Standard poodle

[Sharpie]

Well it's been three months since the old dog died after fifteen wonderful years (Northumbrian flat coat collie, blue merle, two blue eyes, a treasure) and time now to bring on the next. Not new to dogs, far from it, previous having been Springer and cocker spaniels then two collies, but now decided on the poodle as potentially requiring less continuous attention and constant stimulation, whilst still having an abundance of character and a mind of its own. Can't stand dull dogs.

It is a istandard poodle dog, actually one quarter Irish water spaniel cross standard poodle. Father poodle X water spaniel. Mother pure standard poodle, allegedly.

Pup is 6 weeks old, so two weeks to go until he will be ready for his new home. He will be primarily a pet and companion, but I have hopes that he may also enjoy some training as a tracking dog for my occasional stalking forays, so looking for advice on how to develop such instincts from the beginning. Laying short trails with a reward at the end etc. Also developing his skills as a water dog.

Also Introducing him to gunshots when ready so not gun-shy either.

Just looking for general advice on the capabilities and potential of the standard poodle for what we like to do. As said, he will be mostly pet/companion, but I would also like to develop any tracking instincts for his entertainment and mine. And maybe one day used for real.

He will be very well socialized with humans and other dogs, so we have high hopes that we can get him off to a good start in his formative period, but of course one can never know how things may go.








So exited to be starting again

 

[Brittany boy]

Good luck mate sounds like you will both have a ball, enjoy

 

[Roebuck]

Well it is a wildfowling dog and although its hunting instinct has been watered down by Show breeding many will
Work.We have had them tracking with the BMHS and some are quite adept at it.Good luck.

 

[Sharpie]

Collected him yesterday, just 8 weeks old, bright as a button and so cute, not at all phased by the adventure, his first travel, all 40 miles of it.. And so it begins again ...

Correction, the father is half poodle, half Irish Setter, which I think is all good.

I won't bore you anymore with gushing, but after three months of doglessness the home is now complete again, such a happy day.

 

[Brittany boy]

Pictures please

 

[Marcher]

Hi Sharpie, Many years of fun and company begin ! Back in the 70's I worked for WAGBI. Dr. Jeffery Harrison , from Kent, was one of the Council, who I spent some time with. He was a fanatical Wildfowler, as well as founding the Sevenoaks Reserve on old worked-out gravel pits. He always had a white Standard Poodle as his gundog, which I soon learned was first class. Far from being a fluffy pet, he could retrieve a goose against the tide with the best of them . He wasn't clipped out at all, and had a full waterproof coat. Jeff used to say that the "Lion Cut" , with tufts left on the joints, was to keep the joints working in cold weather. A muddy white dog is nearly invisible on salt marsh. Good luck with the pup.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Absolutely love the idea of working a poodle. Good luck with it.

 

[Sharpie]

Pictures please

We are reluctant to share pictures widely on social media, but PM me an email address and I'll try to email you some in a few days time, provided you promise to keep them you yourself.

 

[Sharpie]

Hi Sharpie, Many years of fun and company begin ! Back in the 70's I worked for WAGBI. Dr. Jeffery Harrison , from Kent, was one of the Council, who I spent some time with. He was a fanatical Wildfowler, as well as founding the Sevenoaks Reserve on old worked-out gravel pits. He always had a white Standard Poodle as his gundog, which I soon learned was first class. Far from being a fluffy pet, he could retrieve a goose against the tide with the best of them . He wasn't clipped out at all, and had a full waterproof coat. Jeff used to say that the "Lion Cut" , with tufts left on the joints, was to keep the joints working in cold weather. A muddy white dog is nearly invisible on salt marsh. Good luck with the pup

He will get plenty of aquatic exercise, as with previous dogs, and be expected to "free swim" (or just swimming as I think of it) with us, sit in the kayak and get out and in on the water, retrieve the flip-flop, stick, tennis ball or rubber frisbee, learn to sail (one previous one even understood tacking, on command "ready about" would get ready, then on "Lee ho" would walk around the centreboard case and park their bum against the upwind side). North Norfolk muddy marshes and creeks are a given, also other stamping grounds.

Being black could be an advantage, not showing grubbiness too badly, but invisible in many conditions, we have illuminated collars for that, though they've not been tested for submersion on previous dogs.

No intention of fancy clips, but he will need a bit more grooming than previous ones, but hopefully less shedding during the spring moult.

 

[merlin]

The dog in my avatar pic is half lab, quarter Irish water spaniel... and quarter standard poodle.

