OUR MISSION
TO LOVE, TO TRAIN, AND TO RAISE QUALITY STANDARD and Minatare POODLES
To Love: Our dogs are part of the family and we are devoted to giving them the best care possible. They live inside with us, not in a kennel or shed. Puppies are born and raised in our home where they are socialized by family and friends.
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To Train: A well trained dog is a joy to own and our dogs are frequently complimented on their good behavior. We believe every dog should learn basic obedience skills and manners regardless of their show careers. We currently train and attend classes at Five Flags Dog Club and recommend them to anyone in the Pensacola area looking to train or socialize their dog in a structured environment. The Standard and Miniature Poodle is a highly intelligent breed that learns quickly and desires to please their owner, making them fun to work with. On the other hand, this higher level of intelligence and drive will get the Poodle in trouble if left without daily physical and mental stimulation.
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To Raise:Â Breeding for longevity starts with a strong foundation. All our dogs are tested to ensure that they are physically and mentally sound.
We test all our parent dogs for Breed-Relevant Conditions like von Willebrand disease (vWD) a clotting disorder, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd (PRCD Exon 1), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) narrowing of the spine in later years, Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures, NEWS (ATF2) water on the brain and seizure disorder , Â Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I) (FGF4 retrogene - CFA12), and over 180 additional conditions through an OFA approved lab.
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Starting at 2 years old we test beyond the OFA recommended standards by having the hips, elbows, patellar luxation, congenital and advanced cardiac exam, evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Â The eyes are certified by an boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) CAER Exam. DNA Test (Embark vet). We continue to test eyes, congenital and advanced cardiac yearly for the life of the dog.
All our dogs have the Chic#. We also breed for a low COI (Coefficient of inbreeding), and Diversity Test.Â
 All of this helps contribute to the betterment of the breed and healthier Standard and Miniature Poodles which means fewer trips to the vet and hopefully longer healthier lives.
A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME WITHOUT A STANDARD POODLE
Moondancers Poodles is a labor of love. It all started with a puppy named Nova. Nova came to us from our dear friend in Crestview, FL.
We found the Standard and Miniature Poodle to be smart and quick with a sense of humor. Almost like a human in their emotions. Poodles have a serious side on the job but are just as happy fooling around and making you laugh.
Moondancers Poodles is located in Sunny Lillian, Alabama. We are a small in-home breeder with only 2 or 3 litters a year. We breed for ourselves first with the rest of the pups going to wonderful pet, or service work homes. We sell on limited AKC registration (this means no breeding rights) unless private arrangements are made.
As a breeder we feel it is our responsibility to make sure our pups never end up in a shelter. We give lifetime support and advice as well as a health guarantee. We have a private Facebook page for our puppy people where we can keep in touch, share stories, pictures and ideas, or just talk about our poodles. It has turned out to be a great way to see our pups as they grow and develop. We hope to meet not just buyers, but longtime friends through our pups.
We are devoted. If something unforeseen happens and one of our families is no longer able to care for their pet, we will take the pup back at any age and either keep it or re home it to a vetted family. We want every dog to have a wonderful home.
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Diversity Tested
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Socialization of our puppiesÂ
Most puppies are 8-10 weeks old before they are removed from the litter. At this point, the crucial puppy socialization period is well under way. It’s very important to be proactive in socializing the puppies to ensure that the pups will be confident, relaxed and good with other dogs, people and children. See the chart to the right to understand how we socialize our puppies before they go to their new homes. But socialization does not stop with us, the puppy needs to continue to be socializedÂ
Socialization after 8 weeks
The critical socialization period continues for several weeks. During this time be very careful to expose your puppy to new situations. Take it slow and make sure it is a positive experience. Offer your puppy treats and monitor its reaction when exposing it to new situations. A well socialized pup will be a better-behaved adult dog that will be easier and safer to handle.
Hypoallergenic Dogs- Pros and Cons
Hypoallergenic is defined as something that is relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. The reason we breed our Standard and Miniature Poodles is because they are low to non-shedding and less likely to cause an allergic reaction . In most cases, no dog is truly hypoallergenic because even with a Poodles curlier coat, there is always the chance that they may shed a little bit, and any dog is also likely to pick up dirt and potential allergens outside. As a general rule though, the curlier the coat the lower the likelihood of shedding.
Pros and Cons
There are both pros and cons to a low to non-shedding dog. Obviously the biggest pro is there will be significantly less hair about your house or on your upholstery. The biggest con is that your curly haired non-shedding pup is going to need a lot more grooming. When dogs shed they tend to need less grooming as their coats are less likely to mat. They shed out excess fur and their coats tends to stay the same length. They do need brushing and there will be hair in places you probably don’t want it, including the occasional hair in your mouth. But with a non-shedding, hypoallergenic dog, the hair is a lot more likely to get matted especially as it grows out. You still will need to brush your dog regularly, possibly daily, to avoid this. You will also most likely need to pay a professional groomer to cut your dog’s hair periodically or learn how to do the job yourself.
Raised in our home with love and care daily
We hand raise our pups from the day they are born. Socialization and health are our top priority. Having adult neighbors and children visit is always a thrill. Car rides into town and answering questions from the community. Over the years we have developed a network of friends across the globe. As such we can assist in taking special orders for more specific demands including adult dogs for people who may be interested in starting or adding to their own breeding program .
Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.
Focusing on the health and betterment of the breed since 2019 Please contact us for any personal queries