[Rikkij9999]

We are looking to add a miniature poodle to our family and I have been looking for a good breeder. Does anyone have any recommendations of someone that I can talk to? I am not looking to breed dogs or show dogs, but want a miniature on the larger side (or a small standard) that will do great with our family. We have 6 kids ages 17-6. Thanks so much for your help. I look forward to reading some of your posts

 

[Skylar]

Is San Antonio Texas within your range? My Babykins is from Morning Glory
Morning Glory Poodles, San Antonio, Texas. She was co bred with Aery now in North Carolina.

There’s a sticky on how to buy a puppy on the forums which you’ll find helpful. You want a well bred poodle from health tested parents raised in enriched environment by someone breeding small numbers of poodles.

 

[Streetcar]

Hi, welcome. You might reach out to Tabatha (note spelling) at NOLA Standards for a referral https://www.nolastandards.com/home . She breeds Spoos, wonderful ones .

Contact the Bluebonnet Poodle Club for referrals: Welcome to Bluebonnet Poodle Club! .

You want a pet, not to breed or show, but will be wise to work with a responsible breeder who does exhibit in conformation and hopefully more, who health tests the parents and knows the line, and who loves the breed and cares for them in the home. That sort of breeder can ensure you get the right personality fit for your specific home and family. Note, this better sort of breeder will usually expect to choose your puppy for you.

A couple stickies here will likely be of interest :
https://www.poodleforum.com/5-poodle-talk/33522-buying-puppy-safely-basics.html

It's good to know in advance Poodles go through a fairly extended stage of what's called the landshark, where they are sharp puppy teeth first, always . When I was a kid in the Southwest we didn't shy away from that, but apparently these days it's more of an issue, so worth pointing out. Also - training today has evolved, with science helping, and it's no longer harsh. Which is good, because harsh does not work well with Poodles.

Puppy reality sticky - you could get the kids involved in helping you parents plan how everyone will interact :
https://www.poodleforum.com/5-poodle-talk/182666-puppy-reality.html

Also, good to download and read well in advance, Ian Dunbar's Before You Get Your Puppy and After You Get Your Puppy. Search on dogstardaily.com. I also love to recommend the book Culture Clash. Jean Donaldson's chapter on housetraining is alone well worth more than the price of the book! It has info many might not expect.

For a Miniature, you'll maybe want to consider neighboring states, as they can be harder to find. Skylar will have great suggestions; I think her darling and accomplished Miniature Babykins was born in Texas, or at least one of her parents lives there.

Last thing . I might try and find a very Poodle-experienced groomer in advance of bringing home your puppy so you can continue the early work started by your breeder. Poodles do require grooming, one can't just leave that to chance or whenever. So either parents take it on, or work with a pro . With six children, I bet you're very busy, so a pro on a regular four week schedule or so might make life much easier.

 

[Streetcar]

Ack, sorry, can't believe I left out Betty Brown, who is Donnchada Poodles! Her site says down for maintenance right now https://www.donnchada.com/.

We have a few members with Poodles from her. She may work with all three varieties - others will know better than I. It would be hard to find someone better or more plugged in to Poodles statewide and even nationwide than she is.

Also to maybe consider if you are very familiar with the breed already, Apparition Poodles in MO is a thought. Patriot is also in MO these days. You have to be careful with MO due to the extremes of millers there, but these two are reputable and anything but that sort. Apparition is a member here, just rarely posts these days.

 

[Rikkij9999]

Thank you so much for your responses. I met Betty Brown at the Dallas dog show and have reached out to her. Morning Glory doesn’t have a litter at this time. I will order those books and read them. Thank you so much.
Also, does it matter if I get a puppy 4 months old verses one 8 weeks old? Betty mentioned that she has a 4 month old puppy and a couple younger ones. Also, recommendations on sex? Or color? I’ve heard color personality theories

 

[Johanna]

Thank you so much for your responses. I met Betty Brown at the Dallas dog show and have reached out to her. Morning Glory doesn’t have a litter at this time. I will order those books and read them. Thank you so much.
Also, does it matter if I get a puppy 4 months old verses one 8 weeks old? Betty mentioned that she has a 4 month old puppy and a couple younger ones. Also, recommendations on sex? Or color? I’ve heard color personality theories

A 4 month old will be housebroken very quickly (and may already be housebroken). Zoe was 11 weeks when Betty brought her to me. It did not take her long to get the idea that she was to use the dog door.


Regarding sex and color - generally does not matter. Males are usually a bit more affectionate than bitches, but that's not always true. Minis are certainly more active than toys or standards as a rule. I think there are personality traits that tend to go with color - and my favorite color is black. When I lived in a place that had red clay soil I did not want any dogs of a light color! Betty has black, white, and silver. To the best of my knowledge no brown or apricot.

 

[Rikkij9999]

Joanna—you like Betty’s dogs? I’ve only heard good things about her.

 

[Johanna]

Joanna—you like Betty’s dogs? I’ve only heard good things about her.

My miniature poodle, Zoe, is from Betty. I have known Betty for many, many years, so when I decided to get a mini I called her. I was lucky that she always comes to the shows in Albuquerque so she was able to deliver Zoe to me at 11 weeks of age.