Things to Consider

Buying a puppy can be a daunting task. I've had the privilege of being on both sides of the buying/breeding perspective. I'm no expert; but from my experiences, here are some things to consider, and some questions to ask before buying your next puppy

Standard Poodle Personality

Generally, standard poodles are very happy, upbeat dogs. They love playing and hanging out with their family. Unlike the smaller varieties, standard poodles are not typically yappy, nippy, or nervous dogs. They are great at just about everything, be it hunting, agility, or in the show-ring.That being said, every breeder goes for their own chosen traits. One breeder may concentrate on the show-dog aspect, while another might breed more of a hunting dog.
Make sure to do research on different breeders, as well as the breed itself to make sure you're getting what you want.

Colors can be Complicated!

There are probably more colors and patterns than you can count in the Poodle breed. It's important that you have at least a small grasp on how the different colors and patterns work with the breed. You may think you're buying a black puppy, but then two years down the road it ends up being closer to grey!
Make sure to do your research on what color you want, and what the breeder has to offer. Taking a look at the parents' pedigree can help a lot. If there are a lot of blue or silver dogs in one of the parent's line, then it's more likely that the black puppy you just bought will turn blue or silver as well.
There are also a lot of gimmicks that breeders will use to try and get more money for their puppy. Please do your research! A certain color or pattern might not actually be as rare as a breeder says it is, or it might not even exist at all! When in doubt, there's nothing wrong with asking to see the parents' pedigrees, or photos of past litters, or of the parents when they were puppies. An honest breeder will be happy to share these things with you!

AKC Limited Registration vs. Full Registration

    You just bought your new puppy, or you're about to. Is it purebred? And if it is, did you get any papers with it? If you answered yes to both, then do you know what papers you got?
many people have no idea that there are different kinds of registration that a puppy can come with.
There are two different registrations within the AKC.
1: limited registration
    This is the registration that most
    breeders send with their puppies. This
    registration prohibits the dog from
    being able to compete within the
    show-ring, and prohibits any offspring
    of the dog from being registrable. In
    short, your dog doesn't necessarily have
    to get fixed, and it can technically still
    breed, but none of it's puppies can be
    registered with the AKC.
2: full registration
    This means exactly what it says. If you
    get this paperwork with the puppy,
    then you have full rights to it. You can
    compete in the show-ring with them,
    and any puppy they have can be
    registered with the AKC (as long as both         parents are already AKC registrable).

Questions to ask your breeder

A good breeder will never have a problem answering any and every question you have for them; no matter the question.

1. Ask about the parents
The parents' personalities will be a great indicator of what the puppy will grow up to be. This applies to the coat color and health issues as well.

2. Health
It's important that the puppy you buy is healthy. A breeder should be upfront with you if the parents have any issues, or if any health testings have been done.

3. Lifestyle
Not all breeders breed for the same thing. Make sure you're not looking for a hunting dog, and buying from a show-only breeder. Of course, poodles are very diverse, so it might work out anyway! Also keep in mind that if you buy a puppy from an expert in a particular activity, you'll have a great mentor in the future!

4. Puppy temperament
All puppies are different, even within the same litter. Talk with your breeder about what you want in a dog. Looks aren't everything. (Molly might be the cutest, but Jack might have the right personality for you). Trust your breeder, they know their puppies the best.

5. Living conditions
Make sure to ask about how the pups are being raised, their eating schedule, potty training, grooming, socialization, etc. I highly recommend meeting the puppies at the breeder's house, so you can see first hand the living conditions, and how the puppy interacts with its siblings and parents.

6. Registration
Are the puppies purebred, and do they come with papers? You want to make sure you're getting what you paid for. It's also a good idea to look at the parents' pedigrees.

This page is under constant editing.
I have explained everything to the best of my knowledge. If you have any other tips, questions, or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me!