Occasionally Very Small Standards and Moyens
Arlene Mills  RR 3, Box 314  Colebrook, NH 03576	Ph: (603) 237-4385  E-mail:  Crabapplepoodles@webtv.net
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As highly responsible breeders, we are very much against in-breeding and/or line-breeding, and try to outcross with dogs that are as unrelated to our dogs as possible. We feel that a diverse gene pool is crucial to the longevity and good health of our Poodles. Our Sires are all American Lines, while our Dams are outcrossed English-German lines. Our poodles are registered with the American Kennel Club, and we strive to produce dogs that exemplify the breed standard in health, temperament and conformation. We are also members of the Northern New Hampshire Pet Therapy Group, the North Country Humane Society and the NEADS Service Dog Program. 

At Crabapple Downs, we believe strongly in diversity in the bloodlines of our Poodles to correct the in-breeding and line-breeding that has been done with the breed in the past. On the average, most American Standard Poodle lines reach as high as 25 percent inbreeding! This practice of breeding cousins to one another places the breed at risk for recessive genetic disorders including SA, Addisons' Disease and autoimmune disorders. All of our parents, even the American lines, have a low in-breeding coefficient percentage (COI), and we follow a very careful breeding program to achieve an even lower in-breeding coefficient percentage. COI's are computed on 10 generations. For more information about Poodle genetics, please see Dr. Armstrong's work on "Net Pets"

Our puppies are given plenty of human attention and gentle handling from birth. This produces dogs with exceptional temperaments that are a pleasure to own and make a cherished addition to your family. We are careful to screen all of our dogs for hereditary health problems prior to breeding, and all pups are vet-checked, vaccinated and de-wormed before they are placed with their new families. We offer a 60 day minor health guarantee plus a lifetime guarantee against genetic disorders with each puppy placed. All puppies are sold under a spay/neuter agreement and sold on a limited registration. This helps us to do our part against the growing pet overpopulation problem and to help prevent irresponsible breeding practices; issues about which we feel very strongly.

When it comes to placing our puppies with their new families, we are careful to make certain that they are going to caring, responsible, knowledgeable and permanent homes. Someone must be at home to care for the puppy during the day, and we do not permit our puppies to be kept in crates for long periods of time - only for naps and night-time. Potential buyers are screened accordingly, and must visit our kennel in person so that we can meet them. We do not ship our puppies. We also require that potential new owners attend puppy obedience classes with their new addition and read books on our recommended reading list. We are always happy to provide new owners with advice and support, and encourage you to stay in touch with us after you take your puppy home. Our poodle prices are fair; we breed out of our love for poodles and our desire to improve the breed - not for capital gain. Our goal is to produce healthy, happy poodles that will live a long life. We feel that we owe this to the breed that we love so much and that has given us so many years of love and companionship in return.

All pups go to their new homes with copies of parents OFA certificates and a large puppy bag filled with goodies, stuffed animals, chew toys, several catalogues, handbooks (Super Puppy) shampoo, detailed instruction sheets for their care, and much more! 

     If you are interested in becoming the proud owner of a beautiful, happy and healthy Standard Poodle puppy from Crabapple Downs, we would love to hear from you!  Please send us an email/essay about yourself, your family, your home, why you want a poodle, and who will be at home and available to raise a baby.

 

Please remember that Poodles do NOT develop well when left home alone, in cages or in crates.

 Contact us by e-mail, telephone or regular mail for more details about puppy availability and prices. We welcome you to visit our facilities and meet our wonderful dogs!

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Crabapple Downs Arlene Mills RR 3, Box 314 Colebrook, NH 03576 Ph: (603) 237-4385 E-mail: Crabapplepoodles@webtv.net	Arlene Mills with her beloved "Claudia" with two week old pups Claudia watches over all that we do from the Rainbow Bridge, and we must live up to her expectations!
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