Moms Alike, Raising Littles, This Sweet Farm

One Family’s Experience with a Standard Poodle

In loving memory of Emmett

the World’s Best Family Dog & Standard Poodle
December 20, 2012 – July 21, 2019

Standard Poodle – Everything You Need to Know

If you’re looking for a great family dog, then you must consider the standard poodle. You see, I learned from a young age that dogs are part of the family. That set me on a path to always be a dog owner. I’ve had my share of them over the years, and I’ve loved them all. I’ve loved their quirks, temperament, and the memories we’ve made together.

But none compares to what I found in my first true compaion: Emmett, the standard poodle.

My First Standard Poodle

Emmett was my first Spoo (which is the equivalent of their Hollywood name). Since meeting Emmett the Standard Poodle, training him, snuggling with him, and observing him, one thing is certain: I will always be the proud Dog Momma of a Standard Poodle.

If you’re reading this, perhaps you’re considering investing your money, heart, and time into this wonderful breed. I’d like to tell you about my experience with one, and help you see one family’s perspective. I’m not sure what’s right for you, but I now know what’s right for us!

Choosing Our Standard Poodle Puppy

Are you interested in rescuing a standard poodle? Check out my list of Poodle Rescues in the United States.

I am a humane society lover. Several pets including two dogs and countless cats have been called to our home by way of the humane society. In 2012, I decided to deviate from this course.

The Hunt for a Therapy Dog

You see, as an educator, I set out to find a dog that I could bring with me to work in schools as a therapy dog; at the time, that meant seeking a dog with specific traits. Much has changed in school climates and it’s rare to see dogs in schools today, but that didn’t stop me from pursuing my goal of finding a healing companion who might be able to join me in my work.

After careful consideration of our lifestyle, goals, and budget, I settled on a Standard Poodle puppy.

This purebred, papered pooch was located a few hours away and was from a reputable breeder. I don’t want to claim to be any expert on Standards, but I’ll say that the breeder and I spoke at length about the parents’ medical history, current care, and temperament. I’m glad we did. The dog we adopted was from a long line of dogs who were bred for their patience, calm temperament and trainability. Just what we were looking for! (Read my tried-and-true tips for bringing home a new family pup here.)

Training our Standard Poodle

“Standard poodles are so smart!” We’ve all heard it; in fact, aside from that non-shedding beautiful coat, it’s one of the driving reasons why poodles are such a popular breed among dog owners of all types.

I’m not lying, folks, when I say that my experience matches this idea we’ve all heard: poodles are intelligent, indeed.

I set out to train mine to be a certified therapy dog who may, one day, be allowed into schools with me as an educator. Therefore he needed full obedience training which we started as soon as I brought him home at 10 weeks of age.

I dedicated up to 2 hours per day to training my dog using walks and specific instructions from a very talented trainer named Jodi (who, coincidently, adopted my Spoo’s sister from the same litter!).

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Our Training Schedule

My dog was very loyal, was very eager to please me, and loved to work during our training walks. I believe that “a tired dog is a happy dog,” and this breed is definitely a working breed.

I found it very valuable to have a goal around training. Just doing 6 weeks of puppy training classes at the local pet store wasn’t right for us; I wanted to ensure that his intellect went toward positive activities, not excessive boredom-turned mischief. So setting the goal of therapy dog certification was a great fit for us.

Easily Trained in Obedience

Within one year of training (at least one hour walk per day plus a weekly class at a park, Lowe’s/Home Depot, or city street), my Standard Poodle was fully leash trained – he walked along side of me, neither pulling me nor dragging behind.

When I stopped walking, he would immediately sit down and wait for a command. He would remain in a “sit stay” indefinitely, even when I was out of sight and there was a tasty distraction visible! He could be touched anywhere on his body by anyone, and indeed had the most docile demeanor when it came to new situations, floor textures, and startling noises.

We worked hard together, had a lot of fun, and bonded tremendously.

It’s my sincere opinion that the standard poodle is a very intelligent and highly trainable dog. I have met owners whose standard poodle is a water-sport retriever, therapy dog, and service dog. They are trainable, intelligent, and have an amazing personality to match their intellect!

Potty Training

Potty training my standard poodle pup was really a non-issue. In fact, he was much easier to train than our current puppy, a Labradoodle who you can read more about here.

I arranged my schedule so that I could provide him frequent potty breaks, rewarded him with lots of praise for pottying when and where I preferred, and we took it one hour at a time.

Fortunately he was a natural people-pleaser and liked to work hard for me. I’ve had other dogs who are not such quick learners; this was one of the easiest elements of “home proofing” my dog – I found my standard poodle to be easily potty trained.

The Standard Poodle Diet

Within a few weeks of having our poodle, we noticed him scratching his neck, legs and belly – a lot! A trip to vet (and a call to the breeder) revealed that it was possible he had a grain allergy.

Now, I know there’s some controversy over grain-free foods these days. But for our dog it was essential. Within days of taking him off a grain puppy food and putting him on a grain-free kibble and wet food diet, his scratching disappeared. That’s what he ate for years.

My favorite grain-free kibble for him was from Diamond Naturals, the Skin and Coat formula (found here). He loved the taste and we got complimented on his hair all the time because it was so soft and shiny.

