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questions to ask when looking for a standard poodle

3153 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  passion4poodles
I have been getting so much information reading the posts, especially about color and temperament. It seems that browns are what's available and I also thought they were a little loopy - nothing really to back those thoughts! I am looking for a standard poodle and was wondering what questions to ask the breeder and how to pick a puppy. If there's only one left, is that a bad sign and shouldn't get that one? Also, what an average price would be. I live in Indiana if location makes a difference. Thanks, I really appreciate any information!
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Well, her are my thoughts. First off, make sure you have the ability to see at least the mother of the pups, if not both parents. I would not suggest even going to look at a pup or pups of the person does not have the mother on the premises. Pet, talk to and interact with mom, and dad if there, to see the temperament and looks. Ask if the parents have had any of the testing done that should be done for poodles, especially the hips and eyes. Find out what shots the pups have had and worming, ask if the pups have had a vet check and how the check went, the breeder should have something from the vet stating the pups were checked and how he thought they were physically. Ask for at least a four generation pedigree. Oh, ask if the pups dew claws were removed and if the tails were cropped.

If they have had previous litters, you could ask if they have any reviews from previous customers. But, that is not something that is necessary. As far as price, that is variable and is hard to say. You should expect to pay anywhere from $750.00 to $1500.00. Another thing I think is very important, make sure that the person you are purchasing from really knows the breed. They should know about what is needed for proper care of the pup/dog and what problems could arise. If the person that is selling the pups knows less than you do, then that could be a clue that this is a backyard breeding.

Make sure you find out what kind of food the pup is used to eating and the seller should be willing to (and not only willing to but have it ready for you to take) a small bag of the food the pup is eating so that you can change the pup over to the food you are going to feed slowly so as not to cause the pup to get diarrhea. AND, of course, make sure the pup(s) are kept in a clean environment. It is much more difficult to house break a pup that has been left in filthy conditions. The pup(s), when you go look at them should be clean and healthy looking. No dried on poop, no smell of urine, no runny eyes.

Hope this helps out a little. Best of luck finding your new friend! :)
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Are you planning to show conformation/compete in sports like agility or just have a companion?
I found a book at my library, it was just a paper back with a lot of pictures and short chapters that had the color= temperment on a graph. I don't remember the name of it but was interesting more than anything. I don't know that I believe all that about colors = temperment but I liked the book. Blacks were suppose to be the most 'laid back'. I just remember a little more about the blacks cuase I was getting a black.

When I was on my quest for a spoo in spring I couldn't find hardly any breeders here I am in Nebraska online. I ended up inquiring about an adult dog in Iowa and while talking to the lady she told me about the breeder I got Chase from. I also had another name of a lady in central Iowa from talking to someone that was at a park with a spoo. I sort of went with my gut I talked to 5 breeders with in 500 miles from me. A couple just didn't have litters/were not breeding till later in the year, only had colors I did not want, one I almost went with but her terms made me uncomfortable. She just didn't seem like an easy person to work with and I wanted someone that if there was a problem that would work with me at least! The breeder I went with has a small kennel the mom and dad and grandpa of my puppy were on sight, puppies were raised in her house handled everyday. She had been breeding for 20 years and they had papers (not that means that much but for the money I wanted to know I was getting a spoo) Some of her dogs lived until they were 19 and I just felt good talking with her. Now that I've writen a book...this is how I picked my puppy LOL! I did have to wait for a puppy to be born...but to me it was worth it! Sorry this is so long!! Jen
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Thanks for the pointers! I'd like a companion. I've only had one standard which I recently lost suddenly. He was very laid back, even as a puppy, and wonderful with kids. I was to get a puppy from his breeder but when I called when they were to be born to send a deposit, she said the mother wasn't pregnant. I'm not sure why she hadn't let me know but anyway she gave me a few names. One has brown puppies, charging $1500 and the other will be born next week charging $1200. I wasn't sure about either but I really want a puppy. She's been breeding about 6 years and I think she knew up to 6 years on the mom's side. I guess I'm overly worried about the health since mine died so suddenly and had just turned 10. And I know it doesn't matter, but I would also like papers too when spending so much money. I'm going to see if I can the book at the library. Thanks!
Thanks for the pointers! I'd like a companion. I've only had one standard which I recently lost suddenly. He was very laid back, even as a puppy, and wonderful with kids. I was to get a puppy from his breeder but when I called when they were to be born to send a deposit, she said the mother wasn't pregnant. I'm not sure why she hadn't let me know but anyway she gave me a few names. One has brown puppies, charging $1500 and the other will be born next week charging $1200. I wasn't sure about either but I really want a puppy. She's been breeding about 6 years and I think she knew up to 6 years on the mom's side. I guess I'm overly worried about the health since mine died so suddenly and had just turned 10. And I know it doesn't matter, but I would also like papers too when spending so much money. I'm going to see if I can the book at the library. Thanks!
There is another great way of finding a good spoo, there are 3 Rally events going on in Evensville IN on the 3-4-5 of July, that would be a good place to start. You may be able to get in contact with a breeder there....just an idea, but since you are looking for a Companion and not a conformation dog, looking for a breeder that competes in rally or obedience trials may be something you would want to look into. A good breeder would have lines of dogs that would hopefully excell at the compatitions, so the lines would in theory produce pups that would also excell and obedience, so you would have "not just another pretty face" lol as FFS says!

