Size range:
Small: 10-20 inches; 15-30 pounds.

Kid-tolerance scale:
Excellent

Average lifespan:
15 yrs

Overall behavior of breed:
Smart and easy to train, medium energy level (can keep up with kids but calm down when appropriate), playful, very affectionate, loves human attention, gets along well with other animals, hypo-allergetic, doesn't shed.

Explain why this breed was good/not good with your kids:
Great kid dog. Loves to play and loves human contact. Easy to train. My 8 year old daughter trained her. She does tricks - she dances on command - as well as the basic sit/down/stay, etc. My daughter has allergies and this dog is hypo-allergetic. She can bury her face in her fur and not a wheeze follows. Cute and cuddly, she's equally at home cuddled on the couch with her. Small, but not so small that she's too delicate for a crowd of 8 year olds at a sleepover. She'll be right in the center of the activity. And she'll go along with being dressed up if it means she gets to participate in their fun. Does tend to rise to the level of activity around her, so judging by our experience, perhaps better for school age children who have some self control. Very cute in a scruffy way which kids naturally gravitate towards and to their delight, returns their attention. Does need some routine maintenance - fur tends to get a little too scruffy and grooming is a must. But baths and brushing are part of the fun and lesson in responsibility for children old enough to participate.

Typical colors:
Buff, gray, black - most poodle colors - and then some variations.

Does this breed shed?
No

Special grooming needs:
Monthly grooming - baths, combing or they get too scruffy looking. Need some facial and elimination trimming periodically.

Daily exercise requirements:
Small enough to get much of their excercise indoors, but love trips to the park or the backyard.

Other comments or suggestions
Although not an AKC recognized breed, these dogs have their own organizations that support them and can lead you to breeders. They seem to combine some of the best qualities of the Cockerspanial and the poodle. Excellent dog for school age children and wins the heart of their adult owners as well.