Poodles? Am I missing something?

Sev and I go to the park everyday around 5PM and meet up with the other dog people so the dogs can play and we can socialize as well.

There are at least 15 dogs there at any given time and with the exception of a few snapping incidents from unwanted humping, the dogs get along fine.

Three different poodle owners have come to the park and all three dogs have attacked other dogs. I was just a little stunned by this because I really didn't expect the aggression that I saw. I know that ANY dog breed can be aggressive if provoked, but the attacks came from the dogs just chasing tennis balls and the one almost drew blood on a pitbull name Whodini.

Am I missing something? Do I just not know enough about poodles that things like this would surprise me. Hanna, who is a GIANT Rottie runs interference when dogs start to fight, she literally bodies off the more aggressive dog and won't let it near the other dog and SHE got attacked too.

I don't want to see a dog person miss out on having their dogs play, but people at the park are getting antsy when they see poodles now and I'd like to quell their fears about them.

It takes a LOT to make Seven show any aggression at all but after the first growl session, he was ready to take the black poodle apart when it came too close to me.

I can assure you that this behavior is not typical of poodles. I have had poodles all of my life and have never had one act like this. My only thought is that these dogs have not been socialized well, if at all, although I still can't imagine one of my dogs acting that way. Of the three sizes that poodles come in (standard, miniature and toy) I can tell you that the standards, being the largest, are EXTREMELY easy going and are absolutely unflappable when it comes to new experiences and/or meeting people and other dogs. As you go on down in size there may be a bit of intimidation involved, with the tiny ones feeling somewhat threatened although I can't see this being any more of a problem than with another small or toy dog. My two toys were extremely outgoing but they were taken everywhere with me from day one. My answer to you would be simply to please not judge all poodles by these. They are awesome dogs and I am currently on my 6th! :)

Then I'm not crazy. Thank you. These were good sized poodles (taller than Seven). Maybe you're right about the not being socialized.

I was just really surprised by how aggressive they were.

It sounds like they may have been standard poodles by the size that you are describing. This just shocks me even more. My two standards (Bella being my only one right now) have/had awesome temperaments. Here is a link which will give you a good description of the true temperament of a standard. I hope it helps to show them as they really are. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/standardpoodle.htm

I do hope that you get to meet some poodles who are more representative of the breed. Stay safe at the park! I have been hesitant to visit a dog park for just the reasons you state only with me I am afraid of the other dogs there attacking mine. :)

It's funny - the big scary dogs have the worst reputations, but the little poodle mix I used to have was the spunkiest and most aggressive dog I've ever had! I loved her to bits - she was the smartest little thing. But I'll tell you what - she was more protective of this house than I ever would have imagined. She'd find every way possible to get out of the house and the fenced area to try to physically protect our property from anybody who came near it. And she was so adorable that people automaticlly wanted to come up and pet her, but unless they were properly introduced she'd growl and snap.

I didn't think of her spunkiness as a bad thing - it was part of her wonderful personality. I just did my best to keep her out of trouble, and told people to introduce themselves properly before trying to touch her. I never would have taken her anywhere where there were a lot of dogs without having her on a leash, though, and anybody with a dog who has such a personality should always keep them leashed unless they're familiar with the people and dogs around them.

One must be reminded what each breed was used for. Poodles (standards) were orginally used for cold water retrieveing. but in mid evil times they were used for guardian dogs in the castles, also were used in battle during war time. they were used in the 1500"s in the battle of the roundhead with Prince ruppert and Charles the 1st. also used in ww1 and ww2. The beginning line of the doberman and boxer breeds was a standard poodle. Bad temperments can be bred into the lines. this comes with the puppy millers and backyard breeders who are only in it for the money. A dog of any breed that displays aggressive behavior should never be bred. AS a rule a standard poodle is very dog friendly, and agility bound. If I encountered this situation I would have to ask the owners to get control or leave. Sounds like one the dogs were not trained or socialized very well. I run my standard in tack male with other in tack males and never had a problem. My standards are very people and dog friendly, but will say very protecting. My Male did go after a person as he was trying to break in the car with me in it. Standard poodles today are used as theraphy dogs, search and rescue dogs, hunting dogs, guide dogs, drug dogs, as they are a working breed and some people even use them for carting. Today they still remain as the most intellegent dog. with this I will say that the standard poodle was not my 1st choice of dog. I am a rottie person and have owned, trained and shown 7 rotties. when my last rottie died I decided to go a little smaller and a lot more hair. But having owned my two standards and a several mini's I can truthfully say that I will always have a standard, but not in show coat. I have retired my riley and he is getting shaved down. we are going to the modified continial show clip a lot shorter. and we are starting obe. showing.

My Poodle would NEVER hurt a fly. He loves all dogs, cats, people, everything. I use him when I get a foster cat who hates dogs. Usually after about 30 minutes together, the cat is transformed into a dog lover (or at least dog liker).

My boy is also signed up with the local therapy group. We haven't started yet, but I am positive he'll pass. When there's a room full of people, he likes to go around the room sitting on everyone's lap.

I think its just a coincidence that you've seen 3 aggressive Poodles in a row now. As you said, any breed is capable.

I hope I'm making sense. I'm sick and my medicine makes me drowsy, so my head is in the clouds :) I'll come back later and finish this post :)

every single poodle I have ever met has been a very snappy dog, mainly standerd poodles. one poodle took a huge chunck out of a border collie at a flyball tourny, no reason at all just turned around took a chunk out of the dog I am not saying all poodles are like that, but a majority are very snappy. people have had VERY nice poodles, etc.. but thses poodles in flyball are VERY well socalized these are dogs that have been around other dogs there whole life, right from as soon as they could leave there house, they have been going to flyball tournys for socalization.

:confused: I am at a total loss for words. This is just extremely baffling to me. :confused: My motto has always been: 'to know a poodle is to love a poodle.' I am sorry that some of you have met poodles like this.

There are snappy dogs in all breeds, but my experience with standard poodles are not what you are describing. AT the agility field we will have 4 rotties 15 standard poodles and 6 border collies all together along with 2 labs and a jack russell. the problem dog is the chocolate lab. THE poodles you are talking about could be from poor breeding. BAck in the lines could have been a dog that should have never been bred. Most people will maybe get upset with me for what I am going to say. As much as I love my dogs, if one of them ever bites for no reason. I am sorry after the ten days quarrantine they will be put down., I will not have an aggressive dog, nor knowingly give one away. I would hate to know that i knew a dog was aggressive and I gave it away and it mangled some child, I could not live with myself. Not to mention the lawsuits that would follow. I will say that there is one breeder here that does breed aggressive poodles. I have had a few people wanting to breed to my RIley and when I found out it was her lines, The answer was NO!

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Originally posted by Pam
:confused: I am at a total loss for words. This is just extremely baffling to me. :confused: My motto has always been: 'to know a poodle is to love a poodle.' I am sorry that some of you have met poodles like this.

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Pam, I can say that I have met one poodle that is snippy, but ALL the others were absolute love bunnies!!!!!

Although I don't know any poodles & anyone who has one
that I could get to know in person, I don't think they are a
snippy breed at all. If any dogs are aggressive in that way with
other dogs it's either bad breeding or lack of proper training &
socializing of the dog from an early age. I don't believe any one
breed is bad or has bad instincts. I'm sorry you happened to
come upon some of the less well trained poodles.