Poodles Are The National Dog Breed Of France
Though the Poodle is the national dog breed of France, its exact origin remains a mystery. Most historians agree that they likely originated in Germany.
The Name ‘Poodle’ Derives From The German ‘Pudelin’
Despite the media portraying Poodles as being owned and bred by French Aristocrats, they were actually bred in Germany by German Hunters. The name “Poodle” originates from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin,” which alludes to water-splashing activities. Interestingly enough, people incorrectly refer to Poodles as French Poodles in France; however, it is more correctly known there as Caniche, meaning ‘duck dog’.
Poodles Come In Three Sizes
Poodles come in three sizes – Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles. Note that these 3 sizes are of the same breed.
Standard – The Standard Poodle, the original size and ancestor of the other two varieties, stands at least 15 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 70 pounds.
Miniature – The Miniature Poodle is slightly smaller and lighter than its Standard counterpart. It stands 11 to 14 inches and weighs between 10 and 15 pounds.
Toy – The Toy Poodle is the smallest variety, standing 8 to 10 inches tall with a weight range of 4 to 6 pounds.
Poodles Prefer People To Other Dogs
If you have ever taken your Poodle out for a walk and it noticed some dogs a distance away, they tend to not approach the other dogs. Poodles are usually reluctant to go around and socialize with other dogs they are not familiar with. They require a lot of encouragement to socialize with other dogs given their timid nature. Truth be told, they gravitate more towards their human family over meeting other dogs. This puts the term a ‘man’s best friend’ in a whole new light.
Their Coats Have A Purpose
You might have seen the Poodle cut that weirdly makes them look similar to a miniature lion. But, these fashion cuts do have a purpose as less fur from their bodies makes them efficient swimmers. The reason they grow out other parts of their fur is to protect their joints from any unpredicted mishaps.
Poodles have webbed feet which make them excellent swimmers
Poodles have webbed feet which help them move quickly and smoothly through water. The webbing between their toes helps them to paddle powerfully, kicking off from the bottom of the pool or lake when they need a burst of speed. This makes them superior swimmers compared to most other breeds, making them a great choice for activities like dock diving or agility courses that involve swimming.
Poodles Were Originally Hunting Dogs
Poodles have a proud history as hunting dogs. Their thick coats not only protected them from the elements while they were in pursuit of game, but also served to camouflage them and make them harder to spot by the prey they were chasing. Their webbed feet gave them an edge while swimming after birds or other water-dwelling creatures.
Poodles Are Really Smart
Poodles can learn up to 200 words and tricks making learning a breeze. They are very intelligent, learning new commands quickly and learning to obey their owners with ease. With regular training and positive reinforcement, they can learn how to do anything you ask them to do. Their intelligence makes them a great choice for competitive obedience or agility trials, and their size also makes them easier to handle in the ring if you’re considering a dog show career.
A Poodle’s Fur Grows Constantly
Poodles have a unique type of fur that never stops growing. This coat requires regular brushing, trimming, and bathing to help maintain its appearance. Without proper grooming, their fur can become matted and tangled quickly. This is because the coat of a poodle contains both an outer layer of guard hair and an inner layer of woolly hair.
There Are Numerous Crossbreeds Of Poodles
In recent years, breeders have developed several crossbreeds that combine the intelligence and low-shedding quality of the poodle with other breeds, such as Labradors, French Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, etc. Some of these breeds are now known as Cockapoo, Cavapoo, and Golden Doodle just to name a few.