Poodle Dogs are my favorite kind of dog for many reasons. They are drop dead gorgeous to start with and oh so intelligent. It is thought by some that Poodles come in second in the canine smarts category but I think those who say that are using a different measuring stick than I am. Having lived with Poodles and also having hands-on experience with tons of Poodles through the years I have found them to be the most “human like” of any breed. Poodles have a very long history of living in close quarters with humans. Their level of domestication surpasses other, less domesticated, breeds of canines that have been more for utility than the Poodle. Genetic imprinting (why a dog have certain behavioral attributes) has everything to do with why a dog acts as he/she does. Genetic imprinting is why the German Shepherd just knows to protect their owners; why a Border Collie is so very proficient when it comes to herding their sheep, and why a Newfoundland will jump into ice cold water to save a human they don’t even know. Through generations of selective breeding for a specific behavior, aptitude and ability are created in each of our wonderful purebred canine friends. 
Poodles have a background in Duck Retrieval. The hunter was served very well by their well trained retrieving Poodle. Poodle Dogs also were trusted in World War II to carry messages through very dangerous territories, avoiding the enemy and delivering information that was so important at the time. Their human counterparts had long recognized that the Poodles were of superior intelligence and could be trusted with such a task. But, after a long day of work, while the Shepherd was sleeping in his dog house, the Border Collie in the barn and the Newfoundland was drying off from his death defying dive, the Poodle, in most cases, was at his owner’s feet by the fireplace enjoying the quiet companionship of that who he worshiped, his beloved master. Poodles learned to act as another member of the human household long ago and it shows in their ability to integrate into the home of the human today. Poodles do not shed coat like so many of the other breeds nor do they have a “doggy odor”. They enjoy doing whatever involves their human, whether it be laying by the pool or hiking in the mountains. Poodles are extremely versatile canines. The Standard Poodle is, of course, the more rugged of the three varieties: Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Standard Poodle. Poodles do not have strong gender-specific traits that separate the boys from the girls. However the females tend to be more active over all than the males. Both sexes are darling and if someone were to tell me I could have only one it would be a hard choice to pick between the two. Poodle Dogs are individuals. They have very individual likes and dislikes. But one thing most Poodles have in common is the ability to communicate just what it is they are trying to say. Poodles are fun loving and have great humor in the way they perceive the world. And with their very distinct facial expressions, you can usually tell what is going on in those fabulous heads of theirs.
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Aug 25, 2009 | | poodle dogs
I have read your advice on grooming and learned so much. Your experience and guidance is always clear and professionally presented.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.
I love your website. I began looking at your site while I was waiting for my girl to be born, and I have found it extremely informative. Poodles, standards in particular, are such a great and versatile breed but good mentoring is a definite requirement for the neophyte. Which I am.
One of the first things I learned and implemented was – and I can’t remember what you all it – laying her down on her back between my legs and getting her accustomed to being handled. What a valuable lesson. Not only is she agreeable to the grooming process, she earned her Canine Good Citizen title at 9 months old. Being handled is the hardest thing for puppies to calmly accept.
Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Thanks again,
LC
I have read your advice on grooming and learned so much. Your experience and guidance is always clear and professionally presented.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.
I love your website. I began looking at your site while I was waiting for my girl to be born, and I have found it extremely informative. Poodles, standards in particular, are such a great and versatile breed but good mentoring is a definite requirement for the neophyte. Which I am.
One of the first things I learned and implemented was – and I can’t remember what you all it – laying her down on her back between my legs and getting her accustomed to being handled. What a valuable lesson. Not only is she agreeable to the grooming process, she earned her Canine Good Citizen title at 9 months old. Being handled is the hardest thing for puppies to calmly accept.
Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Thanks again,
LC
Feb 23, 2011 | | Uncategorized
Happy thoughts from an Admiration Poodle family.
"Louie is the best dog in the WORLD and we absolutely adore him! He is a great addition to our family and just perfect for us. When we go for walks, people are always smiling & commenting about how beautiful he is. He is such a sweet, loving dog and we are so happy we have him."
