We are Paula and Bert Morgan, owners of Triple S Mountain Horse Ranch in Eagle Point, Oregon. Our ranch is in the Southwestern part of the state, very near Medford and Ashland, Oregon, and about 45 minutes from the California border.
In addition to our Cutting horses and gaited Rocky Mountain
Horses, we are crazy about Poodles! Standard Poodles,
that is. They are great ranch dogs, great family dogs and
wonderful all-around companions, but only if you like lots of
love and great intelligence.
This page covers information on the Standard Poodle
Variety as well as discussing some breeding issues
and what to look for in a good breeder. Skip to the last
paragraph to get to more specific information on
Adent Standard Poodle breeding and puppies.
What are they like? They are great outdoor dogs - and great indoor dogs. They will go out and run and hunt and play and be joyful for as long as you will go with them, then they will come inside and lie quiety at your feet (although they would much rather snuggle in your lap!) They have no idea they are too big to fit entirely on your lap . . . They are very playful dogs, and usually stay "puppy playful" most of their lives.They are sensitive and intuitive, active and loving, the perfect living teddy bear.
Standard Poodles were originally working water retrievers, but for many years, have been primarily bred as elegant companion pets. The Standard variety was the original Poodle size, with the Miniature and Toy varieties being bred down in later years. Today, they can be seen showing in most major competitive events. They excell at agility and obedience. They are serious competitors in hunting trials and there are several breeders that pursue breeding lines strong in working retriever ability just like their original ancestors. The origin of the fancy show clips that are required for conformation dogs over the age of one year is derived from the need for a clip that would allow the legs and hindquarters of the dog freedom to swim, but give the major joints, and heart, lungs and head, some protection from icy waters.
What IS with that hair? It is a pain to deal with?
There are two great things about the Poodle coat. First, that thick curly feel makes it absolutely irresistable to touch, pet and cuddle! It is nothing less than therapeutic! Second, it really and truly does not shed. They have been called "hypoallergenic" dogs. Another aspect of the non-shedding coat is that it also never stops growing, and so your dog will become an immense hairy (and matted) beast unless the coat is trimmed and groomed regularly, including regular removal of hair from the ear canals. So owning a Poodle does require a committment to either regular visits to the groomer, or obtaining the knowledge and equipment to groom properly at home (not really that hard). What else should I know about Standard Poodles if I am thinking of getting one?
While they will conform to whatever you are doing in their habits, they are larger, athletic dogs and they do like exercise. They love retrieving frisbees and similar play for a good workout. You should have a large fenced yard, and/or be committed to trips to a park where they can run.
They are very smart dogs. They learn quickly and easily, especially if approached as play - you are almost not aware you are "training" them. Smart dogs can also get bored. They like toys to play with, an agenda for the day, and some serious interaction time, just as any dog does. Most Standards do bark to sound alarm, especially if you have more than one, and it is a big bark.
Mostly, however, they want to be with you and do whatever you are doing. Poodles thrive on your attention and interaction with them.
What should I know about a breeder when I am looking for a puppy?
Reputable breeders carefully chose mates on the basis of pedigree, conformation and temperament - that is, they will have reasons why they bred these two specific dogs to each other, over and above convenience and easy availability of the sire, and the fact that they both have positive qualities or accomplishments. A serious breeder will know the strengths and weaknesses of the sire and dam and will be striving to increase the predictability of results and improvement in conformance to the standard, with the particular breeding.
Standard Poodles are a generally healthy breed and have fewer inherited diseases than many other breeds, but the ones that they can have are serious, so do make sure parents are completely tested, and avoidance of affected breeding lines is a goal of your breeder. Reputable breeders will have completed testing on both the sire and dam for genetic health issues that have occurred in Poodles, including: Von Willebrands, sebacious adenitis, thyroid, eyes (parents whose eyes have been examined will be registered with CERF) and hips, either OFA or Penn Hips method. Tests are also available for degenerative myelopathy, neonatal encephalography, as well as atrial septal defect, which have been found in some lines of Standards. Tested dogs will have a printed report and usually the testing information can be accessed online through OFA and/or CHIC. Ask the breeder if you can see copies of the health testing reports for both parents. If these cannot be produced, find another breeder. Also ask the breeder if they have ever to their knowledge produced a dog with Juvenile Renal Disease, Epilepsy with seizures, Sebaceous Adenitis or Addison's disease. These serious conditions unfortunately do not yet have a genetic test.
Ask to see the dam, and the sire also if he is available, and focus on the parents, not the cute puppies. Use some common sense. Are the dogs healthy-looking and attractive to your eyes? (Your puppy will eventually look like one or both of them, after all!) Do they have good, thick hair coats? Clear eyes and skin? Good stifle and hock angles? Do they move well without stiffness? Are they friendly, alert and interested in you, or are they shy and skitterish? It is not uncommon for Poodles to be a little reserved with strangers, at least at first, but they should have dignity, confidence and interest. You do not need to be an expert to evaluate these simple things - just pay attention and notice these characteristics in the parents and pups.
One thing that can be very important for new puppy owners is the level of support and advice available from a breeder after you take your puppy home. Many breeders will respond readily to your questions no matter how old your dog, work with you if your puppy has a problem, help you interface with AKC, and provide similar guidance, support and backup. Most quality breeders consider this part of the purchase price you are paying for a well-bred and well-raised puppy. Typically, larger volume breeders provide less of this support, and some are less interested in responding constructively should your puppy come down with a genetic condition or other problem that is relevant to the breeder's management or breeding program. If you are already an experienced Poodle owner or interested in a rescue, this may be less important to you, but if you do want to have ongoing competent and immediately available support for Poodle issues and questions, make a note of how available, knowledgeable and responsive the breeder is in your pre-purchase conversations, and see what you can find out about how well this continues after purchase.
