This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, July 2015 issue.
The AKC written standard for the Poodle is the best description that I’ve found. “That of a very active, intelligent and elegant-appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.” From the Poodle History Project: “A comprehensive history of the Poodle does not exist. Neither does this exist for the several other varieties of European water spaniel, although evidence in art history indicates that these were a familiar sight as early as the High Middle Ages. Prior to around 1870 our knowledge is sketchy, excepting certain brilliant examples”. So to explore the history of Poodles, we need to look back much further than current written history—back to the proto curly-coated dogs that were found on the European/Asian continent. Exploring many sources reveals that these dogs served many purposes including duck dogs, arrow retrievers, circus dogs, herding dogs, companion dogs, etc. Poodles through history have been as versatile as their owners!
Their very nature, of an active and intelligent breed, allows them to learn quickly, to adapt to various uses and to excel at a myriad of activities. The history of the breed in the last several centuries shows Poodles as the prototype for several curly coated spaniel/retriever breeds. Poodles excel at retrieving, particularly in swampy cover similar to their historic origins in Europe and western Asia, where traditionally swamps were common. Until a vast portion of Europe was drained, hunting through swampy land for ducks and other game was a matter of life and death for the common man. Poodles, with their water-shedding curly coats, webbed and strong feet and tight lips with soft mouths, were the ideal hunting companion. Clipping the coat became the norm to aid the dog in moving through the water and brush and keeping the joints warm on long working days. Bringing this breed into the 21st century, Poodles are still a very active and intelligent breed used for many purposes. Of course, they are the ultimate show dog! Much to the dismay of many other breeds’ exhibitors, Poodles always seem to be in the Group and Best in Show ribbons, primarily due to their ease in training and that distinction and dignity described in their standard. But in addition, they also excel at many other activities. Poodles are fun-loving, people-oriented dogs. Although they may be a bit reserved with strangers and are very good at sounding the alarm at situations they see as unusual, they are not happy when they are not in the company of their “people”.
Left alone for extended periods of time, they can become very creative in making up games for their own amusement. Unfortunately, most of these games are not fun for the owner and can become destructive. Their behavior reminds me of a bored 3 year old child! Poodle puppies learn quickly and are easy to train. House-breaking, walking on a leash, basic obedience training, etc., are easily mastered by a well-bred Poodle puppy with a minimum of effort on the part of the owner. They truly are eager to soak up all the training that is given by their loving owners. The physical make-up of a Poodle makes them particularly suitable for hunting and retrieving activities. Miniature and Standard Poodles are now eligible to compete in AKC Hunting Tests for Retrievers as well as UKC tests for Retrievers alongside the other retriever and versatile hunting breeds. Many Poodles compete in various Upland hunting organization tests and are probably even better at upland hunting than open water duck retrieving. In addition, the Poodle Club of America offers Working Certificate tests for retrieving as well as Upland work. PCA’s tests are open to Poodles of all sizes.
While Poodles have a hunting style all their own, they compete on an equal footing in AKC and UKC tests. The standard for the breed calls for a moderate dog. Various finer points of the breed contribute to their success as a hunting dog including webbed and arched feet that enable them to swim with ease while also providing a firm support in muddy, swampy conditions. Their longer length of leg (compared to other retrievers) highlights their heritage as swamp-type workers where leg length is an asset. Lighter bone than other retrievers also helps with agility in mucky conditions and a longer neck and leg length also helps in tall cover. The high set-on of the tail is unimportant when working in swampy conditions (as opposed to acting as a rudder in water) and actually can be an aide not getting the tail hung-up on low-hanging brush and weeds and can also assist a hunter keeping an eye on the dog in upland settings too. The Poodle has a double coat with the inner coat being softer and the outer coat being harsher and curly. The coat can be maintained in any clip that suits the owner, but a traditional short continental clip is very functional for a hunting dog. As long as a short blanket of hair is kept on the shaved parts, the slightly longer outer coat provides a water-resistant barrier of protection even in the harshest weather and upland cover. Groomers often comment that it is very difficult to get a Poodle coat wet to the skin! Poodles have a long muzzle with a strong underjaw that enables them to hold game lightly but firmly.
