Do men live with poodles?

[mangeorge]

I like (standard) poodles, and plan to adopt one when I retire. My friend Matt wants me to adopt a more "manly" dog, and says men don't have poodles.
It's that last part I disagree with.
So my only question is, do many men have standard poodles as companions?
I'm not looking for opinions, just the facts (ma'am).
Peace,
mamgeorge

[madmonk28]

John Steinbeck certainly did, his book Charley and Me is about his travels through the US with his standard (not automatic) poodle.

[ethelbert]

Poodles are great dogs. I think they are plenty manly as long as you don't get one of those fancy clips that show dogs use. There is a reason they are used in so many cross breeds. My brother has a labradoodle and I love that dog. Maybe you could get one of those if you think that makes them more manly.

You will, however, need to groom your poodle or pay someone else to do it. The first time you say "I'm sorry I can't watch the game, I have to groom my poodle" you will feel somewhat less masculine, but I imagine it gets better with time.

[Morgenstern]

Poodles are actually one of the smarter dog breeds. I'm told they are pretty easy to train.

[Lestrade]

My father has two and is plenty manly.

It doesn't feel so GQ in here, I'm frightened.

[Rachellelogram]

One of my guy friends who still lived with his parents had a small poodle mix (it looked mostly poodly, and it was black and very small). His dad loved the hell out of that dog, and so did he.

Why you hang around people who take broad gender stereotypes seriously might be a better question

[Merneith]

James Thurber had a standard poodle whom he adored. He wrote several lovely pieces about her. He also had a Scotty with whom he had a very frosty relationship.

Poodles are smart, affectionate and playful. Matt sounds like kind of a twerp. Easy choice, imo.

[Nawth Chucka]

I know a guy who's a second-generation Standard poodle owner, a hobby he picked up from his father. The breed has specific health problems, however, and he's already lost one poodle to GDV, a fast-acting and horrible way for any animal to die.

[thelurkinghorror]

Originally Posted by Morgenstern

Poodles are actually one of the smarter dog breeds. I'm told they are pretty easy to train.

#2 according to one metric.

Toy poodles are one the most effeminate dogs you can own (GQ answer althouhg I expect a move). Standard poodles are fine. Not extremely "manly," but not "girly" either.

[Chronos]

Miniature or toy poodles have almost nothing in common with standard poodles. Toy poodles are living ornaments. Standard poodles are hunting dogs.

[Bosstone]

Wikipedia entry on poodles.

Look at the top picture on the page. Does that look like a prissy froo-froo chick's dog? FUCK NO. That is a BEAST. That is an untamed fucking hound of goddamn hell and it WILL EAT YOUR FACE.

You can't run from poodles.

You can't hide from them. They will SNIFF your SMELLY ass out, and then EAT IT. ALONG WITH YOUR FACE.

It takes a man of unbreakable will and character to control one of those vicious things.

[Rhythmdvl]

Some men wear skirts. Some of them aren't even Scottish. Some men carry a purse, though they may also call it a 'murse'. Some men paint their nails and wear mascara, though they aren't prone to heels. Whatever.

It all comes down to the expression: it takes a big man to cry, and a bigger man to laugh at that man.

It's not like you're asking if it's manly (or if many men) to wear a brown belt or to order peas instead of carrots. Poodles are known as girly dogs, whether they can eat you with or without Splenda brand non-caloric sweetener. It's certainly possible for a man to own one, but with limited exception, he starts off one chit behind on his man card. If full points are important, then it matters. If not, then whatever the general public thinks is nonconsequential.

[Bosstone]

Originally Posted by Rhythmdvl

Poodles are known as girly dogs, whether they can eat you with or without Splenda brand non-caloric sweetener.

Unfortunate, because they are hunting dogs.

[thelurkinghorror]

Oh should say: turn in your man card if you ever do this to your poodle. It's not so much "unmanly" though as much as "butt-ugly."

Or this miniature (bigger than a toy), who looks incredibly pissed.

[Living Well Is Best Revenge]

Standard (real) poodles are about as manly as a dog gets.

