Thinking about a standard poodle

[pyxigirl]

Hi. My family and I are interested in adopting a standard poodle within the next year or so, and I am trying to learn more about the breed to make sure this is the right type of dog for us. A couple years ago we adopted a terrier without properly researching the breed first, and it was disastrous. The dog was an incredibly hyper, dominant, destructive dog right from a pup, and after hours, weeks, and months of trying to train her, including classes and classes of obedience school, we ended up having to find her a new home. It was very disheartening and sad. I felt like I failed the dog, and although I did find her a good home with someone who was experienced with that breed of dog, I don't ever want to make that mistake again. So I am hoping to get some information about standard poodles, from others personal experience.

*Some* questions I have about standard poodles:

Are they a very high maintenance breed, as far as training/obedience?
Are they prone to being hyper/destructive (once they get past the puppy stage)?
Is it ok to have a standard poodle with young children in the house?
Are they a fairly mellow breed of dog, or more energetic?

Any kind of personal experience/information on the breed would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

[zefi]

Hi and welcome to the Poodle Room!

Firstly you're doing the right thing by researching the breed. I would recommend you try to meet some standard poodles and introduce your children to them as well as doing research. The reality is very different to what you may read. Standard poodles are big dogs and some people dont realise that till they see and touch them. I had one lady very keen to buy a puppy off me. She had 2 very young children, cant remember their ages. I insisted she bring the kids to visit and the kids were both scared of Pagan who is the gentlest dog with kids. They loved Billy who is a big toy. She realized that a sp wasnt the right dog for them and I steered her towards a mini. Sturdier than a toy but smaller than a sp.

Now to your questions...

All dogs are different. You ask if they are high maintenance as far as training/obed goes. Well... no. They're very clever and very fast learners. They get bored easily with repetitive training and will make up new things to keep themselves interested. They are often too smart for their owners. LOL So in that regard, no they learn fast and are easy to train. But they may be naughty cause they can be.

They are high maintenance however. They need washing and grooming on a regular basis. Kept in a short trim they're easy to care for but their face/feet and tail need doing about once a month or every 2nd month. Poodles dont shed or smell, but you do need to wash them or they get dirty and do smell. I recently introduced a couple who want a poodle to my dogs and they realized that its not just owning a dog, its caring for it. Dirty butt, the odd sickness, the occasional accident as a pup grows or diarhea or vomit. Plus grooming which you either pay for or learn to do yourself. Plus washing and all the everyday things....

Of course the everyday care you have no matter what breed you get. A poodle has the advantage of not shedding so there's less vacuuming!

Are they hyper or destructive? I've never had a destructive dog. But each dog varies. Puppies are hyper and destructive by their very  nature and age. They learn though and grow up. But you're responsible for teaching them whats allowed and whats not. In my home no one is destructive but Bonnard is still a baby and will chew on anything he finds. I have to watch he doesnt chew on the wrong things.

Pagan has always been great with kids of all ages as well as people in general. She visits schools and nursing homes. Montana loves kids but can get hyper and be a bit rough. I wouldn't recommend a dog like Montana for a family with little kids though she'd be great with kids of 5 and over. She's sweet but is likely to scare them or knock them over in play. All dogs are different. I sold 3 pups to families with young children. Two of them are perfect, another is turning out to be a bit too much for the toddler.

Most poodles are energetic but happy to lounge after they grow up a bit. When they mature varies but most are settled by about 3yrs old.

How old are your children?

[pyxigirl]

Hi. Thanks so much for all the info! Thats great. I have 2 little girls, ages 2 and 3. They are really good with animals.. have never been rough or tried to hurt a pet in any way. My sister actually has a tiny little 4 lb (teacup) poodle, and the kids (and myself) absolutely adore her, and they are so gentle with her, but shes such a tiny little thing, I would be afraid to get a dog that small with kids in the house, I'm sure she would somehow accidentally get hurt. A few weeks ago we were out walking and met a lady with 2 black standard poodles, and the girls loved them, they weren't afraid at all and the lady asked if we wanted to pet the dogs, the kids went right up and patted and hugged them, and the poodles were so friendly and nice. I chatted with the lady for awhile and she told me she had recently met another person who owned a dog aggressive standard poodle, so to be careful who you buy from   So for now I am just trying to learn a lot about the breed, to make sure it would be a good match for us, and I'm also trying to learn what you should look for when buying a pup from a breeder. Is it possible to tell how a pup is going to turn out, when they are just 10 or so weeks old?

Thanks again.

