My name is Amy and I received my very first poodle in 1975, he was my best friend and still holds a special place in my heart after all these years. Although I have owned other breeds over the years, I have never been without a poodle. Their intelligence and almost human-like nature is my favorite part of sharing my life with them. I love all animals, but the poodle is truly the one who holds my heart.

In 1982, I graduated from high school and went straight into dog grooming school. I graduated at the top of my class and have been grooming ever since. I also worked as a vet tech for 10 years for a local veterinarian. There I gained a lot of knowledge which is helpful to me today.

From 1986 to 1996 I bred toy poodles. I loved the intelligence and devotion of the poodle but I had not yet discovered the "breed within the breed" -The Standard Poodle! At that time we did not have the spay-neuter contracts we have now, I got a call from a lady one day who only wanted one of my puppies because as she stated "she did not have that color" I could hear dogs barking in the background and with each bark their metal cages rattled, this was not the life I wanted for a puppy I brought into this world so I quit breeding my dogs-and she did not get a puppy of course. Now we have contracts and better ways to place puppies into loving homes, I'm a bit more older and quite a bit more wiser, not everyone who contacts me gets a puppy but I think that just makes me a very careful, caring breeder.

I do care where each and every puppy I produce goes, and their homes are selected carefully. I keep in touch with every puppy who leaves here no matter how far away they are. I am a different kind of dog breeder, I listen with my heart and I work with you to help you select the best possible match that will last a lifetime.

My goal in breeding healthy, happy Standard Poodles is to bring you a well-balanced, healthy, loving companion with an unbeatable personality, a dog that is structurally sound--one that is built to do what this breed was originally bred for--retrieving!

Next to health, personality is my number one priority in my puppies, we show our own dogs but our goal is to produce wonderful family pets for loving families.

buying a puppy from me.......

I have been thru the puppy buying process myself many times over the last 30 or so years and since I became serious about Standard Poodles I have dealt with several reputable breeders, I have been happy with my purchase but to be honest the aftercare I received from the breeders themselves did not make me happy. For the most part as soon as I received my puppy that was the end of my connection with them, I don't do things that way, this is my passion, this is the one thing in this life I do very well because my whole heart is in it. Your satisfaction and the puppy's health and happiness is of the utmost importance to me. When you purchase a puppy from me it is not simply here's your money-here's your puppy and the deal is done.

Beforehand I like to find out as much about your lifestyle as possible this way I can help you make the best possible choice in a puppy-so far I have a very high success rate! I have packed this website full of information to help you make an informed decision about your new family member, reading thru this site will also tell me you are as serious about your new baby as I am.

The day you come to pick up your new family member be prepared to stay at least an hour. I make sure that when you leave here all of your questions are answered and you feel completely at ease with your new baby. I once sold a puppy to a couple who had purchased their previous dog from one of the top breeders in the country, they told me they did not receive the quality of time and information from them that they had from me, I stake my reputation on my dogs and your satisfaction is priority one.

During your pick up I will explain all the registration paperwork that comes with your AKC puppy as well as his pedigree, health guarantee, go over his shot record and his medical history and his micro-chip registration. Then we move on to the ten pages of puppy instructions that go home with you, this covers everything from housebreaking to grooming, feeding and socialization just to name a few-all of your questions will be answered no matter how big or small they are.

Once you walk out that door my obligation to you is not over, I check up on your progress with your new puppy and I am here for the lifetime of your O'Kaylyn Farms Standard Poodle. If at any time during the life of your dog you can no longer keep him/her the dog comes back to me, never to be placed in a rescue, pound or shelter.

I enjoy receiving updates and pictures of your new family member and seeing the love grow!

Selling on Spay/neuter agreements

People often ask me why I sell my puppies on a spay/neuter agreement. If, in fact, you have done your research and contacted other responsible breeders you will find out that this is the rule of thumb these days. The pet over-population problem is huge, and I do not want to add any more to the problem than what I have already. Breeding should be taken seriously to better the breed, not to make a few bucks. In fact, if it is done correctly with all the proper testing and care of the pups, then you make very little money . I love this breed, and I have spent long hours and a lot of work on every puppy I have produced. They deserve to be placed into a loving home, not to be put into a kennel, ignored and used to produce litter after litter in a puppy mill. If you do not agree with the spay/neuter contract then please go elsewhere to purchase your dog.

Great article!

I stumbled upon this article and felt it was great to share with anyone who is puppy/breeder shopping. I did not contribute anything to this article but I felt it was very helpful-read on: (sorry about the lab picture but the info is good!)

