Poodle
Introduction
The Poodle, though often equated to the beauty with no brains, is exceptionally smart, active and excels in obedience training. He is also the only breed that comes in three size varieties. Poodles can be a variety of solid colors, including white, black, apricot and gray, but never parti-colored.
The breed originated in Germany as a water retriever. The stylish "Poodle clip" was designed by hunters to help the dogs move through the water more efficiently. The patches of hair left on the body are meant to protect vital organs and joints which are susceptible to cold. The Standard variety is the oldest of the three varieties. The Miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting. The Toy Poodle was often used in performances and circuses.
History
The Poodle is supposed to have originated in Germany, where it is known as the Pudel or Canis Familiaris Aquatius. However, for years it has been regarded as the national dog of France, where is was commonly used as a retriever as well as, the Caniche, which is derived from chien canard or duck dog. Doubtless the English word "poodle" comes from the German pudel or pudelin, meaning to splash in the water.
Authorities concede that the large, or Standard, Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties, and that the dog gained special fame as a water worker. So widely was it used as retriever that it was shorn of portions of its coat to further facilitate progress in swimming. Thence came the custom of clipping to pattern which so enhanced the style and general appearance that its sponsors, particularly in France, were captivated by it. All of the Poodle's ancestors were acknowledged to be good swimmers, although one member of the family, the truffle dog (it may have been of Toy or Miniature size), it is said, never went near the water. Truffle hunting was widely practiced in England, and later in Spain and Germany, where the edible fungus has always been considered a delicacy. For scenting and digging up the fungus, the smaller dogs were favored, since they did less damage to the truffles with their feet than the larger kinds. So it is rumored that a terrier was crossed with the Poodle to produce the ideal truffle hunter.
Despite the Standard Poodle's claim to greater age than the other varieties, there is some evidence to show that the smaller types developed only a short time after the breed assumed the general type by which it is recognized today. The smallest, or Toy variety, was known in England in the 18th Century, when the White Cuban became popular there. This was a sleeve dog attributed to the West Indies from whence it traveled to Spain and then to England. But the Continent had known the Poodle long before it came to England. Drawings by the German artist, Albrecht Durer, establish the breed in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was the principal pet dog of the latter 18th century in Spain, as shown by the paintings of the Spanish artist, Goya. And France had Toy Poodles as pampered favorites during the reign of Louis XVI at about the same period.
Right Breed For You?
| Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No | No |
| What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large | Large |
| How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day | Moderate |
| How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long | Medium |
| How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day | Considerable |
| Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed | Does not shed |
| What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either | Either |
| What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House | Small House |
| What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden | Small Garden |
Breed Standard
 | General Appearance Dog of medium proportions, with a characteristic frizzy coat which is either curly or corded. The appearance is that of an intelligent dog, constantly alert and active, harmoniously built, giving an impression of elegance and pride. |
| Characteristics The length of the muzzle is approximately 9/10ths of that of the skull. The length of the body (scapular ischial) is slightly superior to the height at withers. The height at withers is practically equal to the height at the croup. The height at the elbow is 5/9ths of the height at withers. |
| Temperament A dog renowned for its loyalty, capable of learning and being trained thus making it a particularly pleasant companion dog. |
| Eyes Keen expression, placed at the level of the stop and slightly oblique. Almond shaped. Black or dark brown colour. In brown subjects the colour may be dark amber. |
