Purchasing a Poodle puppy

The Poodle Club of America, Inc. would like for you to be aware of the things your breeder should provide when you purchase your new companion, be it a Toy Poodle, a Miniature Poodle or a Standard Poodle. For additional information regarding Health Issues, click here.

• Copies of genetic testing of the parents. This will vary with each Variety of Poodle. Here are several tests specific for each variety. This is the minimum screening.
  Toy: Optigen Testing Results for progressive retinal atrophy
  OFA Certification of Hips and Patellas
  Yearly Eye Exam for CERF
  Miniature: Optigen Testing Result for progressive retinal atrophy
  OFA Certification of Hips
  Yearly Eye Exam for CERF
  Standard: OFA Certification of Hips
  Yearly Eye Exam for CERF
  Skin Punch for Sebacious Adenitis or Thyroid Panel
  
• A pedigree of the new Poodle puppy.
• Printed Contract including a health guarantee.
• A time frame for the buyer to be sure if the Poodle puppy will fit their household.
• A time frame for the buyer to secure a veterinary check of the Poodle puppy.
• A statement of the breeder’s refund/return policy.
• Feeding instruction, vaccination schedule and worming schedule.
• American Kennel Club Full Registration or AKC Limited Registration.

Pet Quality VS Show Prospect

Many times the difference in a show or pet quality Poodle puppy is very slight. It is the Poocle breeders opinion if a Poodle puppy has the quality to become a champion. The Poodle puppy is measured by the breed standard and often it is a slight deviation from this standard that prevents the Poodle puppy from being shown in the conformation ring. This in no way will affect the Poodle puppy from becoming a wonderful companion for many years.

Read more about Choosing a Breeder

Poodles come in Three Sizes or Varieties

Those interested in the Poodle should be aware there are three varieties of Poodles; Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodles, and Standard Poodles. There is no officially recognized Poodle variety such as a "royal" Standard, a "tea cup" Toy or a "pocket" or "tiny" Toy Poodle. These are all just marketing terminologies to facilitate the sale of animals that are in reality just dramatically over or under in size from the norm.

Toy Poodle - The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the three varieties of Poodle. For the conformation show ring the Toy Poodle should be no larger than 10” high at the shoulder. This more diminutive variety of Poodle is particularly well suited to apartment life or as a traveling companion for retired people.
Miniature Poodle - The Miniature Poodle is a medium-sized animal limited to 15” high at the shoulder for the show ring. Still it’s a sturdy compromise between the Toy Poodle and the Standard Poodle, suitable both to apartment life as well as the hardy lifestyle of a family with children.
Standard Poodle - The Standard Poodle is the largest of the three varieties with no restriction on size. Typically Standard Poodles will be about 21” to 27” high at the shoulder with the females usually a little smaller than the males. Being a larger, more substantial animal, the Standard Poodle will usually require a little more room to roam than the other two varieties.

"Teacup" or "Pocket" Poodles and "Royal Standard" Poodles

Responsible Poodle Breeders do not promote the sale of "teacup", "pocket" or "royal standard" Poodle puppies. This is a marketing ploy to sell the Poodle puppies for increased prices. Prospective Poodle puppy buyers interested in a small Toy Poodle or a large Standard Poodle can make their preferences known to their Poodle breeder. Most responsible Toy Poodle and Standard Poodle breeders are familiar enough with their family of dogs to provide information about size and other attributes.

"Designer Dogs", "Labradoodles" and other Cross Breeds

Once again, this is a marketing ploy for irresponsible "breeders" to sell puppies for highly inflated prices. Responsible breeders do not practice breeding purebreds together to produce "designer dogs" or "doodles." The Labrador Retriever Club states, "A Labradoodle is nothing more than an expensive mongrel... The dog may be any size, color, coat texture and temperament. Indeed Labradoodles do shed... Behavior varies with the dog..." PCA's very own Anne Rogers Clark wrote, "Not all of the non shedding promises held true... and the heritable disease of both breeds turned out to be very similar, and were inherited into each new generation of Labradoodles." A prospective puppy owner considering any breed mixed with a Poodle as an improvement on the real thing should consider the information provided in these articles and then contact their local shelter if still interested in obtaining a cross breed.

Read more about the Three Varieties

Do your Research

This referral page is a free service of The Poodle Club of America, Inc. (PCA) to link prospective Poodle puppy buyers and Poodle breeders. It is the obligation of the Poodle puppy buyer to become an educated purchaser. There is information elsewhere on this website and links to many other sites as well as lists of reading material that are intended to provide information to assist a Poodle puppy buyer in making an informed decision when purchasing a Poodle puppy, be it Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle or Standard Poodle. While many of the obligations arising from placement of a Poodle are properly the breeder's, PCA recommends that prospective buyers carefully consider whether they can meet the responsibilities and costs inherent in owning a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle puppy.

Choose Wisely

All breeders should educate prospective Poodle puppy owners and select owners who will properly care for their Poodle. PCA strongly encourages Poodle breeders and Poodle puppy buyers to carefully document (in writing) all representations, promises, statements, warranties and guarantees relating to the purchase of the Poodle puppy. Many states have laws governing the sale of dogs both Poodle breeder and Poodle puppy buyer should be aware of and comply.

Learn More

PCA strongly encourages all Poodle breeders to adopt ethical breeding and business practices. However, PCA cannot and does not inspect, monitor or regulate the breeding or business practices of Poodle breeders located through the Breeder Referral process. It is the obligation of the Poodle breeder and Poodle puppy purchaser to make informed decisions whether to complete the purchase of the Poodle puppy. PCA does not endorse, guarantee, recommend or approve any particular Poodle breeder. PCA disclaims any liability or obligation for the health, temperament or any other aspects of Poodle puppies purchased through Poodle breeders identified by use of this site. All liability and obligations relating to the purchase of the Poodle puppy should be determined in writing by the parties as recommended above.

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