We saved a ton on dog food by using Amazon’s “subscribe and save” where they sent us refills every few weeks. Dollar for dollar, that made the price comparable to the lesser-quality foods.

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Playing with Small Children

As a mom of two young children (1 and 3), the Standard Poodle was the best medium-sized dog for my growing young family.

Sure, you hear that poodles are great family dogs. But my experience confirms this over and over: this dog was perfect for the family with very small children.

Thanks to our training together and his naturally calm, people-pleasing temperament, my babies could (before I told them to stop!) pull his tail, play with his ears, be near his food and water dish, lay on his dog bed, play with his toys, feed him treats and be underfoot. Never did this dog demonstrate any behavior to cause me alarm.

My only frustrations came when he would turn suddenly (in his excitement to play) and knock one of the kids over; this happened more than once. I believe (and have seen) this could happen with any breed and any toddler. Nonetheless, his 52 pound-breed was energetic and driven, and not always thinking about physics!

This dog took well to every member of our family, including our frequently-visiting extended family.

Our standard poodle traveled well, adapted swiftly, and calmed quickly when there were visitors. Sure the doorbell could send him into a barking fit (I like that in a dog – ALARM!). But once he recognized we were safe, he was quick to fall in line and follow our lead.

Grooming That Infamous Standard Poodle Coat

It’s totally possible to groom your poodle yourself. This will save you lots of money in the long run. My trainer/groomer taught me and I did his grooming as a young dog.

But a word of caution – know what you’re doing!

There’s more to grooming a standard poodle than just running clippers. There are lots of great books that teach dog grooming. Supplies pay for themselves in the long run (since each groom is typically $75+).

That sweet, soft, non-shedding coat draws many people to check out this sweet breed. In fact, it’s what got me first considering the breed–this idea of being “hypoallergenic” and much gentler on peoples’ pooch allergies.

It’s vital to be aware that poodles definitely need frequent grooming and dedicated care of their gorgeous hair. Any family considering a poodle needs to consider this expense (whether it be monetary or the expense of time and DIY).

The First Coat – Poodle Puppy Fluff

To start…your puppy will have that standard poodle puppy coat! It’s bountiful, soft, fluffy all over; super easy to brush, wash and maintain. Then one day, it was as though my dog couldn’t see out of his eyes! The time had come to get a real groom, and thus starts a lifetime of poodle haircuts.

I have two favorite standard poodle cuts – the Teddy Bear cut and the Puppy Cut. For the past few years, we’ve requested our groomer (very talented, btw!) do a cut that’s somewhere between the two. She calls it the field cut – it’s sporty but manageable, and he still absolutely looks like a poodle.

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Choosing a Groomer for your Standard Poodle

With my busy lifestyle, I didn’t stick with grooming my own standard poodle but, instead, found a great groomer. Let’s talk dollars and cents: our dog was groomed every 6 – 8 weeks, to the tune of $75 per groom + tip. This included nail trim, ear cleaning, gland expelling, wash, cut and dry.

We could certainly go longer between grooms (and did on occasion), but ran the risk of him getting uncomfortably matted if we didn’t brush him. 6-8 weeks was our sweet spot, and he seemed physically comfortable with that frequency.

The Top Knot

Let’s talk about that famous top knot – the top fluffy part of the standard poodle’s head.

I know that a lot of people don’t like the big poofy fluff of hair on their heads; however, I’ve seen many owners make the mistake of cutting it off completely! What you can’t see under that mop of fluffy hair is that poodles have a weird bony bump on the top of their heads. That fluff of hair is really good at masking its weirdness.

Don’t fall victim to the idea of shaving their heads. It looks really weird and I can’t think of other breeds to compare this to; embrace the top knot! It doesn’t have to be super fluffy and ridiculous; it can be simple and functional. You’ll find a length that works best for you.

A Special Collar for your Standard Poodle

I started off with just a “plain ol’ flat collar” for him – something that was cute and fit my style. However, once that poodle coat grew in, that changed.

Emmett started getting a rash and chafe marks on his neck. I thought perhaps he had an allergy or a medical issue, or perhaps was allergic to his dog food. However, I learned from my groomer that poodles need a special collar for that fur – she recommended the rolled leather collar, like this one.

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My groomer was right! The rolled collar was exactly what he needed.

For the rest of his life, that issue never returned. I believe that his neck hair was being irritated from the flatness of the previous collar. With his hair being so curly and tightly-wound, this type of collar allowed his standard poodle coat to grow with ease – no more issues.

The Variety of Poodle Sizes

Standard poodles come in many sizes. One of my favorite elements of ours was that he wasn’t a small dog, and wasn’t a huge dog.

He was a medium-sized dog who definitely had a presence, but wasn’t so large that we had to struggle with huge-dog accommodations.

52 pounds was the perfect weight; I could lift him into my car if necessary. Also, he was large enough to be an ominous presence when strangers would arrive at the house.

To know what size he might be as a grown dog, I looked to the sizes of the mom and dad – both purebred Standard Poodles. Sure enough, he landed right in the middle of their weights, averaging perfectly.

