# Do men live with poodles? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 11, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366 "2011-08-11T18:39:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/41 "2011-08-12T01:30:31Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/42 "2011-08-12T01:31:43Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![longPath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@longPath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longPath)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/43 "2011-08-12T01:40:32Z")
I live with four Standard Poodles. Loads of fun! **Nawth Chucka** , the guy you know, is he from MD, now living in Canada? ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/44 "2011-08-12T01:43:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/45 "2011-08-12T02:33:09Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/46 "2011-08-12T02:44:31Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/47 "2011-08-12T02:51:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/48 "2011-08-12T03:18:56Z")
**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’. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/49 "2011-08-12T03:38:09Z")
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/](http://www.vipoodle.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/50 "2011-08-12T03:42:42Z")
> [@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 ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/51 "2011-08-12T08:45:46Z")
> [@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. If you want to adopt the poodle, why does it matter what your friend wants? He can adopt a bulldog or pitbull or whatever to make him feel more manly. You can also tell him that being a man doesn’t depend on outer accessories. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/52 "2011-08-12T12:42:33Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I think what you’re getting is mostly opinions and anecdotes, so let’s move this over to IMHO. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Good. My question has been well answered, and now we’re just having fun! Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/53 "2011-08-12T12:47:35Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > If you want to adopt the poodle, why does it matter what your friend wants? He can adopt a bulldog or pitbull or whatever to make him feel more manly. > > You can also tell him that being a man doesn’t depend on outer accessories. Oh, I will adopt a poodle. A female. I’ll name her “Georgia”. Neither of us actuall know many people with standard poodles, I’m simply countering his (friendly) arguement. I thank you all, and well done. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/54 "2011-08-12T14:39:18Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > John Steinbeck certainly did, his book Charley and Me is about his travels through the US with his standard (not automatic) poodle. I believe you are confusing Steinbeck’s _Travels with Charley: In Search of America_ with Grogan’s _Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog_. ---
**Author:** ![Weaver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Weaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weaver)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/55 "2011-08-12T17:43:59Z")
From [Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: The Badass Roots of 5 Sissy Dogs](http://www.cracked.com/article_16471_wolves-in-sheeps-clothing-badass-roots-5-sissy-dogs.html) : > [@](#): > > Some of the poodle’s early history is most faithfully detailed in war memoirs, even by Napoleon himself. The poodle’s role was primarily that of a morale-boosting mascot, but multiple accounts captured the breed in acts of gallantry that makes Lassie’s attendance to Timmy in the well glorified babysitting. > > There was a particularly rich history about a poodle named Moustache who was not only credited with detecting an Austrian spy (saving his company from surprise attack), but freeing the regimental colors from a mortally wounded ensign in order to deliver it in triumph to the front lines. Michael Bay would cream himself getting to capture something that bold and evocative on film, provided he was allowed to release a towering napalm explosion in the background. > > Speaking of Michael Bay abortions, immediately following the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. military selected the poodle among a very limited set of breeds to augment day to day defenses (guarding forts, munitions plants, etc.) and even solicited help finding them: > > The poodle’s roots run just as deep as a hunting dog, as their speed and keen senses made them particularly valued as bird hunting companions. The now stylish “Poodle clip” complete with pom-poms of fur was an evolution of a cut done by hunters to help the dogs move through the water more efficiently. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/56 "2011-08-12T18:16:17Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > What would John Wayne say about a man and a poodle. That’s the question you have to ask yourself. John Wayne would tell you to go fuck yourself and then his poodle would bite you in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/57 "2011-08-12T18:39:45Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I believe you are confusing Steinbeck’s _Travels with Charley: In Search of America_ with Grogan’s _Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog_. How so? Here’s Steinbeck’s story; > **[Travels with Charley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travels_with_Charley:_In_Search_of_America)** > > Travels with Charley: In Search of America is a 1962 travelogue written by American author John Steinbeck. It depicts a 1960 road trip around the United States made by Steinbeck, in the company of his standard poodle Charley. Steinbeck wrote that he was moved by a desire to see his country because he made his living writing about it. He wrote of having many questions going into his journey, the main one being "What are Americans like today?" However, he found that he had concerns about much o St... Do you mean the title? Good read, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![FasterThanMeerkats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@FasterThanMeerkats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FasterThanMeerkats)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/58 "2011-08-12T18:46:21Z")
Had a standard poodle when I was growing up on 40 acres in Tennessee. Am seriously thinking about getting a poodle now, but either a toy or miniature because I live in a townhouse in the city. You can keep the fru-fruness of them down by getting a normal cut without the pom poms. I always thought those looked dumb and poodles look just fine without them. They’re smart, don’t shed, and are good for people with allergies (and guests with allergies). ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/59 "2011-08-12T18:51:33Z")
My childhood dog was a poodle (miniature). They’re so incredibly intuitive about people. Plus, most dogs tend to be either smart-and-think-for-themselves OR smart-and-obedient and poodles manage a happy medium quite nicely. And, having been around golden retrievers, etc. the no shedding thing is niiiiiiiice. RIP, Tina. (I named her after Tina Turner, for some reason. Ever get fixated on some random celebrity as a kid?) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366/60 "2011-08-12T18:59:15Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > How so? Here’s Steinbeck’s story; > [Travels with Charley - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travels_with_Charley:_In_Search_of_America) > Do you mean the title? > Good read, anyway. Yes-I was referring to the title. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-live-with-poodles/592366.md?page=4)