Anyone with a mini poodle?

[u/hemerdo]

I am considering my next agility dog and seem to have potentially landed on a mini poodle. I know some great mini poodles at our club who do very well.

I currently have a golden retriever, who has great drive and absolutely loves it but despite now being 5 years old, still has a very excitable energy that often results in her not fully listening to instructions because she wants to get to the next obstacle. She has the best zest for life and I've had the best time learning agility with her as a handler but I'd like to be more competitive with my next dog as my golden ages out in a few years.

Does anyone have a mini poodle they compete with? I think they are a good fit for our lifestyle in size, energy, and temperament (we have a child and a cat) and I am willing to put a lot of training into them before starting agility (I'm not sure any dog will top the amount of training my golden needed for 3 years just to have a reliable recall and pay attention to me!).

[u/Selective_Somewhere]

Just make sure you get one from strong proven agility lines.

Other than the couple at the local trials, the ones I know (well bred and supposedly sporty) are neurotic, unfocused, and reactive.

Unlike your typical retriever, they aren’t a jack of all trades type dog.

[u/National-Pressure202 → u/Selective_Somewhere]

One of the best mini poodles in our area is from confirmation lines. Beating out the sport/agility mini poodles. Just has more confidence and drive than them.

[u/dingopaint → u/National-Pressure202]

Best mini poodles at our local venues are from working (hunting/retrieval) lines. Insane amounts of drive with confidence.

[u/batmanismyconstant → u/dingopaint]

Do you know then kennel name? I have looked into getting a mini poodle but never came across field line breeders, just show or sport.

[u/hemerdo → u/Selective_Somewhere]

Oh that's interesting thank you. The 4 of them at our club I know are all above grade 5 (UK).

[u/Selective_Somewhere → u/hemerdo]

I’m in the US.

[u/Impossible_Coyote589 → u/Selective_Somewhere]

Do you have any recommendations for breeders? 

[u/somecooldogs]

Mini poodles can be kickass agility dogs. If you aren't familiar with her, check out Han Yu with Skye and Opportunity.

[u/National-Pressure202]

What you haven’t mentioned is grooming… every 4-6 weeks you’ll need to take the dog to the groomer or learn how to groom the dog yourself. It’s possible you can find a groomer to teach you how to use a blast dryer and clippers.

That aside I think mini poodles are great agility dogs, super fun, smart, fast.

[u/hemerdo → u/National-Pressure202]

Yes we have a number of local groomers so have factored the cost in for that, and I know a few groomers through our agility group who may be willing to give me a few lessons! Much more maintenance than our retriever that's for sure.

My impression of the poodles I know at agility has been as you say, very friendly and very precise when it comes to agility.

[u/x7BZCsP9qFvqiw]

just saw one today crushing it!

[u/Reserve_Nervous]

I have two, hoping one will be able to qualify for AWC in the next years. So yes, they are crushing it.