Standard Poodles of Forest Lakes

10/28/2025

Handsome man just left. He has a bright future ahead!

10/28/2025

A little Poodle History

From the Middle Ages onwards, water-retrieving dogs were invaluable to hunters. The ancestors of the modern Standard Poodle were developed to jump into cold

10/24/2025

I just can't get over how cuddly these babies are. She asked me to come up and then rolled over on her back for belly rubs and promptlyfell asleep.

10/22/2025

** UPDATE ** All cream poodles have been matched

💕 Two Sweet Cream Poodles Are Looking for New Families 💕

Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Both of these beautiful puppies from our AKC Champion, UKC Grand Champion, BCAT, RACEA girl Callista were spoken for, but due to unforeseen circumstances, their families are unable to bring them home at this time.

That means these two cream-colored lovebugs — one boy and one girl — are once again looking for their perfect forever homes! 🐩💛

They are affectionate, gentle, and endlessly loving. Each one rolls over for belly rubs, leans in for cuddles, and melts hearts wherever they go. These puppies are available to pet or performance homes only — families who will treasure their joyful spirits and smart, devoted personalities.

They’re ready now to fill someone’s life with laughter, companionship, and unconditional love. 💫

📩 Message us here at Standard Poodles of Forest Lakes to learn more about these two very special pups.

🐾 Because sometimes, the best matches happen the second time around. 🐾

10/22/2025

Use our Focused Hand Stack to teach hand stacking, which also serves as muscle memory for free stacking!

10/21/2025

These sweethearts are just like momma - they lay at my feet or touching me. 🐩 Of course they love my lap just as much, whenever that's an option. 🩷 I only have a few more days with the pink collar baby.

10/21/2025

Simone knows how to keep me warm.🌡Putting off using the furnace as long as possible.

10/21/2025

Poodle Pulse: How to find products that work best for YOUR poodle

🧴 Finding the Perfect Formula: Testing Grooming Products Economically and Methodically

10/20/2025

Simon the 4-H Star (and the Search for the Matriarch)

There was no question that Simon was a star of the 4-H dog show circuit. A handsome black poodle with the prance of an athlete and the brains of a scholar, he had a presence that turned heads wherever he went. Spectators adored him. Judges admired him. And his show record spoke for itself — consistently first in class, often Best in Show, and qualifying for the State Fair every single year.

Simon earned every ribbon through hard work and teamwork — though he was equally sure that his most important job was keeping track of me.

Amanda, my daughter, was Simon’s trainer, partner, and best friend. She had taught him everything — housetraining, obedience, Showmanship, rally, jumping obstacles — all of it. Her patience and dedication shaped Simon into the accomplished competitor he became. But in Simon’s mind, Amanda was the daily companion and playmate, and I was the Matriarch — the steady center of his little family world.

In modern understanding of canine behavior, dogs don’t follow rigid “pack hierarchies” as once thought. Instead, they thrive in familial groups, much like human families, guided by trust and relationship. Amanda was his sibling-in-spirit — the one who worked beside him each day — while I represented the constant, stabilizing figure he instinctively needed to keep within sight.

And Simon took that sense of connection very seriously.

If he so much as sensed that I was nearby, his composure could dissolve in an instant. His smooth, focused gait turned to pacing, his head lifted, and his sharp eyes began scanning the crowd until — there I was! He’d spot me, fix me with that loyal gaze, and stand proud, satisfied that the Matriarch was accounted for.

Amanda, ever patient, would smile through gritted teeth and whisper, “Mom… you have to hide again. He’s looking at you!”

And so began my covert life as the stealth mom of the dog show world.

At every event, I’d duck behind horse trailers, crouch behind bleachers, or pretend to study someone else’s golden retriever. Once, I even hid behind a row of crates, peeking through a haze of flying fur like a fugitive from the obedience ring. It was half comedy, half covert operation — Mission ImPoodleble.

When I stayed hidden, Simon was perfection. He flowed through his patterns with effortless grace, head high, tail waving like a banner. Amanda guided him with confidence and calm — a picture of poise and partnership. Judges nodded approvingly, the crowd clapped, and together they brought home more blue ribbons than I could count.

But if my cover was blown — if Simon caught even a glimpse or a whiff of me — his priorities shifted instantly. His focus turned from patterns to protection. He wasn’t misbehaving; he was doing what nature told him to do — keeping track of his family.

Soon, everyone at the shows knew the routine. “There’s Simon’s mom,” they’d whisper with a grin. “She has to hide so he’ll perform.” And sure enough, there I’d be — crouched behind a hay bale, silently cheering on my little team like a proud but unseen general.

Through it all, Simon and Amanda were exceptional. Their teamwork, built on love and understanding, showed that true leadership isn’t about control — it’s about connection. Amanda’s skill gave Simon confidence, and Simon’s loyalty gave us all joy.

