Raising Standard Poodle Puppies
This is Boisie, Truman, and Fergus, puppies from Blade's first litter by Ch Marechal Strictly Balroom.
All our puppies are raised following the Superdog Programme. These exercises produce neurological stimulations that do not naturally occur at this early age. Pups handled this way show an increased capacity for learning and benefit with improved cardio vascular performance, stronger heart beats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress and greater resistance to disease.
At seven weeks of age Avonti puppies are given a Puppy Aptitude Test. This test pinpoints the individual puppie's character and helps to ensure that each individual puppy is well suited to his new home.
The evaluation tests the puppies willingness to retrieve, follow, forgive, think for themselves, and their reactions to strange sights and sounds. It is an indication of their character and temperament as adults.
Stimulating Environment
These are newborn puppies, less than a day old. From the moment they are born we handle and stimuate our puppies. They are placed on different textured surfaces and strange objects are placed in the whelping box for them to smell and investigate. Once they can hear and see we expose them to different sounds and sites, not just the whelping box environment. These things help to teach the puppy how to learn.
First Clip
At five weeks of age the puppies receive their first clip to get them accustomed to a very important part of their lives. They are then clipped weekly until they leave for their new homes. I like to then have the puppies return in three weeks time to be clipped and groomed again before they get out of the routine. If you would prefer to learn to clip your puppy yourself, we will happily teach you how to do so.
Feeding BARF
We follow the BARF method of feeding our litters. The puppies are raised on mother's milk and raw natural foods, including raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. Chicken necks and wings are favourites. Yoghurt ensures a healthy digestive tract. They are started on real food as soon as they show an interest in what mum is eating, usually between 3 and 4 weeks, but with a small litter this usually happens at around 5 weeks of age.
Home Environment - Not a Kennel
Avonti puppies are raised in a home environment amongst the hustle and bustle of a busy household to ensure they are properly socialized. Visits from the grandchildren, and short excursions in the car are also happening.
Once used for water retrieving the poodle is now mainly a companion animal. The poodle excells at whatever task you ask it to do. Before you decide on a standard poodle puppy as a new addition to your household we hope that you have done a bit of research on the breed to see if it will truly fit into your home.
Puppy Kindergarten
Standard poodles are best raised in a family situation, where they get a lot of love and attention. They are quite boisterous puppies and will need to attend puppy kindergarten and or obedience lessons if you haven't had a puppy in the household for some time. Your local veterinarian will probably hold these classes where your puppy can socialize with other breeds of a similar age.
Ongoing Support
All our puppies are sent home with a puppy booklet outlining the basics of puppy rearing and a menu plan. By the time you take your puppy home you should have prepared for its arrival by setting up its bed and have enough puppy food in the house for a couple of days. Our puppies have been raised on the Barf feeding principles and we send a three day supply of food home with our local puppies. Plan to take your puppy to the vet to be checked over and given a clean bill of health.
Bringing Puppy Home
Bringing a puppy into the household is an exciting time for you as well as your puppy. But it is best to give your puppy time to rest and settle in without too much interference. Everything is very new and possibly a bit confusing. He will be missing his littermates. If you have children they will have to be a little patient until your new pup settles in. Once the puppy feels safe and secure, the natural playfulness and curiosity will come to the fore and you will be rewarded with many happy hours of fun.
Selecting a Breeder
Once you have decided that the standard poodle is the right breed for you and your family, it is time to locate a reliable breeder. A conscientious breeder spends the time and money in properly rearing and socializing their puppies. You may have to put your name on a waiting list to obtain such a puppy, but your patience will be rewarded many times over. A reputable breeder will be there for the life of your puppy. They will be able to answer your questions on puppy rearing and development. They will have a lifelong commitment to their puppies wellbeing. Visit the breeder's home and ask questions about the poodle and how they raise their puppies. The breeder should be asking you a lot of questions too.
Pet or Show Quality
We breed our poodles, with the aim of improving the stock that we have. At eight weeks of age, a puppy may exhibit show potential but time will tell, if indeed, it develops into a show dog. If you wish to purchase a "quaranteed show quality puppy" you are best to wait and purchase an older puppy, or fully matured dog. Of course these are far harder to come by and will cost more money than a promising puppy.
Why should you choose a show breeder?
Most people assume that a puppy from a show litter will cost more money and are of the opinion that they don't want a show quality animal. I believe that if you have decided on purchasing a standard poodle puppy, you must be looking for a puppy that exhibits those traits of a standard poodle. As a breeder, we aim to produce puppies that closely resemble the written breed standard, in looks and temperament. We have health tested our breeding stock and researched their pedigrees with the aim of producing helathy, sound puppies. The show ring is a very competitive place. Most puppies in a litter will be "pet quality", even though they come from the same bloodlines as that champion. These puppies will have a minor flaw, that you probably can't even pick, that prevents them from competing in the show ring. All the breeders efforts, of producing sound healthy animals have gone into rearing this puppy just as it has into the show puppy. The "pet quality" puppy will also exhibit all the qualities that the breeder is aiming for; health, great temperaments, intelligence and loving companions.
DESEXING
We are often asked the question "should we desex our dog, and if so when?" That is something that only you can decide; however, if you do not intend to show or breed then you should consider desexing.
Desexing females (spaying) will prevent pregnancy through removal of the ovaries and uterus. The risk of breast cancer is substantially reduced and that of pyometra (a life threatening uterine infection) is totally reduced. A litter before desexing will not improve the character of your pet. Overfeeding is the major cause of obesity in desexed animals, not desexing itself.
In males, desexing (castration or neutering) reduces typical masculine behavioural problems such as territorialness, roaming, and aggression.
This procedure should be carried out around 6 months of age, before the onset of puberty, as we all have a responsibility to try and reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. Again we urge you to talk to your vet. This report was written by Dr Nick Sangster, a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Parasitology, from the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology at the University of Sydney. It was commissioned by Pfizer Animal Health
WHICH PUPPY
We like to spend time with you discussing your family and your lifestyle to enable us to pick the best puppy for your situation. Each puppy has its own personality traits and within a litter a breeder will be able to see those traits developing in the puppy. We have spent the past eight weeks with the litter and want to give you the puppy that best suits your lifestyle. If you aren't happy with the pup, we know that the puppy won't be happy either. For example: The most dominant puppy in the litter that needs an experienced handler will not fit into a family that is purchasing their first puppy.
Our puppies are sold with a written health guarantee and contract. Pet puppies are placed on the limited register.
LifeSpan of the Standard Poodle
Standard Poodles should live on average to 12 - 14 years. The effects of inbreeding and diet will influence the poodles life span. John Armstrong's survey tabulates his findings as to cause of death and the relationship between early death and inbreeding.
Inbreeding and Diversity in Standard Poodles
An inbreeding coefficient is a measurement of the duplication of ancestors in a dogs pedigree. An inbreeding coefficient of 25% is the same as breeding a brother to a sister.
"In general, the average poodle inbred less than 6% will outlive those inbred over 25% (10 generation calculation) by about 3 years." John Armstrong
What a Puppy is Not A few points to consider before purchasing a puppy. Please take the time to read this article from Better Homes and Gardens.
