Bigelow Poodles
Raising Standards
(607) 481-9893
Our 2024 F1b Sheepadoodles AND AKC Standard Poodles are ready to go home! Apply to adopt today!
About us
Our Story
Our Founder, Ingrid Semans, first started breeding dogs in 2010. From the beginning, it was important to her that she raise excellent family dogs, and so her first dam was a Labrador Retriever named Goldie. Goldie was a beloved pet and her litters were raised in home (so that the puppies had the best available socialization and care.) Then because of family allergies, Ingrid made the transition to raising Standard Poodles in 2017.
In addition to being hypoallergenic, the poodles proved to be wonderful family pets! They were intelligent, easy-to-train, well-behaved, friendly, and playful. Standard Poodles were the perfect fit for Ingrid's family, and as it turned out, they were the perfect pet for many other families as well!
As Bigelow Poodles grew in popularity, Ingrid partnered with her niece in 2018 to form our first Partner Home. Partner Homes allowed other Standard Poodles to be adopted under the Bigelow Poodles name while providing loving, fur-ever homes for the new dogs. Like Ingrid's two poodles, these dogs were owned by the Partner Home and raised in home as family pets, so they and their puppies would always receive excellent care!
In 2021, we added our first Guardian Home to our Standard Poodle line. Like Partner Homes, Guardian Homes raised their dogs in home as family pets, but the dogs were actually owned by Bigelow Poodles (not the Guardian Homes.) We currently have two partner homes and two guardian homes in our program!
We look forward to seeing our Partner and Guardian Homes grow in the coming years. These partnerships ensure that all of our dogs are loved, socialized, and happy as they are included in every aspect of family life (which is important to us as ethical poodle and sheepadoodle breeders!)
In 2022, we added Sheepadoodles to our dog breeding program. We loved the combination of Old English Sheepdog and Poodle traits, and we have enjoyed raising these outstanding, active family dogs! We currently raise F1b Sheepadoodles because of their hypoallergenic nature.
Dog & Puppy Care
All dogs in our breeding program receive Sire & Dam Lineage and Genetic Testing and Sire & Dam Hip Certifications. We also have a training program for our puppies that starts at birth and continues till they go home!
1. Assisted Labor and Delivery.
2. Attentive Puppy Weight Monitoring.
3. Early Developmental Puppy Handling including ENS training (approx. Day 3 - Day 14.)
4. Puppy Sound Acclimation Training.
5. Puppy Texture Introduction (toys, blankets, etc.)
6. Age Appropriate Puppy Socialization (with people of different ages and genders AND with other dogs.)
7. Initial Puppy House Training.
8. Introductory Puppy Grooming and Bathing.
9. Puppies' First Vet Visits & Health Clearance along with Age Appropriate Puppy Vaccinations and De-worming.
10. Introductory Puppy Crate Training.
Whelping Nest Example
Sound Acclimation Example
Whelping Box Example
We take especial care that our Poodle and Sheepadoodle puppies are of good heritage with healthy and strong bloodlines while also providing excellent temperament and well-socialized family dogs. All dogs live their lives in-home as family pets.
process
Our Poodles and Sheepadoodles live in our homes as family pets. It is important to us that our dogs deliver and raise their puppies with gentle assistance from loving and experienced family. Poodle litters are registered with the American Kennel Club.
After a litter is born, we notify our waitlist and allow those who have applied and made deposits to choose a puppy from the litter. (Applications for this list require a phone interview with us.) We recommend selecting a puppy for your fur-ever home at ages 2 weeks or older so that the puppy's temperament is better understood.
For the next six weeks, the puppies will grow and develop together! We send regular photo updates to those who have reserved a puppy. During this time your puppy will be litter box trained (which will help with house training) and experience their first bath! At eight weeks the puppies will visit the vet for their vaccines and de-worming before heading home to their new fur-ever families!
frequently Asked questions
1) How much do your dogs weigh when they are full grown?
The full grown weight of our pups is generally predictable based on the weight range of the sire and dam for that litter. Generally, our Standard Poodles range from 40-65 lb. and our Sheepadoodles range from 50-65 lb.
2) What do you feed your dogs?
We feed our dogs Science Diet (at our veterinarian's recommendation) and other high-quality dog foods. When you bring your pup home, you can decide what food is best for your pup. Many new owners like to make this a point of discussion with their family veterinarian.
3) How soon after bringing my puppy home should I take him/her to the vet?
You'll want to schedule an exam with your family veterinarian during the first month of having your pup. Your pup will typically come home to you at age eight weeks, so they should have their exam with your vet by the time they are twelve weeks.