Because deep down, he wasn’t guarding trophies or chasing ribbons. He was simply keeping the family unit together, just as nature designed. Once he knew the Matriarch was near and safe, all was right in his world — and he was ready to shine.

Every great team needs its family structure — the trainer and teammate, and the Matriarch quietly hiding behind the bleachers, trying not to sneeze while her champions bring home yet another blue ribbon.

10/20/2025

I DON’T NEED A SHOW DOG, I JUST WANT A PET

[Adapted from J. Kimball]

This is one of the most pervasive sentiments that puppy buyers, especially families, express. What they really mean, of course, is that they don't want a show BREEDER: don't want to pay the high price they think show breeders charge, don't want to go through the often invasive interview process, and think that they're getting a better deal with a cheaper puppy.

I want you to change your mind. I want you to not only realize the benefits of buying a show-bred dog, I want you to INSIST on a show-bred dog. And I want you to realize that the cheap dog is the one that's the real rip-off.

And then I want you to go be obnoxious and, when your workmate says she's getting a puppy because her neighbor (who raises them) will give her one for free or your brother-in-law announces that they're buying a Goldendoodle for the kids, launch yourself into their solar plexus and steal their wallets and car keys.

Here's why:

If I ask you why you want a Basenji, Alaskan Klee Kai, Golden Retriever, Corgi, Lab, Poodle, Husky, Sheltie, etc... I bet you're not going to talk about how much you like their color. You're going to tell me things about personality, ability to perform a specific task, relationships with other animals or humans, size, coat, temperament, and so on. You'll describe how affectionate you've heard that they are or how well they get along with kids.

The things you will be looking for aren't the things that describe just any “dog”; they'll be the things that make this particular breed unique and unlike other breeds.

That's where people have made the right decision – they've taken the time and made the effort to understand that there are differences between breeds and that they should get one that matches their picture of what they want a dog to be.

Their next step, tragically, is that they go out and try to find a dog of this breed as cheaply and conveniently as they can get one. Buying a puppy is NOT like shopping Amazon Prime, and it NEVER should be easy to get whatever puppy you want, whenever you want it…if it is, it’s likely either a scam or an unethical for profit only breeder.

You need to realize that when you do this, you're going to the used car dealership, WATCHING them pry the "Audi" plate off a new car, observing them stick it on a '98 Corolla with Bondo, and then writing them a check and feeling smug that you got an Audi for so little money.

This is not a bargain.

Keeping a group of dogs looking and acting like their breed is hard, hard work.

Please educate yourself on what a good breeder actually is. Anyone can make themselves seem wonderful on a website, via email, or online—especially if they want to make a fast sale. They can and will lie to you. Learn the right questions to ask to determine whether a breeder is really as good as they say they are and *double-check* everything they say! Unethical breeders are SMART! They know what to say to sound legitimate and fool unsuspecting buyers. They are betting on most buyers never actually fact checking them if they say “all the right things” and sound knowledgeable and confident.

“I dont need ‘papers’, I just want a pet” - another truly pervasive statement. Papers are what proves your puppy Is the breed you’re wanting (and paying for). Especially In the case of the Alaskan Klee Kai - no papers almost always means you’re not getting an actual purebred klee kai, but probably a Shiba mix.

While we’re at it, any puppy you purchase at a pet store (that isn’t offered through a rescue) comes from a puppy mill. No good breeder sells to pet stores regardless of what the pet stores insist.

A breeder who says their dogs and puppies are healthy because they’re checked over by the veterinarian means nothing; many purebred dogs need to have genetic testing specific to their breed to prevent passing down health conditions to their puppies. A person with cancer or HIV can seem healthy too, but you won’t know the truth without health-testing. Without breed specific health-testing there is no guarantee something isn’t lurking in the background. Put another way, basenjis who will go on to develop Fanconi syndrome or retinal blindness will look healthy….until they’re not.

Breeders who require the purchase of supplements and vitamins are likely not ethical and are only for profit breeders who are creating a steady stream of revenue in the form of commissions on the supplements and vitamins you are required to buy in order to maintain their contracts and health guarantees. Balanced food contains everything the puppy needs and added supplements just create expensive urine.

Things like “state licensed” really only means the kennel breeds so many puppies their state requires them to be inspected (i.e. puppy mill!) It also doesn’t mean they pass these inspections: you can often find lists of violations readily available online.

If the breeder states they offer “health guarantees” or “health-testing,” verify it! Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) health-testing is available for free via an online public database. I’ve heard countless stories of unethical breeders falsifying health records or outright lying and saying testing is done when it’s completely not done. They bank on the fact most people will be too excited to get a cute wiggly little puppy that they won’t verify or fact check. Also, look up what health tests are recommended for your breed … don’t settle for the bare minimum.

