Colors in Standard Poodles

I do not recommend purchasing a Standard Poodle based on color.

Here's the run down on color associated characteristics:

Black or white are the most stable and outgoing in the breed.

Blue and silvers are a bit reserved although sweet

Browns are know as the "clowns in the breed" as they tend to be more active

Reds and apricots are sweet but can be harder to train, a bit goofy, very loving though

Party Poodles are not as developed as they have been ignored by the educated breeders due to the fact they are not recognize on the AKC Show Ring. However in recent years some of the good breeders have taken an interest and are trying to bring them into being the elegant dogs we see in the other colors.

The blacks and whites have had most of the attention by knowledgeable breeders so they tend to be more sophisticated in temperament and refined in appearance.

Brushing Your Poodle

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!

Picking your Standard Poodle Puppy Out

When picking a Poodle Puppy remember that the puppy who hangs in the back of the pack or seems timid when approached will be the puppy that grows to be a very sweet, mild and loving adult. These puppies will be easier puppies to get through the 6 month to 1 1/2 year stage of life as they will not be as rambunctious and as full of mischief as their more outgoing, at a young age, litter mates.

Often times people mistake these puppies as being "shy" but with the right guidance these are the puppies that make the best companions for those who are not inclined to many rigorous outdoor activities. Which is not to say that puppies with this sweet nature should not be taken out to socialize.

These are the "let's go to the Mall" puppies where as the more inquisitive puppies are more likely to say, "let's go to the river, jump in the water, run up the hill, then counter surf with muddy paws"!

Poodle Tails

Some lines produce what is called a "Gay" or "Rune" Tail, meaning they lay over the back of the Poodle. As the Poodle gets older some will relax and be somewhat straighter, it depends on how "Gay" the tail is to begin with.

My own viewpoint is that when we started docking the tails longer we started seeing more of this phenomenon.

The show ring hated the Gay Tail at first but now is being more forgiving, depending on the judge Both Stanzi and Touche' are donning Gay Tails. We think they are very cute and Poodley.

Cherri's & Stanzi's Turn

Cherri's turn to get a bath today. Stanzi too will be bathed and rebanded(top knot and mane protection) . Our show Poodles have to be banded every other day and bathed at least once a week. The Poodles love to come to the PoodleTown Tavern to have their hair done. they get to stay in the office until it's time for them to be groomed. Cherri's show relaunch is schedules for January 2010. She's matured and is more beautiful than ever. 

Ella and Her Poodle Pups

My husband Don loves to sing to our Standard Poodles. Ella and her puppies really enjoy his soothing  serenade while spending time in their playpen in the middle of our living room. We know having a bunch of puppies in the living room isn't a lifestyle that everyone could enjoy but it really works for us. Ella is so precious with her pack of gorgeous pups. She teaches them their first lessons in manners. Not all Poodle Moms do this with their puppies. Ella is special and so are her puppies because of her influence on them.

The Standard Poodle

The Standard Poodle undeniably is amongst the best alternatives regarding dog breeds. They've been sought after for a period of time as absolutely amazing animals. This wonderful breed is available in a number of coat colors, for example: black, white, blue, chocolate, silver & red.

These lovely dogs are noted to shine in contemporary dog the competitive events. They're exceptionally agile, leading them to be rather competitive if you're checking out the stimulating event known as Agility. Poodles display extraordinary competencies regarding behavior training, plus they are outstanding Trackers. These fabulous dogs are also known in playing a fantastic role in Herding. Standard Poodles are certainly strong within the sport of Conformation, the judging of correct structure and temperament at dogs shows. They are indeed known as the aristocrats for the dog show as well as proven the fact again and again along with Best in Shows at the giant shows such as the Westminster Kennel Club and the World Dog Show. No matter what type of competition this dog may be involved in, you can count on the fact that they'll "wow" the crowd using their beauty and elegance.

The Standard Poodle's personality has become carefully bred with a talent for duck hunting, which makes them extremely happy in puddles. Since way-back-when, this particular breed continues to stay at the hunter's side and it's recognized in modern day as Gun Dogs. "Pudelhund " is considered the foundation in the poodle's present breed name and is particularly reminiscent of the water dog developed through the years . The English terminology relates "pudel" to "puddle", additionally relating to the water dog a predecessor of this great breed. The French happen to have been acknowledged for all the Poodle's selection of sizes and also refer to this breed as a Caniche. The phrase "caniche" relates to ducks and water. In the USA our Poodle has actually been changed from a heavy-boned utility k-9, into the gracefully refined canine we see nowadays.

Thoughts to Consider While Finding Your Standard Poodle

The Standard Poodle is admired for being clownlike. These marvelous pets are blissful dogs that love to be with humans. They can get quite upset if they are ignored for too long. It is recommended that if your workweek keeps you away, that another dog should be gotten to accompany your poodle during those times. Hiring a Pet Sitter would come in handy to walk your dog. Doggy Day Care is ok although you should verify the pets are well-managed and aren't out of control. Your new poodle craves attention from you and your family... so please take good care of your new poodle puppy!