I've had toy poodles. My 17 yr old just went to heaven last month. Both of my poodles were the best little dogs - one female, one male (not for breeding tho). Both trained very easily, within 2 wks. Neither ever regressed in training unless they were ill. Both learned many tricks and were well-behaved. The boy poodle was a little less tolerant of older children but once introduced, he got along fine with everyone.
I spent alot of time with my poodles training them and was very strict with people food and rules. They are very smart and can tell when they can get away with something (just like yorkies). We have lots of skin babies in my family and it is important that the dogs know the people rules.
My Princess had trouble with one of her hips (displasia), but surgery corrected that. She lived to 13. Indy had subluxating patellas and always had trouble with his knees going out. We learned to live with it and to help him get back in position. He lived to 17.
Of all the furbabies I've had, the toy poodles were the easiest to potty train and learned tricks and rules more quickly and consistently than any others except for Duffy Puppy of Mine's Scarlett, a 3 lb. pomeranian (smart as a whip). They both had skin allergies to grass and both had trouble with their teeth even though I brushed them daily. Keeping their eyes clean is a challenge.
All in all, I think I did well having my poodle babies to love and be loved by. |