{"id":4277,"date":"2019-06-19T17:43:23","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T17:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wolfdog.co.uk\/den\/?p=4277"},"modified":"2019-06-24T14:26:26","modified_gmt":"2019-06-24T14:26:26","slug":"the-friendly-poodle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wolfdog.co.uk\/den\/the-friendly-poodle\/","title":{"rendered":"The Friendly Poodle"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Poodles get a reputation for being spoiled snobs because of their flamboyant appearance, but nothing could be further from the truth. With their quick sense of humor<\/strong> and playful nature<\/strong>, Poodles are some of the friendliest dogs you\u2019ll meet.<\/p>\n

In this article, I\u2019ll tell you everything you need to know about the versatile Poodle and dispel some myths about the breed. Plus, we\u2019ll find out why it\u2019s a good choice for a family pet.<\/p>\n

The noble history of Poodles<\/h2>\n

Altogether, the three Poodle sizes \u2013 Standard, Miniature, and Toy \u2013 make one of the most popular dog breeds today. However, their exact ancestry remains a mystery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Some say that the Poodle is a cross of several European water dogs, including Portuguese, French, German, Spanish, and Hungarian varieties. According to other historians, the breed descends from North African <\/strong>canines that found their way to Gaul after being imported to the Iberian Peninsula.<\/p>\n

Another theory states that Poodles\u2019 ancestors were Asian herding dogs that traveled with Germanic Goth and Ostrogoth tribes, eventually becoming a German water dog. The F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Cynologique Internationale (FCI) claims that the breed descends from the Barbet<\/a>, an ancient water dog from France.<\/p>\n

\"Brown
Barbet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whatever the Poodle\u2019s origin is, these pooches have always been known for their hunting abilities. The Standard Poodle first served as a retrieving water dog 400 years ago. The breed was built for water retrieval: its dense, curly coat<\/strong> protected it against the elements, its webbed feet<\/strong> made it a superior swimmer, and its intelligence <\/strong>made the dog easy to train.<\/p>\n

(To this day, the Standard Poodle is the only non-sporting dog<\/strong> that\u2019s eligible for the American Kennel Club\u2019s retriever hunting tests.)<\/p>\n

The French call the Poodle caniche<\/em>, which comes from the female form of \u2018duck,\u2019 denoting the breed\u2019s superior duck-hunting and swimming abilities<\/strong>. The breed\u2019s water-retrieving prowess was also well-known in Germany, where the word pudelin <\/em>means \u2018to splash in water\u2019.<\/p>\n

From duck-hunters to lapdogs<\/h3>\n

Over the years, the Poodle\u2019s popularity extended beyond its duck-hunting capabilities. The breed became a favorite pet for the upper class<\/strong>, with fanciers breeding the Standard down to smaller sizes to serve as companion dogs.<\/p>\n

Pampered Poodles of all sizes enjoyed living in the lap of luxury with the nobility of France. Toy Poodles were reportedly favorites during the reign of Louis XVI<\/a>, the last French king. At the time, the little dogs were given intricate haircuts and carried like trophies.<\/p>\n

The love for these fluffy canines has been well-documented in various illustrations dating back to at least the first century BC<\/strong>. Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs from the period show Poodle-like dogs herding animals, retrieving small game, and bringing in game nets.<\/p>\n

\"White
White Poodle in a Punt by George Stubbs, c. 1780, oil on canvas (source)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drawings by German Renaissance painter Albrecht D\u00fcrer in the 15th and 16th centuries helped establish the image of Poodles today. Spanish artist Francisco Goya often included the dogs in his paintings, indicating the dog\u2019s popularity as a pet in 18th century Spain.<\/p>\n

With their impressive bouffant-style coats, these canines became fashionable in France, where they eventually became the national dog<\/strong>. By the late 19th century, they gained a reputation as show dogs, with some early show Poodles sporting corded coats.<\/p>\n

The caniche <\/em>continues to enjoy celebrity status even today. The AKC collectively ranked the three Poodle sizes as the 7th most popular dog<\/a> out of 190 breeds in 2017.<\/p>\n

The Poodle\u2019s unmistakable appearance<\/h2>\n

Aside from their size (more on that later), most Poodles look the same<\/strong>, with oblong-shaped faces and tall necks. The Poodle\u2019s eyes should be oval in shape and dark in color, having an alert expression, while Poodle ears are typically folded close the head.<\/p>\n

A squarely built dog, the Poodle has well-proportioned muscles and a strong chest. As we said before, these canines are built for swimming<\/strong>. Along with webbed feet, their slender legs easily propel them through the water. A Poodle may have a docked tail; tail docking is traditionally done for cosmetic reasons.<\/p>\n

\"Standard<\/p>\n

Unlike many water dogs that have double coats, all three Poodle sizes have a dense, single-layer coat of curly hair<\/strong>. This coat is adapted to exposure to water and can be left to grow naturally into cords.<\/p>\n

