Largest poodle

Question
Years ago I had a friend that had an imperial poodle, he was a monster (great dane size).  Are there any breeders out there now that are going for the big poodles.  I was told that there was a breeder in Canada.  I realize that they cannot be shown, but we just lost our chocolate standard at 12 years and I would enjoy one of the big boys.

Answer
I love big dogs, the bigger the better.  Unfortunately I am not familiar with the Imperial Poodle.  If it is not AKC recognized, www.akc.org may not be any more help.  You could try http://pets.yahoo.com/pets/

Those of us that love dogs must go through the pain of losing them.  Tomorrow I go through turning over a 15 month old Lab to be trained as a service dog.  People ask ''How can you do it?''.  How do your give up a 12 year old?  

The Power of a Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
and when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie-
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find - it's your own affair-
But... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone - wherever it goes - for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian Clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long-
So why in - Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

                                                            Rudyard Kipling.