Looking for a female adult Standard

[Linz81]

We are looking to add 1 more female to our family. We want to get a Female Standard Poodle. We are very nerveous about buying an adult or (olderpuppy) dog. Can anyone give me any advice about what to look for or anyone who may have what we are looking for. Also any opinions on labradoodles with Poodles as the dam. In my expereince it seems most use Lab as the dam. thanks for any help!

[Calimom]

Hi! I'm not a breeder but with my dog, the dam was a standard poodle and the sire was a labrador retriever. Don't know why there would be a preference one way or another. Wishing you the best of luck with your endeavor.

I think the lab build is much stockier than a poodle build, so the dam being a lab makes sense in case the puppies are large and lab- like...just my thoughts, not sure if the reasoning is correct...

[Tink]

I agree with Linda. I use Lab females with Standard poodle males because Labs are much stockier dogs than poodles are, so you aren't risking a poodle female trying to give birth to pups that could have the bigger head/shoulders than is natural for them.
My own breeding pair are a good example... my SP male is 24" tall and 64 lbs. My Lab female is 20" tall and 82 lbs. She is MUCH wider all the way through than he is. Having his pups was no problem for her.

[Linz81]

That does make more sense. This has been a really hard and exhausting decision to add another female. I guess I will just know when I see her. I will keep my eyes and mind open for now. We had the most perfect Chocolate F1 LD girl adn I could not wait to breed her. She was wonderful beauiful, VERY SMART and had a fabulous personality. She was killed in a tragic accident the day after christmas right in front of us (my 6 year old little boy included) Our hearts are still breaking. Shw was a one in a million and this make the search for a new gal very hard.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your puppy! Hugs to you!

[MaxandMe]

sorry to hear of your losss Lindsie, how tragic.

Good luck in your search and hope you find that special girl

[Calimom]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss. Best of luck in finding another female.

OH Lindsie, how heartbreaking! I have a 6y/o son and I really can't imagine how traumatic this must be for you and your family. You are dealing with your feelings of loss and trying to console your son at the same time...how very sad. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Linz81]

Thanks so much everyone! Your thoughts are kind. We are doing alot better. My little boy still has an "episode" about once or twice a week, but he has the puppies at mother's to keep him busy. I am very nerveous about how he will handle it when they go to their new families. He always picks his "favorites" which are most of them! We are currently doodle less at our house : ( and it is very lonely. My husband is very particular about our next doodle. He wants one from the same sire as Shelby. Again you guys are too sweet! I will try and post a pic as soon as I figure it out!

[Tink]

Lindsie, another thing I've learned recently is to try to pick breeders with no more than a 4" height difference. This way the pups shouldn't have any growth problems from having too much difference in their basic frame.

There's a lot of really good info on things of this sort both on this site and by doing searches and reading everything you can find about dogs and breeding.

[Maureen]

hi, and welcome, Lindsie, I haven't posted on one of your threads I don't think, so please let me say WELCOME on this one!

There is NO difference in using Labs vs Poodles, for sire/dam.
My Sheba is a 45lb 24" Std. POodle, and she gives us 12 healthy babies almost every time!

My personal theory is that Lab breeders could switch/do both Labs and Doodles by keeping females and just buying a male poodle, but that's just an observation or theory.

My vet said that the size of the sire has no bearing on the size or ability of a female to deliver. He was a vet for a horse breeder and cited studies they've done with horses. But that's what he said, if it helps.

As for your loss of your f1 girl, I'm so sorry!!!
Oy, our 8 mos. old Truffle got out and was lost for 4 days and I was really dreading finding her body on the side of the road somewhere, when thanks be to God she was found and came home. So I'm afraid I had a happier ending than you but I really can imagine loving your doodle and having such hopes for her, and the sadness of it all.

Our kids are young....my baby girl is 10 and ALWAYS sheds tears when one or two of our puppies leave....but it's her loving on them that makes them such sweethearts, I'm sure of it, so I encourage her and hug her a lot. Your 6y/o son will be a very valuable asset to your puppies and your reputation with others, I'm sure of it.

[Linz81]

Thanks Maureen you are so kind! Our Shelby was hit by a car right in front of us (including my son.) We were all in the front yard playing, he was riding his new bike that he got for Christmas and Shelby, as usual, was just happy to be there. We have a very long drivewayand here was a dog across the hwy n the neighbor's yard ans she darted out for it, which was very unlike her. I really think, looking back on her behavior, she was possibly coming into heat. One of my good friend's faher was he one that hit her. It broke r hearts more than I can explain, but what really hurt was my little boy seeing it happen. We have had several LONG discussions with the pediatrician.

[Maureen]

oy, I can't imagine the awful memory you all have, but I do agree, that you are probably right with your instinct that Shelby was getting hormonal, because that lends an unpredictability to their behavior, especially that first time.

Shoot me off an email and I'll tell you about the breeder who wants to sell adult Std. Poodles, by the way.

[lindamarie]

Oh Lindsie! How tragic for you and your son! I can't even imagine how awful that had to be.
It's every dog lovers worst nightmare!!
Good Luck in your search...