All puppies are adorable, but poodle puppies, with their mass
of curly hair and their large dark eyes, seem to have more than
their fare share of charm. To see one is to want one. But before
you buy a poodle puppy, take a few minutes and make sure you're
making the right choice. It's only fair to you and the puppy.
Time and Attention
Some dogs are content to be left outside on a leash, only peripherally
involved in the comings and goings of the humans around them.
This, however, is not the poodle. A poodle needs to feel involved
in the day to day life of its owner. A happy poodle expects to
be played with, brushed or combed, exercised, and petted every
day. In this sense, they are a highly demanding species of dog.
If you don't think you will have the time or energy to provide
this much attention for your poodle, consider a dog that is willing
to settle for less.
Expense
Are you ready for the expense of owning a dog? Poodles need to
be fed. They need to be groomed every few months. They should
see a vet at least once a year (twice is ideal), and they need
yearly vaccinations. If your poodle is sick, you are responsible
for making sure it gets treatment.
All of these expenses can add up to several hundred dollars a
year. If you can't make that financial commitment to your new
poodle puppy, you'd best put pet owning on hold for now.
Purpose of the Puppy
What role will the poodle pup play in your life? Do you want
a show dog? A pet? A dog that you can breed occasionally for a
little extra money (which is, by the way, a terrible reason to
buy a poodle)?
If you want a show dog, you will need to make sure you receive
the blue AKC (American Kennel Club) application from the breeder.
You will also need to carefully study AKC show standards. Even
a slight defect (e.g., ears set back too far) can disqualify a
poodle from dog shows. Even if your poodle puppy comes from a
long line of show dogs, you will have to go to considerable time
and expense to train your poodle to the level where it can compete
in AKC (American Kennel Club) dog shows. It's a lot of work, but
many dog owners would say it is well worth the challenge.
Obviously, you can be a bit more casual about picking out a pet.
A poodle can make an excellent companion even if it's not up to
show standards.
Puppy or Older Dog
Another valid thing to consider is whether you want to get a
poodle puppy or whether you would rather have an older poodle.
There are pros and cons to each choice.
If you get a puppy, you can train it yourself to be the kind
of dog that will fit in with your family life. On the other hand,
caring for a puppy takes a lot of time and energy.
An older dog will likely come to you already housebroken and
perhaps trained in some other basic commands as well. But the
older dog will also have a history you did not help to shape.
It may be slow to form attachments with you because it is still
missing its old owner. It may tend to snap or bite if it was abused.
