Poodle
Dogs
Poodle
Poodle |
White Standard Poodle.
|
Alternative names |
Barbone
Caniche
Pudelhund |
Country of origin |
Possibly
France
or
Germany |
Common nicknames |
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Classification and breed standards |
FCI: |
Group 9 Section 2 #172 |
|
AKC: |
Standard and Miniature: Nonsporting; Toy: Toy |
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ANKC: |
Group 7 (Non-Sporting) |
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CKC: |
Standard and Miniature: Group 6 - Non-Sporting Dogs;
Toy: Group 5 - Toys |
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KC (UK): |
Utility |
|
NZKC: |
Non-sporting |
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UKC: |
Standard: Gun Dogs; Minitaure and Toy: Companion
Dogs |
|
Not recognized by any major kennel club |
This breed of dog is
extinct |
Notes |
|
The Poodle is a
breed of
dog; specifically, it
is a gun dog
noted for its ability in the water and bird hunting skills. The English name
comes from the German Pudel, or Pudelhund – from pudeln,
meaning "to splash about". In
France the
poodle is known as a caniche and in
Spain as a
perro de lana (literally "wool dog").
Appearance
Breed standards call for a dignified, elegant carriage.
The breed comes in three sizes (as described by most breed registries):
- Standard: Over 38 cm (15 in) at the shoulder
- Miniature: Over 28 cm (11 in) high, but under 38 cm
- Toy: Under 28 cm (11 in) and 10 lbs or under
Black Miniature Poodle
The
American Kennel Club has a slightly different standard, with the maximum for
Toys and the minimum for Miniatures at 25cm (10 in). The FCI standards divide
Poodles into four groups: Large (45 to 60 cm), Medium (35 cm to 45 cm),
Miniature (28 cm to 35 cm) and Toy (less than 28 cm with an ideal size of 25
cm).
Coat
Breed standards call for a coat of solid color, one of black, white, brown,
grey, blue, or apricot. "Parti" (partial), "phantom," and other coat colors
exist, but are not acceptable in the show ring.
The fur on the animal's body is naturally curly, often in small tight clumps
of small curly ringlets. Hair on the ears can be straight or slightly curly.
With brushing, the dog's fur will still retain wavy or curly properties, but
will soften and straighten somewhat.
Apricot Toy Poodle
The coat can be clipped in various styles. For show purposes, only three
clips—the puppy clip (only for dogs one year old or younger), the Continental or
Lion clip (with the instantly-recognisable 'mane'), and the English Saddle clip
(with leg bracelets)—are acceptable. The traditional show-cut 'bracelets' of
long fur covering the dog's leg joints are said to date back to winter hunts,
where most of the fur was clipped short to facilitate swimming but the joints,
lungs, heart, and kidneys needed protection from the cold. The pom-pom on the
end of the tail served as a "flag" when the poodle dove under the water's
surface. Clip styles for pets include the Kennel clip (fur same length all over)
and other styles, generally variants of the Continental. Left alone, poodle fur
will become
corded in the manner of a
Puli.
Corded Poodle
The Corded Poodle is a Poodle whose hair has been allowed to grow in
the corded manner: it is not a distinct breed.
Most national registries recognize two coat types for Poodles: curly and
corded. Some Poodles have coats which will more or less naturally cord, others
must be coaxed into it, but virtually all Poodles are capable of having corded
hair once their adult hair has been established. Puppies can be born with either
type of coat, even in the same litter. Once cords have been established, they
cannot be brushed out, but must be clipped away.
Breed historians seem to agree that the corded coat is the older of the two
varieties. Corded coats are more difficult to take care of, and corded dogs fell
out of fashion, in favor of those with wooly coats.
External links
Temperament
Poodles are generally intelligent, alert, and active. In particular, the
Standard variety is quite independent and has a noticeable hunting drive. Even
Toys will point birds. Because they are so intelligent, they can become bored
easily, and can get quite creative about finding mischief.
Poodles are extremely people-oriented dogs and, therefore, are eager to
please. They are excellent
watchdogs,
but unlike some working breeds, don't usually become "one-person" dogs when they
are part of a family. Standard Poodles in particular tend to be good with
children. When they are from good bloodlines, all three varieties are fairly
mellow dogs. Most Poodles don't like to try new things, but are adaptable and
easy to train. They don't require as much exercise as other hunting or working
breeds (even the Standards), but being agile and athletic, they appreciate lots
of exercise.
This young red Standard Poodle is in Continental clip, one of the three
acceptable show clips.
Care
White Toy Poodle
Poodles make good companions and are extremely loyal, sometimes to the point
of being possessive. The owner should be a competent trainer, as poodles can be
willful if trained poorly. Well-trained Poodles are eager to please and love
putting on a show for family and friends. Poodles do not shed and are considered
a
hypoallergenic breed. (See list of
Hypoallergenic dog breeds) Some Poodles have hyperactive tear ducts that
do not drain very well. It is quite common to see Poodles with streaks of gooey
brownish-red secretions in the corners of their eyes. If lots of drainage needs
to occur, the tear duct may clog and a small ball of yellowish mucous may form
near the tear duct. It is advisable to gently remove this accumulation with a
lint-free and soft towel wrapped around the index finger. Many products exist in
pet stores designed to help remove this drainage from Poodles' faces, as it can
be unattractive. Often these clear solutions are applied to a cotton ball which
is then firmly wiped over the stained fur.
Poodles' coats require plenty of grooming to keep the constantly growing hair
at a manageable length and to prevent it from matting. Matted fur can be very
difficult to untangle, and often the clumps must be cut out with scissors. There
a number of short pet clips that make a very easily maintained family pet.
This older Toy Poodle's coat has been allowed to grow out somewhat.
History
The poodle is often thought of as a typically
French breed
(it is frequently referred to as the "French Poodle"). However, it is an old
breed and its region of origin is a matter of contention. Most experts believe
the poodle originated in Germany or Russia, but it may have come from
Iberia. Related
breeds are the
Portuguese Water Dog and
Irish Water Spaniel.
Use
Today, Poodles are generally kept as pets. However, they are a versatile
breed capable of hunting, tracking, protection, or entertainment. French
customs, for
instance, uses Poodles to search for
illegal
substances. Because of their small size, they are more unobtrusive, when
searching cars and train compartments, than bigger breeds such as the
German Shepherd.
Their intelligence and athletic build has made them popular as trick dogs or
circus performers. They can compete well in some
dog sports,
such as
dog agility, although their independent or playful nature can sometimes
distract them from the focus and drive needed for these sports.
Miscellaneous
Hybrids
Many hybrids
have been created by crossing a poodle with another breed, such as
Labradoodles and
Cockapoos.
These "hybrids" are not, however, recognized breeds. Many breeders promote
Poodle hybrids as actual breeds and charge more for them than is usually charged
for a
mixed-breed dog.
Main article: see
Poodle hybrid.
Famous Poodles
- Algonquin from
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
- Foo-Foo,
Miss
Piggy's pet on
The Muppet Show
- Charley, pet of
John Steinbeck; a champion black Standard Poodle played Charley in a TV
miniseries.
- Georgette from
Oliver and Company
- Vicki, pet of
Richard Nixon
- Boye, pet of
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
- Rufus, pet of
Winston Churchill source:
http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=414,
retrieved July 31, 2005
- Fifi, pet of the Finsters on
Rugrats
- Ooh La La, pet of Nanette Manoir on
Angela Anaconda
- Daphne, from the third
Look Who's Talking movie
External links
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