Poodle History

 


Poodles are one of the oldest known breeds to man. It is impossible to pinpoint the  true origins of this noble breed to a certain time or place. Early as 30 A.D. Poodle-like dogs appeared on carvings in Roman tombs and on Greek and Roman coins. The fifteenth century refers to Poodles in both writing and art, from France, Holland and Italy. The art of that time portrayed the Poodle in trims similar to today’s traditional show trims. The three countries that contributed most to promoting the breed were Russia, France and Germany. The Russian Poodle was described as being somewhat Greyhound-like in body type. The German Poodle had a more thickset and had a wooly coat texture. It was here that the two different coat types -- curly and corded -- were noted. Where the Poodle got his name; Pudel (Canis Familiaris Aquatius), or "water dog" in Germany; the Caniche (chien canard), or "duck dog" in France; in England, the Poodle, "splash in water"; when they became popular in Holland and Belgium they were know as "Poedels". All these names have been given to the breed we know as the Poodle.

The Poodle began to achieve popularity in Britain by the end of the 19th century. When they were considered extremely fashionable.

The Poodle was introduced to the United States in the late 1800's. They were imported mostly from England. They were mostly black, white, or brown, and the Standard size attracted the most interest. The first Poodle was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1887. Poodle registration was minimal and few were exhibited at shows. Pet Poodles were found in homes, but they were far from popular.

In 1930 there were only thirty-four Poodles registered with the American Kennel Club. It was not until, The Poodle Club of America, which was founded in 1931, that the Poodle breed was generally noticed, but the breed didn't really achieve popularity until after World War II.

Standard and Toys were shown before World War I. The early Toys were considered a separate breed until 1943 when the American Kennel Club recognized them as being the third variety of Poodle. As Miniatures became popular, they were shown with the Standards. A widely accepted theory is that, Miniatures are the result of breeding small Standards, and the Toy is the result of breeding small Miniatures.

By the 1960's they were the most popular breed in America and maintained that distinction for an unprecedented 23 consecutive years. In 1994 the Poodle was the 5th most commonly registered breed by the AKC, attesting to it's continued popularity. From hunting dog, to circus performer, to family pet and show dog, the Poodle has the ability to adapt to a variety of circumstances.

History Of The Poodles Hair

The Poodles coat styles can be traced to the early days of the breed. Their heavy, water-repellant coats that helped keep them warm while dashing in and out of the water also hampered their movement once wet.

The solution was to shave the hair short on the hindquarters, leaving it full on their chests for warmth. Later, bobbles were left on to protect the joints from rheumatism. The hair was tied back from the eyes, first with string and later with colored ribbon to make the dog more visible when swimming or in the field.

The clips accepted for the show ring today are offshoots of the early practicality. As time went on coat styling for the Poodle became more ornamental. Nineteenth century France saw the rise of the business of Poodle grooming, when no style of clip seemed too outrageous. Intricate designs and family crests were clipped into the Poodles coat.

The Corded Poodle was also quite fashionable. The coat was rolled and twisted into long tight ringlets. Each rope-like ringlet was formed individually, with the help of wax or petroleum jelly, and left to grow until it reached the ground.

In the late 1800s, the Corded Poodle was at its peak of popularity. At early shows, Poodles were frequently corded, and a battle ensued as to whether the Corded Poodle and the Curly coated were separate breeds of the same family. If there ever were two different types of Poodles, the Corded Poodle has ceased to exist.

According to the breed standard: the Poodle is 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.

The Poodles temperament, personality, and good nature are why the Poodle is, and has been such a popular breed. The Poodle is intelligent, learns quickly, and is very eager to please his owner. When the Poodle knows what is expected, he will happily comply.

The Poodle is highly adaptable and can fit into the lifestyle of any household. The Poodle is sensitive to his owner, seems to read situations, and respond accordingly. The Poodle has a sense of humor and the ability to make people laugh.

Head and Expression

(a) Eyes- very dark, oval in shape and set far enough apart and positioned to create an alert intelligent expression. Major fault: eyes round, protruding, large or very light.
(b) Ears- hanging close to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide and thickly feathered; however, the ear fringe should not be of excessive length.
(c) Skull- moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle.
(d) Muzzle- long, straight and fine, with slight chiseling under the eyes. Strong without lippiness. The chin definite enough to preclude snippiness. Major fault: lack of chin. Teeth- white, strong and with a scissors bite. Major fault: undershot, overshot, wry mouth.

Neck, Topline, Body

Neck well proportioned, strong and long enough to permit the head to be carried high and with dignity. Skin snug at throat. The neck rises from strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. Major fault: ewe-neck. 

