10 fun facts about poodles

One of the most well-loved breeds in the United States, the poodle first originated in medieval Europe as a duck-hunting dog. Today, show-stopping poodles are commonly seen winning titles in dog show rings, as well as excelling in dog sports like agility. There are three poodle size variations currently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) – standard, miniature, and toy.  Read on for more fun facts about the poodle dog breed.

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1. Poodles originated in Germany as hunting dogs

Poodle-like dogs appear in engravings by German artist Albrecht Durer as early as the late 15th to early 16th centuries. Despite their stereotypical association with France, poodles were initially bred in Germany to be water retrievers. The word poodle is derived from the German “pudelin,” which refers to splashing in the water.

2. Small poodle sizes came along later

The miniature, toy, and (unofficial) teacup poodle were all first bred and downsized from the original standard poodle size. The smaller poodle size variants were first bred to be companions and lap dogs for the wealthy. They were also used in a variety of other jobs, including truffle hunting and performing circus tricks. The largest size, the standard poodle, was initially bred to retrieve ducks.

3. Poodles are the national dog of France

Though first hailing from Germany, the poodle’s descendants include the Barbet, a similarly-curly-coated French water dog. In French, the dogs are referred to as caniche, which refers to the dogs’ history as duck hunters. The French monarch King Louis XVI was so fond of his toy poodles that he declared them a national symbol.

4. Poodle coats come in a variety of clips

While the iconic continental clip is favored by conformation contenders in dog show rings, many poodle pet owners find the shorter clips to be easier to maintain. The continental clip was historically designed to keep the poodle warm during the cold weather. The tufts of hair over the joints and torsos were intended to insulate them in the cold water, but now are largely a style choice for owners and groomers.

5. Poodles are considered “hypoallergenic”

While no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, this breed is known for its low-allergen coat. The curly coat of the poodle sheds less than other coats, which has led to some popular hybrid breeds like the Labradoodle and goldendoodle for allergy sufferers. The poodle coat also produces less dander and dead hair than other canine coat types.

6. Poodles are considered one the smartest breeds

According to Stanley Coren’s list of highly intelligent working breeds, the poodle is the second smartest dog breed poodles learn quickly and can be taught any number of tricks. The poodle is said to be able to learn new commands after less than five repetitions.

7. Poodles make good service dogs

Poodles are excellent mobility dogs because they do so well at complicated tasks. They are commonly used as guide dogs for visually impaired people. They also provide assistance to those with physical disabilities and serve as therapy dogs.

8. There are three distinct breeds of poodles

The breed standard coat colors and haircuts are similar between the smallest toy poodle, the mid-sized miniature, and the standard poodle. Some breeders wanted all the qualities of the standard poodle but in a compact package, so the miniature and toy poodles were developed. The standard poodle is the largest and oldest variety of the three size variants.

9. Poodles were war dogs during World War I and WWII

Poodles have been used as working dogs in the military since the 17th century. During World WI, poodles were used as messenger dogs and for pulling small carts carrying supplies. They were also used as military mascots during WWI, providing companionship and emotional support for troops. Selected for their intelligence and trainability, poodles were also used to guard U.S. military bases in World War II.

10. A team of poodles raced in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

In 1988, a musher named John Suter competed with a team of standard poodles in 1988 in Alaska’s infamous dog sled race usually reserved for Siberian huskies and other Northern breeds. While the poodle made a valiant effort as amateur sled dogs, they weren’t quite built for the cold, and a few had to be dropped at checkpoints.