Cynthia Huff is the breeder behind the Safari Standard Poodles. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, champions, dogs, puppies, and more!

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Cynthia Huff: I live in Carlock, Illinois. I have been in dogs for 61 years and have bred Standard Poodles for 52 years.
Cynthia Huff: My kennel name is Safari and I currently have ten Standard Poodles.
My noteworthy winners include:
Influential sires and dams include:
Cynthia Huff: We built our house with the Poodles in mind, so we have a large grooming room/bedroom for the show Poodles with a door to runs and paddocks.
The puppies are whelped in either a bedroom or whelping room and are handled from birth, including with neurological stimulation exercises. They are introduced to different environments as soon as appropriate, play outside in large, grassy paddocks with stimulation equipment, and groomed at four weeks and consistently thereafter. All are home-raised.
Cynthia Huff: Both are selected according to their structure and temperament, the difference being that Performance puppies don’t have to exhibit the same amount of breed type.
Cynthia Huff: Puppies are usually placed at eight to ten weeks.
Cynthia Huff: Exhibiting Standard Poodles in Conformation requires extensive preparation. Standard Poodles exhibited in Performance need to be attractively, but not extensively, groomed.
Cynthia Huff: I do not compete in Performance events but many of my Poodles have competed successfully. I find these events interesting, but have not had the time to compete in them.
Cynthia Huff: Yes, it is, though recently, a number of Standard Poodles lacking quality are being exhibited.
Cynthia Huff: Yes, Standard Poodles that are bred should undergo extensive genetic testing as outlined by the Poodle Club of America. There are no special nutritional needs.
Cynthia Huff: Standard Poodles are wonderful family dogs. The owner of a Standard Poodle needs to commit to regular grooming.
Cynthia Huff: Standard Poodles are an excellent choice for all Performance events.
Cynthia Huff: The current biggest misconception is that some form of doodle is preferrable to a Poodle. The best-kept secret is the Poodles’ amazing versatility.
Cynthia Huff: The most amusing was a spectator asking if the Poodle was “plugged in” when she saw him asleep on his side with his lead dangling to the floor.
Cynthia Huff: Look below the hair to evaluate the structure, especially the fronts.
The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.
Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.
Read and learn more about the intelligent Poodle dog breed with articles and information in our Poodle Dog Breed Magazine.

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