About Poodles

 WHEN LOOKING FOR THE BEST POODLE FOR YOU

Things you should consider

Is size a concern?

• Poodles come in three different sizes for you.
• Tiny toys for traveling convenience
• Mid sized miniatures for small space living but still a good size to play with the kids
• Stately standards that are rugged buddies that can do just about any task you wish

What about colour?

Poodles are a rainbow of colours, including some beautiful patterned coats (pattern colours are not permitted to be shown in conformation, but can still compete in other areas: agility, tracking, obedience, trick training, and hunting/retrieving

How about exercise?

Poodles are amazingly athletic. Just pick the size that suits how much exercise you wish to do. Toys are happy with a little walk, or a few ball throws. Minis love a long pleasant stroll and a couple of play sessions throughout the day. Standards are good jogging, hiking or biking buddies most poodles of any size love retrieving and water (best of all if you can combine both!) Every poodle enjoys mental stimulation, structured classes, puzzle toys, trick training are all good options

Is gender a concern?

Both genders of poodles are affectionate, intelligent and easily trainable. The only time gender should be a concern is if there is already another dog in the home. Occasionally there can be tension between two dogs of the same gender. This is not always the case, it depends on the personalities of the individual dogs. If both dogs have fairly strong personalities, it often is more peaceful if they are opposite genders.

VERSATILITY OF POODLES

What Can I Do With My Poodle?

Poodles tend to be very dog-friendly and fit into classes very well, and they generally excel at whatever they are asked to do (please note I said “asked”). Poodles are intelligent, they don’t respond well to heavy handed training or harsh treatment. There are many ways you can get involved at whatever level you feel comfortable, from casual meet-ups, up to titled competition. Poodles are very much capable in participating in any activity that interests you.

Poodles are very often seen in obedience, agility and trick training,

Many people are very surprised to see poodles competing in unusual settings: several all poodle teams have run the grueling Alaskan race, the “Iditerod” and done reasonably well, several poodles have done very well in weight-pulling even achieving points toward a title. Tracking, search-and-rescue, drug/bomb detection dogs, hunting, retrieving and even schutzhund (protection/tracking/obedience training)

Poodles make wonderful Therapy dogs, their hypoallergenic coats and sweet personalities make them very suitable to provide comfort to persons in institutions such as hospitals, elder care facilities, and more recently, academic sites like schools and Universities to reduce stress in students and staff. Poodles are often trained as Support dogs, used for individuals on the spectrum, those who may suffer from PTSD. Interested in doing something or your community? Some families are occasionally needed to help raise these potential Assistance/Service Dogs for Seeing-Eye purposes (as an example).