SB
Feb 13, 2011 | | Uncategorized
According to the AKC registration application the variety of Poodle colors vary:
- Apricot
- Black
- Blue
- Brown
- Cafe Au Lait
- Cream
- Gray
- Red
- Silver
- Silver Beige
- White
Many opinions surround similar colors and are debated among breeders, owners and Poodle fans when it comes to a particular Poodle color.
To truly discuss color let's first talk about "clearing" of coat color. This is a process by which a Poodle's coat color changes through his/her life until it stabilizes in color at about 3 years of age. In some cases even after age 3 the coat color can continue to "clear". For example Poodles that start off with what is thought to be a black coat can fade to blue or gray and even a platinum Silver when they are finished with coat clearing.
A true Apricot starts off literally the color of an orange then clears in hue to, in some cases, a very light peach almost unrecognizable as the same color as the once brilliant orange of the puppy one brought home from the breeder at a young age. Puppies that start off dark brown can clear to what some would call a Cafe Au Lait (coffee with cream) or even a Silver Beige as they mature. Where as Red puppies can clear to what one would be inclined to perceive the coat as an apricot. A true cream starts off with a solid coat of dark peach, not peach tipped ears or splotches of peach on the coat but a dark buttery color. Creams clear to a buttery color that is consistent throughout the coat. Where as whites start with ear tips and perhaps a patch down the center of the back that has a peachy looking color. Then there is the "Ice white" puppy that is snow white from birth. White to white breedings that produce these ultra white Poodles can be risky as a pure white genetic line can be prone to health issues that are not worth the risk to get that ice white coat from birth. Especially when the puppies that are bred more diversely with a black Poodle here and there on the pedigree will have a better chance of having the gorgeous black skin pigment around the lips, nose and eyes we like to see and will eventually clear to white.
It must be mentioned that coat care has a lot to do with the color a Poodle may clear to and how fast. Take for example the Silver, Grey or Blue coats which go through sort of a brown stage as they clear. I have seen young blue Poodles that I would swear were brown throughout during their adolescent and young adult stages of life. Then I see later on and they have cleared to a gorgeous dark pewter coat as a 3 year old adult knowing that they started off black makes the transformation even more interesting. An adroit groomer will use specific products to bring out the best in a Poodle coat at the different stages of development and change.
To get the most out of coat color one must keep the Poodle out of the sun. In the case of white coat clearing from a creamy puppy coat, they must be out of the sun and water. Proper shampoos and conditioners must be applied. White, blue and silver coats need a good bluing products in order to bring out the white in the coat like many whitening shampoos, conditioners and coat dressings found at
www.Poodlesupply.com. Coats of every color should be bathed a minimum of once a week to really bring out the preferred coat color.
A breeder will register a Poodle marking the color he/she anticipates the coat will clear to. so if a puppy looks to be prone to being a blue when older the breeder will mark that the puppy is blue on the registration papers even though the puppy appears to be black at the time of filling out the papers. Very seldom does a coat of a 5, 10 or 15 year old remain the same as when the dog was 2 months or even 2 years old. Again one must take into consideration the coat care the dog receives as mentioned above.
Hi Jacki,
I am the owner of one of your puppies from the litter Natalie had in the summer of 2001. I do not know if your recall the black puppy we named Jett. He is now nine years old and doing very well. People can't believe he is nine years old. He is still a happy playful poodle. He is such a great dog, and we love him very much. I was wondering if Natalie is still with you. I remember her being such a good mother to her puppies.
I hope you and all your poodles are doing well.
Nina
Jan 23, 2011 | | Uncategorized
Having a Standard Poodle as pet will surely bring extra happiness and
excitement into anyone’s life. This variety of Poodle is often
accredited for their gorgeous hair and overall appearance. But aside
from their physical attributes, Standards are also kind and loyal
pets. For this reason, one cannot go wrong choosing this furry
companion.
Carefree and happy, devoted to their families, they want to be close
to them most of time; hence it’s not a good idea ignoring them because
they may easily become depressed. Another character that makes the
Standard stand out is its ability to learn quickly.
Children will no doubt adore having them around since they are such
well-behaved pets Moreover, they are intelligent dogs that can adapt
well with training so you’ll be proud taking them to dog shows. We
love our Standard Poodles and so will you!
