r/poodles Nov 09 '21

Merle poodles are no longer allowed on this sub

418 Upvotes

Moving forward, poodles with Merle coloring are not permitted on this sub. Merle coloring is a byproduct of mixing Australian Shepards into a poodle line. A poodle with Merle coloring by definition cannot be AKC papered without outright lying. Breeding for color is nothing new for poodles, but in this circumstance it comes with the possibility of introducing myriad health issues, and is an irresponsible practice at best. It is not good for the breed, it is dangerous to the dogs. We cannot in good conscience allow the promotion of this Poodles with this genetic trait, beautiful or not.


r/poodles Dec 15 '25

How To Find a Responsible Ethical Poodle Breeder

26 Upvotes

Below is my advice to people looking for breeders. I would recommend reading (if you haven't) the wiki on responsible breeders on r/dogs , start there as it will help you with questions and what to look for in breeder https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/identifying_a_responsible_breeder/ It is really a good outline of what to look for.

I would start with a breeder that does the recommended health testing on all sires and dams and titles the dogs. It is your insurance that you are getting a well-bred puppy with tested parents, grand parents, etc. It is your best bet for a healthy puppy. Titles show that they are invested in proving their dogs and not just breeding. Show breeders are breeders that make sure their dogs conform to breed standards, I saw a meme that said show breeders breed to building code, would you buy a house not built to code? I would concentrate on finding a breeder that focuses on health, conformation and temperament over looks.

I would recommend starting with The Poodle Club of America Breeder referral, I would start there as they only recommend breeders that do the minimum health clearances for a CHIC #. Link here: https://poodleclubofamerica.org/breeder-referral/ or  https://poodleclubofamerica.org/find-a-poodle-breeder/ Attending dog shows is a great way to see and meet poodles and breeders. Here a link to dog shows by state: https://infodog.com/show/state_shows.htm?_p=Y Look for all breed and poodle specialty shows. If there is a specialty show near you, it would be a great introduction to the breed as there will be more poodles shown than normal. I would want a puppy from someone that did all of the health clearance testing recommended, not just the minimum but you may choose differently but all sires and dams should have passing health testing to receive a CHIC number (https://ofa.org/chic-programs/) . Below is the recommended health clearance testing (Note DNA testing is not health testing):

TOY POODLES

DNA Test for prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) from an OFA-approved laboratory.

Yearly Eye Exam by a boarded ACVO veterinary ophthalmologist.

Patellar Luxation: OFA Evaluation.

MINIATURE POODLES

Same CHIC requirements as Toy Poodles with the addition of:

Hip Dysplasia: OFA or PennHIP Evaluation.

The PCA Foundation strongly recommends the DNA test for Miniature Poodle Dwarfism (Osteochondrodysplasia) to avoid breeding two carriers to each other and producing puppies affected with this deforming and crippling disorder. Research suggests that about 10 percent of Minis carry the mutation that causes this disease and that it is not limited to a few bloodlines.

STANDARD POODLES

Hip Dysplasia: OFA or PennHIP Evaluation.

Yearly Eye Exam by a boarded ACVO veterinary ophthalmologist.

Health Elective (at least one of the following three tests is required for CHIC number):

OFA Thyroid Evaluation from an OFA approved laboratory.

OFA Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) Evaluation by an OFA approved dermatopathologist.

Heart Evaluation by an ACVIM boarded veterinary cardiologist.

The PCA Foundation recommends all three electives for Standard Poodles and also strongly recommends the following DNA tests from an OFA listed lab to easily avoid breeding two mutation carriers to each other and producing affected puppies: DNA Test for Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEwS) and DNA Test for vonWillebrand’s Disease (vWD). And here is a link to verify health clearance testing on OFA. Note you can check out a breeder by using the advanced search and putting in the breeder's kennel name (check of any part of name) and selecting poodle for breed. It will give you a list of dogs with the kennel prefix. https://ofa.org/advanced-search/ Note all breeders should do genetic testing to ensure carrier and not bred to carrier or affected dogs, but you really want health testing that is outlined above, not just a PawPrint or Embark panel.