[kunilou]

I (a man) am now on my second standard poodle. I keep it trimmed in a short cut, not a show cut. "The beast" weighs 60 pounds, it runs, it fetches, it knows tricks and every once in awhile it tries to hump another dog, even though it was neutered while still a puppy.

How much more manly can you get than trying to have sex even though you're castrated?

[astorian]

Large poodles were originally bred to be hunting and retrieving dogs. Their temperament is often much like a Labrador's.

Meaning they're surprisingly rugged, outdoorsy dogs who love swimming, when they get a chance.

Men who THINK poodles are prissy, feminine dogs would be surprised at how "macho" they can be.

[Cat Whisperer]

Everything I've heard about regular poodles is that they're great dogs. If you meet a poodle you like and want to adopt it, I say go for it and tell Matt that he should worry less about what other people think.

[salinqmind]

My experience, growing up in a house that supported three successive standard poodles is, they are superb animal companions whether you are still wearing your high school tighty-whities or a stylish turquoise thong. I would caution, however, they seem to be one-man dogs. If you live alone, Pierre will be your bestest buddy, but if you have a significant other, Pierre may form a bond with them.

[ThisSpaceForRent]

ANY dog...individual or breed that can run and FINISH the Iditarod is ANYTHING but wimpy...

Poodles in the Iditarod

another link...

SnowDogsGo

[astorian]

Originally Posted by ThisSpaceForRent

ANY dog...individual or breed that can run and FINISH the Iditarod is ANYTHING but wimpy...

Poodles in the Iditarod

another link...

SnowDogsGo

Even Yukon Cornelius had a poodle on his sled team, you know!

[Tamerlane]

My cat, Rupert, is named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine largely because of Prince Rupert's association with his poodle Boy. Prince Rupert, general and admiral, seems manly enough from where I sit.

[yabob]

Poodles do have to be clipped regularly because of the nature of their coats, but keep in mind that this is a dog, not a topiary, and you'll be fine.

[ctnguy]

I'm reminded of this utterly hilarious story told by Dan Savage about his family's toy poodle. (edit: possibly NSFW for strong language)

[Marley23]

I've known men who had both standard and miniature poodles. Alright- I guess the standard poodle belonged to both my grandparents, but I think it as primarily my grandfather's dog. They can be used as hunting dogs and they're very normal-looking if you don't give them the crazy show dog haircut.

[Toucanna]

Originally Posted by yabob

...keep in mind that this is a dog, not a topiary, and you'll be fine.

Oh, yeah? Tell it to these folks! (SFW, lotsa silly pix)

[picunurse]

Standard poodles were originally bred as retrievers. How much more manly do you want?

[Peremensoe]

Originally Posted by Toucanna

Oh, yeah? Tell it to these folks! (SFW, lotsa silly pix)

See, this is the problem. There might not be anything wrong with the dog. But you'll be linking yourself to these people.

[Shagnasty]

The only standard poodle I have ever known well was my MIL's late Maxwell Sebastian. There was something just...off about that dog. Everyone just accepted that he was a flaming dog because every move and look he made exuded it. He was obviously smart but didn't use it for anything cool. He sulked in depression most of the time and he was quite pissy. I would walk in ready to sit down and watch TV and there he would be laying on his back taking up most of the couch belly up with his head resting a pillow and his paws daintily laid over his face. He would just glance up long enough to give you a go to hell look and make this weird lip move movements before he ignored you completely again.

He knew all the basic tricks but they were painful to watch. Paw shakes were like a virgin princess offering her wrist for a kiss. Sitting was an overly precise affair. I had to take him on walks in Boston's Back Bay a number of times and it was it was mortifying. I have never felt less manly in my entire life and I even had a pet Shih Tzu once. Don't think I am projecting either. Maxwell Sebastian got plenty of comments based on mannerisms from strangers over the years. I love almost all dogs and have owned many of them but he was an usual case. I know not all standard poodles are like that but the possibility exists so you better know that if you get a Standard Poodle puppy.

