In many ways, Daisy was the beginning of our hunting poodle madness. While she is incredibly docile in the house, she cannot go outside without trailing every ground squirrel, rabbit, bird, etc. that has set foot on our property. She has produced more dead, or half-dead, animals and birds than any dog we have owned (with the possible exception of Meg who rivals for top producer of varmits and birds). She is in her element when she is hunting and her tracking nose far surpasses any dog (including our late-Labs) that we have owned.

All hunting aside, Daisy is very sweet-natured. Even at 24" tall, she knows just how to lay on our laps at night without obstructing our view of family or TV. If we stop petting her as she lays on our laps, she will paw at us and smile (literally all teeth are revealed as she begs for more--but she gives up easily when we ignore her). If nothing else, she is glad she made us laugh. Anytime my husband and I argue, we joke that even if we ever wanted to divorce, we just couldn't do it for the sake of Daisy. She is amazing, and she is MY FAVORITE and FOREVER DOG!

Daisy is very loving and mellow and each day can be observed using calming signals with our other dogs (read "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas). We know her well enough to know that these signals are not an effort to calm only herself, but them as well when they experience frustration with one another. If you met her, you wouldn't think she is the dominant dog in the pack, as she is very laid back. She doesn't have to forge her way to the front of the pack for food, treats, attention, etc. Her calm presence creates an aura of respect in the pack. I have always marvelled at this. Then, Lori Chandler of Leader of the Pack Corporation coined her and said, "Dominant dogs don't need any dramatics...they walk through a pack and the "seas part" there is hardly ever any fighting. Their presence just oozes "I am the queen of all things, so don't try me." That statement fits Daisy so well. She has never fought with our dogs, but will warn them to be respectful. She is so calm. I honestly can't imagine a better dog.

She is so beautiful that even in a retriever cut (basically meaning completely shaved, ears included) she is georgous; refer to the bottom picture to the left.

Click to view some of Daisy's pups.