Called the Continental Clip, the commonly seen style of the Poodle\u2019s coat (fur on the chest, hips, and leg joints but shaved legs, neck, and tail) is more than just for show. The cut protected the dog\u2019s vital organs from the cold without restricting its movement in the water. Those rounded tufts of hair on the legs, hips, and the tip of the tail are called pompons<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Poodles\u2019 coats and coloring<\/h3>\n

Poodles come in all colors, with the most common being apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, gray, red, silver, silver beige, and white, though not all of them have solid-colored coats. Parti-colored<\/strong> varieties, recognized as the original coloring for these pooches, have white fur with dark patches on their backs.<\/p>\n

Phantom Poodles<\/strong>, on the other hand, have dark-colored coats with lighter tan or apricot fur above their eyes, on the muzzle and throat, on their legs and feet, and below their tails. Their dark-and-light coloring makes them similar in appearance to the Doberman Pinscher.<\/p>\n

In most of these dogs, the coat affects the coloring of other body parts<\/strong>. For instance, most brown and apricot Poodles have liver-colored noses, eye rims, and lips, amber eyes, and dark nails.<\/p>\n

Will an apricot Poodle fade in color?<\/h4>\n

The light reddish apricot shade looks gorgeous on any Poodle, but there\u2019s no guarantee that the dog\u2019s coat will remain in one color for its entire life. The breed\u2019s fur tends to fade or lighten through time, and the fading is said to be more prevalent in red-colored coats.<\/p>\n

Depending on your dog\u2019s genes, its apricot coat may eventually fade into a white or cream hue.<\/p>\n

The three types of Poodles<\/h3>\n

Thanks to breeding practices in medieval Europe, there are three Poodle sizes you can choose from today: Standard, Miniature, and Toy<\/strong>. Size is often the only distinguishing factor with these Poodle variations.<\/p>\n

Standard Poodles<\/strong> are the biggest of the breed and also the first size to be developed. Also called a Large Poodle or a Giant Poodle, this dog is more than 15 inches <\/strong>(38 cm) tall at the shoulder, with males weighing up to 70 pounds<\/strong> (31 kg).<\/p>\n

\"Standard
Standard Poodle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At its average size, the Standard Poodle is roughly the same height as a Golden Retriever<\/a>. These \u2018giants\u2019 are about twice the size of the Miniature variety.<\/p>\n

Miniature Poodles<\/strong>, also called Mini Poodles and Medium Poodles, were developed from the bigger Standards. These medium-sized<\/a> dogs are 10 to 15 inches <\/strong>(25 to 38 cm) in height, and a Miniature Poodle has an average weight of 10 to 15 pounds<\/strong> (4 to 6 kg).<\/p>\n

\"Miniature
Miniature Poodle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Medium Poodle, along with tiny Toy Poodles<\/a>, was historically used as a truffle hunter<\/strong>, as the dog\u2019s smaller feet ensured that the delicate fungi weren\u2019t crushed under its feet.<\/p>\n

Toy Poodles<\/strong> (AKA Teacup Poodles, Teddy Bear Poodles, and Micro Poodles) are the smallest of the bunch. These pint-sized pooches grow no bigger than 10 inches<\/strong> (25.4 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 6 to 9 pounds <\/strong>(2.72 to 4 kg).<\/p>\n

\"Portrait
Toy Poodle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Teacup Poodles were developed as companions to the nobility and merchant class<\/strong> of 18th century England. Owners of these dogs often carried them in their shirtsleeves, earning Toy Poodles the nickname \u2018sleeve dogs\u2019.<\/p>\n

Breeders sometimes advertise a fourth size of Poodle called the Klein Poodle or the Moyen Poodle<\/strong> (klein <\/em>means small or mini in German, while moyen <\/em>means medium in French). These Poodles are halfway between Standards and Miniatures in size.<\/p>\n

\"Two
Klein Poodles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The FCI standard for Poodles includes this moyen <\/em>size and indicates that these dogs should be between 14 to 18 inches<\/strong> (35 to 45 cm) in height.<\/p>\n

Which size Poodle is right for me?<\/h4>\n

The right type of Poodle for you or your family largely depends on what you\u2019re looking for in a dog. If you\u2019re looking for an athletic pet that can keep up with your family\u2019s active lifestyle, the Standard Poodle is the best match for you.<\/p>\n

If you want a Poodle that more comfortably fits in your lap and has moderate energy levels, go for a Miniature Poodle. Live in an apartment with no unruly kids? The pocket-sized, delicate Toy Poodle will be your ideal companion.<\/p>\n

The playful personality of the Poodle<\/h2>\n

The Poodle may appear haughty because of its pristine, well-maintained coat, but this is one case where appearances are deceiving.<\/p>\n

These dogs have a sharp sense of humor, which, coupled with their intelligence, makes them natural-born clowns<\/strong>. Poodles love to keep their owners entertained with their antics. Don\u2019t be surprised to find yourself outwitted by this clever, good-natured canine.<\/p>\n

Watch this cute Poodle puppy performing tricks for its owner:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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