That’s one thing that our family needs to consider, especially when selecting dogs: how much dog can we handle? What if someone needs to lift them – can we do that? What will their lifestyle be? For example, am I looking for a running partner who needs to have long legs in order to keep up? Or am I looking for a smaller dog?

For our family, this standard poodle size was perfect. With the exception of those knock-down in the grass moments (“SQUIRREL!”) where I wish the pummel came from a smaller dog, this was the perfect size for our active family.

How We Play

Finally! A retriever who will actually play ball! Our standard poodle was a blast to play with, whether it be frisbee, tossing a tennis ball, or just being active outside.

As a high-energy, high-intellect dog, it was important that he have lots of opportunity to play.

Every day, this dog loved to chase critters, run and roll in the grass, and be with his humans. He was notorious for chasing after us on bikes or barking enthusiastically if he knew we were taking a trip.

As a bird watcher (read all about how I invite songbirds and hummingbirds in my yard) I trained him to leave the feeders alone!

My standard poodle loved to play, learned to fetch (and drop the ball) very quickly and has a playful temperament. Ours was also (thankfully) not obsessive with a tennis ball; that can be just as frustrating as a dog who won’t retrieve at all!

The Standard Poodle Quirks

As with all dogs, standard poodles have their own personality quirks and those little traits that make them unique.

My favorite traits of ours include: him racing out to our car as we pulled in the driveway each day (we called him “Turbo”). He would eat lots of carbs like tortillas and ramen noodles if we left him alone too long and the pantry was open. He’d exchange open-mouth kisses with the baby (yuck on both of you!).

When he was a tiny 10-week old puppy, he slept under the bed…this he still did at six years old! It was hard to slide under, but he managed every night.

His most annoying trait was that he knew when we were headed to the groomer, and would refuse to come in the house or get in the car.

Instead, he’d bark at us and run when we’d get close. The only way to get him back inside was for us to go in the house, close all the doors, and make him long to be with his “people.” He was too smart to come close for treats or to let us near him if he knew he was headed to the groomer!

Standard Poodles have so much intellectual capacity that it’s important to keep them busy and recognize their intellect.

Saying Goodbye to Our First Standard Poodle

Every breed has their genetic predispositions to disease and ailments; the Standard Poodle is no exception. We said goodbye to ours when he suddenly came down with bloat.

It’s worth mentioning, in case others are interested in this breed. At 6 years old he went from being a high-energy, vivacious dog to very lethargic and unwell overnight. He contracted bloat and was beyond saving when it was identified by our vet.

In the future for our next standard poodle, will definitely consider the surgery (done during neutering) where their stomachs are secured in case of this terrible ailment. I’m not a vet so I can’t speak to the ins-and-outs of the condition or surgery; I just know that it was preventable and we’ll do all we can to avoid this in the future.

It’s beyond difficult to lose a family dog. To those of you who have lost fur babies, too, my heart goes out to you.

Why I Love the Standard Poodle

The standard poodles is a loving, family-friendly dog with a wonderful temperament, people-pleasing nature, and tons of energy. Their beautiful, iconic coat is soft, easy to maintain and non-shedding!

Of all the intelligent, medium-sized breeds of dogs in the world, this one has found its way into our family and we will certainly adopt another!

At this moment, we are interviewing breeders and watching the poodle rescue sites to find our next family member, a Standard Poodle.

What’s your experience with Standard Poodles? Feel free to post photos of your “babies!”

Do You Have a Poodle, too?

Join our Hall of Fame!

There’s been such a warm reception to my story about Emmett – I want to meet YOUR fur babies!

Join our Poodle Hall of Fame and get your sweet poodle featured on Sassy Bluejay today. All poodles (great, small or mixed!) are welcome. Follow the simple steps and show off your fur baby!

58 Comments

Nikki McLeslie

July 28, 2019 at 2:39 am Reply

I am so sorry for your loss! We have 3 standards! I would never be without one. Hoping you find a new baby soon.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  July 28, 2019 at 3:08 am Reply
  
  Thank you! Best dogs ever 🙂
  - Milha Skelton
    
    September 8, 2019 at 3:34 pm Reply
    
    I agree, the standard poodle is the best pet ever! We have had many different breeds over the years. Miniature Schnauzers, Labs, and several loveable mutts.
    
    We had been “dogless” for a few years when a friend told me about standard poodles. I did some research and decided that it would be a good breed for us.
    
    I got our first standard puppy in 2006. I brought her home and sat her in my husband’s lap. His comment- “I’m going to have a poodle?” 😊
    
    She quickly wormed her way into both our hearts, and became a treasured member of the family. Smart, loyal athletic, and loving!
    
    She became ill with cancer earlier this year, and we lost her in July. I immediately got another standard puppy. (Sophie) She can’t take Portia’s place, but brings her own energy and keeps me busy.
    