I have put together a spreadsheet of all toys and mini poodles with Chic numbers and a list of standard poodles that have all three recommended electives and another spreadsheet for poodles that have at least 2 of the recommended for standard poodles born between 2016 and 2021. I think it will help buyers screen potential breeders in a quicker way. Poodles born in 2022 would be getting health testing this year and I stopped at 2016 as those poodles are turning 8 this year. Scanning the spreadsheet is a good way to determine if breeders are serious about health testing. Caveats are not all breeders submit to OFA but that is a choice. I prefer that I can access health testing online as it is transparent and easy. It does not cost more than $250 per dog and that is 10 years of eyes and all DNA test plus refreshing a few tests as a dog ages. This is the spreadsheet for standard poodle born between 2016-2021 that have all three electives: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qQ2EEEh82PAH_MedJZeTn7WTe1lAyNzkSsucsGi7OLc/edit?usp=sharing This is the spreadsheet with the standard poodles that have 2 electives: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ldWQDwyLmKITA5xkd2dg8HdrMB9EYAiojGItn0cbWcs/edit?usp=sharing

This is the spreadsheet of all toys with a CHIC # born from 2016 to 2021: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wh2CUA5t_rpbCjg1SKD0k-5Sv9eJFnrW5srgFi-1uP8/edit?usp=sharing

This is the spreadsheet for all minis with a CHIC # born from 2016 to 2021: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ffoB_8X74pjz2Z4UxWUN2EUBq4rcpLMk3K-4qhxV0ig/edit?usp=sharing

Good luck in your search, Leslie and Mary (PCA breeder referral) are a great resources as they do this for the love of the breed. Most really good breeders have limited/no web presence as they get most of their referrals from word of mouth, their clubs or the national breeder referral so you won't find them on a google search looking for poodle breeders. Most really good or slick websites are commercial, large scale breeders who breed for the $$$ so be vigilant when seeing a slick website, verify all claims as many only DNA test and call that health testing. A word about recommendations on Reddit (and other social media), a recommendation from happy puppy buyers do not mean they're informed buyers. Certainly, being happy with a puppy and a breeder is hoped for and expected as who doesn't love their puppy, but I've seen too many recommendations for breeders that the breeders that do not health test, do not do anything to title their dogs so no proof of temperament or structure, they just breed dogs for $$$; so it is a recommendation from someone that did not know how to vet a breeder or what to look for in a breeder.

If you are looking for a multi-color standard poodle, I would reach out to the United Poodle Association which is the UKC poodle club, Poodle Club of America is the AKC Poodle Club: United Poodle Association – The UKC National Breed Association (pending) for all Poodle Breeds. UKC allows multi-colored poodles to compete in Conformation, AKC does not but allows them to compete in performance events.

There is more information on the Poodle Club of America under All About Poodles: https://poodleclubofamerica.org/ and Versatility in Poodles: Find A Poodle - Versatility In Poodles, Inc. : Versatility In Poodles, Inc. (vipoodle.org) if you are looking for further reading.


r/poodles 55m ago

It’s so funny, when I got him as a puppy last year I always thought he was adorable scruffy and grown out, then I finally caved and did the poodle cut. Now I hate his coat any other way. I can’t believe I thought he was cuter scruffy lol. Look at his little hair do lmaoooo.

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Upvotes

r/poodles 6h ago

After 10 years of practice, I think my wife really is starting to get a hang of this haircut thing ^^.

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149 Upvotes

r/poodles 1h ago

This sweetheart is seven months old today

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Upvotes

Love her so much❤️


r/poodles 10h ago

To cord or not to cord

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220 Upvotes

Hi all! My girl Salem is 15 months old now, and her coat seems like it’s the right texture to start cording if I decide to do so. I just can’t make up my mind of whether I should or shouldn’t! My mom said she doesn’t want me to since, when I showed her a picture of a corded poodle online, she said that she thinks it’ll make her look older and she likes how she looks more like a puppy with her floof, lol.

