The Poodle has been cited as being the 2^nd most intelligent breed of dog.  Their exceptional intelligence, paired with the fact that they are generally very eager to please, empowers them to excel in obedience training.  They learn quickly and will delight in showing off their new tricks.  Poodles are generally very easy to housebreak.  They are loyal and devoted companions, extremely people-oriented, and crave lots of love and attention.  They are typically calm, good natured, with a sweet temperament, and the ability to bond with all members of their human family.  The standard poodle, in particular, does extremely well in families with young children, while the toy and miniatures fair better with older children. Poodles have an extremely low-shedding, dense coat which is either curly or corded and should be groomed every 6 – 8 weeks to prevent mats and tangles.  If you should so decide, their coat can also be kept short for low-maintenance.  Poodles come in a variety of colors such as silver, cream, gray, blue, black, white, apricot, red, caf-au-lait, brown, and parti-colored.  The Poodle is oftentimes referred to as the hypo-allergenic dog.  But, while there truly is no such thing as a completely hypo-allergenic dog, they are unquestionably more compatible with allergic persons than other breeds.   Being classified as highly energetic, the poodle, like most dogs, will appreciate daily exercise, such as a walk, play session, or a run at the dog park.