    Didn’t mean to write a book, but wouldn’t have any other breed❣
    - Sherry A Mora
      
      October 19, 2019 at 7:14 pm Reply
      
      I couldn’t agree more with you
      Sadly, I just lost my sweet angel, Antonio on October 14, to liver failure. He gave my family and I 12 fantastic years. He was so intelligent, patient, loving and kind. I have had alot of dogs over the years and I foster for the Humane Society.
      He was the school master for the young pups that come and stayed with us until they find their new families
      Antonio was my once in a lifetime canine companion. I miss him so much. My heart felt like it broke into a million pieces, as he was stoic and more worried about me right down to the end. It was such an honor to be loved by a dog as magnificent as he was. I would reccomend this breed to anyone as they are truly one of a kind.
      - Sherry
        
        August 1, 2020 at 3:53 am
        
        Standards have big hearts and souls. They must have love and interaction continually. They can give you so much joy if you work with them. They are so smart and can be stubborn, but loyal to a fault to their loved ones and family. The grooming can be a real problem and must be addressed without fail. There’s nothing sadder than an ungroomed poodle. They deserve to be groomed on a regular basis even though they never like it.
      - Sassy Bluejay
        
        November 27, 2020 at 8:51 am
        
        Poodles do have the BEST coats! My favorite is a few hours after their bath or groom when their hair is dry and so fluffy. I could snuggle them all day when they’re clean and dry. And those soft ears! 🙂 Thanks for saying hello.
    - Vallea
      
      February 17, 2020 at 8:12 pm Reply
      
      Standard Poodles are the Best! Bloat comes from crummy dog foods, change your feed, dog wont bloat. No need to do that horrible surgery. Have had 4 want 20!😍
      - Kay
        
        September 30, 2020 at 2:58 pm
        
        Bloat can be caused by many things.
        Theories about the causes of bloat in dogs abound, including issues related to anatomy, environment, and care. Research from Purdue University, particularly over the past 10 years, has shown that there are certain factors and practices that appear to increase the risk of GDV, some of which fly in the face of conventional wisdom.
        
        “We don’t know exactly why GDV happens,” says Dr. Faggella. Some people do all of the “wrong” things, and their dogs don’t experience it, she says, while some do all of what we think are the “right” things, and their dogs do.
        
        I found this on the web at
        whole-dog journal. com
        I’m sure you were not implying that his kind dogmomma would feed her sweet Emmett “crap food”
        or that you were blaming her for her babies death n any way.
      - Sassy Bluejay
        
        November 27, 2020 at 8:42 am
        
        Thank you for sharing this helpful information. I was assured by vet exactly what you shared here ~ that there are many causes for bloat and that all I can do is the best I can with healthy foods. Grief is real and I’m still sad we lost him. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a poodle, whether suddenly too soon, or after a long, wonderful life.
      - Martha Pearson
        
        August 7, 2021 at 11:00 pm
        
        @ Vallea, The kind of bloat Emmett’s owner referred to is not what you are referring to. Simple bloat vs. gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). I know, because my family’s standard poodle female had it happen to her after being spayed. She came home from her spay surgery and was thirsty so we let her drink, it didn’t seem any more than a normal amount. Apparently that was shock to her stomach, and it flipped, blocking the esophagus and small intestine entrance and exit of the stomach. Gases built up and, after an hour or so, I remarked to my mom that Mimi looked pregnant. We took her right back to the veterinarian and they did emergency surgery. We learned GDV can happen more frequently in large dogs and race horses.
        Later someone suggested they may have nicked her spleen during the spay, then had to remove the spleen right away as it won’t stop bleeding. The spleen is attached to the stomach and its a weight helps keeps the stomach from twisting.
    - Doug
      
      October 18, 2020 at 5:45 pm Reply
      
      Lost our 8 yr old standard , Gracie, to cancer in January. Just now starting our search.
      - Sassy Bluejay
        
        November 27, 2020 at 8:37 am
        
        Hi Doug, I’m sorry to hear you lost your sweet Gracie in January. It’s really hard to lose any dog – especially a good one. For what it’s worth, I compiled a list of Poodle Rescues on my last search. sassybluejay.com/poodle-rescue/ At minimum, these are great groups who also love this special, special breed. Thanks for commenting!
  - Lorraine Archer
    
    November 19, 2020 at 8:32 pm Reply
    
    I have 3 Standard Poodles in my home. We breed or rather they breed and we help care for their pups. I love my Standards and will never have any other breed. One of them is the offspring of the other 2 and belongs to our 20 year old daughter. They are all the most loving dogs ever.
    - Sassy Bluejay
      
      November 27, 2020 at 8:33 am Reply
      
      Lorraine, your dogs sound lovely. Three Standards sounds like just enough. Thanks for commenting!
- Deeya Maple
  
  July 2, 2020 at 9:34 pm Reply
  
  We are totally addicted to Standard Poodle family members. My daughter has two and we have two also. Your write up totally hit the nail on the head.
Rachel Mcenery - McEnery Standard Poodles

September 18, 2019 at 9:14 am Reply

I was so excited to stumble across your article about standard poodles, they are in fact the absolute best breed out there. We are a small conservative breeder of standard poodles here in Houston, Texas. We send puppies to families all over the country. Check out our Facebook page : McEnery Standard Poodles
We actually have puppies one or even two times per year with a litter coming up next month.
- Peter Trudel
  
