Question:
Hi,

I'm new to this forum...

It's been 2 years since our poodle passed away and our family feels we're ready for a new companion. I tried to go the adoption route, but because of my allergies I can only keep poodles and bichons (Others tend to set off my allergies) and I've been having a rough time trying to find a purebred poodle or bichon to adopt. The few that I've found tend to be seniors, or have behavioral problems which quite frankly we're not equipped to properly handle.

I'm a bit of a jogger and I'd like a dog that I can take on runs with me (hence senior adoptions probably wouldn't work). I usually run 5-7 km, about 4-5 times a week. Would Mini Poodles or bichons be able to handle that? How about standard poodles?

Anyways my main question is, what is a fair price for a purebred poodle or bichon from a reputable breeder? I've seen prices up to several thousands (champion stock, etc etc), which seems excessive for my needs. I'm not interested in dog shows or breeding, just purely a companion. I get the feeling the ones I see for $300-500 are all BYB's, but prices in general do seem to be all over the place.

Thanks for your help!

Answer:
HI and welcome!

Price alone gives no indication of good or bad breeder. Petstores charge outrageous amounts for badly bred puppies who come from puppy mills, while a great breeder may charge a much more reasonable price for a pet quality puppy.

You need to find out if the mother of the pups has a championship/titles in conformation or performance, and if she has been health tested and cleared of all genetic defects common to the breed. Steer clear of anyone who does not have either, or who has a large number of puppies always available.

A good breeder has contracts and health guarantees,and will take a puppy back at any stage of it's life.

IF you want to adopt, take a look at these two adorable babies, available in Toronto!!
http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

I usually run 5-7 km, about 4-5 times a week. Would Mini Poodles or bichons be able to handle that?
These are toy dogs with teeny short legs who cannot run like this. If you want a running companion, I suggest a bigger breed, like a whippet or greyhound, and even then they cannot run in summer heat.

Answer:
Hi, thanks for the quick reply!

Originally Posted by LuckyRescue
HI and welcome!

Price alone gives no indication of good or bad breeder. Petstores charge outrageous amounts for badly bred puppies who come from puppy mills, while a great breeder may charge a much more reasonable price for a pet quality puppy.

So there isn't any generally accepted range? I've seen purebred poodles for anywhere from $400-3000 (obviously not all from good breeders). BUT what about price variation between reputable breeders? For example, if one reputable breeder is charging $1000 and another reputable one is charging $1500, is the more expensive one a "better" dog? I guess my question is, what is the cause of the price variations, and what's the line that separates supporting a quality breeder and being ripped off?


Originally Posted by LuckyRescue
These are toy dogs with teeny short legs who cannot run like this. If you want a running companion, I suggest a bigger breed, like a whippet or greyhound, and even then they cannot run in summer heat.

How about a Standard Poodle then? I think I'm allergic to whippets and greyhounds. And don't worry, I can't run in the summer heat either.. I usually go in the morning, or around midnight. Its one of the advantages of being on a university schedule.

Thanks again for all your help! I'll look into the bichons you linked me to. I've gotten used to running alone anyways

Answer:
How about a doberman? A running doberman is a beautiful sight. Plus you would have some protection on those midnight outings (brave).

Answer:
Originally Posted by badger
How about a doberman? A running doberman is a beautiful sight. Plus you would have some protection on those midnight outings (brave).

Gruegoo said she/he is allergic to such type of dogs.


If you want a poodle you can look for a reputable breeder from POODLE CLUB of CANADA (www.poodleclubcanada.com). These breeders are registered and some of them( if not all of them ) are showing their dogs. I guess the price will range from 800 to 1500 CAD.

Answer:
We are planning to get an English Cocker Spaniel my husband says he is planning to jog with the dog they are bigger than a bichon and cost around 1000 dollars unless you get a rescue which are hard to find.

http://members.tripod.com/ecspuppies/personality.html

http://www.ecsca.org/rescuehome.html

Here is a sight on them if you want to check them out, they are not as popular as the american and a little bigger. Here is what the site said about shedding and allergies

EC's don't shed much unless they aren't groomed. As long as you keep up with the grooming, they are wonderful! In fact, I have found that we have few allergy problems with them, and several of my family members generally have allergies to dogs.


Answer:
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/rev...rdpoodles.html

That is a very honest, blunt website for the characteristics of dogs.
Standard Poodles do need a lot of excersize, 5-7 km, about 4-5 times a week seems like they would do well with.

As you probably know, there is no hypo allergenic dogs, however, there are 'low dander' dogs, such as your Bichon, or Poodle.
Please take note that other dogs that are considered 'low dander' are as follows Basenji -- Bedlington Terrier -- Irish Water Spaniel -- Italian Greyhound -- Kerry Blue Terrier -- Maltese - Portuguese Water Dog -- Schnauzers -- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

I would expect any pure bred dog to run between $1000-$3000. You have asked what causes the price jump. Well, the first can be the bloodline, if they come froma good blood line, lots of champions, then they will be more expensive, they are more than worth what you pay for. There are other factors I'm sure.

If you seriously want a poodle, you need to do ALOT of research. They can be neuoritc animals, and this has only gotten worse with over breeding.

Answer:
A standard poodle would be a good choice. Smart, strong, easy to train, good watchdogs - I think they're great! I've never heard of them being "neurotic."

I've never bought a dog, but generally the higher price should be reflected by everything the breeder has done right. Genetic testing and showing of dogs is a very expensive proposition, as is raising a litter of puppies, and hobby breeders need some way to finance their passion for breeding really great dogs.

You can get a fabulous dog from a great breeder and pay 1000$, or you can get a genetic mess from a pet store and pay the same. It's up to the buyer to do his homework and make sure any breeder you choose is reputable.

