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Worthy, my black Standard Poodle assistance/service dog for my mobility disabilities, has spoiled me for other breeds! Grooming him is a lot of work, but I have an idea that is part of what makes things work so well. Lots and lots and LOTS of handling!

His temperament is friendly, which is typical of Standard Poodles, and he barks from excitement, not strong protectiveness. He sounds and looks protective, being black and having that teddy bear hairstyle, but he wouldn't hurt anybody. If someone actually tried something, he would very likely think of a tooth-free way to stop them!

That thinking is another thing that blows me away. This dog is smarter than I am. And he's on my side! How cool is that?!

And, he doesn't shed hair around the house. Again, it is hard to overstate the grooming work, because taking care of that ever-growing coat and other physical things on Standard Poodle takes a LOT of time. But there is not dog hair all over the house.

Well, except there is some to deal with after I trim him with scissors before and after taking him to the professional groomer! Thank God my husband is happy to clean up after that.

We also take him specially for grooming to a professional shop at 7 in the morning when we can both be right there. He is clean and combed and I've done some scissoring first, so she gets done with him in something like 45 minutes. That's downright amazing with a Standard Poodle. And SO low-stress for him. He dances in and dances out of the shop!

I am in love with Standard Poodles!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Sounds like you have a perfect breed. How wonderful! Is this the same dog that had the toe problem?

Cheryl
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>>Sounds like you have a perfect breed. How wonderful! Is this the same dog that had the toe problem?
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>>Cheryl
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Yes, and Worthy seems to be in remission from the SLO toenail problem now. We had thyroid values of Total T4, Free T4 and TSH checked, and all were great. He has needed no antibiotics, no pain pills, and no steroids.

There seem to be a variety of causes for SLO. In his case, it may be that his coat demands SO much nutrition. Now he gets about 3500-4000 mg a day of sodium ascorbate (a form of vitamin C that is safe for dogs), 500 IU of d-alpha (natural form) vitamin E, 2 B-complex 100 timed release capsules, 3 Omega 3 gel caps (he smunches all this right down!), about a tablespoonful of extra virgin olive oil, 2 doses of Multidophilus Plus (excellent probiotic) and 2 Pet Tabs Plus just to fill any gaps!

That's a lot of nutrition! I don't plan to experiment with ommitting any of it. He's on it for life.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Poodles are great versatile dogs. I also tend to prefer the standards over their smaller cousins. The grooming requirements one a bigger dog are more than I want to deal with, but certain times of the year when my two are blowing coat I do long for the non-shedding breeds.

Its nice that you found a great dog for your lifestyle.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

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>>Its nice that you found a great dog for your lifestyle.
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>>Chelle

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Yes, that is true. I learned SO much from the dogs I had before. But there is a reason certain breeds are more frequently chosen as assistance/service dogs and certain breeds are less frequently chosen. Worthy is very well suited for the work.

Working for me is pretty easy. That gives him lots of opportunity for his sense of humor! And that is one of the greatest things he gives to me. It is very, very good for my brain damaged by the bacterial spinal meningitis. It is so important what I put into it now.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47