Things to Consider Before Buying a Poodle Puppy
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.
If you decide that a poodle puppy is the best choice for you, it’s time to learn how to choose the right poodle puppy.
