Poodle Rolo - Male #496

Poodle

Breed: Poodle
Pet ID: 252529-01
Color: Chocolate

The poodle is a dog type that is categorized into the Standard, Miniature, and Toy poodles. They were prominent in the 17th century and their origin is still a subject of debate. The dog is popularly known to have originated from Germany. 

Whether Standard, Miniature, or Toy, and either black, white, or apricot, the Poodle stands proudly among dogdom’s true aristocrats. Beneath the curly, hypoallergenic coat is an elegant athlete and companion for all reasons and seasons.

Poodles come in three size varieties: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. At dog shows, Poodles are usually seen in the elaborate Continental clip. Most pet owners prefer the simpler Sporting clip, in which the coat is shorn to follow the outline of the squarely built, smoothly muscled body.  Forget any preconceived notions about Poodles you may have: Poodles are eager, athletic, and wickedly smart dogs of remarkable versatility. The Standard, with his greater size and strength, is the best all-around athlete of the family, but all Poodles can be trained with great success.

History

The Poodle is the national dog of France, and the French sure do love their Poodles. There is, however, no such breed as the “French Poodle.” In France, Poodles are known as the Caniche, or “duck dog.”
Despite the Poodle’s association with France, the breed originated as a duck hunter in Germany, where the word “pudelin” refers to splashing in water. The Standard Poodle began its development as a retrieving water dog more than 400 years ago. With a crisp, curly coat as protection against the elements, superlative swimming ability, and off-the-charts intelligence, the Poodle was, and still is, a magnificent retriever. (The Standard and Miniature varieties are classified as a non-sporting dog and are eligible for AKC Retriever and Spaniel Hunting Tests.)

The flamboyant Poodle show coat served a practical purpose in the breed’s early years. Hunters wanted their dogs to have free range of movement in the water, but they also wished to protect vital areas of the anatomy from the cold. They shaved the legs, neck, and tail but left the chest, hips, and leg joints coated. The rounded tufts on the legs, hips, and tail tip are called pompons. (Note the spelling: Cheerleaders have pom-poms; Poodles have pompons.)

The Poodle’s many fine qualities allowed it to move from the lake to the lap of luxury. Elegant Poodles of the Standard and Miniature varieties found favor among the nobles of France and, eventually, all of Europe. The breed’s showy looks and trainability made it a natural entertainer, and Poodles have long been associated with the European circus tradition. An excellent nose brought the Poodle additional work as a truffle hunter.

The Standard was bred down to the Miniature. The Toy was first bred in America, in the early 20th century, as a city-dwelling companion dog. Well-bred specimens of each variety are exact replicas of each other and are bred to the same standard.

Personality

Poodles are social and outgoing dogs that tend to have a warm demeanor. They are mentally alert and very observant of their surroundings. Poodles have a very eager-to-please personality and enjoy the praise they receive after mastering a new trick. This breed is an exceptional family dog and gets along well with children and other animals in the home. They also easily adjust to apartment-style or conventional-style homes.

Appearance

The Poodle’s coat is naturally curly and coarse. It comes in nearly one dozen colors which include white, black, apricot, cream, and brown to name just a few. A unique feature of this dog’s coat is that it will grow until it is trimmed. This makes routine grooming very important. The most effective way to brush the Poodle’s fur is by first using a light mist of a detangler solution for dogs. Using a pin brush, gently brush its fur and work out any knots. A bi-weekly bath is also suggested, which will keep him looking and feeling his very best.