  January 18, 2020 at 7:31 am Reply
  
  Benson is my 2 year old 50 pound
  Standard. He is literally a celebrity
  Wherever he goes .and the sweetest most
  Gentle dog I ever met. I can’t for the life of me imagine having any other breed.
  I don’t understand why people get labradoodle or other poodle mixes
  They have it all. I couldn’t imagine life
  Before Benson . He is beyond perfect!
  - Sassy Bluejay
    
    January 18, 2020 at 8:42 pm Reply
    
    Hi Peter,
    Benson sounds wonderful! Celebrity! 🙂 So cute, I know just what you mean. I don’t know if you’ve experienced this but so many people are shocked to see a standard poodle! They always ask, “Labradoodle?” Since our Emmett passed away, we adopted a labradoodle puppy. As much as I love her and she’s part of the family, I miss so many things about our Emmett’s temperament. I’m already on the lookout for our next standard poodle. I hope our next one is as wonderful as Benson sounds.
- Mike Sweeney
  
  November 12, 2020 at 10:12 pm Reply
  
  We have an 88% std poodle mix with 12% German Shephard. Awesome dog. 64 lbs, extremely energetic but calm and playful. Most people think he is a standard and mostly he is. I’ve had lots of dogs, German Shephard, Labrador retreiver, miniature pinchers, aussie mixes, Belgium Shephard and more. Our Shepadoodle is the smartest, most and athletic and calmest (except when chasing critters) dog I’ve had. Amazing creature that everyone comments on. Poodles and Shepadoodles are the best!
  - Sassy Bluejay
    
    November 27, 2020 at 8:34 am Reply
    
    Your dogs sound lovely ~ I’ve never seen a Sherpadoodle before! I’m intrigued. Your dog sounds wonderful. Thanks for commenting.
Wally Street

October 31, 2019 at 2:35 pm Reply

Sorry about your loss.
We just had our 3-yr old SPO undergo the stomach tie-down operation – and we went with the laproscopic method -more $$$ but the recovery period is a lot shorter. Few vets specialize in this method.
Also – a lot of the people in the poodle club told us in the past to NOT have it combined with neutering. So please research.
Good luck on your search.
Eileen Wieck

November 12, 2019 at 8:03 am Reply

We love our girl, she is 9 now, a service dog for autism. I had a miniature poodle growing up, but Standards are the best. We know soon it will be time to look again but we are hoping our girl is with us as long as she can be. Debating on whether to wait on one or introduce one while we still have our queen to show a new puppy the ropes. I’m thinking wait.
- Rose
  
  January 3, 2020 at 10:08 pm Reply
  
  One more thing… Miniature poodles are also wonderful family dogs for people who need a smaller dog with all of the standard’s qualities. Not too big or too small, they won’t knock children over but are still playful, friendly, and sturdy enough for any activity.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 9:09 am Reply
  
  Eileen, did you decide which to do – get a puppy or wait?! Poodles are the best. I have only had a Standard but hear that the minis are very smart and sweet, too.
Noel park

December 14, 2019 at 11:10 am Reply

I really want to have a standard poodle.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  December 14, 2019 at 12:54 pm Reply
  
  Your instinct is good! 🙂
- Rose
  
  January 3, 2020 at 9:31 pm Reply
  
  Yes to everything! I am a dog person, lover of each and every dog I have ever met, owner of rescue mutts, purebreds, and unwanted second hand dogs throughout my life.
  When looking for our first family dog, I suddenly had a list of concerns a mile long, totally unlike any other previous experience. The standard poodle checked everything on the list, from low shedding, easy to housebreak, and impossible for my kids to carry (and drop), to the most essential quality- trustworthy and non-aggressive with children.
  Our standard poodle has come through with flying colors, though I had my doubts when he was a young puppy who seemed overwhelmed with my chaotic household. By 6 months he was a confident and fun loving companion, at a year he can keep up and roughhouse with the kids without ever losing his patience. He stays near on family outings, does his “duty” as kid playmate, and when the day is done enjoys his favorite thing, quality time with mom and dad.
  I recommend the standard poodle as the best dog any family could wish for. Kudos for emphasizing the grooming commitment, good grooming is essential for this breed to be healthy and happy, but it is not cheap or easy to do yourself. I LOVE your beautiful picture of your beloved poodle!
  - Karen
    
    February 14, 2020 at 8:59 pm Reply
    
    After 10 years of begging for a standard poodle, my husband surprised me with a puppy for Christmas 2018. He is my dream dog. He is playful, loving and so smart. My guys is 65 pounds, so a bit larger than most, but he is amazing. Since we got him, we have rescued a female standard from a situation of neglect. I will always have a standard in my home from now on.
    - Sassy Bluejay
      
      November 27, 2020 at 9:14 am Reply
      
      Karen, I love reading your family’s dog story. Thanks for sharing. We currently have a labradoodle (you can learn all about her BIG personality here!) but I am in the market for another poodle. I am also interested in poodle rescues and started my list of reputable groups here. Thanks for sharing about your big lover boy! 🙂
  - Sassy Bluejay
    
    November 27, 2020 at 9:12 am Reply
    
    Rose, thanks for commenting. You’re right – there’s something very different about getting a dog once you have a small family. Fortunately poodles are amazing family dogs, especially when they’re from a reputable, well-tempered line. Doing “kid duty”! You don’t even have to train for that 🙂
    
    Grooming a non-negotiable in my mind. It’s a huge commitment to get a poodle – those coats need special care! I hope you and your family are well 🙂
Nages Sieslack

January 20, 2020 at 4:37 am Reply

So sorry for your loss, Emmett sounds like the dream dog any young family is lucky to own. Like you my husband and I owned rescued dogs in the past when we were singles, and we decided on a purebred, and after a lot of research we decided on a poodle.

