Standard Poodle Stud Dog: Health Testing, Color Genetics, and What to Look For

The Standard Poodle is the backbone of the doodle world — and one of the most health-tested breeds in dogdom

The Standard Poodle is widely regarded as the most intelligent and trainable of all dog breeds. Elegant, athletic, hypoallergenic-coded, and remarkably versatile — Standard Poodles compete in every dog sport, serve as service and therapy dogs, and form the foundation of virtually every popular doodle breed. The Goldendoodle, Bernedoodle, Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle, and dozens of others all trace their non-shedding coats and intelligence back to the Standard Poodle.

As a result, quality Standard Poodle stud dogs are among the most in-demand in the entire dog world.

Health Testing Requirements for Standard Poodle Studs

The Poodle Club of America (PCA) has one of the most comprehensive health testing programs of any breed club. A responsible Standard Poodle stud should have:

OFA Hip Evaluation — Good or Excellent

Hip dysplasia is common in Standard Poodles. OFA evaluation at 24 months, rated Good or Excellent, is non-negotiable. PennHIP is an acceptable alternative (DI below 0.30 preferred).

PRA-prcd DNA Test — Clear or Carrier

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd) causes progressive blindness. A Clear stud can be bred to any female without producing Affected puppies. A Carrier stud can be bred to a Clear female safely but should not be bred to another Carrier.

Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEWS) — DNA Test

NEWS is a fatal neurological condition specific to Poodles. Affected puppies die within a few weeks of birth. DNA testing identifies Clear, Carrier, and Affected dogs. Clear or Carrier studs bred to Clear dams are safe — Affected puppies only result from two Carrier parents.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) — DNA Test

DM is a progressive neurological disease causing hind limb weakness and paralysis. Clear studs are preferred; Carrier studs can be bred to Clear dams safely.

Von Willebrand's Disease Type I (vWD1) — DNA Test

A mild bleeding disorder. DNA testing is available. Clear studs are preferred.

Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) — OFA Evaluation

Sebaceous Adenitis is an inflammatory skin condition that destroys sebaceous glands, causing progressive hair loss and skin scaling. It is heritable in Standard Poodles. OFA SA evaluation involves a skin biopsy and rates dogs as Normal, Subclinical, or Affected. Normal or Subclinical studs are acceptable for breeding; Affected studs should not be bred.

CAER Eye Examination — Annual

In addition to PRA DNA testing, annual CAER exam catches other inherited eye conditions.

Thyroid Testing — OFA Thyroid Panel

Autoimmune thyroiditis is seen in Standard Poodles. Annual OFA thyroid panel is recommended for breeding dogs.

What Doodle Breeders Need From a Poodle Stud

If you are a doodle breeder using a Standard Poodle stud for F1 or F1B crossings, there are additional considerations:

Furnishings (IC Locus) — DNA Test

All purebred Standard Poodles carry furnishings (FF) — the gene that produces the characteristic longer facial hair (beard, eyebrows, mustache) that defines the doodle look. A purebred Standard Poodle stud is always FF for furnishings.

Curl Gene (KRT71) — DNA Test

Standard Poodles are typically CC (two copies of curl) producing a tight, curly coat. In F1 doodle crosses, a CC Poodle stud bred to a straight-coated breed (cc) produces Cc offspring — wavy to curly coats, typically low-shedding. DNA testing confirms the stud's curl genotype.

Low-Shedding Confirmation

A Poodle with proper furnishings (FF) and appropriate curl (CC or Cc) reliably produces low-shedding doodle offspring in F1 crosses. Ask the stud owner for DNA coat test documentation.

Standard Poodle Color Genetics

Standard Poodles come in a wide range of solid colors — all solid colors are AKC-accepted:

• Black — Most common. Dominant black (KB) at the K locus.
• White — Recessive. ee at the E locus (recessive red/cream gene eliminates all other pigment).
• Apricot and Cream — ee at E locus plus dilution modifiers producing warm apricot to pale cream.
• Red — ee at E locus with strong intensity modifiers. True red Standard Poodles are relatively rare.
• Brown (Chocolate) — bb at the B locus. Warm chocolate to liver.
• Cafe au Lait — bb (brown) with dilution, producing a warm taupe.
• Silver and Silver Beige — Black or brown with progressive greying (the G locus fading gene). Silver Poodles are born black and progressively lighten to silver.
• Blue — Black with the dilution gene (dd), producing a dark steel-blue.
• Gray — A progressive greying of black.

The most sought-after colors for doodle breeding are red, apricot, and chocolate — buyers love warm colors in Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles.

What Does a Standard Poodle Stud Fee Cost?

Standard Poodle stud fees in 2026 range from $1,000 to $5,000+ depending on:

• Full PCA health panel completion
• Color (red, apricot, and chocolate studs command premiums in the doodle market)
• AKC Championship or performance titles
• DNA coat testing documentation (for doodle breeders)
• Proven doodle litter history

Questions to Ask Before Booking

• Can I see OFA hip, PRA-prcd DNA, NEWS DNA, DM DNA, vWD1 DNA, SA OFA, and current CAER results?
• Has the stud been DNA tested for curl and furnishings genes?
• What is his coat color and what colors have his offspring produced?
• Does he have AKC or performance titles?
• What doodle crosses has he produced, and what were the coat outcomes?
• Has he produced litters before, and can I speak with previous dam owners?
• Will you provide a written stud contract?

Summary

A quality Standard Poodle stud has a complete PCA health panel, DNA testing for furnishings and curl (essential for doodle breeders), and an owner who can provide documentation for every health test. The Standard Poodle's extraordinary intelligence, low-shedding coat, and sound health when properly tested make him the most valuable stud dog in the designer breed world. Find one who can prove it on paper.