Standard Poodles - Pictures

Standard Poodles - Breed History

The breed name originates from a German word "pudel," which translates as "one who plays in water." The Poodle was bred as a hunting dog and has retained its hunting talents over time. The Standard Poodle appeared as the result of crossbreeding the now extinct French water dog, the Barbet, and perhaps, the Hungarian Water Hound.

Breeders stressed working qualities of the breed and perfected the dog's hunting skills. The Standard Poodle was used to retrieve waterfowl. Since the dog had to swim in freezing water, various clips started to be used. Dense coat on the body protected the dog from catching cold, while short hairs on the legs provided for an easy swim.

Since the French contributed much to the breed's trainability and elegance, the dog started to be referred to as the French Poodle. With the appearance of other varieties of the breed, the dog was named the Standard Poodle to differentiate from its smaller versions. The Miniature and Toy Poodle are the descendants of the Standard Poodle. They are one breed and are judged according to one standard. Standard Poodles are now used mainly as pets and show companions.

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