The stylish, energetic, and sassy poodle could easily be named the diva of the dog world. Known for its unique hairdo, the poodle is the 7th most popular breed in America. People love to adopt poodles, thanks to the breed’s cute appearance and lively demeanor.
The American Kennel Club recognized poodles in 1887 and classifies them as non-sporting dogs, meaning they were originally bred for hunting purposes but are now kept as pets or showcased at circuses.
The bold and beautiful poodle we know today was not always the high and mighty breed that is dog owners now tote around in their arms; instead, it was one of the most subservient dog species back in the day. Hard to believe, right? But it’s the truth because poodles were initially bred to hunt and catch preys, especially in water.
If you’re intrigued now, then let’s dig a little deeper into the origin of poodles and the shift in their personality over time.
When it comes to the origin of poodles, two narratives are discussed. One of which links the iconic dog breed to France and the other to Germany. Nobody knows the truth with certainty, but the German legend is considered more plausible as it visually portrays poodles how we see them today.
Rumour has it that the peppy poodle descends from French dog, barbet who might have crossed paths with the Hungarian water, giving the world the gift of fluffy poodles.
Poodles in France were named Chien or canard or Caniche as a homage to their duck hunting talents. Moreover, the poodle’s popularity in France made it the country’s official national dog.
According to the widespread German legend, the poodle originated in Germany as the PudelHund (a combination of the phrase ‘to splash about, as a nod to the breed’s love for the water, and the German word for ‘dog’). The Pudelhund is closer to the poodle we see and love today as both have hair puffs that help them wade through water.
Early art suggests the presence of poodles in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. Moreover, they readily appear in the 18th-century artworks of the famous Spanish artist, Francisco Goya. In the same era, they were also the favored pet of French Royalty, making the breed famous in the European mainland.
The high-spirited poodle made its first appearance in the show ring in the late 19th century, which was around the same time it got AKC recognition.
Poodles got pretty popular in America when AKC recognized them; however, they lost popularity in the 1920s. A decade later, the pretty poodle was resurfaced in America and became the first pet choice for most people, earning the breed its status of being the family dog.
Poodles come in three sizes; the standard, miniature, and toy. All of the three poodle categories have similar traits and are readily domesticated worldwide.
The poodle is known for its one-of-a-kind hairdo, but the eccentric hairstyle is not a fashion statement but a functional need. In their early days, poodles were used to catch waterfowls in cold water. Having lots of hair made poodles inefficient swimmers, but less hair made them vulnerable to the cold water. To find a middle ground, poodle owners started trimming their pets’ hair only on specific areas of the body and left dense puffs of hair around vital organs and delicate joints.
Although all poodle hairdos are quirky, they are all different from one another. Poodles can have various hairstyles, and each hairstyle has its own set of rules about the placement of hair puffs on a poodle’s body.
The three most popular poodle hairdos are the following, and every show poodle needs to sport one of the three styles in order to perform in front of an audience
Having a poodle as a pet means you get to be a hairdresser and try different hairstyles every so often. However, you must possess some haircutting skills to groom your dog; otherwise, you will end up ruining your fur child’s look.
Is there a difference? Yes, there is! Fur grows up to a specific point and then starts to fall off, which we know as shedding. But hair never stops growing or falls out unless there is a nutritional deficiency or hormonal changes in the body. Poodles generally have thick hair; however, female poodles can experience hair loss or thinning after having babies due to the hormonal imbalance in the body.
Taking after their water-loving, duck hunting energetic ancestors, poodles love to stay active. Poodle owners need to provide their fur pal with effective avenues to expend their energy; otherwise, they can get restless and may even become a little unruly. If you own a poodle, take it out for walks and indulge it in a hearty game of fetch every now and then.
The eagerly anticipated Iditarod Trail Sledge dog race takes place every year in Alaska in which only northern dog breeds can compete now as they are well-adaptive to the cold. However, this wasn’t the case at first. In 1988, a musher, John Suter, used a team of standard poodles to participate in the sled race, which led to the poodles developing multiple maladies such as frozen feet and hair-matting issues. As a result, a regulation was passed that banned all dog breeds, except the northern breeds, from partaking in the Iditarod Trail Sledge race.
The poodle has all the necessary traits that make it an ideal pet for any home. Whether you are a bachelor or a newlywed couple or a family of three or more, a poodle will be the perfect addition to your family tree. Add a touch of fun and adventure in your life by bringing home this charismatic dog.
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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