Poodle Breeders

Setting the record straight on poodles -- the world's most misunderstood dog.

Finding a good breeder is a serious matter. You'll be investing a great deal of money, time, and effort into your poodle. Do your research and check out several breeders first. One of the best ways to scope out potential breeders in your area is to contact your local poodle club.

The American Poodle Club maintains a nationwide list of local clubs and poodle rescue societies. Contact the one nearest you and ask them for advice, recommendations and referrals. Then check each one out before making any commitments. Be thorough and diligent, don't skimp in this department. If you're not located in the US, visit our Links page for poodle clubs in other countries.

The following description of a good breeder, the author of which is unknown, says it all:

How to Evaluate a Breeder --

The reputable breeder feels responsibility toward the breed
itself, toward the dogs he breeds and to the people who
have dogs of his breeding. He spends astounding amounts of his time and money on matters he thinks are for the best interests of his breed.

It is this awareness of responsibility that marks the difference between the true breeder and mere "puppy-raiser". The breeder is an artist, motivated by a drive to create perfection; the puppy raisers and the dog dealers are motivated by the desire to make money.

Fortunate is the novice-buyer who purchases his first dog from a reputable breeder! Whereas a puppy-raiser may sell whole litters to dog dealers, the breeder insists on direct contact with those who buy his dogs, and sells only after the most careful screening of a would be purchaser in order to ascertain the mutual suitability of dog and buyer.

While often not fully appreciated until AFTER the dog is bought, this screening by the breeder is the greatest protection a dog purchaser can have.

Though the cost of properly caring for his dogs may cause him sleepless nights and untold worries, the reputable breeder will never let a single puppy or older dog leave for a home that is not as good or better than the one he is providing. Even when the dog is sold, the breeder's help and advice do not end but continue throughout the dog's life, a responsibility cheerfully accepted by him without expectation of compensation.

When selecting a puppy, the reputable breeder will show you a copy of the pedigree and explain why they selected the bloodlines they used. He will allow you to see the puppies and the mother and assist you in selecting the proper puppy to meet your needs.

The Ethical Breeder:

1. Carefully interviews prospective buyers and has specific requirements that prospective owners must meet, such as spaying and neutering pets, housing the dog in an enclosed yard, agreeing to never let the dog off lead in an unenclosed area.

2. Sells by contract.

3. Sells puppies with a health guarantee.

4. Insists upon getting the dog back if the buyer is no longer able to keep the dog.

5. Does not have more litters than he can keep well groomed and well socialized.

6. Does not have more litters than he can keep housed longterm if he is unable to sell the puppies.

7. Spends individual time with each dog under his care every day.

8. Tests his breeding stock for known hereditary diseases and then breeds with the aim of decreasing the incidence of hereditary diseases.

9. Is very concerned with producing puppies with excellent temperaments as well as health.

10. Can identify each puppy and chart it's growth and development from birth onward.

11. Is willing to help educate the novice buyer and happily answers any and all questions about his breed and his individual dogs.

12. Is willing and able to show the prospective buyer the health certificates and test results on the sire and dam of the puppies.

13. Wants to be informed of any health or temperament problems that his puppies develop through out the lifetime of each puppy.

14. Is available for help, advice, and education to the buyer through out the life time of the puppy.

Use the following checklists to interview and evaluate your prospective poodle breeder:

Standard Poodle Breeder Questionnaire

Miniature Poodle Breeder Questionnaire

Toy Poodle Breeder Questionnaire

The Ethical Breeder description and these questionnaires are provided through the courtesy of Versatility In Poodles who believe that this information should be shared. Please consider making a donation to "Versatility In Poodles", c/o Miriam Hillier, Treasurer, 4 Emerald Court, San Mateo, CA 94403.

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Poodle Breeders