Poodles are impressive dogs, as evidenced by their many best-in-show awards. A regal attitude, blue ribbons, and unique hairdos hide a loving family dog with an ancient history and many talents.
Poodles are among the world’s most intelligent breeds. As long as you give them tasks, they’re highly trainable and well suited for almost anything you ask them to do. Without physical and mental stimulation, bored Poodles can become destructive. An active owner who meets their dog’s needs will find a loyal family member who is loving, intelligent, and trainable.
Famous Poodles
Best in Show (2000)
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Famous Owners:
Elvis Presley, Walt Disney, Rihanna, Maria Menounos, Marilyn Monroe, Mike Tyson
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History
This breed of dog was explicitly developed to hunt waterfowl. Poodles are generally thought to have originated in Germany but developed into an individual breed in France.
Several European water dogs, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hungarian, and Russian, are believed to have been crossed to produce the breed. The North African Barbet is believed to be one of the Poodle’s ancestors. In Gaul, it was used for hunting.
Poodles are also generally believed to have descended from Asian herding dogs and eventually evolved into German water dogs by travelling with Germanic Goths and Ostrogoths. Another theory suggests that Poodles are descendants of dogs brought to Portugal by the Moors in the 8th.
The Poodle is an ancient breed, regardless of its ancestry. From the first centuries B.C., Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs contain illustrations of dogs that resemble Poodles. The drawings and statues depict modern-day Poodles retrieving game from marshes, bringing in game nets, and herding animals.
Breeders began creating smaller versions of the Poodle in the 1400s, first as Miniatures and then as Toys, to delight Parisian bourgeoises. Some believe they evolved shortly after the Standard. Poodles were bred into smaller breeds, not smaller breeds to Poodles, to create Toy and Miniature varieties.
The French used the Miniature Poodle to hunt truffles in the woods, while the giant Standard Poodle to hunt ducks. Toy Poodles, however, were mostly kept as companions by the nobility and the wealthy. Toy Poodles were commonly carried in large shirtsleeves by well-off owners during the Renaissance, earning them the nickname “sleeve dogs.”
It was discovered by Gypsies and travelling performers that Poodles were also excellent circus dogs. Poodles were trained to perform tricks, dressed in costumes, and sculpted into spectacular shapes to enhance their stage appeal. Wealthy patrons began to clip, decorate, and even dye their Poodles.
In 1874, the Kennel Club in England registered the first Poodle; two years later, the first Poodle fanciers club was founded. The American Kennel Club registered the first Poodle in 1886, though it is not known precisely when they arrived in the U.S.
Until after World War II, Poodles were pretty rare in the U.S. However, after the mid-1950s, they became the most popular breed in the country, a position they held for over two decades.
Traits
Although today’s Poodles appear to embody leisure and luxury, they were bred to do a specific job. Poodles were originally water retriever dogs, which means jumping in the water to fetch waterfowl for hunters, despite their primped-up appearance in the show ring.
It turns out that Poodle comes from the German word pudel, or puddling, which means to splash in the water. Poodles are known in France as Caniche, which comes from the French word chien canard, which means duck dog.
Various coat stylings once served a practical purpose, such as trimming areas to reduce the weight of the coat and prevent snagging on underwater debris. In addition, long hair around vital organs and joints protected the dogs.
Keeping the Poodle’s fur healthy and beautiful requires a lot of maintenance. Poodle owners typically hire a professional groomer every three to six weeks. Grooming yourself can save you money, but it takes time and effort.
It is common for poodles to have weepy eyes that can stain their surrounding hair. Gently wipe the face with a warm water-soaked washcloth or alcohol-free pet wipe daily to prevent stains.
From smallest to largest, the Poodle comes in three sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. One of the oldest varieties of Poodle is the Standard, and some still work as water retrievers in the tradition of the Poodle.
Regardless of size, Poodles are renowned for their playful, dignified and intelligent personalities. A stellar performer in obedience, agility, and hunt tests, the Poodle is an “A” student in training.
Your Poodle may believe he is the alpha dog of the family if you spoil him and don’t train him. Miniature and Toy Poodles are especially prone to this since they are more likely to be babied and untrained. It shows your dog that you are the pack’s leader when you teach him proper canine manners and insist that he follow them.
Poodles aren’t snobs despite their regal appearance. Dogs like these are family-oriented, lonely when left alone for long periods, and always want to play with their humans. Known for being protective of their humans and homes, Poodles will bark a warning when strangers approach. Even though he’s affectionate with his family, it may take him some time to warm up to strangers.
Health
This breed is typically healthy, but like all breeds, they may experience specific health conditions. Not every dog of this breed will get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them. Some common health problems include:
- Addison’s Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (Bloat)
- Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
- Epilepsy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Legg-Perthes Disease
- Patellar Luxation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
- Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
Regardless of how healthy your dog is, a pet’s health insurance plan can help you stay prepared for any of your dog’s medical needs.