4) Will my pup be wormed and vaccinated?
Your pup will be current with their eight-week de-worming and vaccinations. These will be noted on a record sheet from our vet. You can pass this record on to your vet so they are up to date on what your pup has received while he/she was in our care.
5) Do you spay or neuter the dogs before sending them to their new homes?
Since our puppies typically go to their new homes at eight weeks of age, we do not spay or neuter them. That procedure can be done by your veterinarian when your puppy is four months of age or older.
6) Do your puppies have their tails docked?
We prefer to not dock the tails of our puppies. We think that natural tails are the best and most humane decision for our pups. Additionally, since we are raising family dogs and not show dogs, tail docking is not necessary. We would encourage you to read these Questions and Answers from the American Veterinary Medical Association as you consider this controversial topic.
https://www.avma.org/about/canine-tail-docking.aspx/canine-tail-docking-faq
Having said this, we do recognize that some owners are in favor of having their pup's tail docked. Since this procedure is best done at three days old, this is a decision that should be made by the new owner as soon as the puppy is born so that the procedure can be scheduled. We are happy to work with you as you consider this decision for your pup, and we will respectfully accommodate whatever you choose. (Owners who opt for the tail docking will have a $100 procedure fee added to the purchase price of their pup.)
7) Do your puppies have their Dew Claws removed?
This is a less controversial topic than tail docking, but is still worth considering. This is a helpful article to consider:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/5-things-you-need-know-about-dog-dewclaws
We are happy, as with the tail docking, to accommodate the preference of our owners. This procedure, like the tail docking, is best scheduled for the pups when they are three days old, so should be decided as soon as the pup is born. (Owners who opt for the dew claw removal will have a $25 procedure fee added to the purchase price of their pup.)
Testimonials
At Bigelow Poodles, we don't just breed dogs; we cultivate companionship, intelligence, and unmatched quality in every furry friend we raise. But don't just take our word for it! Hear what our Bigelow families have to say:
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Puppy Sullivan | Testimonial from SHEILA J.
He is a handsome boy! I love him so much! I would like to tell you, my vet commented on how healthy, beautiful, and well behaved he is. Her words, "He is coming from a very reputable breeder."
Puppy Ezer | Testimonial from BETH W.
Ezer has been the perfect companion for me after my husband passed away. He is super sensitive and knows exactly when I need a little extra comfort. He is not only beautiful but he is quite intelligent. It has been easy to teach him new tricks.
He is great with the grandkids! He even knows the difference between being allowed to run crazy with the 5 year old and then turn to be gentle with the 1 year old who is just learning to walk. He loves playing with other dogs as well. He travels well in the car and even goes to the office with me on occasion. My clients love him!
The work that Bigelow Poodles does with the puppies before they head to their new homes is such a blessing. Ezer has never been afraid of loud noises and is very sociable.
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Puppy Betsy | Testimonial from DAVE and LORRIE
Our Betsy is as wonderful a dog as we could ever wish. She just keeps getting better and better. She loves our granddaughter and pretty much everyone else. She thinks all dogs want to play with her.
Thank you again for giving us this wonderful creature,
Dave and Lorrie
Puppy Moose | Testimonial from MIKE and LISA
He is a sweetie and fearless. Very confident. Again, you guys do an amazing job <3
Puppy Bowie | Testimonial from MELISSA C.
Everything is above board- Bigelow Poodles really care about their dogs and puppies. They provide excellent care from day one, and you get a pup that has been treated with tender loving care. They are skilled at communicating, and answer any questions you might have, especially in those first few days after bringing home your new pup. We took our new pup to the vet today, and everyone remarked on how sweet and docile he is, and they said how he was well-prepared for the vet.
Puppy Finn | Testimonial from KATHLEEN J.
The puppies are doted on, and well- prepared to start their lives with their "forever" families. The temperament of our poodle is amazing! He is calm, gentle, and loving! I would never go anywhere else, if we decide to get another in the future. I could contact the owners via call or text message and always received a friendly response! The breeders truly put their hearts and energies into providing the best pups!
Testimonial from VAL
My vet recommended Bigelow Poodles because she said you are a breeder who does it right.
Testimonial from JEN C.
We love our poodle so much! It’s obvious that he received the best care and love before he became part of our family. He’s the perfect mix of playful, affectionate, and intelligent. So easy to train and he loves playing with everyone in our family. I can’t say enough good things about Bigelow Poodles and how much effort they put into raising and prepping the litters for their new homes!
