Can You Suggest A Breed?

[poodlefan]

Yeah, a lappie! :rofl: They are awesome and not too "foofy" - not that our poodles ever were either though.

PS. lappiemum good work sneaking your gorgeous pics into another thread ;) I just noticed little Princess in your sig too!

I wouldn't have thought you'd describe any spitz as "something that doesn't shed a great deal"

[FranVT]

Yep, skipped over that part, fair enough. I haven't had Luuka long enough to actually personally experience her shedding, she certainly doesn't/won't shed as much as Atlas (she is covered in his white hair, sigh), but fair point.

[mita]

can anyone suggest a breed i could suggest to her?

i am doing my damndest to talk her out of a cocker spaniel x poodle but my job has been made difficult with all the DD books out their making it seem they are legimate breeds as well as websites of people who sell these crossbreds spouting about how they are members of this and that organisation, making them seem like legit breeders

anyone got any suggestions?

Tell her about research in Denmark that looked at purebreds & mixed breeds and their health re length of life. Poodles were among a bunch of purebreds which, on the average, came out way ahead re good health leading to a long life.

Also tell her that it's a particular haircut which results in a poodle looking 'foofy' or not. I don't like those 'foofy' cuts either.....but I've met poodles with the sporting cut PF's described... & they were mighty handsome looking, as well as lovely natured dogs.

A poodle-cocker mix can turn out looking like anything....but it will always needs a haircut, too.

With the DD, she's signing herself up to the unknown. With the poodle (with a sporting cut) she's signing herself up to one of the most proven of dogs.

And this opinion is coming from a tibbie lover (tibbie not suitable, by the way, in this case). In fact, the only other small breed my tibbie ever palled up with (she preferred other tibs & big dogs).....was a poodle in the next cage at the vet's. And she was right. A darned nice dog.

Edited January 7, 2010 by mita

[lappiemum]

Yeah, a lappie! They are awesome and not too "foofy" - not that our poodles ever were either though.

PS. lappiemum good work sneaking your gorgeous pics into another thread I just noticed little Princess in your sig too!

I wouldn't have thought you'd describe any spitz as "something that doesn't shed a great deal"

Actually, they shed very little most of the time, certainly much less that a short haired dog, which does shed constantly. They will drop coat once or twice, and when that happens you blow it out, or get a groomer to do it. Other than that, the rest of the year you see very little fur at all - and you don't have to do the regular clips at the groomer either.

[megan_]

Mini schnauzers are also a breed to consider. Low shedding, love people, great little all round dogs.

They also suffer from a bit of a bad "show cut" image, a pet cut is a bit more friendly on the eye.

[frufru]

Its a haircut people - get over it!!!!

Edited January 8, 2010 by frufru

[Smartypaws]

Lagotto?

I second the lagotto . It is the breed I have suggested to a friend who was after a Spoodle .......and has a 'dislike' of poodles too!%^$# Or a soft coated wheaten terrier. Seriously though, I just hink people should get over this mis-perception of poodles. They are fantasitc dogs (if responsibly bred ), who shed little, are incredibly smart, athletic and very affectionate.

Oh, and be sure to tell your friend that Spoodles may indeed shed. I had one just go through a training course I teach and she shed like no bodies business.....much to the chagrin of her mis-informed owners .

Oh....the website "wheredopuppiescomefrom.com" has been great to share with my misinformed, DD wanting friends too (thanks to the Doler who gave it to me ).

[poodlefan]

A lagotto is going to need professional clipping and grooming and has a hefty price tag.

I'd not suggest a Soft Coated Wheaten to anyone who doesn't want a terrier, regardless of its coat type.

I love poodles but I'd not want to live with a Cocker Spaniel. Their temperaments are quite different. Anyone who buys a cross takes their chances on which sort of temperament they get.. or they may get something different again.

Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan

[megan_]

Its a haircut people - get over it!!!!

I might agree - but it puts many people off becasue they think that is how poodles look - when poodles don't look froo-froo in their natural state.

The whole DD thing has really taken off because people want a poodle that doesn't look like a poodle

[Smartypaws]

A lagotto is going to need professional clipping and grooming and has a hefty price tag.

I'd not suggest a Soft Coated Wheaten to anyone who doesn't want a terrier, regardless of its coat type.

Hey poodlefan, can I ask why? I don't know any in the flesh, but they read well in print for some people. Curious to know what the issues might be.....

[poodlefan]

A lagotto is going to need professional clipping and grooming and has a hefty price tag.

I'd not suggest a Soft Coated Wheaten to anyone who doesn't want a terrier, regardless of its coat type.

Hey poodlefan, can I ask why? I don't know any in the flesh, but they read well in print for some people. Curious to know what the issues might be.....

Are you talking about the Soft Coated Wheaten? Well, it's a terrier... like a Jack Russell is a Terrier. Independent, quick to react, tend to be intolerant of other dogs.. far more energetic than the Lagotti in my limited experience.

Here's a breed review

People need to remember that all non/low shedding dogs are not alike. A poodle, a Bichon, a Bedlington, a SCW, a lagotto.. all VERY different dogs.

You need to figure out what sort of dog you want before you look towards coat type. You also need to know that the words "low or non-shedding" and "high grooming needs" go hand in paw.

If you like poodles, clip em any way you like.. you can have them in just about any length of hair, curly, straight, clipped muzzle and feet, teddy bear look. As fru fru says, its just hair for pity's sake.

