02/03/2024
Thanks for everyone's nice comments about our available dogs. I wanted to address someone's comment: "I only want a pet... I don't want a show dog."
What is a show dog? A show dog isn't some mystical being. A show dog is simply a dog that closely conforms to the official written breed standard. At a dog show, you go in the ring and the judge will examine coat, movement, structure, and overall attitude. If the judge determines on that day that your dog best meets the requirements of the breed standard you will be earn points depending on how many other dogs you beat. Get chosen as the best enough times (you need 15 points in AKC) and you are awarded the title of Champion.
All that to say that a Champion Poodle has been independently evaluated as being a good example of what a Poodle should be.
But, perhaps more importantly, a show dog has to have a solid temperament. Dog shows are stressful. The dog has to travel to a new location, be surrounded by often thousands of strange dogs and people, patiently put up with all the specialized grooming, go into the ring and stand/move quietly next to strange dogs, and then get touched all over by a complete stranger.... all the while keeping a smile on its face. Plenty of dogs never get a championship because they are not stable enough.
All that to say that owners might never want to show a dog or compete in dog sports, but I bet they want to go to the Farmer's Market or their kid's soccer game and not have their Poodle be a neurotic, reactive mess.
Add to this full health testing because no one wants a show dog with bad hips, eyes, or patella.
So now imagine that you breed generation after generation after generation of health tested, Champion Poodles together. Through selective breeding you end up with stable, healthy, confident Poodles who are good examples of their breed.
Isn't this what pet owners want?
