"Rocky" wrote
snip
I know 6 Standard Poodles - 4 are dog aggressive. I've seen
others write that Standards seem to be more dog aggressive than
Miniatures and Toys. This is just anecdotal, of course, and my
sample size is small.

I'm definitely no Poodle expert, but I've worked with quite a few (I used to
assist a Poodle hander/breeder and also worked in her grooming shop).

Of all the varieties, I liked the Standards best. They were always friendly
and tractable (with humans) and I never noticed any overt problems with dog
aggression. These were showdogs, for the most part, however, and so got lots
of exposure to other dogs and were expected to act appropriately. Most of
them were very well behaved, laid back, friendly dogs. (I had a few that I
just adored working with.) The Minis were all very nice dogs, but I saw the
least of this variety. The Toys (of which I saw the most) varied. The
showdogs were all very friendly and easy to work with. They yapped at and
postured with other dogs quite a bit, but if the other dog told them to buzz
off, there was never a problem. They didn't actually bully other dogs, just
sounded off. The grooming clients sort of ran the gamut from spoiled to
lovely. I feel this had a lot to do with quality of breeding as well as the
owner's training and treatment of the dog. It's so easy for a lot of people
to encourage spoiled, snotty, fear aggressive type behavior in insecure
little dogs.

My mother has 2 Standards, and her friend has one. I haven't met my mother's
second dog yet, but the other two can be pretty darned pushy with other
dogs, and from the sounds of it, mom's new dog is too* (though this could be
her description more than reality). As I said, I like Standards, but I think
sometimes people believe that because of the funny hair, they're not regular
dogs and don't require the same training and guidance to be pleasant members
of dog society. They do. Or maybe a lot of people that pick Poodles aren't
firm enough. I don't know.

All that being said, I can't say I notice a huge difference between
varieties. Perhaps what comes out as being pushy and dog aggressive in a
Standard is yappy & fear aggressive in Toys. The well bred, well trained
dogs of all the varieties I dealt with were very nice, with the Standards
being more relaxed, the Toys & Minis being a bit more full of silly antics.
I would recommend the OP be very conscientious about buying only from fully
health tested stock. Poodles have quite a few health problems, and I
understand in that respect the Minis are faring the best.

But as I said, I am definitely NOT a Poodle expert. Your best bet is to talk
to someone who has worked with all varieties closely. PCA would be a good
start.


*Mom said Jazz likes to dominate little dogs, but that when they accept
that, everything is fine. I asked, "So what happens if the little dog tells
him to shove off?" "Uh....I don't know yet." I ask this because if my dogs
ever meet hers... Oi. Could be trouble.

--
-Andrea Stone
Saorsa Basenjis
http://home1.gte.net/res0s12z/
The Trolls Nest - greenmen, goblins & gargoyle wall art
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