Evaluating a Pet Dog Breeder

Author: Kate Connick ©2001

yellow labrador retriever

So you want to add a new dog to your family. You've decided that you want a puppy, and you have a particular breed in mind. Everyone you know has told you horror stories about pet stores, so you cross them off your list. You need to select a breeder, but you don�t know how to narrow your search. You don�t need a fancy show dog or a high-performance hunting dog. You just want a pet. You want a companion who will fit into your lifestyle without being emotionally and financially burdensome. In simplest terms, you want a physically and mentally sound animal - a healthy, happy dog with which to share your life.

Consider that this is a decision that will be with you for the next dozen or more years. Choose wisely. Not all breeders are created equal, and neither are the puppies they produce. Keep in mind that, by definition, anyone who owns a female dog at the time it gives birth is a "breeder." It is not always easy to tell the difference between a good breeder - a responsible hobby breeder - from an unknowledgeable "backyard breeder" or a commercial "puppy mill" breeder. Things to look for as you search for your breeder:

• How long has the breeder been involved in this particular breed? If it is a breed that has recently become popular, beware of someone who has jumped on the bandwagon to make a fast buck. They may not have the best interests of the breed nor buyer in mind. The person with the slickest web page is not necessarily the best breeder!

• Does the breeder produce animals markedly different from the typical examples of the breed? Beware of non-standard deviations from a breed being marketed as "rare" to justify exorbitant prices. Non-standard variations of purebred dogs (eg., white Dobermans, longhaired Whippets, miniature Dalmatians, etc.) are generally considered undesirable by legitimate breeders. Nonetheless, if you are insistent that you want a non-standard version of a pure breed, make sure you demand the same in terms of health and temperament scrutiny that you would of someone breeding conventional purebred dogs.
• Along the same lines, are the animals being bred actually purebred dogs belonging to a breed recognized by some legitimate registry? I love mutts, but there�s no excuse for someone to charge hundreds of dollars to sell what is essentially a glorified mutt (eg., Cockapoo, Schnoodle, etc.). Unscrupulous breeders will claim that cross-breeds are somehow immune to the genetically-based health problems of their purebred brethren. This is not true. Again, if you are insistent that you want a cross-breed, make sure you demand the same of the breeder that you would of someone breeding purebred dogs.
• How knowledgeable is the breeder about this particular breed? Are they familiar with its historical origins? Can they educate you about the breed's disadvantages - especially genetic predisposition to health problems and characteristics like shedding, slobber, dominance, inter-dog aggression, etc. that may make owning the breed a challenge? Beware of anyone who sounds like a salesman and tells you that their breed has no disadvantages! Good breeders will play devil's advocate.
• Does the breeder show their dogs in conformation, obedience, agility, schutzhund, field work, etc. to prove their dogs' quality as breeding stock? Can they demonstrate their dogs� abilities to you? Frankly, I do not believe that this is a requirement for one to be a good pet dog breeder, but those who actively compete in dog events tend to have an overall higher commitment to the breed. Still, don�t be fooled by titles, per se. A pedigree full of conformation "champions" has absolutely zero relevance to someone seeking a healthy, happy pet.
• Is the breeder "kennel blind" (believing that their dogs are perfect) or can they tell you the strengths and weaknesses of their particular dogs? What is their goal in breeding? Is their goal consistent with your vision of an ideal pet? If they are breeding for "health and temperament," have them explain exactly what they mean. Their idea of ideal temperament and yours may differ dramatically. If their goal is to produce their next show dog, have them explain how that will translate into a good pet for you. Ear-set and tail carriage mean nothing if the dog they produces bites your children or dies of cancer before his fifth birthday.
• Are the breeder's dogs screened for genetic health defects like hip dysplasia, eye disorders, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy, cardiac conditions, and anything else that is common in the breed? Can they provide you with proof, e.g., CERF and OFA certification and other relevant veterinary documentation? A good breeder will welcome your concern and be glad to offer the requested information - beware of anyone who is defensive! An excellent breeder will candidly discuss the health of their line of dogs, including the problems that have cropped up. Even good breeders can produce unhealthy dogs on occasion. The difference is that the good breeder is on a mission to find and remove those genetic influences from their breeding lines. The irresponsible breeder approaches health in a haphazard manner.
• Does the breeder have any old dogs on the premises? How long have their own dogs lived, and from what have they died? Beware of the person who sells off their adult dogs that are retired from showing and breeding. You want a breeder who loves the breed, not someone who loves to breed.
• How many breeds is this person breeding? Ideally, someone will have a special interest in only one breed (perhaps two). A Jack-of-all-Breeds truly is a master of none. How many litters does the breeder have in any given year? A good breeder may breed one or two litters, or may not breed at all for a year or more between litters. More is never better. Anyone who is producing a large number of dogs is probably doing it at the expense of quality.
• Are the breeder's dogs kennel dogs or house pets? While it is sanitary to keep large numbers of dogs outside in a kennel, you want a breeder who keeps their dogs in the house with the family. Breeders who keep their dogs in kennels may have temperament defects (like excessive dominance) of which they are not even aware. Puppies should be raised inside an active home to begin socializing them to a household environment.
• Will the breeder provide you with the names of their veterinarian and several past purchasers to serve as references? If given a choice, request pet references. Certainly a professional trainer will be able to handle a tough puppy, but what about a family with three kids and a cat? If the latter just loves the temperament of their dog, that speaks volumes. Ask the breeder about the homes that haven't worked out. There are bound to be some. Is the breeder honest that they made a poor placement, sympathetic to someone who underwent a life change that necessitated returning a dog, blunt that they produced a problem dog... or is the breeder bitter and accusatory about the person who bought the dog? Beware of the narrow-minded breeder who places blame on everyone but themselves.
