Choosing Your Poodle Puppy

Choosing a puppy is an exciting part of adding a dog to your family. At the same time, it can be daunting and tricky because you don’t want to make the wrong choice. There are many things to consider when picking out your poodle. All too often people “let the puppy choose them”. Following this logic will assure that you get the most active and playful puppy which is fun right now. But will an active puppy suit you in the long term? Keep in mind the following points when you go to pick up your new family member:

Health

Before you even consider any other details about your puppy, make sure you are going to a reputable breeder with a great reputation for healthy puppies. The breeder should have had each puppy pre-checked by the vet and have printed documentation of the visit. The paperwork will describe if the puppy has any abnormalities such as heart murmur, hernia, cleft palate, or luxating patellas.

Male or Female?

Does the sex of your puppy matter to you? There a many obvious differences between male and female dogs, but they can also vary in personality. Overall, male poodles tend to be laid back in nature while female poodles tend to be the leaders.

Size

Poodles come in a variety of sizes. Decide which size will work best for you. Toy Poodles are itty bitty and max out their growth at ten inches tall from the shoulder down. Toy poodles are ideal if you are planning on toting your puppy around with you regularly. Small children can make them nervous and so it might be more difficult for toy poodles to adjust to families with small children. Miniature Poodles will grow to be 15 inches or smaller. They require a bit more space to play than a smaller variety, but they adapt well with children. Moyen Poodles are a popular size choice in European Countries. Measuring up to 20 inches or less, they’re just a bit smaller than a Standard Poodle but larger than a Miniature. A Moyen Poodle will weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. Because of their larger size, the Moyen Poodle is more ideal for families with children that are looking to add a poodle to their household.

Personality

Personality is the most important thing to consider when choosing your puppy. You can learn to love an animal despite its size and gender, but if the personality doesn’t match up to your expectations, you’ll end up an unhappy dog owner. Choosing a Poodle means you’re going to be raising an incredibly intelligent breed. They are rated the #1 most trainable dog of all the breeds, which makes them a top choice for many pet owners. They are also playful and love to be around people. Are you partial to a calm dog, or are you looking for somebody playful? Make a list of qualities that your dream dog will possess and share it with your breeder. They will be able to point you in the direction of the puppy that matches up best with your needs. As the breeder, we spend lots of time getting to know each puppy so we can help when it comes time to make the decision.

Show Dog, or Pet?

Depending on your plans for your puppy, you will want to discuss your options with your breeder. They can point you in the direction of a puppy that will make a successful show dog. Or if it’s not your priority, you will have a wider range to choose from.