| Mouth Upper profile is perfectly straight; its length is approximately 9/10ths of that of the skull. The branches of the lower jaw are almost parallel. The muzzle is strong. The lower profile of the muzzle is determined by the lower jaw and not by the edge of the upper lip. Lips: Moderately developed, rather tight, of medium thickness with the upper lip resting on the lower lip without hanging over it. Black in black, white and grey subjects; brown in brown subjects. In orange fawn (apricot) and red fawn subjects, the lips are more or less dark brown or black. The corner of the lips must not be pronounced. Jaws/teeth: Scissor bite. Strong teeth. Cheeks: Not prominent, shaped on the bones. The sub-orbital regions are chiselled and very slightly filled. Zygomatic arches very slightly pronounced. |
| Neck Strong ,slightly arched after the nape, of medium length and well porportioned. The head is carried high and proudly. The neck, without dewlap, is of oval cross section. Its length is slightly less than that of the head. |
| Forequarters Perfectly upright and parallel, well muscled with good bone. The height from the elbow to the ground is slightly more than half the height at withers. Shoulders: Sloping, muscular. The shoulder blade forms an angle of approximately 110° to the humerus. Upper arm: The length of the humerus corresponds to that of the shoulder blade. Carpus (wrist): In continuous line with front of forearm. Metacarpus (pastern): Strong and almost upright seen in profile. Front feet: Rather small, firm, of short oval shape. Toes are well arched and tight fitting. The pads are hard and thick. The nails are black in black and grey subjects. They are black or brown in brown subjects. In whites the nails may be any colour in the range from horn colour to black. In the orange fawns and red fawns they are brown or black. |
| Body Well porprotioned. The length is slightly superior to height at withers. Withers: Moderately developed. Back: Short. Topline harmonious and taut. The height at withers is practically equal to the height from the top of the croup to the ground. Loin: Firm and muscled. Croup: Rounded but not falling away. Forechest: The point of the sternum should be slightly prominent and set rather high. Chest: Reaching the elbow; its width is equal to 2/3 of depth. In Standard Poodles, the perimeter of the thorax, measured behind the shoulders, should be superior by 10 cms to the height at withers. Oval cross section, broad at dorsal part. Belly & Flanks: Tucked up but not excessively so. |
| Hindquarters Hind legs parallel seen from behind; muscles developed and very apparent. The hock joint is relatively well angulated; the coxal-femoral, tibial-femoral and tibial-tarsal angles should be pronounced. Upper Thigh: Well muscled and strong. Metatarsus (rear pastern): Rather short and upright. The Poodle should be born without dewclaws on the hind legs. |
| Feet Rather small, firm, of short oval shape. Toes are well arched and tight fitting. The pads are hard and thick. The nails are black in black and grey subjects. They are black or brown in brown subjects. In whites the nails may be any colour in the range from horn colour to black. In the orange fawns and red fawns they are brown or black. |
| Tail Set on quite high at the level of the loin. It can be either natural or docked by 1/3 closest to the body or by 1/2 of its length in countries where tail docking is not forbidden. When standing the tail is low; in action it is raised obliquely. |
| Gait / Movement Dog of medium proportions, with a characteristic frizzy coat which is either curly or corded. The appearance is that of an intelligent dog, constantly alert and active, harmoniously built, giving an impression of elegance and pride. |
| Coat HAIR: Curly Coats: Profuse of fine, woolly texture, very frizzy, elastic and resistant to pressure of the hand. It should be thick, well furnished, of equal length and form even curls. Corded Coats: Profuse of fine, woolly texture and dense, forming characteristic cords which should measure at least 20 cm. |
| Colour Solid colour: black, white, brown, grey, orange fawn (apricot) and red fawn. Brown: Should be deep, rather dark, uniform and warm. Beige and its paler derivatives are not admitted. Grey: Must be uniform, deep, neither blackish nor whitish. Orange fawn: Must be uniform without tending to pale fawn, cream or red fawn. Red fawn: Must be uniform over the entire body. It must never tend to orange fawn. Eyelids, nose, lips, gums, palate, natural orifices, scrotum and pads are well pigmented. |
| Size Standard Poodles: Over 45cm up to 60cm with a tolerance of +2cm. The Standard Poodle must be the enlarged and developed replica of the Medium Poodle of which it retains the same characteristics. Medium Poodles: Over 35 cm up to 45cm. Miniature Poodles: Over 28cm up to 35cm. The Miniature Poodle must display the apprearance of a reduced Medium Poodle, retaining as much as possible the same proportions and without presenting any sign of dwarfism. Toy Poodles: Over 24 cm up to 28 cm (sought after ideal: 25cm) (with a tolerance of -1cm). The Toy Poodle maintains, in its ensemble, the aspect of a Miniature Poodle and the same general proportions complying with all the points of the standard. Any sign of dwarfism is excluded; only the occipital protuberance may be less pronounced. |
Breed Photos
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