Poodle History And Standards

The Standard Poodle is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. For more than ten years, the Poodle has consistently ranked in the American Kennel Club’s top ten registered breeds. This confident, dignified breed makes an excellent pet for an owner who wants an active, intelligent dog.

To measure a Poodle’s height against the standard of the breed, measure the dog at the highest point of the shoulder. A Standard Poodle measures more than fifteen inches at the shoulder. A Miniature Poodle measures fifteen inches or less at the shoulder, and a Toy Poodle measures less than ten inches.

Standards for the Poodle coat are the same for all three sizes. The Poodle coat is dense, wiry and curly, and also rough to the touch. Standards of the breed allow a range of colors from black to white, with brown, apricot blue, gray and silver in between.

The Standard Poodle probably originated as a cross between a Hungarian Water Hound and a French water dog known as the Barbet. The breed’s dense, curly coat is somewhat water resistant, and hunters developed the typical Poodle cut, with puffs of hair at the front and rear leg joints, to protect the dogs’ joints from the cold during the hunting season.

The Standard Poodle is thought to have descended from a mix between the Barbet, a French water dog and a Hungarian Water Hound. The Miniature and Toy varieties were bred down from the Standard Poodle. Once used as a sporting dog, Poodles retrieved waterfowl during gun hunts. The traditional Poodle cut, with extra hair at the joints, was meant to insulate the dogs’ joints against the cold water. Poodles also worked as truffle hunters, and circus performers. In fact, they remain familiar icons in popular culture, and they continue to perform in the modern entertainment industry.

A Standard Poodle can become famous because their owners are famous or because they gain fame in their own right, or because their famous owners incorporate them into their public persona. Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas had three Poodles, named Basket, Basket II and Basket III. “Weird Al” Yankovic has a poodle named Bela, who posed on Yankovic’s head for the cover of his “Poodle Hat” album. WWE Superstar Rene Dupree has a poodle named Fifi.

Standard Poodle can become famous as a performer, while others derive their fame from their celebrity owners. Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas loved their first Poodle, Basket, so much that they got two more Poodles, named Basket II and Basket III. Performer “Weird Al” Yankovic has a Toy Poodle named Bela, whom he on top of his head for the cover of his album “Poodle Hat”. Wrestling star Rene Dupree, who know uses the professional name “Rene Bonaparte”, often refers to his Poodle Fifi.

And a fictional Poodle named Fifi is featured in the animated TV series Rugrats. Most Standard Poodles will never see their name in lights, but their owners nevertheless consider them stars.

Poodles Are One-Man Dogs

Some people think of Poodles as not being real dogs, though for anyone that has owned them, they are more than real ? they are surreal. You would certainly end up being amazed by the sheer intelligence of the breed, which is almost humanesque. They are also very good learners that are given to having a high degree of creativity and they are also not averse to being the star of the show. However, it would be wrong to think of every Poodle as possessing the same personality because the personality will vary much and the personality may often reflect as well as compliment the personality of their owner.

There is a lot to praise as far as the personality of the Poodle goes including his uncanny ability to grasp things easily and quickly, and Poodles are also very energetic and are often clownish because they are able to perform numerous cute tricks that will never fail to please everyone that comes into contact with them. The intelligence of the Poodle is truly remarkable and he is also very adaptable and versatile and has changed considerably from originally being a hunting dog to the great family pet that he is today.

Poodles love the company of humans and they are particularly good even in the company of children. And because they also instinctively have both the characteristics of a hunting dog as too very well developed retrieving instincts, they are well suited to acting as watchdogs, particularly in the case of the Standard Poodle. Nevertheless, even the Miniature as well as Toy versions are effective watchdogs and will readily warn you about the presence of strangers.

Poodles would have made excellent guard dogs as well but their small size is a limiting factor though even then the Poodle is a very bold animal and he also exudes much confidence and is not known to easily back down when facing other animals and even strangers.

It would not be wrong to say that Poodles will make excellent pets and they also possess a good nature that along with their intelligence will help them to adapt to any kind of surroundings. What’s more, Poodles love attention and require to be showered with plenty of love and care, but they will also bond well with family members and in the process will easily form a close attachment that will last all through their life.

However, because of their remarkable intelligence they can read what their owners want from them and thus will act accordingly. Having been originally bred as hunting dogs, Poodles are good swimmers and are also very fond of water and thus love their baths and won’t mind being given a bath regularly.

In addition, Poodles are not among those dog breeds that like to be left by them and will love it the most when they are the center of attraction. Another trait commonly found in all Poodles is that they are very quick to learn tricks and will respond well to training and their willingness to obey is what sets them apart from other dog breeds. Poodles also love stability and routine and will not like it when their routine is changed and they should also not be kept in an environment that is chaotic because that will make them anxious, which is not desirable in this breed.