Over 1 1/2 years ago we brought a furry baby into our shared life. Our silver Kleinpudel (this is between a standard and miniature), is called Lotta, and her adult height is 40cm. We got her from a Kleinpudel Association certified breeder, and we are so glad as she has a clean bill of health.

Not only is she a cute ball of energy, she is the most intelligent, forgiving, and diplomatic dog we’ve owned! She plays with dogs of any size that we meet during our walks. No matter how engaging the play she, she ALWAYS comes back to me or my husband when we call her.

I hope you’ll find another great dog for your family. If I may make a small suggestion, please consider a Barf diet. We fed Lotta the best dog food money can buy, and yet she didn’t gain much weight. A poodle owner friend suggested Barf dietand we noticed healthy weight gain in Lotta in just a month of switching to the new diet! Later we found out that poodles need a high protein diet compared to many other breeds. She has a very propotional and muscular body now.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 9:18 am Reply
  
  Hi! Thanks for recommending the Barf diet. I’ve heard about it and will check into it! Lotta sounds like a lover girl. I am a huge fan of poodle rescues, after doing some research into these amazing groups of poodle lovers! Thanks for saying hello.
Ellen

February 29, 2020 at 9:50 am Reply

Our family has two standard poodles and I agree they are the best family dog! We also have an older little mixed breed dog. My dogs love a raw meat diet but now that we have three it got costly so I mix a good quality grain free kibble with some raw. They are doing great! I buy raw mixed with some veggies. I also give them some raw egg and herring oil drops. In the morning I give them A little plain yogurt with a few pieces of dehydrated liver on top (their favourite snack). It is good for their digestion. I think this diet will prevent bloat. My poodles are County dogs with lots of space for running and they are very athletic and energetic! I encourage families to get standard poodles. My girl Molly has had two litters of ten puppies each and many families have been blessed by her pups and all the reports I have received have been extremely positive about them.
- John J
  
  June 21, 2020 at 4:31 pm Reply
  
  Sorry for your loss. Out 1st standard (Teddy or T-bear) had the dreaded stomach twist as well. We were on vacation in Hawaii when I got a call from the kennel. Long story short….he survived. I never told my wife how much it cost but did say she could have bought a Cartier watch lol. If my regular vet would have done the surgery I could have saved 6k. So your vet can make a huge difference! He charged less than 800.00. Did 1 or 2 a month. No big deal. He also charged about 150.00 for teeth cleaning. Some vets charge over 500.00. He always said it was criminal since he didn’t even clean the teeth! To bad he retired!
  
  We lost T-Bear to heart failure at just short of 10 years. Broke all our hearts. He was incredibly smart and athletic. Still makes me cry thinking about him and that was over 5 years ago. So what did we do? Went out and got another one!
  
  We now have Momo. It means peach in Japanese. She’s about 5 y.o. A real sweetheart. Very different. More loving. Wants to be with everyone (T Bear was aloof except with me). Still intelligent with that 6th sense that seems to be a standard trait. Loves to chase rabbits. Gorgeous when she goes into her 3 point stance. Must look odd to people when they see a poodle doing that. Her father is a bird dog and was featured on Duck Dynasty so she does have it in her blood. I’m just glad she hasn’t caught one! Don’t think she ever will as rabbits are pretty fast and smart in how they avoid being caught. Momo loves to go fishing and swimming. She’s also a big girl at 65lbs. Not fat either. Walk and run few miles everyday.
  
  I have become a poodle snob. I admit it. Don’t care for any type of “doodle “. I groom Mo myself and did T Bear. Not a fan of the fufu cut so do my own version. Most people know she’s a poodle so it can’t be that bad. Both seem to know when I get the clippers even if they aren’t in the same room!
  
  I would like 1 more standard in my lifetime. Not sure if it’ll happen but we’ll see. The heart break at loosing a family member is so difficult. It makes me think twice. But I also think getting a new pup is the best way to move on. They don’t/won’t ever replace what was lost. But, they do help you heal.
  - Carol Sammons
    
    August 20, 2020 at 11:27 pm Reply
    
    We lost our dog to cancer six months ago. We we’re lucky enough to have her for 14 years before this happened though. I am 65 and have had multiple dogs during my entire adult life, and this one was by far my favorite. And they were all dearly loved. We took her in when she needed a home at eight months. Our little girl just happened to be half standard poodle, father unknown. She was so great in every way. I hope I get a chance to have another poodle, pure or mixed, again.
    - Sassy Bluejay
      
      November 27, 2020 at 8:50 am Reply
      
      I’m so sorry to year that you lost your sweet baby this year. 14 years is a lifetime and I’m sure you gave her a great one. In the event that you’re looking for another poodle, I’ve compiled a list of Poodle RescuesPoodle Rescue Groups List: Who Rescued Who? from when I was recently searching. For what it’s worth. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 9:19 am Reply
  
