Standard Poodles of Forest Lakes

“Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way.” – Caroline Knapp

This slideshow provides just a brief overview of our program….

 

 V   Scroll down for more details and information, or click on the tabs above   V

Demonstrating Versatility

This breed is amazingly versatile. Our dogs participate in Conformation, Hunt Trials, Hunting, Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, Scent Work, Precision Coursing, FastCAT, Agility, Obedience, Rally Obedience, Companion Sports/Activities, Therapy and Service Work…and more!

Preservation Breeding

Our breeding program focuses on optimal health delivered by means of pedigree research, extensive health testing and continuous education – in addition to independent structure and temperament evaluations. Pups are raised in our home with Puppy Culture and Avidog protocols.

Preservation Breeding

We believe that breeding dogs is a privilege, not a right. As stewards of the standard poodle, we are guided by the principal desire to continuously improve and preserve the breed.

Contracted buyers have access to the litter nearly 24/7 through our PuppyCams.

See and interact with us as we care for, and work with, the puppies in your litter.

 

Supporting the Next Generation

Utilizing the experiences and education of my mentors and their combined decades of successful showing and breeding, in addition to my own learning:

  • To mentor juniors and new handlers in UKC
  • To mentor new preservation breeders

Supporting the Next Generation

Proud supporter of multiple juniors participating  in UKC and 4H conformation and sports

I have been actively involved with juniors for over 20 years as a certified volunteer tutor, for Junior Achievement, as a 4H Leader, and a big sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.

Supporting 4H Juniors

4H Dog Club Volunteer/Leader focused on promoting meaningful relationships with juniors and their dogs through education, sports and FUN!

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC, CGCA, CGCU, VHMP, VHMA, Trick) Evaluator, AKC Temperament Test (ATT) Evaluator, AKC Fetch Judge, and UKC Socialized Pet Obedience (SPOT) Evaluator [Free testing for 4H members]

Oh, but I am not looking for a show dog!

When purchasing a puppy, buying from a reputable breeder who shows their dogs is essential. Dog shows provide a platform for breeders to demonstrate adherence to breed standards and be judged by independent experts. Breeders who participate in shows are usually more knowledgeable about their breed and its specific traits and characteristics, which they can use to make informed breeding decisions. This, in turn, helps to produce healthier and better-tempered puppies that are more likely to conform to breed standards.

Additionally, breeders who show their dogs are more likely to prioritize the welfare of their animals, ensuring that they receive adequate nutrition, exercise, and medical care. By purchasing a puppy from a breeder who shows their dogs, you can be confident that you are getting a healthy, well-cared-for animal representative of its breed and more likely to thrive in its new home.  – Unnamed AKC/UKC Judge

BwH

Standard Poodles of Forest Lakes – Recent Accomplishments & Top Honors:

 

**  Living our Best Lives with our Best Friends! **

Over 200 AKC and UKC Titles/Awards earned by SPFL dogs since December 2019!

14 UKC Best in Show/Reserve Best in Show Awards, 5 Gemstone Titles,

A National Best of Breed, and 18 Best Puppy in Show/Reserve Best Puppy in Show since June 2021!

 

AKC Breeder of Merit since 2022

AKC Registered Kennel Name since 2023

AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. since 2018

 

AKC Fetch Judge since January 2024

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (includes CGCA, CGCU, all Trick titles,

Virtual Home Manners and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy) since February 2023

AKC Temperament Test Evaluator (ATT) since February 2023

UKC Socialized Pet Obedience Test Evaluator (SPOT) since 2022

Michigan 4H Judge since 2024

 

2023 UKC Top Ten in Breed

2023 UKC Premier Specialty Award of Merit

2022 UKC Premier Specialty Award of Merit

2021 UKC Premier Specialty National Best of Breed (NBOB)

and Reserve Best in Specialty Show (RBISS)

2021 UKC Top Ten in Breed

2020 UKC Top Ten in Breed

 

 

Conformation…therapy…scent detection…performance & companion sports…

working dogs……..these poodles do it ALL! 

 

From SPFL’s humble beginning to today, we are thankful for our mentors and proud of what we have accomplished together. Since we started actively competing in December of 2019, SPFL dogs have collected 20 UKC Championships, 12 UKC Grand Championships, 5 Gemstone titles, 14 Best in Show/Reserve Best in Show awards, and 18 Best/Reserve Best Puppy in Show awards in addition to 3 AKC Championships and over 200 performance and companion titles. Prior to becoming SPFL, we had earned 14 conformation and companion titles on our pets

 

But even greater than our achievements, we are especially proud of the pups we raised and their owner/handlers!

From our 13 litters, those 62 puppies have earned well over 100 titles and counting! (12/15/2023)

We proudly offer $$ title incentives for those that wish to pursue a competitive title!

We are also proud of the loving, smart, and biddable puppies who have become treasured companions and family members!

As the owner of this website, I retain all rights to its content.

This content may not be redistributed by any individual, business entity or social media page without my express, written permission.