• What kind of guarantees does the breeder offer? Most will offer a replacement puppy or refund of purchase price if your puppy manifests a serious genetic defect. Any responsible breeder will want to keep in touch with you and be informed if your dog develops health problems. The better ones may ask you to have your pet OFA and/or CERF screened when it is old enough (as your dog reflects on their breeding stock). Truly caring breeders will insist that you return your puppy to them if you are unable to keep it for any reason during its entire life.
• Does the breeder expect to sell you a puppy with strings attached? Concerned, responsible breeders will insist that you neuter your pet puppy as soon as it is old enough. They may have you sign a contract to this effect, or they may sell the puppy with limited registration (which means that if you do breed it, you cannot register the offspring). Remarkable breeders will pediatrically neuter puppies before sending them off to their new homes. This is a very good sign in a breeder, so much so that I would be suspicious of any breeder who does not insist on neutering.
• On the other hand, beware of any breeder who tries to sucker you into a breeding contract. They will treat you like you're stupid by flattering you and trying to con you into agreeing to keep your pet intact and breeding one or more litters, giving the breeder back one or more puppies from each litter. This is the biggest scam around. You get stuck with the expense and inconvenience (not to mention health risks) of keeping an intact animal and then providing the breeder with free puppies. If a breeder tries to talk you into this kind of pyramid scheme, find another breeder.
• At what age does the breeder send puppies to their new homes? Avoid any breeder who wants to send home a puppy younger than seven weeks. Many good breeders will release puppies at 8 weeks, but as long as the puppy is being actively socialized, it is arguably better to wait until 10 or 12 weeks.
• What does the breeder do to socialize their puppies? Ask them for specifics. Good breeders will have lots of toys and activities to which to expose their puppies. Mild stress is excellent for making puppies resilient later in life. A breeder who allows their puppies to experience different sounds, surfaces, etc. and meet different people is trying hard. A breeder who keeps their puppies in some sort of ultra-sanitary, almost sterile vacuum is doing the puppies a great disservice. Puppies raised in a kennel should be avoided.
• A good breeder will be very interested in who you are and somewhat choosy about whether you are able to provide an adequate home for one of their cherished pups. A breeder who wants to see your home, your kids, your spouse, your other pets, proof of your fencing, or talk to your veterinarian is simply trying to make sure that you will take good care of their pup. Do not resent this. Good breeders want to keep in touch with you after you've purchased a puppy and will be there for you with support and advice later on. Avoid breeders who take credit card orders over the internet and ship puppies to anyone who wants them. NO responsible breeder will sell a puppy to a pet store or other broker for resale.
• A good breeder will participate in breed rescue efforts for the breed they love. This is important. Anyone who scoffs at breed rescue or is not personally involved in it in any way is someone to be avoided. Often the best place to begin your search for a good breeder is to ask breed rescue volunteers for their recommendations.
• Good breeders think ahead and make reservations in advance for the puppies they will produce. You may have to wait for a puppy, but that's not a bad thing. Beware of someone who first creates puppies and then worries about how to disperse them.
• What does the breeder do for a living? Dog breeding should be an avocation. Avoid anyone who makes their living through breeding dogs! The corners they cut financially may be at your expense.
• Are the premises clean and orderly? Are the breeder�s dogs healthy in appearance? It can be a messy proposition to raise a litter of puppies, but puppies should not be wallowing in waste, covered with fleas, or otherwise appear neglected. Keep in mind that many longhaired bitches will shed their coats heavily during this time, so if the puppies� mother appears a little ratty it is not necessarily inappropriate or unusual.
• Do you like the temperaments of the puppies' parents? Remember, temperament is genetic! Avoid puppies from bitches that demonstrate any aggression or shyness. Specifically inquire about possessiveness (food and object guarding), inter-dog aggression, defensiveness about being handled, etc. Accept no excuses for undesirable behavior. Don't be afraid to ask the breeder to demonstrate the bitch's good temperament to you.
• Has the breeder or will the breeder allow you to temperament test the litter? While puppy-testing is not especially predictive of adult temperament, it�s an attempt to gauge a puppy�s personality so that it can be best matched with a new owner. Ask the breeder's permission before doing anything to a puppy. No potential buyer has the right to do anything to a puppy which a breeder perceives as potentially harmful.
• Does your breeder respect veterinarians, trainers, groomers, breeders, and other peer professionals in the dog world? Beware of breeders who are paranoid or hostile towards other professionals. One cannot operate competently in a vacuum, and in general, good breeders are socially well-networked. They are liked, like others, and respect competent professionals in their field. A good breeder should make the effort the know other good breeders (especially of their own breed). It is important for a breeder to strive to improve their knowledge and understanding of their breed and submit to peer critique, even if it is not necessarily formalized (as in the show ring).
• Beware of fads and people who ascribe to them. Some people feed their dogs a diet of raw meat and bones and avoid vaccinating their animals, for example. These people strongly believe that commercial kibble and routine vaccinations create immune system defects and compromised health in pet dogs. Perhaps that�s true for their dogs, in which case they should not be breeding those animals. Find a breeder who feeds a good quality commercial kibble and provides standard veterinary care, including appropriate vaccinations, heartworm preventatives, etc.
• Often overlooked, but important - do you like the breeder? Will you feel comfortable relying on this person as a resource to help you if you ever run into problems with your pup? If you feel that the breeder is abrasive, rude, ignorant, or otherwise disagreeable, look elsewhere to buy your puppy. One of the greatest advantages of buying from a breeder is the support and assistance they can offer you throughout your dog's life.