[mangeorge]

Originally Posted by ctnguy

I'm reminded of this utterly hilarious story told by Dan Savage about his family's toy poodle. (edit: possibly NSFW for strong language)

Dan's hilarious, alright. I used to read his Savage Love column in, I think it was, the Bay Guardian. Advice and humor.
Hey Faggot, if you happen to read this, you're doing great.
(for what it's worth, I'm not gay.)
Peace,
mangeorge

[Tibby or Not Tibby]

Do men live with poodles?

I would feel absolutely chock-full of testosterone if I were lucky enough to live with a Standard Poodle. My wife and daughters came home one day a few years back (without telling me where they were going or what they doing) with what I thought was a rather large powderpuff applicator, but turned out instead to be, a schnoodle. Here's what I've learned since that day: some dogs can't take the hint that they should wander off and live elsewhere when you drop-kick them out the door; a man's genitals actually shrink when he say's the word, "schnoodle"; and being seen walking a schnoodle by a man walking a poodle gives him license to look at you like you're light in the loafers.

[mangeorge]

Originally Posted by spark240

See, this is the problem. There might not be anything wrong with the dog. But you'll be linking yourself to these people.

No, I won't. I think it looks weird, but as long as the dogs are happy, I'm happy.
I want my pooch to look like those retrievers linked to by picunurse.
I don't hunt, btw.

[mangeorge]

Originally Posted by Tibbytoes

Do men live with poodles?

I would feel absolutely chock-full of testosterone if I were lucky enough to live with a Standard Poodle. My wife and daughters came home one day a few years back (without telling me where they were going or what they doing) with what I thought was a rather large powderpuff applicator, but turned out instead to be, a schnoodle. Here's what I've learned since that day: some dogs can't take the hint that they should wander off and live elsewhere when you drop-kick them out the door; a man's genitals actually shrink when he say's the word, "schnoodle"; and being seen walking a schnoodle by a man walking a poodle gives him license to look at you like you're light in the loafers.

At least the dog is smiling. Dogs do smile.

[Cat Whisperer]

That looks like smiling to you? It looks like the last thing seen before the Demon Dog ate the cameraman's face.

[Jragon]

Originally Posted by thelurkinghorror

Oh should say: turn in your man card if you ever do this to your poodle. It's not so much "unmanly" though as much as "butt-ugly."

The funny thing is, the prissy ugly clips are actually remnants of clips that were intended to make it better at hunting. The weird "half hairless" thing is that it was supposed to keep the hair from snagging, while keeping its vital areas warm and protected from bites. They become popular for nobility and dog groomers because they looked "utilitarian" which was apparently a thing back in France back in the day.

[Shagnasty]

Originally Posted by mangeorge

At least the dog is smiling. Dogs do smile.

Samoyeds like my late, great Bear smile and do it well. Now there was a dog that could be groomed to a polish so refined it would make your eyes hurt and stop traffic but he was certainly manly. Poodles on the other hand can smile but not nearly as well. Maxwell Sebastian got hit by a car when he was a puppy and it broke his jaw so he had permanently pursed lips as a result which didn't help matters any.

[mangeorge]

Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer

That looks like smiling to you? It looks like the last thing seen before the Demon Dog ate the cameraman's face.

I've known lots of dogs, and all 7 of my grandpuppies do that. Even the great dane. Believe me, the pooch is smiling. And loves it's little girl to pieces.
Now go to your room.

[Lukeinva]

What would John Wayne say about a man and a poodle. That's the question you have to ask yourself.

[lavenderviolet]

I think the main reason people think poodles are prissy is because of the haircuts. Portugese water dogs are similar in many respects but people dont think of them as prissy because they aren't usually seen in puffy fancy cuts.
I have a miniature poodle mix. I don't get her groomed in a fancy cut. Right now, I have her hair shaved to like 1/4" for the summer and you would never even guess she was a poodle. They look like completely normal dogs if you just have their hair trimmed instead of having it clipped in a fancy cut. You have to work at making them look prissy.

[dropzone]

Originally Posted by Bosstone

That is an untamed fucking hound of goddamn hell and it WILL EAT YOUR FACE.
...
It takes a man of unbreakable will and character to control one of those vicious things.

