Genuinely interested - why all the poodle crosses? What puts people off a ‘proper’ poodle?

[MissShapesMissStakes]

I have a gorgeous mini poodle. He’s out first dog and so far has been a dream. Never made a sound at night, really lovely with the kids, easy to train (as he lives to eat!). He is such a cutie (I think). People round us all have poodle crosses and are always reall surprised when I say he’s a poodle and not a cross.

Do people think they are born with Pom poms on their feet and tail? (DH did! but I assumed he was the exception). But I genuinely can’t think of another reason. No shedding at all and they even come in small, medium and large!

[MissShapesMissStakes]

We found out today too that Waffle the Wonder Dog is a mini poodle! Caused much celebration from my kids! I imagine quite a few people have got cockerpoos because they like the idea of a Waffle dog (though even the everyday poodles can’t talk)

[TeacupRex]

I think a lot of people have this image of poodles being this prissy, frou-frou kind of dog, most seem to think that they only ever exist in a continental clip. They're great dogs that come in 3 sizes and it's a huge shame that their popularity has declined recently. You get people breeding all sorts of random dogs with poodles, might as well be saying they just want the poodle part for its coat!

Another point is that doodles/poos haven't been around that long really, unfortunately they seem to have become the new trendy thing, and a bit of a 'wonder dog', with breeders making all sorts of claims that the dog may or may not even live up to, there's a hell of a lot of expectations placed on them. Hypo-allergenic, low maintenance grooming, perfect family dogs, hybrid vigour, healthier than purebreds, low energy etc. - I've only ever seen positives being advertised about these crossbreeds. Whereas I think pedigree breeders tend to be more honest (not always though - there are good and bad breeders of pedigrees too) about what to expect from their chosen breed, and obviously there's a lot more information about a breed that has been established for many years.

Give me a proper poodle any day!

[drowningincustard]

Defintely the thing about the cross breeds is that they are 'trendy', there's loads about and so that's why they are probably more on the radar when someone decides they fancy a dog - probably after reading that they don't shed and will have all the best characteristics of the parent breeds (ha ha!)
I have allergies and would love a standard poodle. Unfortunately I don't have the lifestyle that would suit a dog so no dog for me but if circumstances change then I will be on the hunt for a poodle or some other water loving breed with that kind of fur...
Loving the photos on this thread - as long as you are not creating a show monstrosity with the clipping then the normal cut poodles are fab.

[PinkPupZ]

I love poodles but only know 2 people with them. However know so many with cockerpoos/cavapoo/cavachon. I think it's just what's on trend is seen more so people follow what they think seems a nice dog they've seen.

When we got our pup we were limited to non shredders for allergies. Poodle was an option. But in the end we went for bichon as a family member had one which is a fabulous pet and we are not allergic to. In addition there was a great breeder in the area. This I think is similar in that most people go for the cross breeds. Poochon zuchon etc. It's just fashion.

[PoodleMom]

Over the course of 40 years I have owned miniature poodles, toy poodles & standard poodles (I now have one standard female that’s 8mons & I am getting a standard male puppy in May). I have always gotten purebreds (no parties). Some people like crossbreed & partie poodles but in my personal opinion I think it weakens the DNA of the dog. Poodles are also naturally one solid color!! Any two color poodle will have weaker genes & pron to more health issues or a carrier of bad genes. Poodle are VERY smart & intune to his/her family members, especially the one they bond to the most. They are very easy to train (they love pleasing their family & being rewarded), and like any medium to large dog they need daily exercise (they love to run). The biggest problem in owning a poodle is they do not like to be away from their family members for long periods of time & can suffer from anxiety separation. In truth having a poodle you don’t own them......they become very much a family member & are more like a child (poodles, specially standards don’t reach maturity till they are at least 2 years old, toys - a year old). One more thing, be careful what you feed them & make sure they have more dry food (high quality) & once you get them on one they like don’t change it around (yes they will have days they will not eat much....just like you do, don’t worry they’ll eat when they get hungry). Give they fruit & veggies (google a list of what dogs can & cannot eat.
To all who are poodle family members now....it’s it awesome to be love by such an amazing dog!!
And to all who are thinking of bringing a poodle into your life.....you will never regret it, specially if they are good bloodline.

[Oakmaiden]

Poodles - definitely don't have to be prissy dogs.

They were originally bred as water fowl hunting dogs, so no need for them to be dainty and afraid of getting wet. Ours never have been.

And my experience has been they are far less vicious that cocker spaniels, and less bonkers than springers...

[Florescentadolescent]

I think when dogs are unpopular it can be because they are too submissive

My dog isn't neutered but he is very submissive. Any retriever, gun dog or poodle mix breed he gets on fine with. But most other breeds are just so aggressive towards him. He knows to give them a wide birth though and never responds with aggression.

[Florescentadolescent]

AgathaF

He knows leave it but he won't hear anything when he gets a cat in his sights.