[Roland]

Zefi really know this breed, and I'd take her word at everything she says here. The only reason I am posting here is to reply a little as a SP owner who is fairly new to the breed, and isn't "involved" with the breed, but just has his "pet" Poodle". Oden was SO easy to train. House breaking? He got that so fast. Athletic? He loves to wrestle with all the boxers and mastiffs at the dog park. Grooming? We keep is simple, every 5 weeks, we drop off a complete mess at the groomer,  $55 + tip we get back a beautiful boy Poodle. He loves everyone! I think the only reason a dog becomes aggressive is abuse, bad training, or deliberate training, and lack of socialization. Poodles do make great guard dogs though, something they are often underestimated about, and something you want with small children. Oden is not an excessive barker, but does bark if he feels something is not right, and wait till you hear that bark, it'll keep your little one's safe.
Now are they energic? I will be honest here, if you want a mellow dog, don't get a puppy, period. There are young SP's that can grow with your family, and if you can find a breed rescue they will help place the SP that is right for your family. Oden is a good dog, I cannot complain, but he needs allot of exercise!!!! He is 1 year old, and does not seem to be slowing down. If you have a fenced yard this should not be a problem, and they are so smart (really I heard this but until you own one you cannot understand how smart that really is) you should have no problems training.
Think really smart, and really handsome, none shedding Goldenretreiver. If you want more info, try "Poodles for Dummies" or "The Everything Poodle Book" Its a simple easy read, that covers all the basics.
Good luck, I LOVE Oden so much, they are one of the best breeds!!!!!

[Helen]

Roland, that's what I always tell people.. Standard Poodles are like Golden Retrievers with silly hair!  That breaks the ice and then I can elaborate. 

Careful though.. once you get a Standard Poodle you will never be without one!  (or two or three or... )

Helen

[pyxigirl]

Thanks for all the good info everyone 

[zefi]

Roland, you make me blush. I dont know everything there is to know!

I've made plenty of mistakes. And I'm not a good trainer. I'm working on it though. Montana is doing obedience and agility now and is learning and becoming a well behaved girl, unlike the hooligan she used to be. LOL

I agree, if you want a quiet dog you are probably better adopting an older pup or an adult dog. That way you know what you're getting. Of course if you get an older dog you will have to be sure he/she is good with children. With a puppy you will be raising it yourself and teaching it how to be around small children.

As for aggressive dogs, they exist in all breeds. No matter what anyone tells you, any dog can be aggressive - whether to other dogs, other animals or to humans. There are constant discussions about nature vs nuture, whether its inherited or environmental... I believe that sometimes dogs inherit certain traits, like aggressive tendencies. With the right owner these dogs may never grow up to have real issues. With the wrong owner all kinds of bad things can happen. We've all seen cute little dogs turned into monsters by silly owners who let the dogs walk all over them. If that can happen to sweet little things, image how a big dog can go wrong! LOL

Most poodles are loving and lovable by nature. Some are submissive, timid or shy. Some are bold, brave and even dominant. Most of my puppies fall under the bold, energetic and too smart for their own good category. If you decide to buy a puppy you want to pick a puppy who was middle of the road, not timid or dominant. Whichever way you go, puppy or adult, you'll love having a poodle! They are the best!

[dori47]

I would also add, research your breeder. Not every dog is the same, within a breed, but there certainly are breed characteristics. If you find a breeder who says they will definitely have a dog for you ( despite the fact you have some pretty specific requirements, i.e. not hyper, not destructive, good with children) , then find another breeder.

My standard poodle is very hyper, and yet everyone who knows him at work finds he is so quiet, because at work he is crated, he never makes a peep, you wouldnt know he was there, but let him out of his crate to interact with someone, and because they want to see him jump and play, he sure does and they find him too intense. But he is like that, because that is the way I have trained him. I want a dog with high energy and drive. If I work him for 20 minutes, he is ready to settle down again. If I put him back in his crate after just 30 seconds of play, he settles down again. So I knew before I got him that he was very energetic, but very trainable and I have had an easy time moulding him to what I wanted.

he is destructive. He chews up and tears up paper and boxes and bags or his toys and rawhides. If I don't give him something to destroy, he is a good boy. he does not chew up his bed or my belongings because I give him  things to play with that he is allowed to destroy. If he had no outlet for his energy, yes he would destroy something else.I also know there were pups in his litter that are not as energetic

I see families make dogs hyper and destructive all the time that werent that way to start with. Find a trainer who is good at teaching you how to train the dog and you can almost make any dog into what  you want. The trainer can help evaluate the dog when you first get it too. Make part of the purchase agreement that the dog or puppy be checked over by your vet or trainer etc first before you agree to keep it. They can help you determine if the dog is hyper, dominant etc and if it is what you are looking for. many times I advise people from an early age that their dog is dominant or fearful etc and they need to work on those issues.
Before purchasing my current dog, the litter was aptitude tested and I took the one most likely to be a good working dog, but one of the pups was so lethargic with the testing, he tested out as being most likely to become a couch potato, so would make a great family pet for a family with small kids.

I think any standard poodle would have the risk of knocking down a youngster,  but generally i would say they are good with kids. My current Standard is not as into kids as my last one, but both have been very tollerant

Carole Ann