Standard Poodle
History
- The standard poodle is the original version of the poodle. It probably descended from the Barbet, a curly-coated dog found in France, Russia, Hungary, Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
- The German version of the Barbet became the dog we now know as the Poodle.
- The original poodle was a water dog known for its retrieving abilities. In fact, the word "poodle" comes from the German word "pfudel," which means "puddle" or "to splash," a reference to the poodle's ability as a water retriever.
- In France, the poodle was known as the caniche or chien canard, both names in reference to its duck-hunting ability.
- The poodle later worked as a circus performer, military dog, guard dog and guide dog.
- The poodle's hair cut originated as a working clip for retrieving in cold water. The hair was cropped close to cut down on its weight and drag, but left longer over the head and chest for warmth. Although it's often claimed the hair was left longer on the joints and tail tip for warmth and protection, evidence suggest that the style arose later, as decoration when the poodle became a performing circus dog. Regardless, the clip became more accentuated over time.
- The French aristocracy became enamored with the poodle and adopted it as its own. It eventually became the national dog of France.
- The AKC recognized the poodle in 1887. Only later did they split the breed into three varieties according to size.
- After a period in the 1920s during which they almost vanished from the American scene, poodles staged a comeback in the 1930s.
- Poodles were the most popular breed in America from 1960 to 1982, the longest continuous run of any breed, although standards were not as popular as the other sizes.
Standard Poodle Behavior Concerns
- Makes a biddable and fun-loving companion.
- Playful and very good with children.
- Friendly to strangers, other dogs and other pets.
- Does best with reward-based training involving food, games or praise.
- Eager to please, bright and responsive, poodles are among the easiest of dogs to train.
- Excels at obedience and agility competitions, therapy dog work, and even contraband detection.
Standard Poodle Suggested Exercises
- Makes a calm yet alert housedog.
- A long walk or jog, or several vigorous games, every day will meet its exercise needs.
- Poodles have even been trained to pull a dog sled.
- Enjoys retrieving.
- Standard poodles do well in dog parks.
- Games and tricks provide needed mental exercise.
- Swimming is a favored exercise, but a full coat can weigh down a dog.
- Its thick coat provides some protection against cold weather, but it cannot withstand prolonged exposure unless exercising.
Standard Poodle Grooming
- Coat is curly, harsh and dense.
- Brushing and combing every other day is necessary to prevent matting.
- Most people have their dogs professionally clipped every six weeks.
- Most people opt for a sporting clip where the hair is fairly short all over.
- Originally, poodle's coats were corded, so they hung in long dreadlocks. This takes a lot of work and is difficult to wash, so the style has fallen out of favor.
- Shedding is below average.
- The eyes should be checked regularly for hair or lashes that may irritate their surface.
- Hair growing inside the ears may need to be plucked out or clipped.
- While no dog is non-allergenic, poodles seem to cause allergic reactions in fewer people.
Suggested Standard Poodle Nutritional Needs
- Poodles tend to stay in good weight. The thick coat can sometimes obscure weight problems, so be sure to use your hands to feel.
- Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