[happygardening]

"so are low risk for chasing"
Mine very occasionally chases our cat then licks his back and head much to the cats horror. I was talking about farm livestock he's always on the lead around them but displays no interest in them. In fact we have a lot of young cattle round here who for some unknown reason find him absolutely fascinating they come rushing over and there lots of sniffing and blowing and he very firmly pretends they don't exist! Ditto alpacas.

[3dogs2cats]

No one told my standard not to chase,till we did. We got him as a rescue, his previous person sadly died. He didn’t like the cats at first, but they love him, love to knead his woolly coat, and he’s learned to tolerate it. My dog hasn’t ever been disliked by another dog, although he dislikes rotties and Alsatians, which is quite embarrassing. I think when dogs are unpopular it can be because they are too submissive., or because they were neutered too young.my dog has a lovely temperament, never snappy.
I have heard of snappy toy poodles, think it’s because they ar3 treated like babies, not dogs. All the toy breeds suffer from this at times.

[AgathaF]

Florescent ours have all responded well to a 'leave it' command. Would that work for yours?

[Fazackerley]

I'd love a standard poodle

[Florescentadolescent]

so are low risk for chasing

One of the reasons we got a poodle. But he didn't pick up that trait. He lives to chase anything smaller than him. Particularly cats and squirrels. He doesn't hurt them but my cat was not impressed. My mum has the cat now and he is much happier.

[happygardening]

Haven’t read the whole thread but I have a miniature poodle I confess with a ball on his tail! They are known to be a very healthy breed (mines never had a days illness in 8 years) as long as they have been screened for various conditions therefore should always be purchased from a reputable breeder. I believe toy poodles are one of the longest living breeds and miniatures will easily live to 14/15. Before reading this I’ve never heard anyone say they’re “nuts” or “snappy” they are full of joie de vivre, very friendly loyal very very easy to train (we’ve had lots of different dogs for over 35 years and he has been the easiest) robust my gets wet and muddy everyday shed only the occasional hair will walk miles or go round the block they don’t bark/yap have little interest in livestock so are low risk for chasing. I should add he was very carefully socialised as a puppy. My two dog walkers endlessly comment on how easy he is; both had no experience of poodles and had many of the negative views above. They are surprisingly uncommon mine is the only one my dog groomer has.
My next poodle will be a standard!

[Florescentadolescent]

When we told people we were getting a poodle several people said not too as they are highly strung, hard work etc, etc. My dog is the complete opposite.

One question for the other poodle owners though. Do you feel other none retriever non poodle breed dogs take a dislike to your poodle?

My dog has been attacked three times and he's forever bring snarled, barked, growled and lunged at. This is by dogs we're not even near and he doesn't approach. I feel like bull and terrier type breeds in particular hate him for no reason.

[BitOfFun]

I'm just here for the photos. SO CUTE!

[Loore]

We've a standard, very chilled, well behaved and intelligent poodle. We keep him short clipped (in Australia too hot in summer for a long clip) and usually keep his face clipped because otherwise he throws water everywhere with his beard Its rare that we go anywhere without getting comments on him.

We've friends with a golden retriever / poodle mix which is absolutely mad, although that could be down to lack of training as well. I know people who have paid more than double for a labrador / poodle mix than what we paid for our standard. Our standard is a registered pure bred, we have the genetic paperwork history of his parents and grandparents.

I'm part of a facebook group where poodles come up for adoption / fostering regularly having been rescued from puppy farms used for breeding the oodles. It's really sad to see, but they get adopted really quickly.

[Florescentadolescent]

I have a miniature poodle and he's the best dog. Everyone loves him he's friendly and full of joy.

Poodles were once very popular. But they got a rep for being highly strung, nervous and vicious. Possibly down to bad breeding. So they started to breed them with cockers to give them more confidence.

But a well socialised poodle from a good line makes an amazing dog. Better then a barmy hypo cockerpoo.

[3dogs2cats]

I used to have big fluffy ears on mine, but he is prone to infections in the ear, so they went. I used to hate the pom-poms but quite fancy them now, but it’s not allowed. No diamanté collar either..my poodles never bitten anyone, he’s a lovely boy. Proper dog though, loves a bathroom bin!

[MadauntofA]

Sorry for derailing the thread. All your pictures have taken me right back to my childhood - I need to retire and fill my house with fluffy poodles!!

[MissShapesMissStakes]

[MadauntofA]

Google is a bad thing sometimes!

[MissShapesMissStakes]

Woah! Not sure my dog would appreciate that. I have threatened my dh that I will surprise him one day and get a Pom Pom cut just for fun. I won’t though. Don’t think the dog would ever forgive me. He did t appreciate his bow tie. Never mind Pom poms

[MadauntofA]

Has anyone seen the craziness that is dyeing poodles hair - I saw a programme once, obviously American...

[MissShapesMissStakes]

Lovely! My mini is like the apricot version. Though he’s already faded to beige. His ears are still tinged apricot though.