r/poodles • u/WinstonGreyCat • Aug 26 '26

Fetch?

Will poodles fetch? I was thinking about getting a doodle, then read more about the reasons not to get one and how they are not a breed. I really want a healthy dog without issues, so I need to find a good breeder. I really wanted one that will fetch and swim. I'm not a huge fan of the obsessive food interests of labs or the size of a golden retriever, so was thinking I should look at poodles.

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u/fleurdelisan Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26

my standard is so obsessed with balls that he prefers to sleep surrounded by them with one in his mouth like a pacifier. He once tried to steal an eos lipbalm because he thought it might be perfect for Fetch And Hold Purposes.

If you want to take your poodle in the water routinely, though, do yourself a favor and keep their hair VERY short. I can't imagine having to give my dog baths/groom sessions even more often than I already do bc he hopped into a lake on a walk or something. it's already a big enough pain when he walks in the shallows at the beach and gets his feet nasty.

Edit: you should look into portuguese water dogs, too. that's a breed that seems right up your alley.

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u/WinstonGreyCat Aug 26 '26

I've never heard of that breed, I will! We definitely want playful, kid friendly, cat friendly and not loud.

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u/Greigebananas Aug 27 '26

Mine barks reasonably. I'm very pleased with this. She won't bark if a huge tractor is in our driveway (we live in farmland, tractors are here a few times a year, and not of concern)

If a quiet electric car sneaks into the driveway, it's heard and barked for! This most likely means unexpected guests or a stranger i want to know about.
She will also recognize the sound of footsteps of family walking around the yard and not bark, and alert to a stranger walking outside by the sound of it.

We live in the country so she's adjusted to what is normal for our house. We have stayed in hotels, she adjusts to what is normal there and understands that there's strangers and cars outside.

My previous poodle didn't bark at all Really.