The Poodle, which was developed in either Germany or France, originated as a water retriever. There are three varieties: standard, miniature and toy.The profuse, wiry coat is composed of thick, close curls.  The Poodle's coat lends itself to a variety of styles, some of which derive from the dog's duties as a retriever; for example, balls of hair were used to protect the dog's joints in cold water. The coat comes in a variety of solid colors: black, blue, gray, silver, brown, cafe-au-lait, apricot, red, cream,  white, parti, and phantom. The Poodle is active, intelligent and easily trained, and has a wonderful sense of humor. These proud dogs are demanding of their owners' time, as they need to be loved and entertained, but they amply return the affection and attention they crave.

Height at shoulder: standard, 15" or more; miniature, 10-15"; toy, up to 10". Weight: standard, 55-65 lbs; miniature, 15-20 lbs; toy, 5-9 lbs. AKC groups: standard and miniature, Non-Sporting Dogs; toy, Toy Dogs.

AKC History

Few dogs have climbed to such high favor in so many different countries as has the Poodle, but it appeared so early in various parts of the world that there is some doubt as to the land of its origin.

It is supposed to have originated in Germany, where it is known as the Pudel or Canis Familiaris Aquatius. However for years it has been regarded as the national dog of France, where it was commonly used as a retriever as well as a traveling-circus trick dog. In France it was and is known as the Caniche, which is derived from chien canard or duck dog. Doubtless the English word poodle comes from the German pudel or pudelin, meaning to splash in the water. The expression "French Poodle" was in all probability a somewhat later cognomen, bestowed as a result of the dog's great popularity in France.

At any rate, the Poodle undoubtedly originated as a water retriever. In fact the unclipped Poodle of today bears strong resemblance in type to the old Rough-haired Water Dog of England as painted by Reinagle at the beginning of the 19th century; and except that the Irish Water Spaniel is born with short hair on its face and tail, there is little difference between this ancient Irish dog and the Poodle.

Authorities concede that the large, or Standard, Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties, and the dog gained special fame as a water worker. So widely was it used as retriever that it was shorn of portions of its coat to further facilitate progress in swimming. Thence came the custom of clipping to pattern which so enhanced the style and general appearance that its sponsors, particularly in France, were captivated by it.

All of the Poodle's ancestors were acknowledged to be good swimmers, although one member of the family, the truffle dog (it may have been of Toy or Miniature size), it is said never went near the water. Truffle hunting was widely practiced in England, and later in Spain and Germany, where the edible fungus has always been considered a great delicacy. For scenting and digging up the fungus, the smaller dogs were favored, since they did less damage to the truffles with their feet than the larger kinds. So it is rumored that a terrier was crossed with the Poodle to produce the ideal truffle hunter.

Despite the Standard Poodle's claim to greater age than the other varieties, there is some evidence to show that the smaller types developed only a short time after the breed assumed the general type by which it is recognized today. The smallest, or Toy variety, was known in England in the 18th century, when the White Cuban became popular there. This was a sleeve dog attributed to the West Indies from whence it traveled to Spain and then to England. Queen Anne, we are told, admired a troupe of performing dogs that danced to music in almost human fashion. And this penchant, by the way, Poodles of all sizes have carried down the years intact.

But the Continent had known the Poodle long before it came to England. Drawings by the German artist, Albrecht Durer, establish the breed in the 15th and 16th centuries. How long the dog had been known in Spain is problematical, but it was the principal pet dog of the latter 18th century, as shown by the paintings of the Spanish artist Goya. And France had Toy Poodles as pampered favorites during the reign of Louis XVI at about the same period.

There is scarcely a pure-bred dog of this day that can claim so many references in art and literature going back into time. Bas-reliefs dating from the first century, found along the shores of the Mediterranean, portray the Poodle very much as it is in this 20th century. Clipped to resemble the lion, it is not unlike some of the specimens seen at the earliest dog shows. Possibly long ago there was a link between the dog attributed to the Island of Melita--now known as the Maltese--and the Toy Poodle. Similarly there may have been a relationship between the Poodle and the dog of Spain--the spaniel. If they do not come from the same progenitor, at least the paths of their ancestors must have crossed at some remote time.

The universal esteem in which the Poodle has been held since the beginning of modern history is attested to by its interesting variations in size and color. In accordance with present-day show classification, we have three sizes as well as an array of colors to suit almost anyone's taste. We have white ones, black ones, brown, cream, and blue ones, gray, apricot and so on; any solid color is allowed. Some are pink- skinned, some blue- or silver-skinned, others cream-skinned. Hence he who fancies a Poodle is never at a loss: he may choose a big dog to guard and protect, a medium-sized one to fit into restricted quarters, or a tiny tot to serve only as "comforter." And he can pick a color to match whatever his decor may happen to be. Surely such an unusual selection may have played

at least some part in the Poodle's continued rise to fame. But even more, the dog's innate intelligence and his ability to learn are considered exceptional.

It should be kept in mind that the words, Standard, Miniature, and Toy are used to denote size only. All are one breed, governed by the same standard of perfection.