The Basenji Club of America and OFA recommends basenjis used for breeding have a one-time DNA test for Fanconi and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA); an annual blood test to check for autoimmune thyroid issues (this means yearly but ideally more than just once); a regular eye exam by a board-certified canine ophthalmologist (ideally again, yearly, but at the VERY least once as a puppy and once closer to ages 3-5 years); and a one time X-ray to check for hip dysplasia.

The Alaskan Klee Kai Club of America and OFA recommends Alaskan Klee Kai used for breeding have one-time DNA test for Factor VII, a cardiac exam checking for heart Issues, an annual blood test to check for autoimmune thyroid issues (this means yearly but ideally more than just once); a regular eye exam by a board-certified canine ophthalmologist (ideally again, yearly, but at the VERY least once as a puppy and once closer to ages 3-5 years); and a one time check for patellar subluxations.

Every breed has their own health testing requirements that should be done before breeding!

All of these concerns are considered genetically linked, meaning they can be passed down to puppies!)

On another note, if you’re going with a rescue, please also investigate your rescue. Some are completely unethical and run a rescue scheme where they “rescue” only highly adoptable dogs or puppies and sell them for much more than they get them for, effectively running a very profitable retail rescue. They often get these dogs/puppies from online ads and animal auctions. Non-profit status allows them to fly under the radar and completely rip people off. Often puppies that don’t sell are dumped back in shelters or with other rescue group, so please verify that the rescue you’re working with is really in it for the animals and not just for profit.

The only way to reduce the amount of homeless pets is responsible breeding, responsible purchasing (whether from a rescue or breeder), and responsible ownership. Responsible breeders take their dogs back at any point during their lifetime so they don’t end up in shelters or with rescues. When you purchase responsibly, you know that your dog will always have somewhere to go if circumstances ever arise where you can’t keep it. And by going to a breeder who will take the time to educate you and be your support system through normal but frustrating puppy behavior means that you will be less likely to give that puppy up because you know how to handle the challenges.

Be the change. Be educated. Be informed. Don’t get ripped off.

10/18/2025

“Grooming Day Company”

There’s never really such a thing as alone time around here — not even when the clippers are humming and the grooming table and tub are full.

The moment I start pulling out brushes and combs, the whole pack gathers like I’ve announced something grand. Rocky, my wise old gentleman, settles into his usual spot by the door, keeping watch like the guardian of all good grooming sessions. The younger ones, full of wiggles and wonder, scatter around my feet, competing for the prime spots closest to me.

The puppy I’m trimming drifts off mid-toe trim, curled against my arm, trusting me completely. Its sibling lounges nearby, head resting against my foot as if claiming his place in line. I look down and realize that I’m entirely surrounded — a circle of sleepy dogs, snoring softly over the hum of the clippers.

And just when I think the picture couldn’t be sweeter, there’s Mini. My little shadow couldn’t find a spare inch of floor near me, so she curled herself into a puppy’s 24-inch crate — all legs, fluff, and determination — just to be close.

By the time I finish, I’m covered in curls and love. The room is peaceful, filled only with steady breathing and the occasional sigh. Grooming day may start as a chore, but it always ends the same way — surrounded by warmth, trust, and a family that never wants to be far from me… even if it means squeezing into a puppy crate to prove it. 🐩💕

10/16/2025

Simon the Show Jumper: Pony Club’s other Four-Legged Star

At every Pony Club event, there was always plenty of excitement — horses trotting to the ring, nervous riders tightening girths, and parents whispering encouragement from the sidelines. But once the competition ended and the kids gathered to wait for their scores, that’s when the real entertainment began.

Enter Simon — our elegant black Standard Poodle with the heart of a showman.

Amanda would lead him into the ring, take him through the pattern once or twice, and give a little nod — their secret signal that it was “go time.” Then Simon would start on the course the judge had just designed for the riders. Amanda barely had to guide him; Simon seemed to know the pattern. He’d canter up to each jump with perfect timing, spring over it with effortless grace, then land light as a feather, ears flopping and tail wagging in delight.

The spectators laughed, then gasped — because Simon wasn’t just clearing little cross-rails. As the competition went on, the jumps got higher. He followed the same progression as the horses, clearing the big ones — three and even four feet tall! And with each successful leap, the cheers grew louder.

By the final jump, the kids were on their feet, clapping and shouting encouragement. Simon pranced around the arena like a champion, chest puffed out, curls bouncing, clearly pleased with his own performance. When Amanda led him out, both of them were grinning from ear to ear.

He had kept every child entertained while waiting for scores, but more than that — Simon reminded everyone why they came to Pony Club in the first place: for the joy, the laughter, and the partnership between human and animal, no matter the species.

When it was finally time to hand out ribbons, there was no doubt who had won the crowd that day.
Simon, the poodle who could jump with the horses.