Poodles are often thought of as being one-man and also one-family dogs and are generally shy when strangers approach him. However, once they have been allowed time to settle into their new homes, Poodles will become more relaxed and will turn out to be ideal pet dogs.

Award Winning Poodle Breeders

One of the most beloved dog breeds is the Poodle. Standard, Miniature and Toy sized Poodles are regularly champions in dog competitions. Poodles are widely remarked upon for their elaborate fur clips, especially when primping for show. The American Kennel Club requires that Poodles be clipped in either the Continental or English Saddle styles (for adult Poodles) or the puppy clip (for Poodles under twelve months of age).

They are the official dog of France and are often called French Poodles, though their French roots are still debated today. The French are ultimately given credit for the Poodle having bred the dog into its three sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard.

The elaborate fur clip seen in competition began as a functional way to lighten the weight of the curly, dense coat while insulating the joints from cold water. Poodles were used as retrievers and duck hunters and the breed still adores water.

Good Poodle breeders are aware of Poodle breed standard characteristics. They breed Poodles that have the best genetic makeup and pedigree and do not breed Poodles with genetic defects. Some of the traits desired in Poodles are dense, curly or corded fur, delicate limbs, graceful, straight muzzles, small, oval feet, dark eyes, an alert expression, intelligence, loyal temperament and elegant carriage. Some of the traits that breeders do not wish to see in Poodles are gross hyperactivity, aggression and medical conditions such as anemia, allergic conditions, gastric, kidney or thyroid problems and cancer.

Adult dogs must be groomed in either the Continental or English Saddle styles which involve shaving the dog’s back half while leaving pom-poms of fur on the hips, legs, and tail as well as styling the head fur in an intricate pompadour.

Buyers should approach Poodle breeders with a list of questions. Good Poodle breeders will also have questions for buyers. Buyers must first educate themselves on Poodle information and history so they can verify whether breeders know what they are talking about.

Unfortunately, this is necessary to distinguish the good breeders from the many disreputable breeders working only to make a profit. Buyers do not want to buy a puppy mill Poodle, which is a Poodle born and raised in a cage borne of parents who have been neglected, over-bred, and often abused. Backyard breeders continuously breed adult dogs with no regard for the health or happiness of the parents or puppies.

Documentation such as medical records, immunization records and pedigree registrations should be provided upon purchase. Inquire about any warranty or guarantee, including any return policies. Ask is the breeder is associated with any breeder registries (such as the AKC) or rescue and animal shelter groups. A good Poodle breeder should also be able to supply you with information about the history of the breed and be helpful with information about the care, grooming and training of your new pet.

Not All Poodle Rescue Centres Are Alike

Not all Poodle rescue centres are alike. Some actually aren’t Poodle rescue centres at all, but are puppy mills, or Poodle hoarders who really don’t know what they’re doing. There isn’t any parent organization that supervises all animal rescue centres. Basically, anyone can set up one, but they have to register it as a charity. Here is how to tell good from bad Poodle rescue centres.

This is why it takes a long time to go through the Poodle adoption process. You will feel like you are going through a human child adoption process. This is the sign of a really good Poodle rescue group! You should never be able to pay a fee and have a dog on your doorstep the next morning. That is a puppy mill, not a legitimate rescue group.

Expect to be grilled on your Poodle information, or lack thereof. If you show no knowledge of Poodle care or needs, then you will be politely turned down, no matter whom you protest to. There is no parent organization that oversees all animal rescue groups in America.

If you have a problem with the Poodle rescue centre you are working with, you can only get the problems solved within the Poodle rescue centre. Expect to have your background checked, asked to provide character references and maybe even be expected to submit a letter from your veterinarian.

A good Poodle rescue centre’s website will be loaded with Poodle information. They will not do any sales pressure tactics up front (except for “please donate to out charity” or “current news”), but usually sends you a very lengthy adoption application form. Even if you make a preference for a dog pictured on a site, you will not be given the dog if you are found to be unsuitable.

A good Poodle rescue centre will give you a background check like you would not believe possible. This is because they want to be assured that you and the dog will get along, and that the poor dog will not wind up back in the shelter system. A great Poodle rescue centre is run very similarly to a human adoption centre. Be patient, and realize that most of the rescue workers are volunteers with busy lives.

Also expect a good Poodle rescue to do surprise check ups on how you and your new best friend are getting along. And Poodle rescue volunteer workers are great for turning for help and advice on all things dog. They might not be able to get back to you right away, but they usually do within 48 hours.

The Poodle rescue workers will often give your home a thorough check before you are allowed to bring a dog home. The process takes a while, but a Poodle for a friend is worth the wait.