Working Poodles

[Mightymax]

Has anyone had any experience of working with a Standard Poodle in 'The Field'? I have a Toy Poodle who is just great... A huge amount of fun, and really bright. Having had working gundogs all my life and other large breeds, I hadn't appreciated how intelligent Poodles are! I believe there are people who use their Standard Poodles for 'Picking Up' and I would enjoy the challenge... After all, they were originally bred to be a hunting/working dog. Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated. My current picking-up partner is a male GSP. Thanks.

 

[gunnergundog]

If you enjoy a challenge, then go for it! I suspect you may have an easier task ahead if you were to import a pup, as the two standards that I currently know have zero hunting instinct and little desire to retrieve/carry, although in fairness that has probably never been encouraged in either of them. These are show/pet dogs; am not aware of anyone who breeds a working line in this country.

They certainly have been used for gundog work in the past though, and still are but only to a small extent abroad (mainly USA for wild fowling I believe), possibly because easier dog breeds abound? Have you considered a curly coated retriever or are you a glutton for punishment?

I think the maintenance of the coat would put me off even considering a poodle; picking thorns etc out every time the dog went into cover - a lot easier to stay on top of a GSP's single short coat than a poodle, no matter how it is clipped!

If you do go down the poodle route, you must keep us updated. I would be fascinated to follow the progress....but not fascinated enough to attempt it myself!

PS This forum is pretty much dead nowadays but there are a couple of posts about poodles....the majority though are poodle crosses. This may be of interest: https://www.gundogtrainingforum.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=253154&hilit=poodle#p253154

 

[malwhit]

My first Labradoodle had two working parents. Both worked on local shoots, with the Standard Poodle sire in a short cut, with a small pom pom left on his tail.

Lottie surprised me a few times when on walks by stalking birds and pointing at them like a Pointer I don't know anything about gundogs, but she impressed me. My other dogs would have rushed in and chased them

I have wanted a Standard Poodle ever since, but the maintenance and cost of grooming put me off. Lottie had a wiry coat that moulted, I used to call her a black Spinone or GWP depending upon how hairy &/or overweight she was

 

[Nicnac]

No idea about in the field but must say really impressed with the designer breeds at agility. The 'poodle' part of their brains make them quick learners and lightening fast.

 

[Cortez]

Wildly off topic, but I've wanted a Standard Poodle ever since I saw a team of poodles competing in the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska.

 

[dottylottie]

i have a mini poodle and he’s too clever for his own good, i definitely think they’d still make a good working dog if they still have that natural instinct! mine is more of a “thief” than a “retriever” though…he’s got the carrying instincts for sure, but he carries them off down the garden instead

 

[Jenko109]

They are a breed that I hope to one day own. I want a standard for agility. The pictures will be just fantastic.

Can't answer the question though!

 

[AmyMay]

Well a poodle is, historically, a working, retrieving breed.

 

[Cortez]

Well a poodle is, historically, a working, retrieving breed.

Specifically a water retrieving breed, like the Irish Water Spaniel, and there was an English Water Spaniel too. That’s where the “poodley” pouffy clip comes from.

 

[Mightymax]

If you enjoy a challenge, then go for it! I suspect you may have an easier task ahead if you were to import a pup, as the two standards that I currently know have zero hunting instinct and little desire to retrieve/carry, although in fairness that has probably never been encouraged in either of them. These are show/pet dogs; am not aware of anyone who breeds a working line in this country.

They certainly have been used for gundog work in the past though, and still are but only to a small extent abroad (mainly USA for wild fowling I believe), possibly because easier dog breeds abound? Have you considered a curly coated retriever or are you a glutton for punishment?

I think the maintenance of the coat would put me off even considering a poodle; picking thorns etc out every time the dog went into cover - a lot easier to stay on top of a GSP's single short coat than a poodle, no matter how it is clipped!

If you do go down the poodle route, you must keep us updated. I would be fascinated to follow the progress....but not fascinated enough to attempt it myself!

