Wonderful breed with a few things to know before you commit to a Poodle

I've had my Poodle for 4 years and overall it's been an amazing experience. athletic and agile. long lifespan. The personality of this breed really is special — intelligent, active, elegant.

That said, there are a few realities I wish someone had been more upfront about. needs lots of mental stimulation was a real surprise. And grooming every 6-8 weeks took some adjustment. These aren't dealbreakers by any means, but they're worth knowing going in.

Health-wise, hip dysplasia. We had one scare a couple years in that cost a few thousand dollars. Pet insurance is strongly recommended. But despite these things, I'd still give the breed 4 stars — the companionship and personality far outweigh the challenges.