Hello, I’m looking for any advice on how to find a toy poodle stud. So many seem to be in Scotland or far north and I am in Wiltshire, happy to travel but thinking a bit closer to home!
I’m looking for a small boy, with great temperament, one colour (not Parti), KC Reg, good curly coat.
I’ve looked at Pets4Homes and a couple of other sites but it seems like a real lottery. Any advice gratefully received.

You should contact the breed clubs. Ideally if your considering breeding you should join the National breed club and perhaps regional.

The purpose of clubs is to promote the breed it's welfare, and to disseminate knowledge. Most important if your considering breeding.

As a member attending club educational events and shows you will meet breeders and owners and meet many dogs, studs and their offspring.

Before that I'd firstly contact your bitches breeder for advice.

It is important to know the animals in her and any potential sires pedigree, to know their good and bad traits, and what lines go well together, and which don't.

It goes witout saying that your bitch has had the appropriate health screening, DNA testing and clinical such as BVA eye testing and ideally hip scored, and Pattela checked.

Even if she's not endorsed, I think you should probably take your bitch back to her breeder (or contact her) for her advice re a suitable, in her opinion, stud dog to use.   Assuming her breeder knows her breed!

Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your reply. I have had my girl dna/eye tested etc
as per guidance from the KC. All good results.
And I have also contacted the breeder that she came from, who was v knowledgable about many aspects but not finding a sire.
I have also previously contacted the toy poodle clubs but had no response...I will try again

Have you applied to join the club.

I would start here: http://www.poodlecouncil.com/www.poodlecouncil.coms/info.php?p=2 read all the pages. Join National and regional club.

Attend some educational and other events (once Covid restrictions permit).

When breeders realise you are showing a genuine interest, and your not planning to exploit the breed, you will find older breeders especially happy to take you under their wing. Long term breeders coming towards the end of their activities want to pass on the baton, so to speak, so their work is carried forward.

Try to stay neutral re old rivalries, store up advice from various sources to get a balanced view.

Generally you would get your breeder to propose you, a seconder is often not strictly needed if the proposer vouches for you, clubs vary.

I am surprised your breeder can't help you re suggestions for studs?

You really should not breed until you are able to know a lot more about bloodlines, what they are likely to produce and potential issues with any pairing. Remember you will need to be in turn able to support your new puppy owners. Pet owners especially will need advice re coat care training etc.

When I started I joined the breed club and purchased 10 years worth of breed club publications (yearbooks/annuals).

These had articles, and breeder exhibitor adverts.

This allowed me to flesh out the names in the pedigrees, allowed me to follow the progression of breeders lines.

I then purchased 10 more years back issues ( I know have a full set going back to the formation of our club).

Breeding is/should be a collaborative effort/process.

Breeding decisions that went before, and those made going forward affect/influence the whole breed.

Your bitch is the sum of previous breeders efforts.

I started in 1992 with my breeder, and the owner of the stud as mentors, their knowledge and experience since the 1960's and 1950's respectively were a huge help having knowledge I lacked. Sadly both passed away 2001 and 2008 respectively.

I now try and help and mentor my own puppy buyers and others newer to the breed, though still often feel that I'm a Novice.

The one thing I have learnt is that traits never truly go away, they pop up down the line when least expected, sometimes good, sometimes not.

> I am surprised your breeder can't help you re suggestions for studs?

So am I because I'd hope that most breeders would.   Can't help or for various reasons, won't?   I know I'd be more than willing to get involved if only to protect my chosen breed and especially my bloodlines when it comes to the next generation.  Above anybody else, whoever bred your bitch should become your mentor - hold your hand through all that's involved in breeding and developing a recognisably good line.   Even be willing to tell you if in their view, that puppy hasn't achieved her early promise with something to give back to the breed and further, perhaps point you in the right direction re foundation stock, if you are really keen to start a decent bloodline which is way more important than making money.

"Your bitch is the sum of previous breeders efforts."   ABSOLUTELY!!

> Thanks for your reply. I have had my girl dna/eye tested etc per guidance from the KC. All good results. And I have also contacted the breeder that she came from, who was v knowledgable about many aspects but not finding a sire.I have also previously contacted the toy poodle clubs but had no response...I will try again

Tough one, pre covid I'd say two to some shows and see what's about, speak to the owners and breeders of dogs your like and take it from there as well as looking to join the breed club But if course at the moment shows arnt going ahead.
It could be a some of the stud owners don't publicly advertise their males due to all the doodle breeding and at the moment with irresponsible breeding on the rise during all this covid it could be they will be more warie if your a newcomer to the breed Looking to breed. I wonder could your girls breeder put you in contact with another breeder who could help you in finding a audible stud if they can not help you themselves.

The only person I can think of to help you find a stud is Lee Cox of Vanitonia