Poodle: temperament, care essentials & FAQs

The Poodle (English: Poodle; German: Pudel (German: [ˈpuːdl̩]); French: Caniche) is a water dog breed. The dog breed is divided into four strains according to size: Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. However, the Medium Poodle is not generally recognized by all dog breed organizations. The Poodle has an instantly recognizable, thick, curly coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, but the major dog breed registration agencies only recognize single-color coats. Poodles are lively and intelligent dogs, and are particularly good at learning from humans. Their lifespan is typically 10 to 18 years, with smaller strains generally living longer than larger strains. The Poodle most likely originated in Germany, but the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and a few scholars believe it originated in France. Similar-looking dogs date back to at least the 17th century. Large poodles were originally used by waterfowl hunters to retrieve prey from the water, while smaller breeds were once commonly used in circuses for performances. The Poodle became a recognized breed shortly after the establishment of the British Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Since the mid-20th century, poodles have become popular as pet dogs and dog show display dogs. From 1960 to 1982, poodles were the most registered dog breed by the AKC and are now the third most registered dog breed by the FCI. Poodles are also commonly seen in various dog shows and are often trimmed with what is known as the "Continental clip": the hair on the face and back body is trimmed short, while tufts of hair are left on the distal limbs and the end of the tail.