Find out all about the breed you're interested in, then ask any breeder MANY questions. A good breeder will be more than happy to answer. A crappy breeder will get defensive and hostile and say things like "I KNOW my dogs are healthy" or "My dogs don't need to enter beauty pageants."

As with anything - let the buyer beware.

Answer:
I thought there was no such thing as a 'hypo allergenic' dog. . .and that was just a term used by puppy mills and pet shops to sell more dogs. . . .

Answer:
LR- you have never experienced a neuorotic poodle? Good for you, I hope it stays that way! I've experienced a few, but it was all due to bad breeding and bad ownership.

JDG - there is no thing as a hypo allergenic dog. Ppl use that term, but its not true. All dogs have dander. Ppl can aslo be allergic to dog saliva and urine.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Safyre

JDG - there is no thing as a hypo allergenic dog. Ppl use that term, but its not true. All dogs have dander. Ppl can aslo be allergic to dog saliva and urine.

Cool. . .thanks for the answer Safyre. . .Why do people always think/say poodles are hypo-allergenic then? Is their fur that much different?? (sorry - I'm a cat person. . .I don't know much about poochies!)

Answer:
It might have something to do with the fact that they don't noticeably shed. I have terrible allergies to both dogs and cats. But I have a toy poodle, and I have had no problems. I read something that said they shed like humans do (their hair that is). The shedding is not very obvious, and the hair is not all over the place. Or it could just be mental...

Answer:
Originally posted by Safyre:

That is a very honest, blunt website for the characteristics of dogs.
Standard Poodles do need a lot of excersize, 5-7 km, about 4-5 times a week seems like they would do well with.
This is an excellent site I also bought the book "Your Purebred Puppy" by Michelle Welton. It has most breeds listed, and a ton of info on how to choose a breeder and what questions to ask.

Answer:
It has to do with dander, more than fur. The more a dog sheds, the more dander they shed I believe.
Thier fur being more coarse, and curly, they do not shed as much, and its not as noticeable.
Bichon's have the same type of hair, as do Portuguese Water Dogs.
I'm allergic to cats and dogs, and I don't complain about it. If it ever got to the point where I couldn't have my retreivers ... I would get a Portuguese Water Dog

Answer:
Poodle hair grows like wool, whereas labs and other doggies's fur falls out and is replaced. It's the type of dander they produce, the quantity of it and how well if gets "exposed". The wolly fur would trap a lot in, whereas regular fur would release it into the air... I'm not sure.

As for prices, I would say turn away from anybody under $800. I do know a guy who got a Rottie for $2500 from the States (her father was something like the all american champ or something. Search the forms for theads on breeders- I know there are a few that outline how to pick out a good breeder.

Answer:
A friend of mine just adopted a poodle from a poodle rescue group and drove to Montreal to get her. She had been searching in our area for a Standard Poodle for a year but none came through.

Her new poodle, called Ruby isn't in the best of shape, I mean her health is generally good (lots of energy) but she's got hotspots and various sores/cuts from being mistreated. Other than that she is a pretty trusting, friendly and obedient girl!

I hope that you find the dog you are looking for!

Answer:
If you want a jogging companion a standard poodle would be a good choice. If you end up going the puppy route, you will have to wait until the dog is over a year old before taking it jogging with you though.

Standard poodles have a lot of health problems so you will have to do your research on the various lines. And make sure the breeder is health testing their stock. I would start my search with the OFA database and work backwards from there. www.offa.org do a search for Standard poodles and see which kennel names come up over and over again for health tested stock (with Good or Excellent hips and passing test results.)

There was recently a discussion on DogsToronto at yahoogroups about Standard poodle breeders in the Toronto area.

Good luck with your search.

Answer:
Also remember that "pet" quality prices will differ from "show" quality pups.I have owned 3 GSD's from a reputable breeder(retired due to health)..Her dogs were Champions and Titled in SchH III.This goes down to the pedigrees.She has also raised many Police Dogs.Which my current one is a retired one.And I was not charged thousands of dollars for them.

Also I would consider Breed Rescue Groups.

A friend of the family has allergies to dogs.But he owns an Afghan Hound which he shows.He has absalutely no problems with this breed.And actually the Afghan has more of what I would say "hair" then fur.

Other breeds along with All Poodles sizes are the Schnauzer(Giant,Standard and Miniature)Puli and Komondor(they have the dreadlocks)and the Irish Water Spaniel.Along with the others Sfyre has mentioned.

Answer:
Wow... that's a lot of replies

I'm still trying the adoption route. But it's going slow... I've contacted the various rescue groups but no responses as of yet. So we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again for all your help!

Answer:
You could try contacting breeders to see if they have had any "returns" that need to be rehomed or dogs they kept for to show that didn't turn out for one reason or another that they now need to find a home for.

Generally breeders will alter these pets prior to placement and charge a nominal adoption fee.

Answer:
You might want to check out bichon frise rescues on the net (or poodles, or whatever), if you're interested in adopting. They do have a lot of senior dogs, but not all are senior. Some have been rescued from puppy mills and some have not. I was thinking of adopting another bichon going this route. Just a thought.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Safyre
LR- you have never experienced a neuorotic poodle? Good for you, I hope it stays that way! I've experienced a few, but it was all due to bad breeding and bad ownership.

Ouch! Poodles get a really bad rap! Bad breeding and bad ownership, I agree, are the culprits that can ruin any breed of dog.

A good poodle is a real joy!

Answer:
Poodles are jsut not my breed. A lot of family friends have had them and .. yuck, they just are lil puffs or attitude.
I was actualyl speaking to a woem nin my co-op with a pure bred standard that she shows in obedience and she even admitted they can be neurotic, even hers is .. just yappy and yucky.
It all depends, I just have always had bad expereinces with them.

Answer: