First Ever Puppy.

[Mumsaysno]

We are thinking of getting a toy poodle puppy and wondered if anyone has any experience of owning these dogs? Are they good with children, easy to train and good for first time dog owners.?

Thanks

I've heard they are not very good with goods. You need to talk to breeders, visit adult dogs etc. Champdogs and petplanet are good websites to search for breeds and about the breeds.

Every toy poodle I've ever met (probably half a dozen) has been absolutely cr@p with children, but they've all been owned by old ladies and have probably not been socialised that well, and so aren't at all used to children. They do have a reputation as a snappy breed though...

From all the ones I've met, the small breed I'd be most inclined to recommend for you would be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a GOOD breeder. The breed does have some known health issues but a good breeder would know to only breed from strong, healthy adults to avoid these problems, but a backyard-breeder or puppy farmer would conveniently ignore these faults and just breed from any old CKCs.)

Hi thanks for the replies. What about cockerpoos (cocker spaniels x poodles). We are looking at low shedding dogs as both dd1 and dh have asthma.

Not the answer you're going to want but I've known 3 cocker spaniels while I was growing up (owned by different extended family members) and two of the three were horrible snappy dogs (the third was ok.) We had an English Springer Spaniel and a school friend had a CKC Spaniel, and they were both nice, friendly dogs, but I'm definitely not a Cocker Spaniel fan at all!

What about a border terrier?
Have heard they are good with kids, and have quite course hair. Very cute too
I agree re cockers and poodles not being good with kids...