  Hi Ellen, thanks for sharing about your dog family! I agree – they are great family dogs. Molly and her babies sound like dreams!
Hope

March 30, 2020 at 5:27 pm Reply

I am so very sorry for your loss. We just lost our beautiful 14 year old standard poodle. He was my sons emotional support dog. Poodles are the most amazing dogs. Montana was one of the best standards we’ve had. He also was the only one to live till 14. He was our 5th Standard poodle. Everything you said is spot on. Our fur babies are family and losing them is always extremely difficult. We lost our 6 year old rescued Boxer 6 months prior suddenly to cancer.
Montana was a Royal Standard as were all of the others and weighted 85 pounds. His health was fantastic until his later years. He never grew out of the puppy stage and was a happy playful friendly guy who loved everyone especially my son.
I have just started looking for a new breeder as we have moved out of state and can’t find our old breeder. I don’t want a Standard Poodle that’s going to be a service/support Dog from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill.
Best of luck to you and your family finding your new fur baby. Stay safe and healthy during this very overwhelming time.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 9:21 am Reply
  
  Your love for poodles is obvious! Royal Standards are such regal creatures. I hope you were able to find a reputable breeder and your new fur baby!
SHELLI

April 23, 2020 at 8:49 am Reply

Hello and so sorry for your loss. I’ve always had a dog since I was 11. Many breeds from mixed, a Shepherd, American Staffordshire (who lived to 14) to 2 Boxers. I have heard great things about Standard Poodles but have never owned one. We currently have a Shorkie (1st small dog) so sweet (he is my girl’s dog but guess who takes care of him and he gravitates towards?) Lol ….and a 10 1/2 yr. old rescue Boxer named Sebastian who is my heart. Someone abandoned him 3 days out in the cold winter of 2010. I brought him home to my family & the rest is history. OSU Vet hospital diagnosed with a brain tumor and enlarged heart early February. He has seizures but is on anti seizure and heart meds. He is still a lil playful with the Shorkie…such a good temperament. I know I will have to say by soon and am thankful for every day being able to spend it with him working from home during these uncertain times. I am interested in training where my husband can take to the military base with him & his work, i.e. he is a Wing Chaplain for the AF base.
I am researching Standard Poodles and looking for breeders in Ohio to talk to if anyone knows any.
Thank you all for “listening” and being such wonderful dog parents. Be safe/stay healthy out there.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 9:23 am Reply
  
  Your dog family sounds lovely, and you’re clearly a dog lover! I don’t know of any poodle breeders in Ohio but have compiled a list of Poodle Rescues. I wish you the best of luck on your search ~ let us know if you found your new fur baby!
Denise

June 17, 2020 at 10:44 pm Reply

I have a Parti Standard that I adore she is 13 and had a black Standard Peyton who passed at 14. I love the breed and dont want any other breed. I’m looking for a new friend for Daisy and I. Daisy has been depressed without her best friend. I’m sorry for your loss too. I laughed about the groomer and your dogs stubborn attitude. Daisy doesn’t like it when we cook smoke alarm goes off she wants out and will not come back in until we are done. Follows me everywhere and wants to be with me . Gotta love them
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 8:54 am Reply
  
  Thanks for sharing your story with us! Daisy sounds like a very sweet pup. She is your dog, for sure! I love your story about the fire alarm 🙂 Poodles are so quirky! In case you’re interested in a poodle rescue, I compiled a list of poodle rescue groups around the US. For what it’s worth 🙂 When I get my next poodle, I plan to start with one of these groups!
  
  Thanks for commenting!
Kim

June 23, 2020 at 10:14 am Reply

I adopted 2 standard poodles in 2006 from Carolina poodle rescue. 1 was four and 1 was 1. I still have the younger. We lost Rhett
Lad year. They have been amazing I had foster kids and these pups were great with the kids and kept them calm in difficult times. They are great friends. I would highly recommend Carolina Poodle Rescue I drove for 12 hours to get Abby and Rhett and they traveled home fantastic. Good luck with your search.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 9:24 am Reply
  
  Hi Kim ~ I listed the Carolina Poodle Rescue in my compiled list here! I have heard great things about them. Thanks for sharing. I know there are others out there looking to bring home these amazing fur babies 🙂 Take care!
Marcia Allman

July 2, 2020 at 9:00 pm Reply

Have had 11 Spoos, loved them all. My first two were both 16 when they passed.
Tried a couple of terriers, a Bedlington and a Soft Coated Wheaten. Too busy, too “barky” for me.
Next dog will be a Spoo. Why mess with perfection?
- Lorraine Archer
  
  November 19, 2020 at 8:38 pm Reply
  
  My poodles have amazing personalities. Interested? Email me
  Our female is black and male is red. We should have another litter in May 2021.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 8:54 am Reply
  
  11 Spoos!? That sounds like heaven. Thanks for sharing! They are the perfect dog, quirks and all 🙂
Steven E. Reece

September 8, 2020 at 3:01 pm Reply

as a poodle owner of all sizes and types for over 40 years ( I have 4 now) the bottom line is that as an owner if you’ll truly invest the time there is nothing they can’t be trained to do. I only hope that when i die i can come back as a beautiful poodle!!
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 8:44 am Reply
  
