There are plenty of good reasons to make a poodle your next family pet. First, poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds of dog, making training a much easier process with these animals. Second, poodles are exceedingly friendly with young and old alike. Poodles are also extremely playful and friendly and possess a marvelous sense of humor. Are you sold on the poodle breed? Then why not try a poodle rescue? It's true that you probably won't be able to adopt a puppy from a poodle rescue. But there are many advantages to bringing an adult dog into your family that you may have never thought of. And you will have the satisfaction in knowing that you are giving one of these beautiful creatures a new lease on life. But before you run for your Yellow Pages to look up poodle rescue, there are a few things that you should know.

Is a Poodle Right for Me?

Poodles do make a wonderful family pet, but they are not the right dog for everyone. If you have small children in your home, the smaller breeds of poodles might become snappish and nervous with young kids. On the other hand, the standard poodle and many poodle mixes can be a good fit for kids of any age as well as adults. Young poodles tend to have a large amount of energy and need plenty of play time with their family members. This age of dog is perfect for an active, younger family, while an older poodle might work better for a senior who has the time, but not as much energy, to offer. It is important to consider these factors when you are selecting a dog for your family, and your poodle rescue staff can help you to choose the best pet for you.

The Advantages to an Adult Dog

Some potential dog owners won't consider a poodle rescue because they have their hearts set on getting a puppy. A puppy may be cute, but that tiny bundle of fur is a ball of energy and destruction if it is not given the attention and training that it requires. Housebreaking will be one of the most important tasks that you will attempt to undertake with your poodle puppy, and this can take as long as a few weeks to a few months, depending upon your dog. On the other hand, an adult dog from a poodle rescue is probably already housebroken, since foster families usually ensure that this task is completed before the dog becomes available for adoption. Older dogs are also less likely to chew up your favorite shoes or the television remote than puppies are, but are capable of offering the same affection and bonding experience as a younger pup.

If you think that poodle rescue is the right choice for you, you can check the Yellow Pages or the Internet for a poodle rescue organization in the area that you live. Most of these rescues will have dogs available, although they will probably require that you follow a rather extensive process to ensure that you are the right home for one of their babies. Poodle rescue can be a great way to extend your family with a fun and loving family pet.