The Standard Poodle is an athletic breed known for its intelligence and hypoallergenic coat. Originally developed in Europe as a water retriever, they are an incredibly versatile companion. They come in a range of solid colours including black, white, brown, silver, blue and cream. Affectionate with their people, they make beautiful family members and enjoy being a part of day to day activities. They are extremely quick learners making them ideal candidates for a range of dog sports including agility, obedience, trick dogs, rally-o, tracking, scent work and most other endeavours. Being an energetic breed, they require daily exercise and make great running or hiking partners. A sense of humour is a must when living with a Poodle as they are known for having a clown-like disposition. Laughing at their antics is often enough reward for them to repeat it.
Health is an important consideration for anyone planning on welcoming a puppy into their home. Before breeding, my dogs are screened for all breed specific health issues. There are a number of issues in the breed which we do not yet have genetic tests for. Breeders can only do their best to avoid these in their pedigrees but unfortunately they do pop up from time to time.
Grooming is another important consideration when deciding whether a Standard Poodle is the right fit for you. While the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle is a drawcard for many prospective owners, it does mean that regular grooming is a necessity to ensure the coat does not become matted, causing extreme discomfort to your dog. A pet Poodle can be kept in any trim you choose from a very short clip all over to a more elaborate scissored look. The constant maintenance and skill required to keep a Poodle in full show coat is more than most owners can provide. Luckily, your dog doesn't care what trim it is in as long as it is comfortable. I recommend new owners do as much research as they can on the grooming requirements of the breed.
If you decide to learn to groom your puppy yourself there are a range of useful guides online and you may even find someone in your area who is willing to help you learn. Alternatively, I recommend finding a professional groomer with a good reputation, and developing a good relationship with them as your Poodle will require grooming every 4 to 6 weeks for the rest of its life. Ensuring your puppy gets used to being handled all over (including feet, between the toes, inside the ears and around the face) will make your groomers (and vets!) life much easier. Crate training your puppy and teaching him or her to stand still for brushing and combing at home will also go a long way to ensuring your groomer looks forward to having your dog in the salon for the day.
Health is an important consideration for anyone planning on welcoming a puppy into their home. Before breeding, my dogs are screened for all breed specific health issues. There are a number of issues in the breed which we do not yet have genetic tests for. Breeders can only do their best to avoid these in their pedigrees but unfortunately they do pop up from time to time.
Grooming is another important consideration when deciding whether a Standard Poodle is the right fit for you. While the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle is a drawcard for many prospective owners, it does mean that regular grooming is a necessity to ensure the coat does not become matted, causing extreme discomfort to your dog. A pet Poodle can be kept in any trim you choose from a very short clip all over to a more elaborate scissored look. The constant maintenance and skill required to keep a Poodle in full show coat is more than most owners can provide. Luckily, your dog doesn't care what trim it is in as long as it is comfortable. I recommend new owners do as much research as they can on the grooming requirements of the breed.
If you decide to learn to groom your puppy yourself there are a range of useful guides online and you may even find someone in your area who is willing to help you learn. Alternatively, I recommend finding a professional groomer with a good reputation, and developing a good relationship with them as your Poodle will require grooming every 4 to 6 weeks for the rest of its life. Ensuring your puppy gets used to being handled all over (including feet, between the toes, inside the ears and around the face) will make your groomers (and vets!) life much easier. Crate training your puppy and teaching him or her to stand still for brushing and combing at home will also go a long way to ensuring your groomer looks forward to having your dog in the salon for the day.