Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a purebred Miniature Poodle?
The Miniature Poodle is a breed officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Originally bred as hunting dogs to retrieve waterfowl from lakes, ponds, and rivers—much like Portuguese Water Dogs—Poodles are often mistakenly thought to be French in origin. In reality, they were first developed in Germany, with the name “poodle” derived from the German word “pudel,” meaning “puddle” or “to splash.” Known for their exceptional intelligence and athleticism, Poodles are more inclined to bond with humans than with other dogs and are highly adaptable to various lifestyles. They do require regular grooming, but they shed and drool very little. Miniature Poodles typically stand around 15 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 10 and 15 pounds, making them an ideal size for both outdoor adventures and cozy lap snuggles. For more information, visit https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-miniature/.
How do I reserve a puppy?
To reserve a puppy from our small, family-run business, please start by completing our Application. After reviewing your application, we’ll contact you to discuss your preferences for personality, lifestyle, and physical traits to ensure we find the best puppy match for you. As we only have one litter of puppies each year, we encourage you to act promptly. Once we confirm a spot for you on our litter list, you’ll need to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit within 24 hours to secure your place. This deposit is applied to the final cost of your puppy and will be deducted from the total amount due on pick-up day. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from taking home your puppy, the deposit can be transferred to one of our future litters.
How does the puppy selection process work?
We aim to understand what attributes in a puppy are most important to your family, whether it’s gender, color, temperament, size, or litter timing. As our puppies grow and their personalities begin to shine, we get a clearer picture of their physical traits and temperaments, so prefer to wait a few weeks before beginning our selection process. If certain qualities are crucial for you, we recommend reaching out early to ensure you get the best match for your preferences. Though many people are simply excited to welcome a healthy, happy puppy and are flexible about which one they receive, we also want everyone to feel like their puppy matches their needs!
We live in another state (or country), do you ship puppies?
At this time, we do not offer shipping for our puppies. Most puppies will need to be picked up in person at our home on Whidbey Island. However, depending on your circumstances, we may be able to arrange to meet you at a different location. Whidbey Island is a beautiful place with plenty of lodging options, tourist attractions, and scenic hikes. Visiting in person not only allows you to pick up your new puppy but also gives you the opportunity to see where your new family member was born and raised. We hope you’ll enjoy the experience of visiting our lovely island and discovering all it has to offer!
How do I get to your home?
To pick up your new puppy, you’ll be visiting us on Whidbey Island, which offers two access routes. You can take a scenic 20-minute ferry ride from Mukilteo to Clinton, which is on the south end of the island, and then another 20-minute drive to our home in Freeland. Alternatively, if you’re coming from the north, you can drive through Deception Pass, but be prepared for about an hour of additional drive time once you’re on the island. Given the travel involved, we recommend planning for a full day trip. You may find it more convenient to arrive the day before and enjoy a relaxing stay at a local Airbnb, making the experience even more enjoyable. We will give out our exact address a week before your arrival so that you can plan specifics and we can maintain the privacy of our home.
Will my puppy come spayed or neutered?
No, your puppy will not come spayed or neutered at the time of adoption. However, all Limited AKC Registered puppies must be spayed or neutered within one year of adoption. Spaying or neutering your puppy around it’s first birthday is a requirement for purchasing a Whidbey Island Poodles puppy. We believe this policy promotes responsible pet ownership and helps ensure the health and well-being of dogs everywhere. If you have any questions about the spaying or neutering process, feel free to reach out!
Can I come visit the puppies?
To protect our puppies from harmful illnesses like parvo and kennel cough, we are very cautious about hosting visitors before the puppies have received their first round of vaccinations and their immune systems have had a chance to develop. While we cannot accommodate in-home visits, we do our best to share plenty of videos and photos so you can get to know the puppies from afar. April Jane is also happy to answer any questions you may have via text or call! We want to ensure that the puppies’ new families feel connected to the process as much as possible, while keeping the little ones safe.
Can you direct me to some training resources?
Absolutely! We highly recommend Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution, which offers a wealth of helpful information and training techniques. His YouTube channel has various playlists that cover everything from basic obedience to more advanced training. You can find his content here – it’s a fantastic resource for new puppy owners. If you have any other questions or need further recommendations, feel free to ask!
What do I need to know about grooming my poodle?
Grooming your miniature poodle is essential for their health and well-being. We recommend grooming every 4-8 weeks, and you can bathe your poodle as frequently as you’d like. For a fluffy coat, brushing every 1-3 days is ideal, while brushing less often will give a more natural, messier curl look. We typically keep our poodles in a “puppy cut,” which may differ from the traditional poodle appearance—sometimes leading them to be mistaken for doodles! The more traditional cuts, featuring poms around the tail and ankles, don’t suit our lifestyle on a small farm surrounded by woods, where fancy haircuts don’t last long.
It’s crucial to keep your poodle mat-free, as mats can lead to skin irritation, sores, and even parasites. Regular brushing and trims helps prevent this. Additionally, brushing your dog’s teeth is highly beneficial, leading to fewer health problems, often longer lifespans, and, of course, fresher breath!
Wait, is it “Bexley” or “Liberty’s Autumn Grove”?
Both! Registered purebred dogs have the breeder’s name included at the start of their name. Our dog Bexley comes from Liberty Miniature Poodles in Oregon, so her registered name starts with “Liberty’s.” We loved the name Bexley for everyday use, but we also wanted her records to reflect a more formal name. The name “Bexley” means “a grove of box trees,” which resonates with her beautiful red coat, like fall leaves. Resulting in her full registered name: “Liberty’s Autumn Grove.”
Can I look at the health records for the parent dogs?
Absolutely! Here is a link to Bexley’s records. And other for our guest-stud Jett’s records.
I see a black poodle in your videos and photos – will you have any black puppies?
The black poodle you see is Eobard, our 8-year-old miniature poodle. We brought Eobard into our family solely as a companion, and since he’s neutered, he won’t be producing any puppies. He’s a wonderful brother to Bexley and an amazing adoptive uncle to her puppies!
April Jane waiting to board a ferry on Whidbey Island.