One of the hardest parts about being a breeder, especially of a large breed like standard poodles, is keeping the numbers in check. When your goals are to produce exemplary models of the breed, you can't always tell everything you need to know at 8 weeks of age - especially when it comes to picking your next champion. Your heart and your home are full, and it's the time to make tough choices! I am fortunate enough to have some amazing friends in the breed who don't mind raising a puppy while we allow it to mature some. We call these "guardian homes." In service dogs, they are called "puppy raisers."
When Jacki and Armani gave me a gorgeous litter, there were 3 girls we looked really hard at keeping. One went to co-breeder Betty Brown and is safely and happily tucked away in such a "guardian" home until her show ring debut. One is my Clover, who I sort of knew at 5 weeks wasn't going anywhere, and the 3rd was little "Patty." . She was absolutely beautiful, with a sweet expression, big ole chest and gorgeous, plush puppy coat. Her guardian mama Melissa was doing an incredible job of socializing her and keeping her coat, and she was turning into a really well-rounded young lady. As gorgeous as she is, she wasn't quite better than her parents combined, and I was having a hard time showing both of the puppies by myself, so i had to make a decision.
You can't realistically show and finish every show quality puppy. :( At the end of the day, you pick your stand outs and let the rest go. As a baby, Patty had 2 show homes that went remiss through no faults of mine or hers. She spent 5 wonderful months with my good friend, learning how to be a great house and show dog. I had hopes to get her shown as a puppy and at PCA, but I just could not feasibly do it on my own. I talked it over with her guardian and we decided that letting her be someone's pet would be best for her.
So when I decided to place Patty, I knew just who I was calling first. I met Margo Clark at Petfest with her colorful mini "Zuka." I knew she and her other half, Ace, had lost their beloved white standard "Zao" earlier that year and were looking to fill the empty spot left in their hearts and home. It didn't take long to see that little "Patty," now "Zydeco" was going to fit right in! They are absolutely devoted dog parents. I think we all hit the jackpot. :)
She has a 2 groomers for parents, a colorful little mini sister and even her own pet bunny! She has been all over the city in just a few days and is being lavishly spoiled with toys and attention. She now lives with Margo & Ace of New Orleans - 2 long time standard lovers and will be the unofficial mascot (along with mini poodle Zuka) of businesses Southbound Design & Color My Pup! Look for #colormypup on Instagram, and you can follow along Zydeco's adventures with #zydecotravels and #zukatravels! Cheers!
When Jacki and Armani gave me a gorgeous litter, there were 3 girls we looked really hard at keeping. One went to co-breeder Betty Brown and is safely and happily tucked away in such a "guardian" home until her show ring debut. One is my Clover, who I sort of knew at 5 weeks wasn't going anywhere, and the 3rd was little "Patty." . She was absolutely beautiful, with a sweet expression, big ole chest and gorgeous, plush puppy coat. Her guardian mama Melissa was doing an incredible job of socializing her and keeping her coat, and she was turning into a really well-rounded young lady. As gorgeous as she is, she wasn't quite better than her parents combined, and I was having a hard time showing both of the puppies by myself, so i had to make a decision.
You can't realistically show and finish every show quality puppy. :( At the end of the day, you pick your stand outs and let the rest go. As a baby, Patty had 2 show homes that went remiss through no faults of mine or hers. She spent 5 wonderful months with my good friend, learning how to be a great house and show dog. I had hopes to get her shown as a puppy and at PCA, but I just could not feasibly do it on my own. I talked it over with her guardian and we decided that letting her be someone's pet would be best for her.
So when I decided to place Patty, I knew just who I was calling first. I met Margo Clark at Petfest with her colorful mini "Zuka." I knew she and her other half, Ace, had lost their beloved white standard "Zao" earlier that year and were looking to fill the empty spot left in their hearts and home. It didn't take long to see that little "Patty," now "Zydeco" was going to fit right in! They are absolutely devoted dog parents. I think we all hit the jackpot. :)
She has a 2 groomers for parents, a colorful little mini sister and even her own pet bunny! She has been all over the city in just a few days and is being lavishly spoiled with toys and attention. She now lives with Margo & Ace of New Orleans - 2 long time standard lovers and will be the unofficial mascot (along with mini poodle Zuka) of businesses Southbound Design & Color My Pup! Look for #colormypup on Instagram, and you can follow along Zydeco's adventures with #zydecotravels and #zukatravels! Cheers!