Poodles? Why Poodles? Aren't they "froo froo dogs?" Well, this is one of the greatest of all misconceptions making the Standard Poodle one of the most frequently underappreciated of all canines. It is amazing how many people do not recognize their proud hunting/retrieving heritage, or have not watched their graceful athleticism, or appreciated their zealous passion for their human family. Tara and I had spent a combined 26 years as small animal veterinarians when we first made our decision to add a purebred dog to our lives. We had cherished the mutts we had collected through the years. All had been stray, lost, or damaged, and all were important parts of our lives; but they were getting old, and we thought our children were at an age to enjoy a puppy. We have not at all abandoned our passion for the lost and lonely pets of this world, but decided that we should not be restricted in our decisions and started considering all the diversity that centuries of genetic manipulation has done to man's best friend. So based on those 26 years of daily interactions with many many breeds, we repeatedly came to the same conclusion.. that the world's most perfect dog is the Standard Poodle! Intelligent and handsome, with minimal shedding, Standards come in a wealth of colors. They are athletic and graceful. Their history is proud and industrious, working eagerly with their masters in the field, hunting. Their wonderful coats providing a host of potential "looks" which can be changed and experimented with. They provide endless joy on all fronts. They are in essence, the perfect dog. So they travel with us, swim with us, run with us, play with us, and sleep with us. And, if we are fortunate, we will be able to share this joy with friends, family, and others who want to experience the majesty of a hunting poodle for themselves.