If you want a dog that's only 50% poodle because of a hair style, you're only getting 50% of all the other attributes of this charming breed.. and you WON'T get one from a responsible breeder. You won't even get 50% of the best poodle attributes because no poodle breeder worth their salt would sell one to a DD producer.

Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan

[Smartypaws]

A lagotto is going to need professional clipping and grooming and has a hefty price tag.

I'd not suggest a Soft Coated Wheaten to anyone who doesn't want a terrier, regardless of its coat type.

Hey poodlefan, can I ask why? I don't know any in the flesh, but they read well in print for some people. Curious to know what the issues might be.....

Are you talking about the Soft Coated Wheaten? Well, it's a terrier... like a Jack Russell is a Terrier. Independent, quick to react, tend to be intolerant of other dogs.. far more energetic than the Lagotti in my limited experience.

Here's a breed review

People need to remember that all non/low shedding dogs are not alike. A poodle, a Bichon, a Bedlington, a SCW, a lagotto.. all VERY different dogs.

You need to figure out what sort of dog you want before you look towards coat type. You also need to know that the words "low or non-shedding" and "high grooming needs" go hand in paw.

If you like poodles, clip em any way you like.. you can have them in just about any length of hair, curly, straight, clipped muzzle and feet, teddy bear look. As fru fru says, its just hair for pity's sake.

If you want a dog that's only 50% poodle because of a hair style, you're only getting 50% of all the other attributes of this charming breed.. and you WON'T get one from a responsible breeder. You won't even get 50% of the best poodle attributes because no poodle breeder worth their salt would sell one to a DD producer.

Thanks poodle fan...and I completely agree that low-shedding equals high grooming needs and that all dogs with these coat types are not alike . Thanks for the link too.

[poodlefan]

Purebred poodle

Purebred poodle

Purebred poodle

[poodlefan]

9 week old purebred poodle pup - untrimmed.

What most people who love the "fluffy teddy bear" looking pups don't tend to know is that you trim the faces, feet and around the anus of non-shedding dogs for a reason (hygiene) and that that the longer the coat is left, the more you're going to be grooming it to keep it free of dirt and tangles. Long coat takes longer to dry.. its high maintenence stuff that many potential pet owners are unprepared for.

That 'show' clip that sends most people into a flat spin has a practical basis for a dog bred to work in freezing water.. that fluffy jacket, the poms on joints and kidneys and the shorter hair on the back end aided keeping the dog warm while swimming.

Edited January 8, 2010 by poodlefan

[Lady Flying Furball]

9 week old purebred poodle pup - untrimmed.

What most people who love the "fluffy teddy bear" looking pups don't tend to know is that you trim the faces, feet and around the anus of non-shedding dogs for a reason (hygiene) and that that the longer the coat is left, the more you're going to be grooming it to keep it free of dirt and tangles. Long coat takes longer to dry.. its high maintenence stuff that many potential pet owners are unprepared for.

That 'show' clip that sends most people into a flat spin has a practical basis for a dog bred to work in freezing water.. that fluffy jacket, the poms on joints and kidneys and the shorter hair on the back end aided keeping the dog warm while swimming.

I just came back to this thread to deliberately ask about how the famous "show" poodle clip developed...so great info Poodlefan . I think that there is a lot of misconception and opinion on the Poodle breed, distinguished by the show clip, no doubt about it!

[frufru]

Its a haircut people - get over it!!!!

I might agree - but it puts many people off becasue they think that is how poodles look - when poodles don't look froo-froo in their natural state.

The whole DD thing has really taken off because people want a poodle that doesn't look like a poodle

I'm sorry but if ones decision to purchase a particular breed of dog is based entirely on the fact that is has a particular haircut in a very specialised environment like the show ring - then you really shouldn't be buying any dog. You should be looking for a breed of dog that meets your requirements in terms of, temperament, grooming, exercise, need for training and socialbility with people and or other dogs.

Personally - I think the poodle that escapes being part of such a shallow family is a lucky poodle.

A poodle left in "its natural state" would quickly become matted and in this climate probably suffer from fly strike. Yes you can let a poodles hair grow but it has to be groomed often as does any low shedding dog.

Going off to take Mr Frou Frou for a walk!!!!

Edited January 8, 2010 by frufru

[Gayle.]

The breeder I bought Benson from breeds Lagottos and co-incidentally has a litter at the moment (advertised on DOL). She is a fabulous person, a really lovely breeder to buy from and she has the very best interests of her puppies and the buyers of them at heart.

She is very highly qualified (PhD, I think) in animal behaviour and specialises in pets. Her Lagotto mummy-dog is named Riff-Raff and she was just a puppy when we bought Benson and I just fell in love with her.

I would suggest your friend at least ring her for a chat, her name is Pauleen and she's always happy to talk about her dogs. She also breeds Australian Shepherds and with my boy she bred a dog with the best temperament of any dog I've ever met.

Edited January 8, 2010 by GayleK

[felix]

Here is our standard poodle. He is not foofy.

A poodle can even look like a terrier.

[D & D]

Love this shot

OK, it's off topic, but I had to comment!

[Sayly]

I was about to jump in and say a Soft Coat Wheaten is NOT a good idea but poodlefan beat me.

I love Poodles in the show clip, in puppy clip and in the pet clips. I think they look impressive in the show clip and I know there's a reason behind it but maybe someone more involved with poodles would be better to explain it.

I love the pic of the poodle clipped like a terrier.