PS This forum is pretty much dead nowadays but there are a couple of posts about poodles....the majority though are poodle crosses. This may be of interest: https://www.gundogtrainingforum.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=253154&hilit=poodle#p253154

Thanks for your input. You suggest possibly importing a dog, but where from? are the pure Poodles still worked abroad?

 

[gunnergundog]

Thanks for your input. You suggest possibly importing a dog, but where from? are the pure Poodles still worked abroad?

Yes....USA and France to my knowledge, but possibly other places too.

You will have to do some detective work, it's not something I'm very au fait with. Follow the link I gave in my earlier post to the other forum, join it and see if you can still contact people like 'Crackerd', the American who posted: I'll attest to poodles as good markers when trained as retrievers. I went to their "national specialty" a few years back in Maryland, USA where they include an AKC-sanctioned hunt test in the proceedings - and on the grounds of a venerable field trialer here on the East Coast who had the three highest-pointed All-Age yellow Labs of all time. Anything over 15 inches was considered a "standard" by the poodle club, and there were some little crackerjacks at work that day - several poodles also have gone on to achieve "Master Hunter" titles since the breed became eligible to run hunt tests in the US.

There's also these guys in France - Scots living abroad! Again, website a bit out of date but worth a shot. https://www.ferriolus.info/index.htm

Also, this lady in the UK. She has posted pics of her dogs working, but is also show oriented so not sure how driven her dogs are or how good they are in the field but could be a good starting point. https://www.viadua.co.uk/gallery

Are you sure you don't fancy a curly coated retriever or IWS?? Or, how about a Pudelpointer?

 

[Mightymax]

Yes....USA and France to my knowledge, but possibly other places too.

You will have to do some detective work, it's not something I'm very au fait with. Follow the link I gave in my earlier post to the other forum, join it and see if you can still contact people like 'Crackerd', the American who posted: I'll attest to poodles as good markers when trained as retrievers. I went to their "national specialty" a few years back in Maryland, USA where they include an AKC-sanctioned hunt test in the proceedings - and on the grounds of a venerable field trialer here on the East Coast who had the three highest-pointed All-Age yellow Labs of all time. Anything over 15 inches was considered a "standard" by the poodle club, and there were some little crackerjacks at work that day - several poodles also have gone on to achieve "Master Hunter" titles since the breed became eligible to run hunt tests in the US.

There's also these guys in France - Scots living abroad! Again, website a bit out of date but worth a shot. https://www.ferriolus.info/index.htm

Also, this lady in the UK. She has posted pics of her dogs working, but is also show oriented so not sure how driven her dogs are or how good they are in the field but could be a good starting point. https://www.viadua.co.uk/gallery

Are you sure you don't fancy a curly coated retriever or IWS?? Or, how about a Pudelpointer?

Brilliant! So much info to sort through. Many thanks!

 

[Mightymax]

i have a mini poodle and he’s too clever for his own good, i definitely think they’d still make a good working dog if they still have that natural instinct! mine is more of a “thief” than a “retriever” though…he’s got the carrying instincts for sure, but he carries them off down the garden instead

 

[Glitter's fun]

Has anyone had any experience of working with a Standard Poodle in 'The Field'? I have a Toy Poodle who is just great... A huge amount of fun, and really bright. Having had working gundogs all my life and other large breeds, I hadn't appreciated how intelligent Poodles are! I believe there are people who use their Standard Poodles for 'Picking Up' and I would enjoy the challenge... After all, they were originally bred to be a hunting/working dog. Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated. My current picking-up partner is a male GSP. Thanks.

I used to be in a dog training club (closed now). There was a standard poodle doing agility and obedience. My impression was that it was clever but not very focussed/ motivated- kind of looking around & then 'oh i suppose so' & wander to the next jump! I think it was better at obedience but I wasn't in the same group (I was using the agility to bring on rescues so wasn't allowed with the higher level, competition obedience dogs in case my unruly crew upset them!)

 

[Moobli]

This article might be of interest.

Poodles as working dogs? Can they ever be trained? Should they?

