Owning A Poodle

It is commonly understood that the Poodle is one of the most intelligent of all canines. Often the Poodle doesn't give their owner much trouble and provide their owner with a consistent companion that is interesting and responsive. The breed also has excellent talent and versatility, which gives them a high aptitude in learning.

Despite popular belief that the breed originated in France, the breed actually originated in Germany. The coat and form of the breed makes them closely related to the old water dog known as the Pudel. At one period the breed was trained to retrieve waterfowl but today the Poodle is no longer regarded as a sporting dog, although the eager fondness for water is still displayed on occasion. The origin of the breed is not the only history to consider, there is also the history of how the standard poodle cut with the tufts of hair lefts on the thighs and rings around the feet came to be.

The shaved face, legs and body with tufts of hair on the thighs and rings of hair on the feet is the most common thought when it comes to the Poodle. The exact origin of this hair cut along with its custom is unknown, but it does help those who have the Poodle as a house pet since it reduces the labor of daily grooming. This allows the owner to keep the dog healthy and in good appearance with easy maintenance of the coat.

The hair can twist into cords and continue to grow if the Poodle coat isn't brushed constantly. The entwining of the new and unshed hairs then results in a rope like cord. This cord can then cause discomfort and a lack of freedom in the animal's movement if left untrimmed. This is why you want to maintain a short hair cut for your Poodle, although this doesn't mean you have to maintain the standard Poodle cut.

Throughout the history of the breed, the curly haired Poodle has advanced the most in popularity. This coat allows the Poodle to remain smart and clean which makes them a pleasant companion as long as they are regularly brushed and combed with the occasional washing. The most common colors for the Poodle include black, white, brown and blue.

The most intelligent is considered the white Poodle and many professional trainers prefer this color. Next in the order of intelligence is the black Poodle and the brown and blue Poodles are generally considered to be lacking in character. Since the early 1900's the curly coated Poodles have improved and today many fine specimens of the breed can be found. Also gaining in popularity recently has been the toy poodle. These dogs are no more than fifteen inches in height at the shoulder and should look exactly like a miniature version of the full-sized dog, following the same official standards as the full sized Poodle.

Lisa Collins has a great interest in studying the history of the Poodle breed. The history is long and rich for the Poodle. Knowing Poodle information can help you to see why they are such a popular breed.