Mythos Poodles is a division of Shear Madness Grooming.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Breed
About Our Program
1. I want one, but I live in an apartment and I thought poodles were hyper.
I have no idea where this misconception came from. Perhaps it stems from their excitement about the outdoors. When outside, poodle are in their element. They generally enjoy running, swimming, performing tricks, and tons of other things. Inside, however, they can easily be mistaken for pillows. I cannot count the number of times I have sat on the sofa trying to decide how much I really need an item in the other room becuse of the maze of poodles on the floor I would have to navigate to get there and back. At the age of 5 months old, when I take my puppies out, people think they are adult miniature poodle because they are so well behaved. Please understand, however, that poodles are intelligent and, if they are bored, they can become destructive. I have lost many a pillow to boredom. Just make sure they have toys and some time outdoors to burn off some energy and they will be happy. They can easily be suited to any household in any housing location.
2. Are poodles really hypoallergenic?
Short answer, no. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. People with allergies could be allergic to saliva, fur, dander, or other things. Although poodles shed only minimally when compared to other dogs, they can still trigger an allergic reation in some people. I suggest that, if you have allergies to pets, you physically meet the litter that you are interested in or ask us about our T-Shirt Test and make sure that the puppy your heart is set on will not trigger a reaction in you.
3. What is the difference between moyen and standard poodles?
'Moyen' is simply the french word for medium or intermediary. These poodles are simply small standards. In other countries, this size is the forth size of poodles but, in the USA, these dogs are recognized as standards they are simply smaller, usually between 16" and 20" tall and up to 40 lbs.
4. What about the merle gene in poodles?
The controversy surrounding merle poodles has not stopped us from breeding them. This pattern can range from delicate marbling to monochromatic blotches and we love them all.
Some people argue that merle is not naturally occurring in poodles and that it is "dangerous", causing severe health concerns.
To the first concern, we are not sure how the merle gene made it's way into the breed, but it is here now and it is STUNNING.
To the second we say, merle will only cause health issues when 2 merles are bred together. Responsible and knowledgeable breeders have no problems ensuring that does not occur.
Just a note: Merle can "hide" in some coat colors, particularly white and red. We do not produce either of those colors but it is important to test any poodle with a merle parent to be certain if a puppy carries the gene.
5. What else should I know about the breed?
A.
Grooming, grooming, grooming. Poodles are wonderful, smart, beautiful, and friendly but they are not magic. They have hair and not fur meaning that the hair will continue to grow until it is clipped. Many poodle owners choose to keep their dogs clipped close and that is perfectly fine. Expect to have to get your dog groomed at least every 6 weeks.
B.
Poodles are like people. They can have all sorts of personalities from shy and quiet to social butterfly and chatterbox. Although you may be tempted to choose a puppy simply because of coat color, it is important to consider the personality of the pooch and the needs of your family. I will gladly assist in the selection process if you are stumped.
Why do we complete genetic testing on our litters?
The short answer is transparency.
Honestly, we’re surprised more breeders don’t do the same. When we began breeding, this level of openness wasn’t uncommon. Today, I know of only one or two other breeders who still follow this practice.
One of our foundation studs was a PRCD carrier, so we tested every puppy in his litters through Paw Print Genetics (PPG) to determine which were carriers and which were clear. When we transitioned to Embark, we discovered that a couple of our dogs carried the ALT variant (learn more about ALT). At the time, we weren’t yet testing entire litters.
Unfortunately, many prospective owners weren’t familiar with ALT. When they later tested their puppies and saw carrier results, some requested a refund or a non-carrier replacement. We’ve always stood by our commitment to our puppies, so we took them back, issued refunds, or helped rehome them—sometimes juggling cross-country shipping and restarting the placement process from scratch.
Since then, we’ve Embark-tested every litter to prevent misunderstandings and ensure transparency from the start.
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Is it expensive? Yes—at over $100 per test, a litter of 10 can cost more than $1,000. But is it worth it? Absolutely.
When we’re searching for a new addition to Mythos, we prefer to have them Embarked before making a final decision. We have a fairly long list of traits and qualities we look for in prospective parents. If we select a puppy and their results reveal traits we’d prefer to avoid, we either have to choose another puppy and wait for testing again (assuming the breeder allows it), or pass on the litter entirely. If all the puppies were already tested, we could make an informed decision from the start—no surprises, no delays.
While we only place a small portion of our pooches in breeding homes, we appreciate when breeders offer this level of transparency, and we test our litters so others can make the same confident, informed choice.
What is our puppy selection process?
Over time, our approach to puppy selection has evolved through various methods. Initially, we would accept deposits upon announcing our breeding plans, adjusting our breeding cycle based on interest. However, after experiencing two occasions where pregnancies didn't occur despite taking deposits, we revised our approach. We began only accepting deposits post-confirmation of pregnancy, making breeding decisions more challenging without pre-deposits but ultimately deemed it advantageous in the long term.
Another issue we encountered was ensuring variety for deposit holders. We allowed deposit transfers to subsequent litters, but without limitations, this resulted in lengthy deposit holding periods, which proved problematic even after restricting transfers to five upcoming litters. Our subsequent strategy involved accepting deposits only after the litter's birth, allowing potential owners to assess puppies firsthand. However, since puppy selection occurs at six weeks old, deposit holders sometimes missed out on their preferred choices, leading to further deposit transfers.
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So, starting in 2025, we will adopt a new approach, accepting deposits at the six-week mark when selections are finalized. While this method lacks upfront interest gauging, it aligns with our breeding philosophy of producing litters primarily for our program, making it a worthwhile adjustment despite its drawbacks. Our deposit will continue to be set at $500. Additionally, we're maintaining the option for pet parents to pay in full during the selection process and receive a 10% discount on the total purchase price. Please note that this discount excludes any transportation fees that may be required and cannot be stacked with any of our other discounts.
What are the most common delivery options?
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Flight Nanny
Fees vary depending on location​
Your puppy will ride in cabin with their own personal escort. If you have a specific nanny you would like to use, you are more than welcome to use them. If not, we can recommend some.​
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Ground Transport
Fees vary depending on location​
Your puppy will be hand delivered to any location you desire (within reason). Please be considerate of delays due to weather, traffic and the like. Each experience is unique. If you have a specific transporter you would like to use, you are more than welcome to use them. If not, we can recommend some.
Local Meet-up
If you are local to the Tampa, FL area or would like to plan a trip to come pick up your new best friend, we are able to meet at a local park or other public area with your pooch and all their going home goodies. We no longer allow individuals to come to our home for visits or pick-up (click here for more information on why).
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Extended Stay​
Puppies selected must be delivered or picked up by 10 weeks of age. Puppies are permitted to leave our care at 8 weeks. We offer an additional two weeks as a courtesy. ​
After 10 weeks, there is a $20 a day boarding fee.​
In the event that the puppy is here for their 12 week shots, an additional fee of $200 will be required to cover time and vet expenses.​
In the unlikely event that the puppy is with us for their 16 week shots, an additional fee of $300 will be required.
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