So - a mongrel, crossbreed, whatever.... but not a "designer dog", and she cost us all of 250 quid 13 years ago.

However: what a worker she was (retired now, hence "was"). Phenomenally fast, as keen to get into cover as any Springer or cocker, and a retrieving capability that earned her the mantle of "the uber-retriever" in our syndicate. So, the poodle element in her certainly didnt detract from her working capabilities - hope the same applies to your new pup!

 

[bogtrotter]

I used to load on a Grouse Moor which had French owners they worked standard Poodle's they were great game
finders.
Only ones I have ever seen work mind.

 

[bullet chucker]

Our first standard (we have owned 4) was the wifes before we married, I found out that they were a working dog, so set about a bit of training boy what an intelligent breed. I had him out in the hide at the woodies and he was so keen to retrieve, that he all most had the bird oven ready by the time he had plucked it then brought it to hand.He was also brilliant at hearing birds approaching the hide, many a time he would look up then at me with disgust' if I missed.
He was in the lion cut, as my wife is a dog groomer, so cover was a problem for him in brambles, as was I when I brought him home in a right mess! With your comments on water use of your puppy, were you aware that his front feet are actually webbed' (not a lot of people know that) as your are aware his coat has a water proof lower layer, the lion cut was designed for wild fowling,top knot with ribbon when swimming, so he was not shot at ,as was the pom on the tail when he dived to retrieve a duck! and as said above, joint or wrist bands to keep them warmer, and last, the lion cut to the chest to keep it warm, and the rear legs clipped out to assist in free movement whilst swimming.
Last of all, the French used them as a yard dogs on farms ect, as we used the German shepherd, they can be fiercely territorial. They are a brilliant dependable breed and a joy to watch when running at full speed.

BC.

 

[Sharpie]

He is already showing great intelligence, inquisitiveness and a turn of speed dashing around the garden. Apparently poodles are very fast dogs, second only to greyhounds, and great leapers. Good at agility too, or just tricks.

The vet thinks that he may grow pretty big, 30 kilos or even more, though his mum is quite small. Second injections next week, then one more week to wait before he gets to go out.

The Poodle Dog Breed

The poodle dog breed comes in 3 varieties; the standard, minature and the toy. They are notorious for their intelligence and ease of training. Learn more here

www.hillspet.co.uk

 

[Bowland blades]

There have been more unusual deer dogs than a poodle . But they will all function certain things are hard though like getting a well bred Lab to bay , deer dogs basically need a nose to work at a basic level .
Trainers tell me std poodles have a long and bad adolescent period , I can't back that up with experience as I haven't and likely never will own one

 

[Brittany boy]

A friend has a trendy standard poodle cross golden retriever, lovely big strong dog now two years old but head strong wouldn’t cover it. It also has dominance aggression issues with other male dogs and has been his 1st dog so not the best start. It barks constantly to have a ball thrown for it which was funny to begin with but now he can’t get it to stop.
Could have made a serious working dog if the training had been put in shame for the dog. It may be available soon if anyone was interested in retraining it.

 

[Sharpie]

A friend has a trendy standard poodle cross golden retriever, lovely big strong dog now two years old but head strong wouldn’t cover it. It also has dominance aggression issues with other male dogs and has been his 1st dog so not the best start. It barks constantly to have a ball thrown for it which was funny to begin with but now he can’t get it to stop.
Could have made a serious working dog if the training had been put in shame for the dog. It may be available soon if anyone was interested in retraining it.

That is so sad and unnecessary. Shame on the owner. Not the dog..No excuse if he's had it for two years but failed to instill even the basics of obedience, socialisation, or provide the stimulation necessary.

This will not be an issue for us, far from it. Indeed we sort of rescued two unruly labradoodle puppies from a naive friend, first dogs, bought to try to save a failing marriage (unsuccessfully).

At only six months they were going to be dumped in kennels whilst they amused themselves on a long indulgent exotic holiday. So we intervened, saved them a sh**load of money, took them home,and mostly left it to previous dog to teach them manners. Also re-named them (was not prepared to be heard calling for Tristram or Isolde, I kid you not to )

Three weeks of tuition by previous dog, plus GFs exceptional dog whispering skills and they were transformed. Even ten years later they instantly deferred to our old (top) dog and almost became puppies again, whenever he was with them.

Caught them in the nick of time, brains still plastic and puppy like.

Sadly after two years such ingrained faults might be difficult to erase, even by the best new owner. There is a poodle rescue organisation here that might help re-home it. Personally