NerdGirl

Hello everyone! I'm new here and I don't yet have a poodle. I am considering getting a Standard Poodle in the near future. I've read up on the breed in regard to temperament, health concerns, exercise requirements, grooming, etc. I would really like to hear from some real Standard Poodle owners.

What information would you like to share with me (good or bad)?
How old is you SP?
What is the best thing about your SP?
What is the worst?
Have you experienced any health issues?
Is your SP trained to retrieve? Agility?
Favorite foods?
Suffer from separation anxiety?

Anything at all...

Thanks! I really appreciate your time!

SECRETO

Hello,

I have 2 Standard Poodle's....Eli, 1.5 yrs and Sting 5 months. I'll talk about Eli since he's older and Ive I had him since 10 weeks.

Eli is intelligent, obedient, loving, sensitive, focused and my absolute love! He likes obedience training, loves agility and would happily let me stack him up and run around the ring if he was conformationally nice enough. As of right now Eli know's how to sit, lay down, roll over, speak, high five, shake with what ever hand you ask and stay. He's a good boy!

The worst thing about Eli is the grooming which isn't that bad but can be exhausting at times.

We haven't experienced any health issues but I try my best to provide healthy food, treats and good hygeine(sp) meaning cleaning his ears, reg grooming and bathing, brushing his teeth, checking his eyes daily and etc.

Eli's favorite food is yogurt mixed in his kibble. He also likes raw hide chew's and dog treats.

Over all owning a Standard Poodle has been nothing but a joy. I previously owned Amstaffs/Pit Bull's and I still love that breed but they just don't compare to a Standard Poodle.

NerdGirl

Secreto - thanks for the info! What a gorgeous pup!

FUZBUTZ

Hi, welcome to this forum. I really think the majority of the time it would be awful hard to go wrong with owning a poodle. We own 4 of them, 2 toys and 2 standards. My husband and I are in our 60's have been married since we were 18 yrs. old, and have had animals of all sorts all of our married lives and b-4. We have never been w/o a dog. I have to say that poodles are by far the best breed of dog we have ever owned. They are highly intelligent, very human like. They love being told how good they are, how nice they look and etc. They love to make their people happy. They hate getting in trouble or disapointing their people. We will never be w/o a poodle, they truely are a lot of fun to own.

starkeeper

because the standard was just too much dog for me!

She, Clara, could reach things (and did) all over the house (kitchen included).
She was big in her movements, her grooming, her rascal ways.
I did love her a lot but swore off standards after her!

Miniatures are a lot like standards. Some like to retrieve and do sporty things and are rascals too.

Just my experience.

T o d d

Moose is almost 2 years old now.

The best thing... he's smart, snuggly, and likes to be around and follow me. Important because it lets me do my own thing but yet he's there with me... that was super important to me. I also wanted a dog that loved to run and hike and Moose LOVES to run and hike!!

Worst thing? He eats everything but it's not really that bad actually, he's grown out of it a lot... lately it's been his farts they are deadly!!

No health issues other than when he ate fertilizer and had poops for a while and had to get medicine.

He retrieves stuff I throw, and if I point he runs that way, etc. Not prof trained, only by me

He LOVES anything but we feed him Blue Buffalo it's very good for him but pricey.

Suffer? Nope, but he's SUPER HAPPY to see me when I get home : )

NerdGirl

Thank you all for the responses! I have only heard great things about the SP's disposition and intelligence!

gwtwmum2

I own a standard poodle who is 6 months. I love him and I agree with what others have said. I will say that YES he does surf counters and can easily open my pantry door to help himself to the trash (if I don't remember to put something heavy in front of the door). These are things that keep you on your toes. So you need to set your mind for that. Also, depending on where you live, I would recommend getting a spoo puppy in the spring so you have all spring, summer, and fall to train before cold weather hits. (I got Wrigley in October and so it has been a bit more of a challenge to train since right after he got all his shots, the weather has been too cold to be outside much.)
That said - he has DEFINITELY been easier to potty train than my small breed dog. Even with the cold weather. He caught on to leash walking really well too. My only other word of caution with the spoo - definitely more expensive in terms of grooming and food (unless you teach yourself). But if you decide all of that is okay - they are SO worth it. Very sweet dogs.

NerdGirl

gwtwmum2 - are standard poodles sensitive to the cold?

I had a lab/golden cross that just recently passed away. Talk about counter surfing! When he was young he would eat EVERYTHING - socks, undies, paper towels. They would usually come back up, but still!

And as far as spending money on food, I've always fed my dogs super premium dog foods, so I'm used to the expense! LOL

Pamela

poodles don't have an undercoat so they can be sensitve to cold, unless you let the coat get long in winter. If very cold I put a sweater or coat on them or if it is snowing their snowsuit! lol I love it!

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