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Ok, its time for me to confess: I like poodles!
Although it might not qualify to be on "Its a Miracle" I find it very fun and interesting that when I was a kid, I demanded poodle wallpaper in my room. Many years later, I became the devoted dog-sitter for, you guessed it, two sweet poodles.
I sure enjoy looking at all the beautiful fur faces here at PetTalk, but I can finally admit to that special soft spot for poodles of all size and flavor. Ahhh, confession is good for the soul! :D
There is nothing wrong with liking poodles! They are wonderful pets and very intelligent.
I really don't understand the stigma behind a wide ranging public dislike of the breed. Maybe there is a male insecurity thing about having a "foo-foo" dog. For those people, just don't groom the dog with the crazy cuts.
A great thing about poodles is that they don't stink and they don't shed. For most people, this is a dream come true. I wear as much of Sophie's hair as she does, it seems. She doesn't stink, but she sheds. It seems that every time someone asks me about papillons, the first question they have is "Does she shed?" Of course she does, most dogs do. (She doesn't stink, I'll take that any day...)
To those people, I recommend the poodle, but invariably they say "But I don't like poodles." I ask why and they can never tell me a reason. Most often the answer I get is "I don't know, I just don't like them."
Does anyone else have an idea what the problem is with these people? I think that if someone doesn't want a dog that sheds, they really don't want a dog. Even so, Terriers don't shed, Bichons don't shed, and poodles don't shed. These same people who ask don't seem to like any of these other breeds either. Are they searching for a reason to not have a dog? It seems so to me...
I think another reason may be that people associate a lot of the small breeds as yappy, annoying dogs. Many people tend to make snap judgements based on maybe one or two dogs of a specific breed they have come across. If the only poodle they ever met was yappy and obnoxious, then they will probably say they don't like poodles. I'm going to have the guts to say this though, if anyone ever met my poodle, they would definately go around saying they love the breed! He is so smart and sweet. He's excellent with all other animals, babies, and all people. I really could not ask for a smarter, more well behaved dog.
AntiPam - So glad to see another poodle lover come out of the closet!!! Hehehe.
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/011/gr/Cp/yU/Ji17425.jpg
Wow I have a couple of soul mates!! :D For anyone who doesn't know yet (it's hard to believe there's anyone! :) ) I have had 5 poodles. I have had all colors and all sizes and both sexes. I was first told about this breed from a co-worker who was a poodle lover. I have to admit that the "no shedding" aspect caught my attention and yes, they have no "doggy" odor. I became a "poodle person" for the first time in 1970. A year after I got my first one I got a second. These are wonderful dogs who are very quick learners and want to be totally involved in the life of their humans. I know that when lots of people think of poodles they think of the typical poodle they may see at Westminster or some other show and are turned off by the fancy cut. Most people just simply keep their poodle in the puppy clip which is easy to maintain. I do appreciate the enormous amount of time that it takes to maintain the fancy cuts and I am sure it gives the judges some idea as to the quality of the dog's fur. Some poodles are woolier than others and some wouldn't even be able to support those cuts. As for me, routine grooming every 4-6 weeks is enough work. ;)
Anyone, let me get off my soapbox. I could go on and on but I would surely bore you! :D Thank you for bringing this breed into the spotlight for a minute. :)
This is for Pam, Aly,Tanya, and all the poodle lovers.
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/038/2w/5A/Iz/OG37317.jpg
[ August 05, 2001: Message edited by: Jackie ]
Thats a great little picture Jackie! That poodle could be Bella's stunt double.
I'm sure Tanya will have a thing or two to say about how wonderful her poodle is too :D
I know some people aren't "small dog people", but I truly think poodles could change their minds. They are so smart and eager to please, its incredible. That must be why Lolly is so easy to train.. its the poodle in her :)
Well Aly I know Miss Daisy has poodle and affenpincher in her way, way back. She is very smart, not eager to please, and very independent, I wonder which part is the Poodle and which is the Affenpincher? :rolleyes: :D
I'm just back from camping now. Poodles are the best!!! Fritz is only 5 months but he's really smart. He's such a cuddle monster :D I love him to death!!!
Thank you Jackie! That is a terrific picture. I really enjoyed that site that you got it from. Here's one for you too! hehe!
http://www.internetclipart.com/Anima...schnauzers.jpg
Thanks Pam, that was neat, I surely do love those Schnauzers, but thanks to you I'm getting to know Poodles too in a different light. I thought they were all frou frou and I didn't know they didn't shed, they are beautiful, my husband is impressed with Bella the gorgous naughty dawg, look at Reece so smart and so happy with everyone and Fritz is such a little doll. They all have different personalities. I have a whole lot more respect for Poodles since meeting everyone here who has one.
Jackie
Ricky's best friend and our neighbor is a poodle named Ruska. Our neighbor was in the Peace Corp in Russia and they gave her a poodle puppy as a thank you present. Little Ruska knows English but really listens when her human calls her in Russia, that usually means she is in trouble. They are really a great breed and considered to be very elite in Russia. :)
And just for the record, until I met Ricky, I didn't care for chihuahuas. Its the personality that counts, not the breed.
Growing up, I assumed that all poodles were little froo-froo's - all fluff and no personality (my grandma had a poodle that she used to dye pink).
In the last couple of years, though, I've really come around, and I have to say that I really like the breed now! I went with my mom when she took her puppy to puppy kindergarten, and one of the students was a 3-pound teacup poodle pup - so sweet and cute!
Poodle lovers: I'd recommend reading John Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley." It is a real-life account of Steinbeck's trip across America with his aging French Poodle, Charley. Neat story, I'm reading it right now!
Thank you so much for the tip about the book! I have written down the name for my next trip to Barnes & Noble. I am looking forward to a good read! :)
I accidently dropped an emoty bag of cat food on my bathroom floor last night without realizing it. Well it wasn't totally empty but almost. I was sitting here on my computer and heard the bag crackling around. All I did was turn and look at Reece (who had the bag), and he dropped, came over to me, and sat down staring at me with a begging look in his eyes asking me not to be mad! You know you have a great dog when all you have to do is look! :) Of course I have a soft spot for those stubborn dogs too, but it makes my life easier when both Reece and Lolly listen to me and are in tune with me so well. :)
Aly, Bella is a LONG WAY from Reece's wonderful behavior! If she had the bag of food and I saw her she would have grabbed it and run as far and as fast as her naughty little paws could carry her. LOL! I know she is just a puppy and this will pass in time. For now she keeps me on my toes! :D