  Steve, this made me chuckle! After training Emmett (and now working to train our Labradoodle who you can see here) I am convinced that with time and patience, there’s a great dog in all of them. Thanks for commenting! I would be proud to say if I owned poodles for 40 years! My hunting husband won the conversation and we are pausing on poodles for a few years, loving Betty the Labradoodle. I can’t wait for my next poodle!
Kym Sorenson

October 26, 2020 at 12:48 pm Reply

And I’ve owned a royal poodle now for 13 years and for the first 11 1/2 years of his life he was with me in my Sam I check he needed to retire last year because he just wasn’t comfortable anymore I’ve had a lot of dogs in my life but I am now forever a poodle lover and older I can’t imagine my life without my boy but he’s had a wonderful life running over mountains chasing deer playing in rivers they are highly energetic and the more energy they have the more fun we have
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 8:35 am Reply
  
  You and I are BOTH poodle lovers forever! Sounds like you gave him a wonderful dog life. Lucky boy. Thanks for commenting!
Joe Williams

November 27, 2020 at 1:03 pm Reply

We adopted two standard poodles that had been together since birth, Stella and Aidrey. Their previous owner had wound up a quadriplegic as a result of car wreck and could no longer care for them and wanted to keep them together at the age of seven years. We stepped up and what blessings they were. I had to put Stella down about a year ago due to rapidly advancing hip dysplasia…..and it was like giving up family. Fortunately we still have Audrey but she is showing signs of hip dysplasia and I dread what is coming. I am retired and the girls have been a very big part of my life for the past seven or eight years. Standard poodles are caring, loving, intelligent, and entertaining. On the down side I am not sure if their will be another after Audrey…..the heartbreak gets rougher as you get older.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  November 27, 2020 at 1:10 pm Reply
  
  Your two Standards sound amazing, and how incredible that they came into your life! I’m sorry to hear about Stella. They are family, it sounds like. Wishing you wonderful days (and hopefully years!) with a healthy Miss Audrey. I understand the loss of a pet ~ there will never be another Emmett, but the memories and time together makes it all worth it. 🙂
Sarah

December 15, 2020 at 11:26 am Reply

I have my first Spoo, got him 4 weeks ago at 8 weeks. He is my ESA and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  December 15, 2020 at 7:14 pm Reply
  
  Congratulations Sarah! You’ll never regret it. Best dog ever 🙂 Feel free to add him to the Poodle Hall of Fame! I just started it!
Kellye Valnizza

January 15, 2021 at 8:49 pm Reply

Wow, After reading the story about Emmett and the other replys, I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. I am 60 years old and had standard poodles off and on up until 10 years ago. I ended up adopting a havaneze at the SPCA about 5 years ago. Great dog, but not a standard poodle. The only good thing is he doesn’t shed LoL For the past two years, I have been looking to get another standard and somehow I ran across a 12 wk old puppy and picked him up last Sunday. I had forgotten how simply wonderful these dogs are. Their amazing intelligence, he is so proud, and assured of himself, I cannot stop smiling at him. My new poodle is named Comet. He is a parti poodle, black with a little white spot on his chest. He is the most loving puppy I have ever seen and I feel so privileged to be his mother. I am going to be working out of my home due to covid for a year or so, I knew it was the perfect time to bring a puppy into our household. I have been in heaven since I got him, and was feeling a bit depressed with all this covid stuff. He has cured me. I can only hope to have the relationship with him, like you had with Emmett. Thanks for sharing your story, and thank you to the other people that have posted as well. I still have tears going down my face and must go before my husband walks in here and ask why am i crying, …..thanks all, great stories.
- Sassy Bluejay
  
  March 7, 2021 at 6:06 pm Reply
  
  Thank you, Kellye. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed my tales of Emmett. Your Havaneze sounds like a wonderful dog, too. I bet Comet is a cutie! I’m so glad that you had company during this crazy year with Covid. It sounds like you took advantage of a tough situation and made it wonderful, bringing home a new friend. Partis are so beautiful! I’m sure you and Comet will grow close, as Emmett and I did. Take care! <3

In loving memory of Emmett

the World’s Best Family Dog & Standard Poodle December 20, 2012 – July 21, 2019

Standard Poodle – Everything You Need to Know

My First Standard Poodle

Choosing Our Standard Poodle Puppy

The Hunt for a Therapy Dog

Training our Standard Poodle

Our Training Schedule

Easily Trained in Obedience

Potty Training

The Standard Poodle Diet

Playing with Small Children

Grooming That Infamous Standard Poodle Coat

The First Coat – Poodle Puppy Fluff

Choosing a Groomer for your Standard Poodle

The Top Knot

A Special Collar for your Standard Poodle

The Variety of Poodle Sizes

How We Play

The Standard Poodle Quirks

Saying Goodbye to Our First Standard Poodle

Why I Love the Standard Poodle

Do You Have a Poodle, too?

Join our Hall of Fame!

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the World’s Best Family Dog & Standard Poodle
December 20, 2012 – July 21, 2019