Not counting size, are there any major differences in poodles? I mean
between toys, minis and standard. For example, do they have the same level
of intelligence, affection, etc. Thanks.

JMH said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

Not counting size, are there any major differences in
poodles? I mean between toys, minis and standard. For
example, do they have the same level of intelligence,
affection, etc.

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.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

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 don't know if I'd say Standards are *more* aggressive. My experience is
that a LOT of Standards are serious bullies, but I don't think that's all
that different from the smaller versions; I just think it's more serious in
a larger dog.
Problem is that too many owners of ALL sizes of Poodle let them rule the
roost; what's merely obnoxious or annoying in a 15-lb dog gets a lot more
serious when the dog weighs 60 lb.

I will also say that IME, the smaller the Poodle, the more likely the dog
is to be highstrung and nervous; that may be a function of how they're
raised rather than something intrinsic, though.

Sionnach said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

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 don't know if I'd say Standards are *more* aggressive.

I did give a ton of caveats.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

"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
www.trollsnest.com

AndreaS said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

Your best bet is to talk
to someone who has worked with all varieties closely. PCA
would be a good start.

I'm not interested in a Poodle. I'm not sure how the personal
experiences that I related to the original poster got so
misconstrued.

This wasn't aimed at Andrea -- I know that she was addressing
the OP through my post -- but I've received a number of private
emails telling me the best way to get a poodle and explaining
the difference in sizes. Good grief! This has never happened
in my six years on this group.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog (There is a poodle cartel).

"Rocky" wrote
snip

This wasn't aimed at Andrea -- I know that she was addressing
the OP through my post -- but I've received a number of private
emails telling me the best way to get a poodle and explaining
the difference in sizes. Good grief!

Gee, aren't you lucky? Hope I didn't start that. If so, here, have a
muffin...

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

I don't know if I'd say Standards are *more* aggressive.

I did give a ton of caveats.

Hey, I wasn't criticizing what you said- just expanding on it. G
Basically, my observation of Poodles agrees with what you said - more than
half of the Standard Poodles I've met have been aggressive, ranging from
bullying and nipping smaller dogs to flat-out serious same-sex aggression.
It's just that I suspect the higher percentage of Standards who behave
that way is more due to the way they're raised and trained - or rather, NOT
trained - than to an actual temperamental difference.

On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 05:56:54 GMT, "JMH" wrote:

I have all three. They are great very smart. All you need is some
patience and 15-20 minutes per day to train them.

Not counting size, are there any major differences in poodles? I mean
between toys, minis and standard. For example, do they have the same level
of intelligence, affection, etc. Thanks.

"Howard Schiff" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 05:56:54 GMT, "JMH" wrote:

I have all three. They are great very smart. All you need is some
patience and 15-20 minutes per day to train them.

Not counting size, are there any major differences in poodles? I mean
between toys, minis and standard. For example, do they have the same
level
of intelligence, affection, etc. Thanks.



what about affection level? I want a nice cuddly-type dog. like a labrador
type friendly personality in a non-shedding dog.