Ernie came to us from breeding kennels, but he had never been in used as a stud dog because he wasn’t interested in doing his job.

On arrival, we noticed that Ernie had a slightly odd, fidgety gait at the back and a check up at the vets did confirm a reduced range of mobility with stiffness and discomfort on movement. He is therefore on anti-inflammatory medication (Meloxicam) and he will have X-rays when he is castrated once settled in his foster home.

When he first arrived, he went into a foster home but he was too much for the resident dogs and walking was impossible as he spun around on his lead constantly. He therefore went to stay with our friends at Ash Farm Kennels, who have really gone above and beyond for Ernie, treating him to grooms, taking him for his vet appointments and working on his lead training.

What it is important to say about Ernie is that he is just an absolute sweetheart. The vet who saw him described him as “very bouncy, but such a good boy”, which really does sum him up. He’s a bit of a crazy loon, but his temperament is just perfect.

We think Ernie would probably be better as an only dog, even though he does love other dogs. I think the issue would be that another dog will find Ernie too much, rather than Ernie taking a dislike to any dog in the home as it’s just not in his lovely nature. I also feel that it would be beneficial for Ernie to have one-to-one attention.

Ernie can go with dog-savvy children of 10+.

He isn’t cat tested.

He is 4 years old.

Ernie did have a meet at the kennels, but they found Ernie too boisterous as he was jumping up, nipping their clothes and generally hyperactive around them. They acknowledged that he was a lovely boy without a hint of aggression, but that his behaviour was just too much for them to handle.

We therefore need a committed, confident handler for Ernie to work with his exuberant energy, which we are certain will settle down when he is in a stable home environment.

Ernie doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body, but he will be hard work (at least) initially in terms of his energy and lack of manners. He is like a puppy in an adult body, which as a standard poodle makes him quite a challenge.

Ernie will need to stay local to the rescue for his castration/X-rays so foster homes will need to be in Derby, Nottingham, Burton, Chesterfield or Stoke.