The topline is level, neither sloping nor roached, from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail, with the exception of a slight hollow just behind the shoulder.

Body
(a) Chest deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs.
(b) The loin is short, broad and muscular.
(c) Tail straight, set on high and carried up, docked of sufficient length to insure a balanced outline. Major fault: set low, curled, or carried over the back.

Forequarters

Strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. The shoulder blade is well laid back and approximately the same length as the upper foreleg. Major fault: steep shoulder.
(a) Forelegs straight and parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder. The pasterns are strong. Dewclaws may be removed.

Feet

The feet are rather small, oval in shape with toes well-arched and cushioned on thick firm pads. Nails short but not excessively shortened. The feet turn neither in nor out. Major fault: paper or splayfoot.

Hindquarters

The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters.
(a) Hind legs straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. Muscular with width in the region of the stifles which are well bent; femur and tibia are about equal in length; hock to heel short and perpendicular to the ground. When standing, the rear toes are only slightly behind the point of the rump. Major fault: cow-hocks.

Coat

(a) Quality- (1) Curly: of naturally harsh texture, dense throughout. (2) Corded: hanging in tight even cords of varying length; longer on mane or body coat, head, and ears; shorter on puffs, bracelets, and pompons.
(b) Clip- A Poodle under 12 months may be shown in the "Puppy" clip. In all regular classes, Poodles 12 months or over must be shown in the "English Saddle" or "Continental" clip. In the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes and in a non-competitive Parade of Champions, Poodles may be shown in the "Sporting" clip. A Poodle shown in any other type of clip shall be disqualified.
(1) "Puppy"- A Poodle under a year old may be shown in the "Puppy" clip with the coat long. The face, throat, feet and base of the tail are shaved. The entire shaven foot is visible. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. In order to give a neat appearance and a smooth unbroken line, shaping of the coat is permissible.

(2) "English Saddle"- In the "English Saddle" clip the face, throat, feet, forelegs and base of the tail are shaved, leaving puffs on the forelegs and a pompon on the end of the tail. The hindquarters are covered with a short blanket of hair except for a curved shaved area on each flank and two shaved bands on each hind leg. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven leg above the puff are visible. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped in order to insure overall balance.

(3) "Continental"- In the "Continental" clip, the face, throat, feet, and base of the tail are shaved. The hindquarters are shaved with pompons (optional) on the hips. The legs are shaved, leaving bracelets on the hind legs and puffs on the forelegs. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the puff are visible. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped in order to insure overall balance. 

4) "Sporting"- In the "Sporting" clip, a Poodle shall be shown with face, feet, throat, and base of tail shaved, leaving a scissored cap on the top of the head and a pompon on the end of the tail. The rest of the body, and legs are clipped or scissored to follow the outline of the dog leaving a short blanket of coat no longer than one inch in length. The hair on the legs may be slightly longer than that on the body.
In all clips the hair of the topknot may be left free or held in place by elastic bands. The hair is only of sufficient length to present a smooth outline. "Topknot" refers only to hair on the skull, from stop to occiput. This is the only area where elastic bands may be used.

Color

The coat is an even and solid color at the skin. In blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-au-laits, reds, apricots and creams the coat may show varying shades of the same color. This is frequently present in the somewhat darker feathering of the ears and in the tipping of the ruff. While clear colors are definitely preferred, such natural variation in the shading of the coat is not to be considered a fault. Brown and cafe-au-lait Poodles have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Black, blue, gray, silver, cream and white Poodles have black noses, eye-rims and lips, black or self-colored toenails and very dark eyes. In the reds and apricots while the foregoing coloring is preferred, liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, and amber eyes are permitted but are not desirable. Major fault: color of nose, lips and eye-rims incomplete, or of wrong color for color of dog.
Parti-colored dogs shall be disqualified. The coat of a parti-colored dog is not an even solid color at the skin but is of two or more colors.

Gait

A straightforward trot with light springy action and strong hindquarters drive. Head and tail carried up. Sound effortless movement is essential.

Temperament

Carrying himself proudly, very active, intelligent, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Major fault: shyness or sharpness.

Major Faults

Any distinct deviation from the desired characteristics described in the Breed Standard.

Disqualifications

Size-- A dog over or under the height limits specified shall be disqualified. Clip-- A dog in any type of clip other than those listed under coat shall be disqualified. Parti-colors-- The coat of a parti-colored dog is not an even solid color at the skin but of two or more colors. Parti-colored dogs shall be disqualified.