I've had wonderful conversations both on the phone and by e-mail with Carolyn O'Rourke of Cabryn Poodles (cabrynpoodles.com). She has been a breeder of poodles for years and is the president of the Watchung Poodle Club. She is very knowledgeable and so helpful. Located in the New Jersey/New York area. I told her that several breeders/handlers at dog shows had bad-mouthed miniatures as being hyper and as having a high-strung temperament as compared with standards. She said her poodles were not hyper, and she wouldn't be breeding them if they had that kind of temperament. I believe her.
It all depends on the lines and environment I think, if you breed hyper you will produce hyper. I have seen them both ways, just like standards and toys. Tynkers is so easy going ( she is a mini) that most people even my vet askes me "are you sure she is only this old" She will sit and stay where I tell her for however long is needed. She has never had any formal training just what I have done at home for obedience, she has never needed it. But FFS (Amber) has standards that are hyper out of their gourds!!!!! Yet Ki-ki is layed back, don't get me wrong, she and Tynk both get cases of the "zoomies" but they are just chill dogs.
Meet the parents, see how other pups from previous litters behave if there are any there. You can actually MAKE a chill dog a hyper dog as well, so be careful of that, they as little dogs will pick up on things like high pitched voices and it will turn into a chain reaction if you let it. I have NEVER let Tynk just run around the house barking at everything I have taught her from a young age the command quiet, and used LOTS of praise when she does it with or without the command, I have done this will all my dogs, so none of them a "barkers". they will bark when playing and such, but not excessive. I think ANY breed ANY variety can be what you make it so long as the foundation is there, say calm parents usually means calmer pups ect. LOTS of training helps as well.
