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The Origin of the Poodle
from: The Complete DogTheories on the exact origin of the Poodle vary, but it has been determined that three sizes could be found throughout Europe: small (but not toy), medium and large. The desired color of well-bred Poodles was black, with white, brown or partial colored dogs being regarded as lesser quality. The large and medium-sized dogs were extraordinary swimmers and eager retrievers.
Since they had to work in extremely cold waters, Poodles made good use of their profuse coat; however, the very thickness of the coat was a hindrance to their swimming and potentially hazardous in the swamps and reeds in which they worked. To overcome this problem, hunters devised styles of shearing that bared the hindquarters to allow for free use of the back legs, which in turn gave the dogs more swiftness and lightness when swimming.
Regardless of variety, the Poodle is one of the most intelligent of the canine race, having within its own breed great variations of character. In fact, there's something more human than canine about most Poodles, a quality that makes them unique dogs and wonderful companions.
Regardless of its origin, Poodles are a well-established breed, for -- as far as standards and records show -- it has hardly changed through the centuries, and the various standards of different countries today are quite similar. The Poodles of today are a lot higher on the leg, as well as longer and narrower in the head and muzzle than in the past. If this fashion in type doesn't become too exaggerated, it improves the natural grace and beauty of the breed.
Current Poodle Styles
The various styles of clipping a Poodle are a matter of taste. The two most common are the Continental, which leaves the hindquarters bare, with rosettes on the hips and hocks; and the English or saddle clip, in which a short, clipped blanket of hair covers the hips. The fashion of clipping the Poodle has sometimes been called artificial, even detrimental to the dignity of the breed, but it's such an ancient tradition and in many ways so practical, that it's certain to continue.
You only have to know a Poodle for a brief time to realize that its great natural dignity, vitality, and sportsmanship are not diminished, but rather enhanced by this unique and ancient style of clipping parts of the coat.
Until recently, Poodles in the show ring could be seen with bright ribbons adorning their topknots. This tradition began when different colors of ribbons were used to distinguish one dog from another when they were in the water hunting for their masters. The method by which the Poodle hunted on land entailed his flushing of the game for his master, or, in some cases, actually attacking the game himself.
During the period in which Poodles were known as the “Water Dog” his hunting wasn't a sporting diversion for its master, but a very serious and necessary way to obtain food. Thus, because of the importance of the hunt, those Poodles selected to work in the woods had to meet exceedingly stringent requirements. Hunters required dogs that were intelligent, obedient and reliable, traits still present and revered in the breed today.
Poodles News
Child porn penalty: 20 years - Statesman Journal
Child porn penalty: 20 years Statesman Journal, OR - Investigators found 24 poodles at their home, plus eight dead poodle puppies in a freezer. The case started during during a Salem police child-pornography ... Man sentenced to 20 years for child porn |
Kennel gets time to comply - Northern Neck News
Kennel gets time to comply Northern Neck News, VA - At Dalin Kennels on Calvary Church Road outside of Warsaw, the number of toy poodles has to be reduced from 160 to a new limit of 50 breeding animals. ... |
RSPCA seizes 100 dogs from one woman - Melbourne Herald Sun
RSPCA seizes 100 dogs from one woman Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - More than 100 poodles and other dogs were seized from her property in January 2008. The woman's charges relate to her alleged failure to treat disease and ... |
THE POODLES: 2008 Recap - Dec. 31, 2008 - Blabbermouth.net
THE POODLES: 2008 Recap - Dec. 31, 2008 Blabbermouth.net, NY - "Another year has come to an end, another great year for THE POODLES. A lot of things, both good and bad, have happened and even greater things are soon to ... |
Brisbane woman facing 149 animal cruelty charges - ABC Regional Online
Brisbane woman facing 149 animal cruelty charges ABC Regional Online, Australia - Over 100 poodles and other dogs were seized from Ms Robertson's property in Waterford by RSPCA Qld Inspectors in January last year. ... |
Doggy delights at showground - Malvern Gazette
Doggy delights at showground Malvern Gazette, UK - The show, on Saturday, January 3, featured many well kept pedigree breeds including St Bernards, poodles, pugs, shih tzus, bearded collies, Afghan hounds ... |