Originally Posted by Brittanya

I feel that the Standard Poodle is the most wonderful breed ever. My own is a rescue that I've shared my life with for 18 months now and he's simply amazing.

As a dog groomer, myself, I've known a fair few St Poo and I just adore them all. They are very eager to please and extremely loyal and loving. They do, however, need lots of mental stimulation so, although I think everyone should love a St Poo, I only advise those who have the time to give them lots of attention and mental exercise (as well as physical) seriously consider having on in their lives.

My own is a big boy (29") and that is particularly large for the breed but it's enough to make people stop and consider the size variances in them.

Grooming is a huge undertaking. Unless you're proficient at grooming them yourself then you're looking at a very regular expense. All of the St Poo's I do come to me 4 weekly (or the price doubles) and I don't think any two get the same style lol - it very much depends on lifestyle, grooming routine at home and, of course, taste. My own is entirely hand-scissored but that's because we do grooming competitions together. I think that, if it weren't for the competitions I'd keep him an awful lot shorter so that it's easier to maintain and his coat would take an awful lot less time to bath and dry!
An option on grooming is to find a groomer who wishes to compete in poodle grooming competitions but doesn't yet have a poodle to compete with - that may reduce the cost somewhat but then you will have to allow your dog to be styled in the groomers' style choice and your dog will have to be available for competitions across the country. Not always easy to find a competition groomer but they're worth their weight in gold

This was my boy and I at our last competition

Originally Posted by MissBexi

I haven't got much to add apart from Brittanya, your dog is gorgeous. He is really stunning....

Originally Posted by Blitz

I have miniatures now but have had standards. They are lovely family dogs, keen to learn and keen to please and have fantastic temperaments. They can be a bit self willed at times and one of mine was an obsessive hunter and would clear off without warning at the merest whiff of rabbit.
They do vary in size quite a lot so make up your mind what you are wanting. There are also some atrocious breeders about who can sound very convincing over the phone so visit before deciding.