ELEGANT PROUD CLEVER
Poodle is a impressive dog, as the many best-in-show winners from this dog breed can attest. Behind the blue ribbons, impressive hairdos, and regal attitude, you’ll find an affectionate family dog with an ancient history and many talents.
Although it hardly seems possible when you look at a primped-up Poodle in the show ring, the breed was originally a water retriever, a job that requires jumping in the water to fetch waterfowl for hunters.
In fact, the English name poodle is derived from the German word pudel, or pudelin, which means to splash in the water. And in France, Poodles are called Caniche, a name derived from chiencanard, meaning duck dog.
Even the elaborate coat styling that the breed’s known for once had a practical purpose: trimmed is to lighten the weight of the dog’s coat so it wouldn’t snag on underwater debris, while long hair around the joints and vital organs protected the dog from the cold water.