Good luck in your search for a breeder. And if this all seems too complicated, swing by the local pound and pick up a good, old-fashioned, all-American mutt puppy!

This poor Standard Poodle was rescued in 2010 from a puppy mill who used him for breeding. His eyes were matted shut, his ears were grossly infected, he was full of worms, he was skin and bone under those matts and had to be tranquilized to be shaved down-his matts weighed 15 lbs once removed. This is what is happening behind closed doors at puppy mills. This is WHY responsible breeders sell on spay-neuter agreements.

You can help to stop them! 

Lately more and more I have been hearing this statement from puppy buyers who have gone to so called St Poodle ‘breeders’ to look at their puppies “We went to look at the puppies and the conditions were so poor there that we felt by buying the puppy we were actually rescuing it from that horrible place”.

It breaks mine and every other responsible breeder's hearts to hear that this is happening to the breed we love so much. How does this happen? Some of these “breeders” have been show breeders who just got too big for their own good and couldn’t handle the amount of dogs they now have, others are just in it to try and make a fast buck without any thought for the dogs in their care. When you visit a breeder look at the conditions the dogs are kept in, are they less than what you feel are comfortable for the dogs-meaning how are they kept-Are they healthy? Clean? Groomed? Well socialized? If this is a kennel, are the runs spacious and clean? Are puppies guaranteed to be healthy? Are they kept until they are at least 8 weeks old? How many litters per year do they produce? Were you able to view all the dogs or just the one you were interested in? I understand making a purchase to rescue one puppy or dog but what about the rest you left behind? Do not let it continue! The more puppies they sell the more they will produce in the same conditions, pick up the phone and make a phone call and report them, write a letter, send an e mail-anything! Save more than just one life.

Myself and other responsible breeders of this wonderful Standard Poodle breed want this to stop-you don’t have to buy a puppy from me-just buy one from a breeder who you have researched and feel comfortable with the conditions their dogs are kept in and the way their puppies are raised, as our breed grows in popularity the growth of these puppy mills and poor breeding practices will grow also, together we can stop this cruelty from getting out of control and save the lives of poor helpless poodles.

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