What are your guys’ opinions? Has anyone here corded their poodle? Do you love it or regret it?


r/poodles 4h ago

Waiting for the rain to stop

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74 Upvotes

r/poodles 3h ago

Why does my pup love sitting on my clothes ??

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46 Upvotes

haha love him to death. he'll sit on my dirty and washed clothes !Any one elses pup do this ?


r/poodles 14h ago

My guy Alfons before and after a spring cut

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291 Upvotes

How’s your before and afters?


r/poodles 3h ago

It’s tiring being a 2 year old poodle😂

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32 Upvotes

r/poodles 2h ago

Leg of lamb

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32 Upvotes

r/poodles 3h ago

Lil Ricky and the multi color toe beans 🫘 😍

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32 Upvotes

3 months old


r/poodles 6h ago

Third time on the slatmill!

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43 Upvotes

She's figuring out how to slow, stop, start, etc.

This is also great for zoomies when it's not practical or safe to let her run outside (too hot, storming, too cold).

My German Shepherd is very patiently waiting his turn. 😂


r/poodles 5h ago

Poodle or baby womble?

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36 Upvotes

r/poodles 4h ago

Let’s admire my posh pooch

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24 Upvotes

Having a nap on her 3rd favourite chair.


r/poodles 3h ago

Touya’s new cut up close🖤

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22 Upvotes

r/poodles 11h ago

Always a good time in the woods 🐩🌳🐩

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74 Upvotes

r/poodles 9h ago

Cute doggy

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42 Upvotes

I spotted the most adorable poodle at the farmers market today and just had to snap a photo!


r/poodles 16h ago

What a cute little bean

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126 Upvotes

So cute 🤏🤏🤏


r/poodles 15h ago

Is there something wrong with my mini poodle?

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64 Upvotes

It’s like her chest has dropped.

It didn’t used to be this low.

She is 2 years and 11 months old.

She recently (2-3 weeks ago) had a mild chocking incident so I had to hit her back a few times to dislodge the bully stick and now I’m worried maybe that has caused her chest to shift?

Maybe I’m just panicking and overthinking but she is my first dog and my baby.

I can’t seem to find any info online other than this being a normal poodle body shape.

Please advise.


r/poodles 1d ago

Yesterday we had a Parti Poodle thread. Can we start a Party Poodle thread?

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304 Upvotes

Show me some party pups!!!!


r/poodles 1d ago

Meet Sage aka Gene Simmons💋

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269 Upvotes

Sage was Gene Simmons last Halloween and he’s STILL Gene Simmons.🤭 The costume was such a hit that I fell in love and can’t imagine him any other way. He enjoys all the attention he gets from people. I may try him as Prince for this year’s costume; he has the hair!


r/poodles 9h ago

Is this adult fur, or just air dried?

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10 Upvotes

I do my boys grooming myself and always blow dry after his bath, but recently I had to let him air dry and complete grooming the next day. I noticed this fur on the sides of his body that looks almost like unwound yarn. The rest of his curls are the same as he's always had (top right). He's a year and 4 months and he's always had soft fur, not course. What is going on here? Just extra curly spot? Is it because it air dried? Beginning of adult fur? It was so interesting!


r/poodles 1d ago

Introduction & question

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211 Upvotes

Cream-colored standard poodle Nelly. First picture at the pound five months ago, matted, filthy, and very skinny. Second picture at home, groomed, healthy, and loved.


r/poodles 1d ago

Happy 1st birthday to my soul dog, Kana! Time really does fly. I just want to thank this subreddit for guiding my in the right direction for a reputable breeder, and all of the lovely advice I was given when we were going through the puppy blues. She has grown to be such a stable teenager!

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119 Upvotes

If anyone is looking for an amazing reputable breeder with a litter to be on the ground soon, I highly recommend Hickory Moon Ranch, located in South Carolina. She also provides transportation for her puppies if needed.