Poodle-talk
The Poodle is a very ancient breed and has been present on the European continent for a long time. Most likely it was bred in the countries around the Mediterranean during the early Middle-Ages. Some distant relatives of the Poodle are the Portuguese Water Spaniel (recently made famous by Barack Obama’s daughters), Barbet and Irish Water Spaniel.
The Poodle was originally used as a retrieving dog in water and marshland. It also has historical stories working as a truffle-tracker and circus-dog. The smaller variants were mainly used as companions. The smaller Poodles were bred during the 19th century as more practical versions of the larger ones. Earlier on breeders crossed Poodles with Maltese and Bichon-breeds to be able to get smaller Poodles, but no dogs from these lines remain today.
The Poodle is very intelligent and is today found in a variety of places and takes part in many different activities, including as a companion dog. Poodles are popular for agility, obedience-training, and tracking. Some are even used as guard-dogs and search & rescue. Additionally, some Poodles are working-dogs, mostly as guide dogs. A poodle likes to be in the centre and is effortlessly taught to do amazing tricks involving both intelligence and agility.
The main source of fame for the Poodle is, of course, the popularity of the breed in Dog Shows. In shows all around the world, Poodle-lovers display fantastically clipped and impeccably groomed dogs. Rules and regulations concerning how the exhibit-dogs should be clipped vary around the world and is a continuing source of debate between Poodle owners.
The Poodle has some quite strong instincts. Marking and hunting instincts are readily seen when a Poodle catches sight of a bird. Poodles are highly energetic but they also bore quickly and must be kept entertained otherwise they may be found in various acts of mischief.
Sources:
Images by dianna, lakewentworth and Ryan Smith (feature image)
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4 Responses to “Poodle-talk”
Michelle says:
I have a Toy Poolde ” Dixie” she is the most intelligent and obedient dog I have ever had. She responds quickly to commands, and she is an easy learner. I have had 4 poodles now, and wouldn’t have any other breed now. My Dixie gives me so much pleasure and love, she thinks she is a human in a fur coat. My husband and i love her to bits.
Michelle says:
If you give your dog plenty of good strong doggy toys like Kongs and hard rubber chewy toys they will amuse themselves for hours without destroying your furniture or shoes, and become destructive. Dixie loves her Kong bone, she will play with it and chew it for hours. She also loves to cuddle and suck her teddy that she has had since she was a puppy. It is so cute to watch. I have had people say to me that poodles are horriblewhiny sooky dogs, but thats only the case when people treat them like babies. We love Dixie but we treat her like a dog, not a bay and she has or any of our other poodles ever been whiny or sooky. Dogs will become what you train them to be!!! So if you dont want to have a naughty whiny dog, then train them with good dog training and you will have a delightful PET to amuse you and be your companion, not your child.
bubbles says:
My Poodle, who was named Noodles because he looked like a plate of noodles when he first walked into my door, is highly intelligent and a great companion for me, a pensioner. We live in a retirement village and just everyone loves him. His love for me is unconditional as mine is for him and my son even thinks he looks like me. What a wonderful breed they are. I had labradors before going into the Village but we are only allowed a small dog now and so I chose Noodles.
Anita says:
We had two chocolate miniature poodles (mother & daughter) and they were the best cattle dogs ever. It was instinct more than training, they were such intelligent dogs. Since then I have had a labrador; good guard dog, but aloof, not cuddly. I’ve now gone for the in-between, an Australian Labradoodle. Charley has a split personality I’m sure, some times he has typical Poodle behaviour & other times Labrador; the best traits of both breeds.