Experience Since nobody with Poodle experience has signed up, I will do my best using my general knowledge of dogs. I do know that they are valued as service dogs because of their lack of the dander than causes most dog allergies. I have experience and training through my volunteer work with a large dog guide school in modern, proven methods. The service dog schools have acquired a wealth of knowledge about raising well behaved, healthy dogs with long, active lives. They do not share it with the general public, but pass on the best of it to those like me that raise puppies for them. I am part of a group that has raised dogs for 6 different service dog schools. We meet monthly and share information.
Please don't send me medical or breeding questions. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months.
Question Our family is vegetarian and we are strongly considering getting a poodle as our family pet. Can a poodle be raised on a vegetarian diet or is that impossible?
Thank you.
Answer I have read about it, but don't have any experience. You may read that dogs require meat, but it isn't true. Many dogs do fine on Purina and similar foods that are largely corn. You might look at it and see just how much meat it has. Otherwise, check with a larger pet store for a vegetarian diet. I hate to say check the internet, because if it full of nonsense when it comes to dog nutrition. Any kook with an agenda can put up a website.
Do not be fooled into trying to prepare your own diet for your dog. Vegetables and grains can provide the nutrition dogs need, but them must be processed at high temperatures. That destroys the vitamins which then have to come from another source.
