Poodle (Standard)

Standard Poodle adult
AM/U Ch Rebelstar-Jaset Southern Breeze
"Breeze"

Poodles date back to the early 16th century. The Standard Poodle is the largest of the three Poodles and is the original. The Poodle's name comes from the German word "puddeln" meaning "to splash in water". The Standard Poodle was originally a retriever of waterfowl for hunters. He is believed to be related to the Portuguese Water Dog and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Although he is thought to hail originally from Russia or Germany, France has been given the credit for popularizing the breed throughout Europe. In France, Poodles were used to sniff out truffles - a French delicacy. Although he is an excellent swimmer and gundog, the Poodle has also been a circus performer and the pampered pet of royal households in France.
The Standard Poodle stands 26 inches tall at the shoulder. His coat is dense and harsh and comes in a variety of solid colors including: white, gray, brown, apricot, cream, and black. A Poodle's coat needs regular brushing and professional grooming to keep it in shape and tangle-free. A godsend for people with allergies, this a clean-living breed that does not shed and has no body odor.
The Poodle's unusual clip seen in the show ring today is a highly stylized version of a functional coat trim. Originally, the coat was trimmed down to reduce the weight of the dog when he was swimming and retrieving waterfowl. Patches of heavier coat were left to protect the joints and vital organs from the cold water.

The Standard Poodle is clever, good-natured, lively, and a quick study. He will happily compete in obedience trials, work in the field retrieving, hunt, work as a therapy dog, and even perform tricks in an effort to please his people. He is a happy, good-natured dog whose clean living habits make him a pleasure to own.

Standard Poodles are good with children and other household pets, and are keen watch dogs. They learn quickly and are easy to train. Standard Poodles are energetic dogs who enjoy all forms of exercise. Running, swimming, retrieving, walking, or jogging alongside his owner are all activities enthusiastically enjoyed by Standard Poodles.

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