[piemama]

Hello there
I'm from San Francisco. We don't have a poodle yet, since my family's been having a hard time deciding between a golden retriever or a standard poodle. We're leaning towards the poodle though. I hope to learn more information about the breed/breeders/health, etc here.

 

[spoospirit]

Welcome to the forum piemama! We actually have two standards and a golden. You will find everything you need here to help you make your decision. Good luck.

 

[ArreauStandardPoodle]

Welcome to the forum. You will indeed find loads of info here. Hope it helps you make your decision and that you find it educational.

 

[FUZBUTZ]

Hi Piemama from San Francisco. Welcome to this poodle forum. We pretty much are from the same neck of the woods. We live in a suburb of Modesto, due east of you. We have 2 standard poodles and 2 toy poodles and love them all very much. Especially love the fact that they are pretty much non shedding. This is the first time in our lives that we have had non shedding dogs and will never go back to breeds that shed ever again, not that we have not loved any dog that we have ever had, but not having a lot of hair around is definately an asset. Again welcome to this forum neighbor.

 

[plumcrazy]

I vote for the standard poodle!! :lol:

We welcomed our first standard poodle baby into our home last fall (but our daughter already had one which is why we decided that was the breed for us!!) So, currently we have 2 spoos, 1 mini dachshund and a mix breed at home - love them all!

Good luck with your decision and keep the forum updated!

 

[calidani]

Hi and welcome!!
As someone with both shedding (lab) and non-shedding dogs (SPoo and Mini Schnauzer), I can't say enough about how nice it is to have non-shedding dogs.
I love my lab to pieces, but I will never own another shedding dog. Yes the coat care of my other 2 takes a bit more time, but I would bet that I spend more time cleaning up dog hair from the lab than I do grooming the other two (haircutting included).

GR are great dogs, but I vote for a Spoo

 

[Poodle Lover]

:welcome: to the forum, neighbor.

I also live in San Francisco, am owned by two standards and a havanese and most definitely vote for a poodle. :biggrin1: There is a big dog show coming up at Cow Palace that you might want to check out. Do you need any help finding a breeder or do you have someone you are considering?

 

[piemama]

I will be going to the Cow Palace show. Can't wait! If anyone has breeder recommendations, send them my way.

 

[desertreef]

That should be a wonderful show. It's great you can attend.
I have a pup going to the big 5 day Portland show... sure wish I could be there to watch her.

Not sure what you are 'looking for' but my next breeding planned is with Grace, found on my website. Her brother lives in SF and I'm sure if you wanted to meet him his owner would be delighted to show him off. She takes him to a dog park near her home often. He's a very beautiful cream...with an amazing face and fantastic temperament.
The breeding isn't for a while so if you are wanting your puppy sooner, my word of advice is do not look at all the cute puppies, but look for a good breeder first. Research!

Have fun and enjoy the forum,
Karen

 

[cbrand]

I love my Poodles. They are athletic, trainable, protective, they problem solve well and they have good impulse control. As a bonus, they are non-shedding.

Goldens are one of the breeds I would NOT have so I'm not sure that I'm much help. I find Goldens to be too impulsive and in-your-face. Also they seem to get old really fast. i.e A 9 year old Golden seems old and criklely while a 9 yr old Standard is still pretty spry.

In California, I love Kim Bates of Penndragon Poodles. I think her dogs are beautiful and great house pets. www.penndragonpoodles.com

 

[ArreauStandardPoodle]

I think Marquis Diamond is in California too. She has a few colours and her dogs are nice as well.

 

[roxy25]

Goldens are one of the breeds I would NOT have so I'm not sure that I'm much help. I find Goldens to be too impulsive and in-your-face. Also they seem to get old really fast. i.e A 9 year old Golden seems old and criklely while a 9 yr old Standard is still pretty spry.

Welcome fellow CA neighbor ( I am your neighbor from down south lol ) my sister will be moving up there about an hr away from SF so maybe you can meet enzo also !

As for goldens I hate them ! Like cbrand said they are in your face type of breed and I don't like dogs like that. goldens are like beginner dogs if you are into that type of breed. IMO they are not super smart just easy to train and since they are so easy to train people think they are smart lol

Bulldog type breeds are hard to train and people think they are dumb they are smart but just stubborn.

A poodle is one of the smartest breeds so if you like intelligent breeds A poodle is a good one. I like how they don't shed. Goldens shed a lot !

As for breeder CA has a good number of breeders.

 

[Aidan]

Welcome! I hope you find all the information you need here.

I can't help much with goldens..although I think the english creme goldens are quite beautiful.

I haven't met a golden yet that has a personality that matches that of my poodles. There is just something special about them!

 

[piemama]

Not sure if I should ask this question here or post elsewhere, but other than looking at health clearances and figuring out pedigrees (that I just don't understand yet), what else should I be looking for? Also, do different breeders have dogs that might fit our family's lifestyle better?
Here's a little about us:
We're a homeschooling family with two young elementary aged boys so our dog will practically always be with the family. I'm the stay at home mom, and we spend 4+ times a week at parks or hiking. I do triathlons so our dog will be my workout buddy when old enough and my boys are in 4H, which has dog projects in agility and obedience. Thanks in advance!

 

[piemama]

And thanks for the links and breeder info. I'm looking at all of them!

 

[FUZBUTZ]

piemama, Check out this breeders website. She is in Bakersfield, Ca. We have 2 standard poodles, both related to some of her lines and we are really pleased with ours.


http://www.siscospoodles2.com/index.html

 

[icecannons]

I will be going to the Cow Palace show. Can't wait! If anyone has breeder recommendations, send them my way.

I am hopefully going to the show as well and am bringing a friend who happens to be a dog enthusiast. Only 1.5 weeks away.

As for breeder recommendations and someone very close to San Francisco, I would go with Mary Olund of Cabernet poodles in San Rafael as all of her dogs are simply beautiful and she's a member of the Poodle Club of America and the Central California Poodle Club. I believe Florence and her should be dominating the Poodle ring in this upcoming show as usual.

 

[cbrand]

Also, do different breeders have dogs that might fit our family's lifestyle better?
Here's a little about us:
We're a homeschooling family with two young elementary aged boys so our dog will practically always be with the family. I'm the stay at home mom, and we spend 4+ times a week at parks or hiking. I do triathlons so our dog will be my workout buddy when old enough and my boys are in 4H, which has dog projects in agility and obedience. Thanks in advance!

The apple never falls far from the tree. I think it is important to visit a breeder's home and interact with her dogs, especially the dam. Want a Poodle who likes to fetch? The dam should be eager to play ball with you. Want a dog that you can take off-leash hiking? Ask to go to the park (or on a hike) and see how the dam behaves off-leash. Want a Poodle with a go-anywhere attitude? Ask the breeder to visit a local Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning with the dam and see how she reacts to the crowds and all the people who want to pet her. Walk away from any breeder who has a Poodle who is shy or nervous or who needs time to "warm-up" to strangers. Don't let a breeder make excuses like "Oh I don't have children in my home."

Also, with two elementary age boys, I would resist the temptation to take home the most active puppy. Get one that is easy going and laid back. Even a couch potato Poodle can keep up with two boys and a triathlete.