Buying or Adopting a Standard Poodle

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Standard Poodle the right breed for you?

Standard Poodle Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Standard Poodle?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Standard Poodle stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball, hunt tests); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• Brushing – minimal to moderate (depending on how short you clip the coat)
• Trimming/clipping – every few months
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Standard Poodles are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Poodle to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior
• Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Standard Poodle, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Standard Poodle?

Standard Poodles are very common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Poodles rank 7th. Now, that statistic combines all Poodle sizes (Toy, Miniature, and Standard), but they're all common.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Standard Poodles are often available from Dog Rescue groups. Standards may be turned over to Rescue because they need more grooming, more exercise, or more daily companionship than the owner expected. Sometimes there is hyperactivity, or health problems, or shyness or anxiety issues. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization that they are lacking.

Other Standard Poodles are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Standard Poodles are occasionally found here, although Poodle Rescue groups do try to move them out of the shelter and into their rescue network.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Standard Poodle from a show breeder, who breeds Poodles to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. If you go this route, I strongly recommend that you avoid breeders who ONLY do dog shows, and instead look for breeders who emphasize an outgoing temperament and high trainability.

You can also buy a Standard Poodle from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Standard Poodle puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have a normal thyroid
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to be free of the skin disease sebaceous adenitis

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Standard Poodle ends up with cataracts, thyroid disease, and crippled joints.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Standard Poodles are sometimes found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Standard Poodle Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Standard Poodle puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Standard Poodle puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?