My wife, who worked in a vet's office, claims that is just how they test if you are worthy of joining the Poodle Club and they really just bite your nose a bit. If you don't flinch you are okay. My daughter's American Bull Terrier let me join the American Bull Terrier Club, but in this case it involved piercing my ear a bit.

The Little Girls are now allowed on our late Collie's bed because she drew blood when the Bull looked at her dinner, but I don't think that was part of any initiation. The Lab cross had hidden the bed when they moved in (honest to God, he shoved it under a cabinet rather than allow them to sully that sacred shrine--he loved her deeply), but now it's okay because the Bull is a pain but was given what for by a creature a quarter her size.

He didn't like being an Alpha and apparently attitude counts for more than size when determining an Alpha. And this was the Beta Little Girl. The Alpha is nastier.

[dropzone]

Originally Posted by Tibbytoes

...a man's genitals actually shrink when he say's the word, "schnoodle"...

Been bit by two dogs: a Malamute when I was asking for it and a Miniature Poodle when I wasn't. Nasty creatures.

[dropzone]

Originally Posted by dropzone

The Little Girls are now allowed on our late Collie's bed because ONE OF THEM drew blood when the Bull looked at her dinner

Corrected that, too late.

[longPath]

I live with four Standard Poodles.
Loads of fun!

Nawth Chucka, the guy you know, is he from MD, now living in Canada?

[Arrendajo]

We had a standard poodle for years when we were kids. He was friendly and smart, if a bit high-strung. He was also an excellent watch dog. He missed nothing that moved anywhere on the acreage. He was also a good looking dog, silvery grey. We got his coat clipped once a year in an allover short cut, and let it grow so that by winter he had a nice think coat to protect him from the cold. He lived outdoors, year round, in southeastern Idaho. That's manly. I believe poodles also have that odd walking gait where they move front and back legs on one side forward and back at the same time. Ours did, anyway, when walking. When running it was hard to tell, 'cause he could go about 30 mph. I wouldn't hesitate to get a poodle for a pet, if I wanted a dog.

[Tibby or Not Tibby]

Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer

That looks like smiling to you? It looks like the last thing seen before the Demon Dog ate the cameraman's face.

Well, actually you’re both correct. It’s a smile, because wee Daisy (yeah, having a schnoodle isn’t emasculating enough, let’s pay dad back for all the chores he's made us do and give the dog a really effeminate name, so's he has to tell people, "we have a schnoodle and her name is Daisy") is quite pleased that she’s stolen my youngest ones affection; but it’s also a veiled sneer, warning me that I'd better not attempt winning back youngest daughter’s affection, lest risk losing a finger, or worse, into the black void lurking beyond those deceptively sharp teeth.

[Nawth Chucka]

Originally Posted by longPath

I live with four Standard Poodles.
Loads of fun!

Nawth Chucka, the guy you know, is he from MD, now living in Canada?

Nope, NJ to CT.

[Ponch8]

When I was little, my family had a standard poodle named Ponch (along with Erik Estrada, the origin of my username). She was extremely sweet and intelligent. One time she even rang the doorbell at the front door when she escaped from the backyard (although I suspect she just jumped and hit the doorbell by accident). Matt sounds like a moron.

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

Attackdog is a standard poodle. He's 80 pounds, lean, smart, loyal and hands down the best dog I've ever had or known. He's extremely well behaved, and when he doesn't have anything to do, he passes out on the floor - he's not high strung. He's fantastic with kids, and clearly would fight if the pack were threatened, but is generally extremely friendly.

Also, Winston Churchill had a poodle named Rufus. This answers the OP's question with a 'yup'.

[thelabdude]

I once read that some ''expert'' said men could have a Poodle as long as it was a standard. I feel sorry for any man that having a toy Poodle would compromise his manhood.

Poodles are hunting dogs? http://www.vipoodle.org/

[Colibri]

Originally Posted by mangeorge

So my only question is, do many men have standard poodles as companions?
I'm not looking for opinions, just the facts (ma'am).

I think what you're getting is mostly opinions and anecdotes, so let's move this over to IMHO.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator