Beautiful, sophisticated, and intelligent, the poodle stands out from the crowd. Elegant, proud, smart, sophisticated, and intelligent – that's the best description of the poodle, because behind its somewhat comical haircut and regal bearing hides a true four-legged friend.
Its origin isn't fully settled, but everyone agrees it's one of the oldest breeds, since dogs resembling today's poodle were recorded in Persia and the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, curly-coated dogs are mentioned in Hungary, Russia, France, and Germany, which is why many believe the breed originated in Germany but acquired its core breed traits in France. The debate over its origin was settled in 1930, when the FCI declared France the breed's country of origin. Its original name is
caniche, which means "duck" in French, a name derived from its original purpose of hunting game, especially waterfowl. The German name is puddeln, which is also tied to using these dogs for hunting. Translated from German, "puddeln" means "splashing in water."
Proper breeding of this breed began in the 20th century, and its ease of training led to poodles being used in the circus. There, they had their own solo acts that delighted audiences. Originally they were only available in a medium size, but through breeders' work the sizes we know today were created. Large poodles were used for hunting, medium ones for truffle hunting, and small ones served as companion dogs for the Parisian bourgeoisie. It's worth noting that the smaller versions of the poodle were obtained through breeding within the breed itself, not by crossing with similar, smaller breeds. Poodles are also recognized as family dogs, and after World War II they overtook German Shepherds in popularity. At the time, owning a poodle was a mark of prestige.
Poodles are also widely known for the haircut they got back when they were "hunters." Since they spent a lot of time in the water hunting prey, their owners had to protect them from the cold and damp. So part of their coat was left to grow while another part was shaved to give them better mobility. And precisely because of this history, they're very active, so owners should provide them with a fenced area where they can exercise. Poodles also love walks, making them excellent companions for people who enjoy long walks. The poodle protects its home and owners, but it will bark fiercely if strangers try to enter the home. It's gentle with its owners but bonds with new people only with difficulty, and it isn't particularly fond of very young children. Some may snap at them, but most will simply ignore them. They aren't picky eaters except in cases where the owner spoils them from the very start. They usually eat ready-made dog food. Where to get a poodle: the best place to buy a poodle is a registered breeder that raises healthy, strong dogs with good genetics and an excellent temperament, in line with established breed standards.
Size:
Standard (large), shoulder height 45-60 cm
Medium, shoulder height 35-45 cm
Miniature, shoulder height 28-35 cm
Toy poodle, shoulder height under 28 cm.