For centuries, the poodle has been one of the most popular breeds in the world and a symbol of elegance and opulent luxury. The poodle is associated with France, but many countries have laid claim to the breed. Available in three different sizes and many different colors, there is a poodle for every taste.

In 2002, a standard poodle named Topscore Contradiction won Best in Show at Crufts Dog Show, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. This particular poodle has made history at Crufts by being the first international pooch to win "Best in Show".

The poodle has been one of the top breeds based on the American Kennel Club (AKC) tallies.

History and Origin

Paintings representing the poodle date as far back as the 13th century. The exact country of origin is not known, but many people feel the breed may have come from Germany. The name "poodle" comes from the German "pudeln" which roughly translates to "splash about in the water"; the original purpose of the breed was a water retriever.

Soon after development in Germany, the poodle quickly became very popular in France and was known as the caniche, or duck dog. The breed is considered their national dog.

The poodle comes in three different varieties; standard, miniature and toy; however, the only difference is the size. The standard poodle is classified in the non-sporting group by the American Kennel Club.

The standard poodle is the oldest of the three sizes and was originally used to retrieve ducks in cold water.

Appearance

Although they come in different sizes, the shape and appearance of the breed is the same. The poodle has a long head and muzzle with long, flat and wide hanging ears. The chest is deep and the tail is set high. Typically, the tail is docked when young.

The hair coat of the poodle is curly and dense with a fine woolly texture and requires daily grooming. There are four common hair clips for the poodle. The most common cut is the "puppy" cut, which is given to all ages of poodles. Another cut is the "sporting" cut, for the active poodle. For the show ring, the "English Saddle" or "Continental" version is typically performed.

Size

The standard poodle stands over 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 45 pounds.

Personality

The poodle is a pleasant dog that loves constant company. This dog hates to be alone and prefers the company of people instead of other dogs. The breed also hates to be ignored and does not like being thought of or treated as "just a dog."

Home & Family Relations

Despite being excellent water dogs, poodles also do well as family protectors and companions. They make excellent pets for children as well as the elderly and can adapt to a variety of environments.

Training

The poodle is an excellent swimmer and also does well on land. The breed is very intelligent and thought by many to be the most intelligent of all breeds. They learn quickly and readily, although some dogs tend to enjoy pleasing people by doing tricks instead of learning commands. Poodles have been trained successfully in obedience, hunting and even as guard dogs.

Special Concerns

The hair coat of the poodle requires daily care and grooming. The intelligent nature of the dog leads some to mischief if left alone for an extended period of time.

Health Concerns

Gastric torsion (bloat) is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

Sebaceous adenitis is a skin disease that is genetically inherited The exact cause is unknown, but it may be caused by an attack of the immune system against the sebaceous glands.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

Progressive retinal degeneration is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition usually begins in older pets and can lead to blindness.

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder which develops between the ages of 2 to 5 years.

Drug Reaction to "Glucocorticoids" can occur in some poodles. Subcutaneous injections may cause local hair loss in this breed.

Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately. Without enough thyroid hormone, illness can occur.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas related to insufficient amounts of insulin production.

von Willebrand's disease is caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand's factor (vWF), one of the elements that allow blood to form clots.

Cataracts are opacities within the lens of the eye that affect vision.

Hyperadrenocorticism is a disorder affecting the adrenal glands. When overactive, the adrenal glands secrete excessive cortisol, resulting in illness.

Glaucoma is a painful and serious condition that causes pressure within the eye to increase. It can lead to blindness if not treated early.

Intervertebral Disk Disease is a disorder that affects the spinal disks resulting in pain, difficulty walking and possibly paralysis.

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive degenerative disease of the spinal cord that slowly results in weakness and eventually inability to use the rear legs.

Insulinoma is a malignant tumor of the pancreas that secretes excessive amounts of insulin leading to hypoglycemia.

Poodles are also prone to hair loss, ear infections, bladder stones, allergies, cryptorchidism and deafness.

Life Span

The life span of the standard poodle is 14 to 16 years.

We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.