Finally, about guarantees. Most serious breeders give a "guarantee" for health and temperament issues. Check what it actually provides. Often it is limited to only certain conditions, for a specific period of time, and does not include all genetic problems that can occur. In most cases, the remedy is limited to returning the dog (it will usually be one to five years old before you know you have a problem) and/or being allowed to take another puppy whenever another litter is produced. This is not a remedy that is satisfactory for most people. Not only is the dog already a member of your family, there is no way of knowing if another puppy from the same breeding lines will have the same issues, or if the breeders will still be breeding when the issue shows up in your dog. What you really need help with is vet bills, or the cost of a new puppy from a better breeder. For this reason, at Ardent we provide not only the usual guarantee of a new puppy, but alternatively, a $1000 refund in the event of a material genetic health problem.
What if I want to breed my puppy some day?
The AKC encourages breeders to sell puppies on "limited contracts" that do not include the right to breed (any resulting litter cannot be registered). Most breeders go further and require proof of spay or neutering of dogs sold on "pet contracts." Breeders of higher-quality dogs are concerned that irresponsible breeding will undo their work to improve the breed and damage the reputation of their stock, as well as contributing to overpopulation problems, so their willingness to sell puppies with full breeding rights ranges from none at all, to extremely limited.
Another issue affecting the willingness of breeders to sell puppies that will not be spayed or neutered, is the popularity of crosses such as "Labradoodles", "Goldendoodles" etc. Most serious purebreed breeders are adamantly opposed to such "designer dogs" and are horrified at the thought that any dog they produce might ever be so used.
If you truly want to breed your Standard Poodle, be prepared to show your seriousness of purpose, your committment to the breed, and to showing your dog to championship.
On the other hand, "backyard breeders" may care little about your qualifications as a pet owner and intentions for your puppy, other than your ability to write the check. If you find you are talking with a breeder of this type, and the price is appealingly low, be particularly careful about the quality and health testing of the dogs involved.
OK, what exactly is so wrong with Labradoodles etc. anyway?? Ah, here is a page in itself. The concerns of purebred breeders on this issue include:
- There is no guarantee of what you will get, as crosses are not a "breed" and do not "breed true" over generations. Do you want the shorter coat of the Lab with the non-shedding quality of the Poodle? You may get the opposite. Do you want a "blending" of characteristics? You may get an assortment of each breeds' traits in unexpected combinations! Second generation offspring when bred can produce even greater variability in traits. The consumer has no way of knowing what he will be getting, whether in temperament, size and appearance, and genetic health.
- The cross breeder by definition is not held to breed standards or ethics by breed associations, clubs and peers. Few breeders stand behind their stock (as there is no standard to stand behind) and provide a refund or replacement for a puppy that has health, genetic or other issues. They are rarely using higher-quality, health tested parents in their breeding. As cross-breeders are not committed to either breed, the parents may not conform to breed standards, may not have health testing, and the breeding involves no motivation for the offspring to reflect positively on the parents. The interaction of the two breeds may also result in an increase in genetic issues.
Finally, people think it is fun (and lucrative) to cross breed, and then there are not as many homes as puppies. We find these dogs in increasing numbers in shelters and rescue programs, with no local breed clubs to take responsibility for finding them homes. Check out the Adopt a Pet, Poodle, pages at www.PetFinder.com just to get an idea. You will find the offspring of Poodles crossed with every conceivable breed, begging for homes.
What kind of breeder is Ardent Standard Poodles?
We are a small, occasional breeder of show-level (and companion) Standard Poodles of medium size. We do not cross-breed as it does not hold the challenge and interest of constantly striving to preserve and improve breed qualities as measured by a specific standard. If you are interested in cross-breeding, we urge you to first adopt half a dozen or so cross-bred dogs who are desperate for homes.
Our dogs all live with us in our home. They are spoiled rotten, but they behave quite nicely, nevertheless! (Or so we are told.) Our breeding dogs are health tested and matched by pedigree and type to produce the result we are looking for. We provide a health and temperament guarantee. We will ask about the suitability of a potential puppy buyer as a home for a Standard Poodle. We care about the matching of a dog to an owner, based on our extensive work with the puppies and the lifestyle and preferences of the buyer.
Our puppies are extensively socialized and introduced to crates. We do early neurological stimulation exercises before they are walking. We carefully observe each puppy and keep daily notes on its progress and personality. Puppies have their tails docked, dewclaws removed, and are introduced to grooming and clippers. Shots will be done in consultation with the new owner. When they are up and moving around, they are allowed to freely go outside to play, from their inside "habitat." This causes them to naturally train themselves to pee and poop outside! The puppy will be registered at the time of going to its new home, with the name of the buyer's choice (show contracts may have individualized terms). We are forever available to our puppy owners during the life of their dog, for advice, evaluation, and whatever assistance it is in our power to provide - sometimes even puppy-sitting!
We have owned, studied and shown Standard Poodles for some years. Paula has had experience breeding Airedales in years past, and Paula and Bert have had sustained success in breeding AQHA cutting horses and gaited Rocky Mountain Horses at the highest levels. We have carefully chosen the dogs to start our breeding program. We desire to breed for all the traits that make for a wonderful pet and companion, and we are especially interested in great, "Poodle-ish" personalities, health and soundness, strong and exciting movement, and an all-around beautiful dog.
We hope that you will give us a call if you are interested in the best of the Standard Poodle Variety!
Paula and Bert Morgan
Ardent Standard Poodles
cell: 541-973-0622; home: 541-831-1625
paula@triple-s-ranch.com
Eagle Point, Oregon
© COPYRIGHT 2010 Ardent Standard Poodles
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