Is there a history of poodles as working dogs? What were they originally bred for? Shooting Times investigates the breed and its potential.

www.shootinguk.co.uk

 

[Prancerpoos]

Slightly off topic, but my friend has a miniature poodle that has now killed 19 rats! Very fast and deadly.

 

[tda]

My neighbour used to have standard poodles, apricot their daughter did some agility with one of them

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have had poodle owners tell me that their biggest problem is their sense of humour. A friend has two and had two prior to these. If in the mood they are great but wow betide you if they have their fun hat on.

 

[druid]

USA have decent working ones including ones that have earned hunt test titles.

There's a few worked in UK but you'd be gambling on working drive with any litter. I like them as dogs, very intelligent and quick to pick things up (both good and bad!)

 

[lizziebell]

Not standard, but if you like your toy poodle, how about a miniature so not such a jump in size?
My Grandfather had two miniature poodles as retrieval dogs on shoots. Cracking little versatile dogs in the field.

 

[Clodagh]

There’s a woman on fb who works hers. I can’t remember her name but she’s in Cambridgeshire I think.
If you went on a gundog fb site and asked you’d get photos and first hand information ?

 

[P3LH]

I follow someone on instagram with loads of gun dogs, one of which is a standard poodle who they rave about the usefulness and drive of.

 

[Mightymax]

I have had poodle owners tell me that their biggest problem is their sense of humour. A friend has two and had two prior to these. If in the mood they are great but wow betide you if they have their fun hat on.

I already have a Toy Poodle... I can completely agree with that!!

 

[Mightymax]

Not standard, but if you like your toy poodle, how about a miniature so not such a jump in size?
My Grandfather had two miniature poodles as retrieval dogs on shoots. Cracking little versatile dogs in the field.

My Toy Poodle will retrieve a tennis ball, and possibly a VERY small partridge... Just thought that a Standard might be a better size to retrieve a big male pheasant, but food for thought, maybe a large Miniature would be 'Man' enough! Thanks

 

[lizziebell]

My Toy Poodle will retrieve a tennis ball, and possibly a VERY small partridge... Just thought that a Standard might be a better size to retrieve a big male pheasant, but food for thought, maybe a large Miniature would be 'Man' enough! Thanks

This isn’t an active group (and not sure which country), but gives you some idea of a miniatures hunting potential

Miniature Hunting Poodles | Kitchener ON

Miniature Hunting Poodles, Kitchener. Gefällt 975 Mal · 2 Personen sprechen darüber. This page is all about Miniature Poodles and their achievements in the Field - whether it be hunting, upland or...

www.facebook.com

 

[kathantoinette]

Look up Brackenbain Gundogs

 

[Widgeon]

Look up Brackenbain Gundogs

These are fantastic - I love the way her (the poodle's!) hair is tied up in a topknot for working, and the video of her relaxing in a hot bath with her legs in the air is just

 

[Love]

Purdey's breeder works a standard poodle and she looks absolutely ace! She regularly posts about how amazing she is

 

[HeresHoping]

There's a standard that comes up to West Arkengarthdale to stand at the peg occasionally. I love him. He's fully clipped out and so, so good at his job. I want one - I'd be half minded to give it a show clip just for comedy value out on the Moors. However, given that the grouse shoot I work on is, should we say, quite, ummm... proper, we don't half have a collection of working dogs. There's a Bananarama - and I hadn't seen one of those in the field for a very long time, a Schnauzer, several Pointer Lab crosses, a Jack Russell or two, an Airedale, a corgi, and quite a few other shenzis, so a poodle however clipped would not be given a second glance. Two of our pickers up have 8 labs each: one has 7 blacks and yellow; the other has 7 yellows and a black. The black one is called Angus and I swear he has a sense of humour.

 

[maisie06]

There’s a woman on fb who works hers. I can’t remember her name but she’s in Cambridgeshire I think.
If you went on a gundog fb site and asked you’d get photos and first hand information ?

There's a lady called Wendy Lunn who works hers.