What you need to know About Breeders

Being a conscientious breeder means breeding to continually improve quality of the dogs, not for financial gain. The study of genetics is very important in selecting breeding dogs. Knowing the backgrounds of the bloodlines in your dogs pedigree is essential in order to do as much as possible to prevent genetic disorders, such as such as hip dysplasia. Keep this in mind when acquiring a puppy, for only a healthy companion, full of vitality, can give you many years of shared happiness.

Pet Stores and Puppy Mills

Please: NEVER get a puppy from places such as a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder. A puppy mill is where dogs are bred only for financial gain, without concern for their health and the conditions in which they are raised. The genetic health and temperament do not matter, as long as the pups can be sold for cash.

If you buy from a pet store, you are only getting a puppy, secondhand, from a puppy mill. In most cases, a broker for an out-of-state puppy mill sends the pups to the pet store. These brokers acquire the pups long before they should be taken from their mothers. Normally, no shots are given and these animals are prime candidates for serious canine diseases, such as parvo and distemper. Well-intentioned people may sometimes buy from puppy mills or pet stores because they feel so sorry for the puppy. Please don't. All this purchase does is allow these terrible practices and unhealthy environments to continue, and it contributes to the profit these unscrupulous people make from mistreating dogs.

Buyer Beware

Puppy mills and pet shops, and/or those who exploit the popularity of the Poodle in order to make a fast buck, buy their dogs in litters, usually by mail, as early as they can be weaned. They are not concerned with temperament, hereditary faults or quality. They are simply interested in so many puppies that they can sell for so many dollars. They do not bother about medical care. They are not interested in what happens to the dog after it is sold. Although the puppy may be accompanied by a pedigree or AKC "papers" (eligibility for registration with the American Kennel Club), this is not a guarantee of health, disposition or quality.


Backyard Breeders

You may pay a cheaper price for a pup from a backyard breeder, but you will not have solid information about the health and temperament. In most cases, these people do not know anything about the genetics of their breeding pair or how to produce a healthy puppy. They just decided to let their dog have a litter of pups for fun and/or money. The cheaper price is not worth the gamble you are being asked to take.

Responsible Breeders

 A puppy from an ethical, reputable breeder will normally cost more.  However, your are not just paying for a puppy: you are paying for years of accumulated information, education and experience.  The reputable breeder has put time, knowledge and dollars into a well-planned, thoroughly researched breeding program.  They are looking at the latest scientific data in an effort to produce the healthiest, happiest puppy possible, in order to offer you more years of loving companionship.

Responsible breeders will provide each buyer with a written genetic health guarantee - not a 3 to 90 day guarantee. They will want to know about you and your family in order to match you with the pup that is best suited to your lifestyle and your home environment. These breeders are educated professionals who are concerned about keeping the breed as healthy as possible for the next generations. With a deep love of the breed, in general, and their dogs, in particular, they will offer references, including giving you their vet's name and phone number. In addition, they will be there for you should any unforeseen problems arise, or to answer questions, share new knowledge and provide advice for years to come.

You get what you pay for. When the purchase price is too cheap, it may mean large vet bills and an ill puppy, or a temperament problem, down the road ahead. If you cannot afford to purchase a puppy or an older dog from a reputable breeder, please adopt from your local Humane Society, rather than from a puppy mill, pet store or backyard breeder.

Poodle Sizes

  • The Standard Poodle: over 15 inches at the shoulder - most are in the 22-27" range
  • The Miniature Poodle: over 10 inches and not over 15 inches at the shoulder - most are in the 13-15" range
  • The Toy Poodle: 10 inches and under at the shoulder

The original Poodles were water dogs used for retrieving. To this day, their conformation and the texture and pattern of their coats reflect the purposes for which they were bred. Miniatures and Toys have been bred down from the larger Poodles and they exhibit the same general characteristics. The Poodle is an active, intelligent, ruggedly-built dog which is at the same time elegant and refined. Well-bred Poodles in all three varieties have steady, calm nerves, hardy constitutions and they can be easily trained. A Poodle is a "person" and he expects to be treated as one. Each one is a character and for that reason they make wonderful companions.

Exercise, Grooming, and Feeding

A Poodle should be a member of the family. Prospective owners of Poodles should be equipped to provide a fenced-in area in which the Poodle can exercise or be prepared to walk the Poodle regularly on a leash. Poodles permitted to roam are likely to be stolen or killed. Poodles require regular clipping and grooming; a dexterous owner can readily learn how to groom his own dog or he can take the Poodle to a professional grooming shop. Poodles are not finicky eaters, unless made so by indulgent owners. They thrive on simple, prepared dog foods.

Finding a Poodle

The best place to buy a Poodle is from a Responsible Poodle breeder. A reputable breeder tries to produce the ideal Poodle as described in the Standard of the Poodle. He or she plans breedings to produce a sound, healthy dog, excellent in conformation and temperament, one which will be both an ideal show dog and an ideal companion. This breeder has spent much time and effort in study, breeding and selection; his or her breeding program is based on accumulated knowledge of which dogs to use to produce the best Poodles. Not all puppies in a litter will satisfy the definition of a show prospect. Maybe in a litter only one or two puppies will be retained for showing; the others will be classified as "pet puppies." The differences will be so small that only an expert judge will be able to make the distinction; the eyes may be a bit too light, the tail a bit gay or the hocks a bit straight. All Poodles in the litter will display essentially the same characteristics, the same quality of construction, personality and health. For a pet price, a prospective buyer can purchase a well-bred, professionally raised Poodle, backed by the integrity of the breeder and accompanied by helpful advice, instructions and the enduring interest of the breeder in the welfare of the dog.