Brushing a Poodle, whether it be for show or looking glamorous at home, is a developed skill. Correct equipment is a must to get good results. A proper Grooming Table, Pin Brushes, Metal Comb, Coat Conditioning Sprays, a High Speed Blow Dryer, a good Finishing Dryer and proper Slicker Brushes are key to getting the job done. This equipment must be of superior quality and cannot be purchased at the local pet supply. Investment in professional grade equipment is well worth it, as lower-quality equipment will not get the same results, nor will they last. Chances are you'll end up frustrated and weary.
Bathing your Poodle once every 7 to 10 days is a must. Brushing should be performed every other day in between baths. This is a time-saving maintenance schedule that will save tons of dematting time and keep your Poodle in fantastic condition. Of course coat management is also effected by using a good
shampoo and
conditioner combination.
Banding the top knots and mane area is also required for keeping coat tangle-free and not suffering damage from breakage.
Growing coat on a Poodle also requires good nutrition with supplementation and a life style that is fun while keeping coat care in mind. Lots of tugging and pulling by other pets is a hindrance and will result in non-optimum coat condition. Show Poodles need to play with human friends or pet friends that are not inclined to grab and pull those valuable locks on the head, ears and back of neck.
Poodles must be trained to lay on the grooming tables both in a Sphinx-like position and on their sides in a relaxed laying position. Start this early when they are puppies and you'll be have a much easier time.
When brushing a Poodle's top knot and mane have the poodle on the grooming table in a Sphinx-like position. I start near the tail end and work my way up to the top knot when brushing. I use a good conditioning spray or if the poodle has some matting I use some even more concentrated conditioning spray. The golden rule here is NEVER BRUSH A DRY COAT! I use my long pinned Pin Brush when brushing coat that is not clean or could have some tangles.
Using the Finishing Dryer on a cool, not-too-high air flow setting, I start brushing at the edge of the long coat along the back. It's a very light touch with a slowed flick of the wrist upward motion as if to sort of gently "pluck" the matts out of the coat. Remember any coat that comes out on the brush means that you are brushing too hard and trying to get through the process too fast. When grooming a Poodle, time is not an issue. You must relax and enjoy the time you are spending with your poodle. The poodles like being groomed if they know you are not stressed and just trying to "get-er-done".
DE-MATTING
If you run into heavy tangles, take your metal comb and work through the mat starting at the edge using only the end tooth of your comb a tiny bit at a time. Be sure to keep the dryer air flow pointed directly on the area you are working on – the air flow helps to separate the tangles and lets you see that you are making progress. You can also gently separate the big clumps of coat by pulling them apart with your fingers, then continue with your comb and then your Pin Brush. Be sure you have plenty of conditioner on the mat when using this method so you don't break coat. Brush at the mat, working from the sides of the mat first. You can hold the mat with your other hand so that you get into it with your brush. Brushing in every direction breaks the mat up more efficiently. I never cut mats with my scissors or any other instruments to get through them. If matting is particularly heavy I use a
Dematting Comb to break them up further after brushing. When brushing or combing always start with the comb or brush that has the widest space between the teeth then go to a comb or brush that has teeth closer together and so on.
A NOTE ON BRUSHING OUT TANGLES
If the proper technique is used most tangles will just melt away. One thing one must have is faith that the technique works and not get into too much hurry. If your poodle is very tangled then try many short sessions to get the brushing done.
Brushing the sides of your poodle is done basically the same as the instructions above. However the poodle is laying flat on it's side. This takes training to get a poodle comfortable in this position. Once a poodle learns that they have nothing to fear from being in this oh-so-vulnerable position, they learn to relax and enjoy the attention. My rule is that if I clip or scissor the coat in an area, then it's ok to use a Slicker Brush to brush through the coat, providing the brushing is done in a gentle manner, not scraping skin or causing skinned areas in the coat from brushing too hard.
Always follow up with your Metal Comb after you have brushed the coat to make sure all tangles are found and handled. Never bathe a matted coat. This will only set the mats and make them much more difficult to brush out.
Okay, so you're now ready to bathe your Poodle! Well Done!
