposing them to extreme cold and heat. This breed can adapt well to small living spaces and apartment living as long as they are with their owner.
Cost of a Black Poodle:
The price of a Black Poodle depends on your resident location. The cost of a Black Poodle ranges between $1500 to $3000 for both Small and Standard Poodles.
Adding a Black Poodle to Your Family
Black Poodle Images
