Which Spoo to choose?

lily cd re said:

I agree with Raindrops about the eye color. It is not just the eye color that shows poor pigment either. Also I had my radar go up over the idea of "Dad looks to be a Cafe/Silver Beige..." How does the breeder not know the color of the sire? The pup is also noted to be AKC registered. These pups are not solid colors and therefore I think the AKC would require parti poodles to register as canine partners (not as poodles)

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Thanks for your response!! Just to clarify.

Well his “About him” list was more-so a summary in my words. His eyes are a hazel/light amber and though considered “not favorable “ in the competition ring, I know his pigmented eyes are fairly common in esp Brown poodles unless specifically bred against.

She sent me a few pictures of the Dad and sometimes there’s a fine line between a Cafe & a Silver Beige. It was my wording just trying to relay info. I didn’t ask what exactly he was registered as.

Parti pups can most definitely be AKC registered. They can compete in every other sport & event other than conformation.

Now what I’m NOT as familiar with is the health testing breeders go through. What can be tested for or not time to scour PF


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I just have to say that I can't believe the breeder didn't groom him before trying to find him a new home, or at the very least shave his face.

I think the fact that she has stopped communicating with you means it is time to move on. Especially if she missed the day you were supposed to meet. Just my thoughts.

Also, I don't think it's a good idea to get super attached to a dog without actually meeting it. It's important to have an open mind and really go by the personality. My dog Miracle is a rescue, and when I met her I was given time to interact with her, and then I had to wait 24 hours before officially signing any paperwork to give me time to think it over. I also could have met with her again before deciding. I should add that I fell I love with her from her photo, but I was willing to walk away if it wasnt the right fit. Because you are looking at poodles that are older puppies and have gone through the socialization process with someone else (for good or bad), the meet and greet is super important. Just my 2 cents.

@Dogs4Life

Yes! You are soooo right!
I was scheduled to meet him first on Tuesday. Then if I decided to proceed pick up tomorrow.

Ha! He does look like a bit of a muppet doesn’t he? You do have a point. I wasn’t sure exactly How he should look clip wise but was surprised when she sent me the second set of photos. While my last Spoo was cute & groomed when I first got him he was also nearly completey shaved down. I do remember thinking he looked naked . But yes... the first thing I’d do is shave his face!

I’ve been looking at rescues as well and am not opposed to a poodle makeover one bit.
I’ve applied to IDog rescue & georgia poodle rescue a month ago but am unsure if I have good odds of being matched with a pup because well... they seem to favor suburbanites (according to their site) out in these parts. But we shall see!


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I'm glad you're going to keep looking. Cute, though he is, it's best to go through a reputable breeder, which this one doesn't seem to be. You have time to do the research and find your best odds for all the good things poodles can and should be. Cute comes a dime a dozen in puppies. But best odds for best health, (find out all the things that can be tested for and get proof it was done) terrific temperament, good structure, movement. (it all helps later in life) Meet a parent, at least one if you can. See the place where the pups are if you can. (unless you have stupendous and ridiculously good recommendations from people you trust) Get recommendations from other puppy owners from the breeders you check out. Go to some shows and see what others say about such and such breeder. Take your time. Best wishes. Good you're scouring pf because there's lots of good advice about finding a really super breeder and therefore, a super pup. Crossing my fingers for you.:happy:

Legs&Leashes21 said:

... I called one last time today... someone answered the phone & then hung up. WHY?!?!...

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Sounds like the breeder has poor people skills. She may have found another buyer or decided to keep the dog, but lacked the courage to tell you. If it is a mix, maybe the breeder backed away rather than continue being dishonest with you and risk a groomer telling you later this isn't a pure poodle.

This was a cute dog, but it just doesn't look like a pure poodle to me, and I'm not even talking about the eyes. It's something about the bone structure and coat that's different from a pure poodle.

He looks like an English Sheepdog mix (Sheepadoodle) to me. He may also have some Australian Sheepdog in his background, thus the hazel eyes.


For a good price with DNA health clearances, I would have seen no problem with purchasing the little guy for a fair amount, oh I dunno, maybe $500 to $750 - unless a breeder is selling it as a designer mix; those are high priced when marketed like that, often costing more than a purebred poodle with a nice pedigree and body structure. Worse, those kind of designer breeders rarely do DNA testing on the parents.

You clearly love the shaggy, happy look of that puppy and felt a bond, so I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Eh, maybe it was for the best, we never know. However, you may even be able find a puppy mix just as shaggy, cute and friendly at your local shelter. Make an application specifying what you're looking for, and you might get a surprise phone call.

If you have your heart set on a poodle, keep looking! It took me months and I was about to give up, and then boom! Everything changed in a day. Poodles are wonderful companions. Good luck!

Honestly I think you are wise to walk away. Think of it this way, if something happened that you needed help from your breeder by way of answering a question (this has happened with a Doberman I had, also with my Giant). If the breeder can't get it together to keep an appointment that you made... how would this person be when you needed help/answers? I called my Dobe's breeder & he was out of country. I sent an email & he had an answer for me before I left the vet's office. This was an emergency & his information saved me a lot of money & our vet a ton of time. My Giant Schnauzer's breeder, all I have to do is drop her an email, leave a message on the answering machine, etc... I will get an answer ASAP. If she needs to look something up, she sends me a note saying, "Give me a day or two" (this is if it's a non emergency). Same goes with Mr. Layne. Any question I've had, my breeder has been right there with email, text message, phone call. I am a very patient person but if the breeder isn't reliable when you're trying to get the puppy... don't count on anything after you have the puppy! Eeeek Some people just aren't organized or don't manage their time well or stress well but I have to feel like if I needed help with a puppy question, that my breeder could be trusted to answer me in a reasonable amount of time. (I am careful to always be respectful of their time too).

There is a pup out there waiting for you. My Mr. Layne is the pup my breeder was certain I needed. I was really stuck on a female in the litter. The breeder wanted me to meet the whole litter. Which I did, including the little female. I would have taken her home in a second but the breeder knew her pups. Mr. Layne was THE pup for the job & household we have You might find it funny but Mr. Layne wasn't all that hot to go with us. He loved his breeders & had a wonderful place to grow at with them. But by the time we got home, he'd warmed up to me & he's been my boy ever since My husband's fine but I'm his human. I am ever so thankful that the breeder listened to what I needed, told me which pup best suited the job, then she trusted me to see what she did.