Poodle Hybrid Puppy - Can you afford the investment?

If you are considering one of the trendy Poodle hybrids that are highly popular at the moment then consider the following before you buy one.

There are many things that you need to know before you decide which type of dog because there is a large variety of Poodle hybrids to choose from. You will then need to think about the size and temperament that would best suit your personal circumstances. Purebred Poodles have been mixed with many other purebred dogs to produce a wide variety of colors and sizes of Poodle hybrid dogs.

You may prefer a Shihtzoodle, which is a Poodle mixed with a Shihtzu. What about a Labrador to get a Labradoodle or perhaps a Cocker Spaniel to get a Cockapoo? Some of these hybrids are miniature, whilst others are a lot larger and it seems that the different mixes are limited only by the Dog Breeders imagination.

Here are some other important factors to consider:

• What particular character traits in a dog would be better suited to blend into your family? Some are quite docile while others are little dynamos, full of energy! Will you have the time to exercise him regularly, to house train him and to teach him good behavior? He will see everything in your home as a possible play thing to chew at unless you have to time to invest in your dog. A dog that is fretful will develop bad behavior that will be even more difficult to remedy if it is left all day, because you also have a regular day job.

• If you want a puppy as apposed to an adult dog then try to speak to someone who has bought a puppy and ask them questions about any problems they have experienced. A good place to look for information on hybrid dogs and breeders is on dog owning forum sites. See if anyone is willing to recommend a Dog Breeder because if they have purchased their puppy and are completely satisfied they should be happy to pass on their recommendation to you. This could also be a good indicator that the breeder does a good job and cares for the welfare of the animals as well as just make a profit.

• Before you actually visit any Poodle Breeders try to get some advice and information from the relevant "Dog Breeding Agencies or Organizations" and when you do visit, ask to see some pups with their mothers and if possible ask to see the fathers as well. This is important because for the puppy to be a true Poodle hybrid both the mother and the father need to be purebred.

• Ask to see a copy of the pedigree paperwork for the mother and father to ensure that both parents lineage is of true purebred. Without it, how will you know, for sure, what cross breed your puppy actually is? If the parentage is of no real importance to you then make sure you are not overcharged for what is in essence just a mongrel! Nothing wrong with mongrels at all but they don't command high prices and would normally be offered free of charge.

• Remember that a Poodle or a hybrid Poodle can live for quite a number of years, 12 to 15 years is not uncommon, so a long term commitment in both time as well as money. Ask yourself; can I realistically afford him on top of all my other financial commitments? Over time, you will need to spend on many items to keep him fed, groomed and happy, and that's not forgetting the regular visits to the vet to keep him healthy and none of these things comes cheap nowadays.

• Your Poodle hybrid dog will have the kind of fur that will need a lot of care and regular grooming to keep it in good condition and looking nice. There are products available to help you do this at home that would be far less expensive than having it done professionally. Grooming is a good way to develop a bond with your dog and, at the same time you can be checking it for potential threats such as ticks, fleas and anything else that doesn't look normal, like lumps and abrasions. If a regular grooming routine is neglected it can result in the dogs coat becoming badly matted and very uncomfortable for the dog that could then result in a trip to the Poodle Parlor to put things right.

• Finally, whatever dog you get, whether it is a purebred, hybrid or a mongrel, the time, love and money spent will produce a dog that will be a joy to own. You will gain a true and loyal friend for the rest of its life.

• That's not a bad return on your investment.