A scissors bite with correct dentition allows the dog to breathe easily while holding a bird firmly either on land or swimming through the water. Tight lips keep water and foreign objects out of the mouth while the dog is carrying game. The length of neck also allows Poodles to more easily scan the pond or upland field for downed game. Many times a Poodle will flush and catch an upland bird before the bird gets high enough for a shot from the gunner. The hop-spying in a field of tall cover is most typically “poodle”. The ears are set at eye-level and hang close to the head, providing protection for the ear canal. The nose is keen but not prominent. Front and rear assemblies are in balance which gives Poodles a ground-covering and effortless but light gait. The body is short-coupled with plenty of room for the vital organs without the heaviness or coarseness of most other retrievers, giving them great stamina in the upland field similar to a pointer’s stamina for an all day hunt. A deep and heart-shaped rib cage completes the package of this ultimate athlete. Poodles have also traditionally been used as herding dogs, similar in working style to the other “upright” herding breeds. A Poodle’s correct structure should enable them to work stock tirelessly while working with the shepherd. The prey drive common in some Poodles as well as their intelligence and ability to work with people, can usually be channeled to working stock.
A confident but enthusiastic temperament helps with this activity as well. Poodles are one of the most agile of breeds, so it stands to reason that they have been popular performers with circus acts. Their intelligence and “love to please” attitude makes them easy to train. Most performing Poodles are hams and will play to an appreciative audience. This sense of playing to an audience also makes them a challenge to compete with in formal obedience competitions where the dog is judged on their strict compliance with certain exercises. Many a Poodle has heard a snicker from the audience and gone on to try to further entertain the audience with spontaneous (and unapproved by the handler!) antics. Anything for a laugh for this fun-loving breed! But they are also capable of intense concentration and flawless performances as demonstrated by the many Poodles who have been top obedience competitors. Being an upright breed, Poodles have advantages and disadvantages when competing in the relatively new sport of agility. Dog agility competition is loosely based on horse show jumping with other obstacles thrown in (tunnels, a-frame, weave poles, etc). Poodles are agile and intelligent so teaching them the basics of agility should be relatively easy.
They do tend to spring over jumps instead of just clipping them like a more “down” breed (i.e. Border Collie). But they can be taught a suitable jumping technique and their willingness to please lends itself to this fast-paced activity. Once Poodles are taught the proper jumping technique, they rarely knock and drop the bars like a more skimming breed and they can be just as fast and accurate. Many Poodles are also now being trained for Service Dog work. This includes seeing-eye dogs, hearing dogs and other various service tasks. The non-shedding coat and calm but active temperament of the Poodle lends itself nicely for this work. Poodles are also serving as Therapy Dogs and visiting nursing homes, children’s hospitals and schools to aid with reading programs for children. Their non-shedding coat and clean, non-drooly mouths make them ideal candidates for this work. Poodles, above all, are the ultimate companion breed. Serious breeders who breed to the standard will find that they have a dog suitable for any and all the above activities.
Currently, Poodles are being bred and advertised that are specialists in one activity or another. While individual Poodles may be more talented at retrieving, agility, conformation shows, etc., it would be a shame to see this versatile, wonderful breed be keyholed into one activity at the expense of any other. The breed is historically versatile and the physical attributes that make up a Poodle serve it well in a myriad of activities. To ignore or exaggerate one physical or mental aspect at the expense of another only degrades the versatility that is inherent in this great breed. So you can readily see that Poodles are indeed a versatile dog for all seasons and all reasons. Whatever your chosen activity, even just as a cozy companion, there is a size and Poodle temperament out there to fit the bill.
