Choosing to adopt a dog is an important decision that requires careful consideration. A poodle is a commitment of several years (between 10 and 15 years). My puppies will become your life companions; a member of your family for a lifetime. 

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It is essential to ask yourself a few questions before deciding to add a poodle to your home:

 

• Is the decision to adopt a poodle made by mutual agreement between all members of the family?

• Would you like to buy a puppy as a gift? Although a puppy can be a lovely gift, a dog is a lifelong commitment! Make sure the recipient is truly prepared for a puppy before gifting! 

• Are you an owner or tenant? Make sure your lease allows the presence of a large dog. Depending on the requirements of your apartment, neighborhood or lease, you may need to contact your landlord for approval before purchasing a puppy and/or paying a pet deposit. It's also important to check local laws regarding licensing, rabies vaccinations, fees, leash laws and other requirements you should be aware of before bringing your puppy home. Also think: if you were to move, will you be able to ensure you find a suitable home for you and your poodle?

• How will a big dog fit into your lifestyle? Determine if you are ready to meet the needs of a large, highly intelligent and active dog. You will need to invest time in training and caring for your poodle. Do you have the physical capacity to support a puppy or large adult poodle?

• Do you have young children? A young poodle can be rambunctious: he jumps, plays, runs, chews, etc. Conversely, young, active children can overwhelm a more timid puppy. Poodles and children make excellent companions. However, everyone must learn to respect others. So it's important to determine if your children are ready to welcome a dog into the home and which personality best fits you and your family's needs and preferences. 

• Do you have a safe place to play, train and expend your dog's energy? Poodles are active and sporty! Standard Poodles are large dogs and are happiest when walked regularly and given a yard to play in. They love learning tricks or playing different dog sports.  

• Do you have other pets? Dogs, cats or others who are not used to the presence of a canine companion. Will they adapt well to the arrival of another animal? Are you ready to put in the necessary effort to ensure that the adaptation goes well?  Furry family members should also be considered when adopting a new pet. Puppies raised with other animals generally get along well as the puppy grows, but this also depends on how the other animals react to the new arrival. 

• Do you have the financial resources necessary to provide for the needs of an animal? Are you prepared to face financial obligation as your pet ages? As we humans age, we tend to need more health care to stay comfortable and healthy. Pets are no different. Have you considered taking out insurance for our new companion? 

• Who will care for your pet if you decide to travel? It is important to think about what will happen to your poodle when you go on vacation. You may have friends or family happy to watch your poodle. Boarding your poodle (with appropriate vaccinations first) or hiring a pet sitter are also options. 

• Do you have the time and energy to train a young poodle puppy? Puppies need constant training to help them become happy dogs to live with. Consider taking basic training or a puppy class. Make sure you're up to the challenges of raising a puppy. They are more demanding until 18-24 months. All the efforts invested mainly during the first year will be worth their weight in gold thereafter.  

• If something happened to you, who would take care of your poodle? We never wish it on anyone but sometimes life can change suddenly. It is important to have a backup plan so that your poodle does not end up in a bad situation. I would always take my standard poodles back if you can no longer keep him. However, your family members may not be aware of this or know how to contact us. My contract requires that you not rehome your poodle without notifying me first. Talk to your family or friends. 

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I invite you to consider all of these questions when considering adding a canine member to your family. It is also important to consider other situations that could arise and result in changes to your lifestyle. Far fewer dogs would be abandoned in shelters or euthanized for no reason if owners had better prepared themselves for the responsibilities of adopting an animal and asked themselves these questions. 

 

My goal is not for any of my babies to ever end up in a shelter. This is why in my contract there is a clause prohibiting abandoning your EM Perfectum poodle in a shelter or SPA. Adopting families must contact me before rehoming their poodle. I want to have regular monitoring of the little beings that I give birth to. I am aware that unexpected circumstances can arise in life. Always wanting what is best for my dogs, I will be there to help you find a new family for your poodle EM Perfectum.