We often get asked about the temperament of our Red Standard Poodles.
Let me introduce "OUR" reds by saying that they are very, very calm and loving.
As that is what we looked for along with the dark red.
Here is my long story of my quest for red:
I first heard about Red Standard Poodles when I saw a photo ad in Dogs USA in 1980.
I began calling and sending out letters if inquiry to the breeders listed.
I also started to ask at the shows about them.
What I heard was not encouraging. They were said to be hyper, skiddish and vicious.
I was told the reason for this was because breeders bred their Standards to the smaller poodles (toys and minis)
who already had the red gene solidified and also that breeders inbred in order to guarantee the colour,
Not concerned about temperament, more concerned about colour.
I decided against purchasing a red stanadard poodle at that time
based on their reputation of having a bad temperament.
I have always put temperament 1st and colour 2nd since we produce poodles for
family companions and therapy dogs.
In 2004 I began to see more and more reds locally.
But with further investigating many breeders advertised dark red photos of puppies
but when seen with their mother's nursing
the mom's all looked like either dark apricot, light apricot or creams. This was disappointing
as photos also told me that the mom's were not really red after all,
but were just dark apricots that carried the fading gene.
I believed that the pups "might" be a real red if the "sire" was a real dark red though.
So I began to ask for photos of dad. Breeders either refused
to send me photos (which told me what I needed to know)
or sent me photos of a dog that appeared to be a very light apricot when they were an adult.
A lot of the show people had dark red puppy photos of their reds but then had show photos of these
same dogs at 1 year of age, that appeared to be cream to apricot in colour and not red.
Finally after a couple years I stumbled upon a breeder that seemed to carry the pedigree
consistant with "real" reds that held their colour and rumored to be great nature.
Not willing to take any chances, I chose to drive 20 hours to her house in person to meet these rare reds.
I could not believe what I found.
There the breeder was holding this cute fuzzy puppy that was the colour of burnt orange, or a dark paprika colour
with jet black pigmentation (lips, eye rims, nose) or "points".
Really words can't describe the colour because it is so breath taking.
Photos and video also doesn't do the colour justice as the colour varies in intensity depending on the lighting.
The one thing that was not mistakable was that this was a colour I had never before seen.
The best part was that their temperaments were calm, very loving with eyes that would melt any cold heart.
I also met the parents and the grandparents and saw photos going back 5 generations.
I was hooked on the colour.
After months of researching pedigrees and tracing back generations of reds and their photos as puppy and adult
I felt that I had found the lines that were "real" red and not just dark apricot
and that when mature would still be reds and not faded cream like I had seen online & in person,
as well as having that calm, loving nature we are so famous for.
My Ruby was our first red. She was stunning and she knew it.
Ruby is typical for our reds in that they love lying in our laps and winding around our legs
like cats for affection or attention. They are a very "soft" natured dog and respond well to "positive" training.
If you are harsh with them or they sense they are disappointing you they will mentally just shut down and pout.
They also want to be everywhere with you including the bathroom.
You will always hear the pitter patter of a red standards feet as they will be your shadow.
They love working for praise and or a laugh but if you "demand" a trick or behaviour forget it, they will shut down.
Once they know a trick, they will produce it with amazing precision with eager eyes waiting,
begging for your praise and you better be lavish with it if you want to see them happy.
I would describe our reds as being the most empathetic of all the colours.
It is as if they can read you and decide if you are happy in which case they may be silly to get a laugh
or they know that you are sad and will be calm and quiet and just rest their head on your lap waiting for you
to invite them up on the couch to watch a movie with you.
I do find that the reds are more "dedicated" to their owners. They are more reserved around strangers than other colours.
Reds need to be greatly socialized in order to be as social as the other colours.
Do not leave your red standard poodle at the window while you go to get a Tim Horton's coffee
or you will be met with the back of your red standard poodle and hear sighs of "woe" until you are forgiven.
I will warn anyone that is thinking about getting a red Standard and plans on walking them,
that you will not get past a block without someone stopping you to see your puppy.
Everyone will want to know what breed it is and you will hear people exclaim
"I didn't know poodles came that colour or that size". You will make many friends
The dark eyes on a red is a real stunning contrast to the rich red, as they really stand out.
Our goal is to produce the darkest rich reds that have the calm loving temperament that our browns and blacks do.
We are trying to only produce reds with no white mismark (something that is very difficult to do)
and with jet black noses (points) as we feel that this is the most striking.
We feel that we have the best foundation to begin our red program and that those obtaining a Bijou Poodle
will be able to enjoy our efforts, as we continue to learn, develop and just enjoy our Reds.
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Silas @ 8 weeks of age....................Silas @ 3 months of age.....................Silas @ 5 months of age
"Silas" lives in NY and enjoys the local Dog Park with his buddies.
Ruby and Razz Puppies
Ruby x Razz Pups
Ruby x Razz Pups
"Flair" and "Rose" at their first photo shoot. What beautiful girls !
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