Standard Poodles?

[Angelica]

Help!! I have fallen in love with a standard poodle -- his people say his breed is fine for a condo ... so I called breeders .... whoa! expensive!!
Are there any Standard Poodle people here? what are the pros and cons?
I don't have a dog now, but two cats -- a calico and an Egyptian Mau ....both 2 years old ...
I appreciate any feedback.
Blessings, Angelica

[Pam]

Angelica welcome to Pet Talk!! I am the happy owner of a very special standard poodle named Bella! She is my second standard, my first being Whitney who left for the Rainbow Bridge in 1996. :( I have only wonderful things to say about this breed. My two have been a joy to own and are/were extremely smart, great around other dogs, people, small children and even cats! :) Both of mine were raised with cats and they get along wonderfully. The only "con" that comes to mind is the grooming. :( They definitely need to be groomed every 4-6 weeks and it can be expensive. The alternative is to learn to do it yourself. It's not hard really but very time consuming. My groomer charges $45 to groom Bella and I also groom her myself. As part of the grooming and nail clipping procedure they need the tiny fuzzy ear hair plucked from their ears when they are groomed. It has a tendency to build up and can mix with wax and develop infection and/or odor. Other than that, I say go for it!!!!!! I would love to see another standard poodle owner at Pet Talk! I have also have had toys and minis. The black mini in my signature is Ripley. I rescued him from a shelter in January and he is a little sweetie. If you are having trouble finding a breeder, or just find that they are too expensive for you, please do take a look at shelters. I have never seen a standard at a shelter though, but I am sure there must be some that unfortunately wind up there. Good luck to you and please keep in touch and let us know about your new furry one. :)

[tatsxxx11]

I was just going to post..."Pam is!" LOL! I should have known you'd be here in a flash!:) Can't ever hear enough about the bellisimo Bella!!

Welcome to Pet Talk, Angelica! Good luck with your search for a Poodle! They make wonderful companions; just ask Pam!:)

[jenluckenbach]

I have no dogs, but I work with dogs. Standard poodles are truley one of the nicest breeds that cross my grooming table. But yes.....grooming can be rather expensive and upkeep at home is extensive. Pam, I believe, keeps Bella in a short, easy to maintain clip. MOST standard poodle owners do NOT. A longer clip that leave the hair longer on the legs is the most popular but can run you $80 every 6 weeks and that is ONLY if you do not allow the dog to get matted in between groomings. Personality wise, I have NEVER met a standard that I did not like. They are playful, but not hyper like the smaller ones can be. They are smart and gentle and seem to be well-behaved and quieter than smaller poodles.
Just my 2 cents.

[delidog]

You Can Also go to Petfinder.com...type in Standard Poodle in breed field
Your city,state zip...they will pull up any rescues for you

or try poodlerescue.com.....

nice way to save a life and adopt a Great Breed at the same time!!!

[Angelica]

Hi everyone --

Thanks for all the info on Standard Poodles --

Now I really want one!!

The SPCA in Vancouver, BC has never had a Standard show up -- and I have sent e-mails to the rescue groups I could find on the net, but no one has answered --- I know it will happen at the perfect time.

Blessings, Angelica

[cocker_luva]

i love standard poodles, well i love all kinds of poodles, but standard is my favorite!