Ayal8924

...grew up with Labs, have owned 2 Corgis as an adult, and now at age 50(!),my 12 yo daughter and I are considering a STANDARD POODLE.

Have spoken with so many enthusiastic Standard Poodle owners. I loved Labs for their friendly nature, Corgis are so smart, but not sure I want to live through the "destructive phase" of a Lab puppy again, or the incredible shedding of the Corgis. The lo-shed brilliance of STD Poodles sounds appealing.

Researching various breeders right now. I'm NOT interested in a show quality dog. Just looking for good temperament and excellent genetic health. I am a Veterinarian by trade, so fire away with your thoughts on genetic health.

HarmonyHuntingPudels looks promising and I've enjoyed conversing with the owners. Any experiences?

I'm willing to travel for the best pup, but Nor-California would be wonderful. Any recommendations?

Looking for this summer. My daughter is off from school and it'd be a great time to bond for a puppy, and get lots of attention...

tokipoke

Welcome!

What an exciting time! There are lots of information on this forum to help you. Several members are in the CA area who can give you advice on breeders. Good luck in your search!

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Poodle Lover

Greetings neighbor and welcome to the forum. it's nice to have a veterinarian in our midst.

I live in Nor. Cal as well, San Franicsco to be exact and am happy to help in any way I can. First, if you are interested in finding out about health issues and poodles in general, a great place to start is poodle club of america: Welcome to PCA! the site is a wealth of information on anything and everything poodle. A standard poodle is the most amazing dog and once you get one, you can't go back. Also beware, they are like potato chips, very addictive and you can't have just one. . Can you tell I am seriously biased!!!!

As for local breeders, I would start with the following first and if they don't have anything available now or in the near future, they can refer you.

Penndragon Standard Poodles: Penndragon Standard Poodles. I would love to own one of her whites someday, they are just drop dead gorgeous with great personality and temperaments.

Cabernet Standard Poodles: New Page 1. Her whites are also to die for and my friend (also a poodle fanatic) would only get a white from her. Her dogs are also gorgeous, but I've only seen them in the ring.

Grandeur Standard Poodles: Standard Poodles: Breeders of Champion show dogs, companion puppies. I love Phyllis and her dogs are amazing, if I ever get a black dog, she would be at the top of my very short list.

As for health issues in my case, both of my guys came from private adoptions/rescue situation. No health testing, no pedigrees to speak of and zero major issues so far, knock on wood. Romeo will be 8 next month, Brandy is 6.5

I don't know anything about Harmony Hubting Pudels, are they in nor. Cal?

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Julia

ArreauStandardPoodle

I co-own a Harmony boy. As a matter of fact, he was the sire of our last twelve puppies. Lori Horst is a lovely woman. They do every single health test that is available, and they and their mentor, Susan Cook of Marquis Diamond Poodles (in California) have set the bar very high for other breeders with regard to testing. Our boy has a sweet temperament, and I would not hesitate to purchase another from them one day.

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Jacamar

Hi Ayal8924,

I am getting a spoo (standard poodle). The breeding was just last week so I have 4 long months to wait before I have a puppy to take home. But I just did all the research youre doing.
I had an ex-girlfriend who had a spoo. I love that dog and miss him so much. I didnt think I would like a poodle but that dog sure changed my mind.

One thing to consider when choosing a breeder is whether the pups will be raised in a home with a family or raised in a kennel of some type. I was focused on finding a breeder that does all the genetic testing, and then realized that the one I was about to go with raised pups in a kennel.

Sounds like you have decided on a poodle? Obviously I think thats a great choice. Other breeds I considered were schnauzer and portuguese water dog.

Ayal8924

great pic of your dogs...! That's wonderful that there were rescue animals and they've fared so well.

I am a Veterinarian indeed, but don't practice with small animals (there's an up side and a down side to that!). In my neck of the woods, the Central Valley of CA, Standard Poodles are few & far between. Owning a 4 y.o. Welsh Corgi (our other 14 y.o. Corgi just passed a few months back), who was a "rescue" of sorts, and has recently been afflicted with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, makes me very wary of genetically inherited diseases (although, technically, R.A. is not known to afflict Corgis...).

It is funny how devoted poodle owners are. I have yet to speak with a single poodle owner who has told me NOT to consider the breed. Everyone says YES, on this particular breed. And the term SMART seems to come as the word immediately following YES! I enjoy an intelligent dog; I find it fascinating.

I appreciate your listing of California breeders. Harmony Hunting Poodles (they spell it "Pudels") is in Arizona. The website is very informative and my discussions with them have been excellent. I will probably fly down there in a few weeks to meet them, look at their facilities, meet their dogs, and view one particular puppy. In the meantime, I continue to research.

This site has been very helpful, and all the respondents have been great/polite/informed.

Thanks!

Ayal8924

THANK YOU for your advocation of Harmony Hunting Poodles. I agree, Ms. Horst seems to be a very nice, informed, professional person. I like the emphasis on genetic diversity and health screening. Her communications have been thorough, timely, and enthusiastic. I'm hoping to fly down there the 3rd weekend of June. She just emailed me this AM about a KimberxBravo pup that's still available. Funny, your dogs look as if they've got relations to Kimber?

Meeting them in-person will be the test. I'll see what happens from there...

P.S. - your dogs are beautiful!

Ayal8924

I believe we are on the poodle track, yes. We actually researched Great Danes for a while, but there were some downsides that I wasn't sure I could accept. That said, they do have their own band of devotees! Beautiful Giants that they are...

Portuguese Water dog was also briefly in the running. But, I got the sense they'd be a little to "Lab-like", which is not what I want. I love, love Labs...heck, that was the dog I grew up with. But, no offense, they're in a different league (smarts-wise), when I compare them to the last 15 years I've spent with Corgis. I'd consider another Corgi, but the shedding is something I could do without (especially when we had 2 in the house at the same time!). Love the idea of a smart dog that minimally sheds.

I'm glad you mentioned the home-raised versus kennel. I had not thought of that. Our dog will definitely be a house dog. This is one of the reasons I will travel to wherever/whoever I purchase the pup. I have to see, to believe. There's nothing like face-to-face interactions with the breeder and their dogs.

That's exciting that you're a Papa-in-waiting! I hope all turns out as you desire.

Thanks for your response and encouragement.

- Bob

BigRedDog

Even though you are not looking for a show quality dog, you still want to work with a reputable breeder who is showing and testing all their dogs. Good poodle breeders are strict in where they place their dogs, but after having health issues with other breeds, I am delighted that the breed fanciers are so careful.
Low to no sheding and remarkable in their attention span and smarts! Poodles are a great breed..(IMO)

Carley's Mom

Welcome to the forum ! I just turned 50 this pass year and my first St. Poodle was my gift to myself. I went with an adult female retired from breeding. She was almost 7 years old and has been the best gift I have ever had. But like others have said, once you get one you soon want another one. I got a re-homed 2 year old last month. She did not come to me as well-trained, but I still managed to skip the puppy stage!!! Something you might want to consider as well. They are great dogs, don't smell , don't shed, super smart, funny and loyal. I had a corgi when I was a kid and I think you will like a spoo as much or more. As long as I can keep up with the exercise and grooming I will always have one...or two. lol

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