Poodles

[Iwannabesuewhenigrowup]

I've always had a thing for poodles, I'm not thinking about getting a puppy yet but in the future when my children are a bit older than i may do. Just wondering if living with poodles is what i think it would be!

My favourite size is standard because they're so eye catching and beautiful but we only have a small terraced house so i think they might be too big and a miniature would be the way forward. I'm relatively experienced with dogs and capable of grooming a poodle - not show clip etc but enough to get by. I would want a medium energy breed walk ie for an hour a day, I'm very keen to do clicker training and agility and similar. Work from home and that will continue. I need one that doesn't shed so I've looked at all the non shedding breeds and ruled out very small and very large dogs, ruling out terriers due to their prey and digging drive, ruling out breeds such as havanese as they are just way too expensive although theyre gorgeous. Thought about a rescue but i need a non shedder due to allergies to dog hair from moulting breeds. Id like a happy dog that'll cuddles up on the sofa, easy to train, sociable and good with (respectful) children.

What's it really like living with poodles and any other medium non shedding breeds i should consider?

[chocaholic73]

We had a standard who died at 14 last year. We have now "downsized" and have a rescue miniature who is 5. They are lovely dogs and the only potential downside is the grooming but it sounds as if you are already on board with that. The miniature may be small in size (we found it very strange at first) but he has a huge personality, keeps us laughing at his antics and I think it would be very easy to let them run rings round you! Wouldn't be without ours though!

[AgathaX]

"do you find they feel like "big" dogs to live with? I don't know if that makes sense but like labradors for example are big and solid and they take up a lot of space"
No, they really don't feel like that at all. Ours have always been fairly self aware of their own space somehow, so seem to be very 'neat' in the house. Also, poodle tails tend to be carried fairly high, unlike labs which are carried much lower, so they don't do that swiping things off coffee tables thing that labs appear to do.
They can be very cuddly, but they're not generally velcro dogs, so are equally as happy lying on the floor.
Ours have always been confident dogs, although one that we lost a few years ago was not really keen on other dogs. He was never aggressive towards them, just blanked them. He loved people and really loved children though.

[Iwannabesuewhenigrowup]

That's it I'm sold! Now i just need to wait for the dc to get bigger

[AgathaX]

How old are your children? We've found that our dogs adapt to whatever age of child they are with, so they're very gentle with small children, more playful with older children. I think some of that is in the training too, but they really are adaptable dogs.

It's really great for children to grow up with pets too.

[Iwannabesuewhenigrowup]

They're 3.5yo twins, they're absolutely amazing with all animals but I'm trying to nurture their love of dogs by not letting them meet any that are too bitey/overwhelming until they're old enough to understand dog behaviour a bit better. I've always said i wouldn't get a dog until they are old enough to actively help look after it and get involved in training it (i do love a bit of clicker training) Maybe when they're about 7/8yo? Plus - with working and young twins we don't have the time or energy for a dog just now. And we've got elderly cats. One day though! You've confirmed what i thought on just how perfect a poodle would be for our family.

[Iwannabesuewhenigrowup]

I agree about children and pets. They adore the cats and all the family dogs. I couldn't have got through the teenage years without my faithful family dogs to cry into

[Iwannabesuewhenigrowup]

I note i said up thread my dc are 4, they're more like 3y and 10 months so somewhere between 3.5 and 4 I'm always too lazy to work it out.

[D1ngledanglers]

I know quite a few (? 8) standards - all lovely dogs & make me want one.
They are very intelligent, funny, bouncy, beautiful dogs.
Be careful of temperament - some of them can be a bit wary & jumpy but not aggressive (that I've met, although good watch dogs) .
I understand Addison disease is a problem for them though sad

[RainRainGoAway2020]

We put a deposit down on an apricot miniature yesterday. Very excited!

[TimeWastingButFun]

My kids were 3 & 5 when we got our puppy and the ages were absolutely fine (although we had a dog since they were newborns)

[MKD1]

I know this thread is so so old but thought I'd check in if anyone has had any ore poodles since as I'm considering getting one too!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

When this thread was started I was awaiting a standard fool ... sorry poodle. He joined our family in Feb 2021 a long awaited dog and the most easily trained dog. I describe him as the brilliant professor you can teach him anything, but he regularly trips over his own feet.

[Groutyonehereagain]

We have a miniature poodle and she’s utterly adorable. Everything has been so easy with her. She’s our third dog and easily the best.

i don’t get why anyone gets a cockapoo, just get a poodle.

[MKD1]

@Groutyonehereagain

We have a miniature poodle and she’s utterly adorable. Everything has been so easy with her. She’s our third dog and easily the best.

i don’t get why anyone gets a cockapoo, just get a poodle.

To be fair most of 2022, was spent with Me wanting a cockapoo because of all the socials and seeing so many out and about.

However I have done a lot of research and have also met a lot of cockapoos and can safely say its a no for me. So since October 2022. I have been researching poodles and daschunds and have met a few and will have a 'play date' with a miniature poodle in the coming weeks to see if I'm on the right track. As i have 2 small kids and need to make the right decision.

[SugarSyrup]

@MKD1

I know this thread is so so old but thought I'd check in if anyone has had any ore poodles since as I'm considering getting one too!

@MKD1 we have 2 minis and they're lush. SO barky though. But 100% recommend for happy, easy, fun family dogs.

[MKD1]

@SugarSyrup

@MKD1 we have 2 minis and they're lush. SO barky though. But 100% recommend for happy, easy, fun family dogs.

Thank you! I think I've settled for a Toy Poodle! Just need to mentally prepare and start looking