How to Adopt a Standard Poodle in the United States

Where can you adopt a Standard Poodle?

• Standard-focused rescues. The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation's member list includes Standard Poodle Rescue of Pensacola and Standard Poodle Rescue of the Southwest. The Pensacola group, started in 1999, says it keeps a waiting list and usually places a dog within a week to 10 days.
• Regional Poodle rescues. Groups such as Poodle Rescue of New England and Carolina Poodle Rescue place all three sizes, including Standards and Standard mixes.
• Shelters. Standards and doodle crosses sometimes turn up at public shelters with little notice.
• Listings. Browse Standard Poodles for adoption and save the search to get alerts when one is listed near you.

The foundation says its member groups never ship dogs, adopters must come to the dog, and every member group takes a dog back if an adoption fails for any reason. Be wary of any adoption offer that involves shipping fees.

What do rescues look for when you adopt a Standard Poodle?

Every group sets its own rules, so read them before you apply. Examples from Poodle rescues:

• A fenced yard. Carolina Poodle Rescue has a long-standing policy of not placing Standards or Standard crosses in homes without a privately fenced yard, because the breed was developed for hunting and, in its experience, leash walking is not enough.
• Children's ages. Carolina Poodle Rescue does not place dogs in homes with children under 5. Poodle Rescue of New England does not place dogs with unknown histories in homes with children under 10.
• Travel. Carolina Poodle Rescue works with out-of-state adopters but asks them to visit its kennel in upstate South Carolina.
• Experience and time. Standard Poodle Rescue of Pensacola says most of its adopters have owned a Standard or know the time and cost involved.

Be honest about your schedule. A volunteer would rather match you with a calm older Standard than place a young athlete in a home it will outgrow.

How much does it cost to adopt a Standard Poodle?

Rescue fees usually cover spay or neuter, vaccines and a microchip. Poodle Rescue of New England says it spends $500 to more than $1,800 per dog on basic medical care alone. After adoption, budget for grooming, which Petful puts at about $55 to $160 a session with Standards at the top of that range, plus food, parasite prevention and a dog license where required.

What health history should you ask about?

• Thyroid. The Poodle Club of America asks breeders to screen Standards for autoimmune thyroiditis; an adopted dog may already take daily tablets.
• Addison's disease. VCA lists Standards among breeds at increased risk. Treated dogs usually do well, but some need an injection every three to four weeks for life, so ask about cost and schedule.
• Skin. Scaling, dandruff or patchy hair loss can mean sebaceous adenitis, which is diagnosed by skin biopsy and managed with baths and other treatment.
• Bloat. Ask whether the dog has had bloat or a gastropexy, a surgery that tacks the stomach in place.
• Seizures and hips. PetMD notes epilepsy in Standards usually starts between two and five years of age, and hip dysplasia is common in the breed.

How does the Standard Poodle adoption process work?

1. Find your nearest group on the foundation's contact list, or a Standard-focused rescue.
2. Apply. Fill in the form completely; incomplete applications move slowly.
3. References. Expect calls to your vet and often your groomer.
4. Home visit. A volunteer checks the yard, fence and household, with everyone present.
5. Meet the dog in its foster home or at the rescue.
6. Contract and fee. Read the return clause and any spay, neuter or follow-up terms.
7. Collect the dog yourself. Member groups do not ship.

What should the first weeks with an adopted Standard Poodle look like?

• Keep the first week quiet, with short walks, and build up exercise once the dog trusts you.
• Feed measured meals and rest the dog for an hour before and after, as PetMD advises for bloat.
• Book a vet visit and a first groom; many rescued Standards arrive clipped short or matted.
• Expect to reteach house manners; the foundation says rescued dogs often have to relearn them in a new home.
• Register the microchip in your name; the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup shows which registry holds it.

If you are placing a Standard yourself, read how to list a Standard Poodle for adoption. If you would rather raise a puppy, see how to buy a Standard Poodle puppy, and to understand what a good breeder does before selling, how to sell Standard Poodle puppies.