Have you checked the AKC website for breeders near you you can search by state and breed http://www.akc.org/classified/search/index.cfm You can also check the UKC site as well http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPages/Home You may be able to find a breeder there that is not "online"
Thank you so much. This sounds nuts but what is showing in conformation, champion, and excelling in agility and obedience mean? As long as I've had dogs, I've just nevered paid attention to this. Thanks!
Showing in conformiation is showing the best quality poodles as they have to meet the breed standard (breed standard requirements available at the AKC site). Championship is what a really good dog gets after earning a specified amount of points and majors at the ACK shows (also available at AKC site). Excelling in agility or obedience is a dog and its handler who have worked hard in learning obedience and/or agility and done well in the show ring. In obedience you and your dog complete against yourselves. In agility, you and your do compete against other dogs in a specified course with specified requirements. Best time wins. You can find all of this info at http://www.akc.org/index.cfm?nav_area=homepage.

Good luck with your search. Hope you find your new little fur baby soon.
Showing in conformiation is showing the best quality poodles as they have to meet the breed standard (breed standard requirements available at the AKC site). Championship is what a really good dog gets after earning a specified amount of points and majors at the ACK shows (also available at AKC site). Excelling in agility or obedience is a dog and its handler who have worked hard in learning obedience and/or agility and done well in the show ring. In obedience you and your dog complete against yourselves. In agility, you and your do compete against other dogs in a specified course with specified requirements. Best time wins. You can find all of this info at http://www.akc.org/index.cfm?nav_area=homepage.

Good luck with your search. Hope you find your new little fur baby soon.
Thank you SS you did a great job at explaining it! :peace:

dt7624: Also a companion dog you would get from a breeder would be a pet only and most likely on a spy/neuter contract. Some faults that would disqualify a dog from competing in conformation would not disqualify it from obedience/agility/rally or other sports compatition, such as mismarked (white on the toes ect) or abstract (white on the chest) or a parti poodle (for AKC) Also, a conformation dog MUST have a good bite, one that is a little off would be a fault for conformation but not for those sports. Finding a great dog is actually easy, finding a healthy sound dog is not as easy, and finding a healthy sound dog that is conformation quality, even more difficult.
Thanks for the pointers! I'd like a companion. I've only had one standard which I recently lost suddenly. He was very laid back, even as a puppy, and wonderful with kids. I was to get a puppy from his breeder but when I called when they were to be born to send a deposit, she said the mother wasn't pregnant. I'm not sure why she hadn't let me know but anyway she gave me a few names. One has brown puppies, charging $1500 and the other will be born next week charging $1200. I wasn't sure about either but I really want a puppy. She's been breeding about 6 years and I think she knew up to 6 years on the mom's side. I guess I'm overly worried about the health since mine died so suddenly and had just turned 10. And I know it doesn't matter, but I would also like papers too when spending so much money. I'm going to see if I can the book at the library. Thanks!
These are actually pretty average prices for quality pups they do run higher and lower, but on average that is it. Breeding for 6 years, but how long has she been showing and competing with poodles? That is one question I would ask, and like JM said, if you know more then her....red flag.
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