 

​The Standard Poodle

LEARN ABOUT THE BREED

poodle club
united poodle

We are proud to offer Life’s Abundance foods and supplements! Discover the exceptional quality and nutrition of Life’s Abundance products that we provide for our beloved Standard Poodles. With our commitment to canine wellness and responsible breeding, we ensure that our dogs receive the best nutrition for optimal health and longevity. 

FEATURED: Romeo’s 9th BIS/RBIS

Best/Reserve Best in Show!

FEATURED: AmCH U MBIS MRBIS RGCH RACEN Katmary’s Rainbow (of Forest Lakes) CGC TKN BCAT TDx2

SPFL Poodles and pups slideshow:

What we do

Our Specialties

Breeding

Utilizing experience, education and science to create healthier generations of standard poodles

Showing

 Proving our dogs meet the standards published by the national parent breed club in terms of structure and temperament and demonstrating the versatility of the breed

Rehoming

Rehabilitation and rehoming of poodles retired from the show ring and/or rescued from the community

Training

Puppies may remain with us for additional training (house/crate/leash/basic training) and we provide support for SPFL puppies for their lifetime

What Drives Us

Our Mission

The mission of Standard Poodles of Forest Lakes is to improve the standard poodle breed; providing the best possible outcome in terms of health and quality of life. This is accomplished through:

  • Proving our dogs in the conformation ring for correct structure and temperament
  • Demonstrating the versatility of the poodle in performance sports and other activities
  • Continuously participating in breed and breeder education
  • Completing extensive health testing 
  • Pairing genetically diverse dams and sires
  • Raising well-balanced and resilient puppies
  • Uniting families with puppies who are matched for success
  • Providing life-long support for SPFL puppies and their families
  • Sharing our knowledge and experience with the next generation of pet owners, handlers and/or breeders

BEST PRACTICES

AKC publishes a variety of helpful documents for new puppy and dog owners. Click HERE to navigate to a page full of information about preparing for your new puppy.

​Two other great resources are the Poodle Club of America Website and VIPoodle.

​We’ve assembled a resource for Grooming your pet poodle at home.

Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference by Shirlee Kalstone is one of the most comprehensive grooming books for the breed.

For new puppy owners, we recommend the book Train Your Puppy Positively by Victoria Stillwell.

Puppy Culture (PC) provides structure for early puppy development (first 12 weeks). Be sure to visit the “Learn” page on the Puppy Culture website. Visit your puppy and observe Puppy Culture at work. We are happy to provide detailed records of our PC activities with your puppy.

​We are available for all of your questions for the life of your Forest Lakes puppy! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

If you take one of our puppies home, he or she will come with a detailed record book, several days worth of food and treats, a collar and leash, a blanket, a toy, travel items, and lifetime support.

FAQ

Health

Standard Poodles live long, happy, healthy lives thanks to the efforts of dedicated, responsible breeders who routinely test all breeding stock. As with all breeds, however, some health issues can occur including hip dysplasia and several eye disorders. (akc.org)

Sebaceous Adenitis and Addison’s Disease can occasionally occur in the breed. While the precise genes for these disorders haven’t been pinpointed, scientists have identified markers associated with higher risk. By utilizing our dogs’ DNA results, we ensure that we breed away from these risky genetic markers.

Visit our Health Info page for more information and links. 

Grooming

Unless you plan to keep your Poodle clipped in a short trim, you will need to learn how to brush how to brush him daily to keep his coat from matting. If you do not brush and comb a full-coated Poodle completely to the skin, the hair will mat near the roots and will have to be shaved off to start all over with new growth. Most pet owners opt to keep the Poodle in a shorter trim. Some owners learn to do this clipping and trimming themselves, while others choose to take their dog to a professional dog groomer every four to six weeks for a bath, grooming, and nail trim. The breed’s relatively non-shedding coat makes the breed a good choice for people with allergies. (akc.org)

Exercise

Poodles of any size are very active dogs who require good exercise every day to suit their high energy level. Poodles are eager for all kinds of activity, and they enjoy keeping busy. Swimming is great exercise for them, and most Poodles love to get in the water. Bred as hunting dogs, their impulse is to retrieve, so tossing toys, sticks, or balls for them will exercise both their mind and body. They also thrive on going for jogs or long walks with their human. (akc.org)

Training

Poodles are extremely intelligent and are easily trained. They are agile and graceful as well as smart, and they enjoy and excel in a variety of canine sports, including agility, obedience, and tracking. They are excellent water-retrievers and also compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests. Poodles are very people-oriented, and if your training routines are fun and positive, they are quick to please you. Just be sure that you are being consistent with what you ask. (akc.org)

Nutrition

If you are feeding your Poodle a commercial food, follow the suggested feeding guidelines. These are usually pretty spot-on. Since these are based on both age and weight, do not estimate how much your Poodle weighs but rather know what this is within a pound or two. (akc.org)

 

Featured SPFL Poodles

blaze
 

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