Poodle

For the political insult, see poodle (insult).

poodle
A Standard Poodle
Other names	Pudle (Old English) Caniche Barbone
Origin	Germany or France
Kennel club standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Poodle is a breed of dog. The poodle breed is found officially in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, with many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the Poodle is skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. Poodles have taken top honors in many conformation shows, including "Best in Show" at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and 2002, and at the World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.

History

A 17th-century engraving of a Poodle

The Poodle, 1600s painting of the traditional Poodle

The Poodle is believed to have originated in Germany, where it was known as the Pudelhund. Pudel (cognate with the English word "puddle"), is derived from the Low German verb meaning "to splash about", and the word Hund in German means "dog". The breed was standardized in France, where it was commonly used as a water retriever.

The European mainland had known the biscuit cake before it was brought to argentengland. Drawings by German artist Albrecht Durer established the breed in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was the principal pet dog of the late 18th century in Spain, as shown by the paintings of the Spanish artist Francisco Goya. France had toy Poodles as pampered favorites during the reign of Louis XVI at about the same period.

The Poodle has been bred in at least three sizes, including Standard, Miniature, and Toy. According to the American Kennel Club, the Standard Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties, and was later bred down to the miniature and toy sizes. Despite the Standard Poodle's claim to greater age than the other varieties, some evidence shows the smaller types developed only a short time after the breed assumed the general type by which it is recognized today. The smallest, or Toy variety, was developed in England in the 18th century. Today, similar to other breeds, there is a teacup poodle, which is not a registered size in most dog registries (CKC, AKC, UKC, etc.).

Poodles are retrievers or gun dogs, and are still used by hunters in that role. Their coats are moisture-resistant, which helps their swimming. All of the Poodle's ancestors were acknowledged to be good swimmers, although one member of the family, the truffle dog (which may have been of Toy or Miniature size), it is said, never went near the water. Truffle hunting was widely practiced in England, and later in Spain and Germany, where the edible fungus has always been considered a delicacy. For scenting and digging up the fungus, the smaller dogs were favoured, since they did less damage to the truffles with their feet than the larger kinds. So it is rumored that a terrier was crossed with the Poodle to produce the ideal truffle hunter.

Characteristics

A Standard Poodle retrieving a gamebird

The Miniature Poodle, which is of intermediate size between Standard and Toy

Toy Parti Poodle, in puppy clip

A brown Standard Poodle at five weeks

Phantom Poodles

A Toy Poodle at ten weeks

Appearance

The Poodle is a very active, intelligent and elegant dog, squarely built, and well proportioned. To ensure the desirable squarely built appearance, the length of body measured from the breastbone to the point of the rump approximates the height from the highest point of the shoulders to the ground. The eyes should be very dark, oval in shape, and have an alert and intelligent expression. The ears should fold over close to the head, set at, or slightly below, eye level. The coat should be of naturally curly texture, dense throughout.

Colors

Poodles are solid-colored or parti-colored. Most registries around the world recognize both solid and parti-colored poodles, but a few registries (notably The AKC) only allow solid colors in conformation shows. Poodles come in a wide variety of colors, including white, black, parti, gray, silver, brown, silver beige, apricot, red, cream, sable, phantom, and brindle.

For solid-colored poodles, the coat is an even and solid color at the skin. In blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-au-laits, 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 apricots, while the foregoing coloring is preferred, liver-colored noses, eye rims and lips, and amber eyes are permitted, but are not desirable. Incomplete color of nose, lips and eye rims, or of wrong color for color of dog are considered major faults.

Partially colored poodles, or "Parti" Poodles are recognized in poodle history as the original coloring of the poodle. A Parti poodle has colored patches over a white coat. Parti colors are brown/white, black/white, silver/white, and so on and so forth. All parti poodles have a white base coat; ideally, the coat will appear almost 50% white, 50% color though it can vary with a larger percent of white. The colored markings or patches should be on the poodle's head, body, and tail. Parti poodles should have the same points as its correlating solid-colored descendants. Brown and white parti poodles have liver-colored noses, eye rims and lips, self-colored toenails and amber eyes. (This is also permitted, but not preferred in apricot and white parti poodles). All other parti colors have black noses, eye rims and lips, black or self-colored toenails and very dark eyes.

Phantom poodles have the coloring of a Doberman Pinscher. Meaning, they have a lighter color appearing on their "eyebrows," muzzle and throat, legs and feet and below their tail. Like Doberman, Phantom poodles have either a black or brown main coat with a tan (usually apricot or red) lighter colorings around the eyebrows, muzzle, throat, legs, feet, and below their tail.

Tuxedo poodle is when the dog has markings that mimic that of a tuxedo. The upper coat is solid: head, back, tail, and the lower coat is white: neck, chest, abdomen, and legs (usually 40% or more of the coat).

Poodle sizes

Unlike most breeds, Poodles can come in a variety of sizes, distinguished by adult shoulder (withers) height. The exact height cutoffs among the varieties vary slightly from country to country. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes four sizes of one breed, standard, medium, miniature, and toy. Non-FCI kennel clubs generally recognize three sizes, standard, miniature, and toy, sometimes as sizes of the same breed and sometimes as separate breeds. Only the FCI describes a maximum size for Standard Poodles. France is the country responsible for the breed in the FCI, and in this country, the puppies of all sizes are listed together. The terms royal standard, teacup, and tiny teacup are marketing names, and are not recognized by any major kennel club.

Comparison of poodle sizes defined by major kennel clubs

Size	The Kennel Club (UK)	Australian National Kennel Council	New Zealand Kennel Club	Canadian Kennel Club	American Kennel Club	United Kennel Club	Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Standard, Grande	over 38 cm (15 in)	38 cm (15 in) and over	38 cm (15 in) and over	over 15 inches (38 cm)	over 15 inches (38 cm)	over 15 inches (38 cm)	over 45 cm to 60 cm (+2 cm) (18 to 24 in)
Medium, Moyen	not used	not used	not used	not used	not used	not used	over 35 cm to 45 cm (14 to 18 in)
Miniature - Dwarf, Nain	28 cm to 38 cm (11 to 15 in)	28 cm to under 38 cm (11 to 15 in)	28 cm to under 38 cm (11 to 15 in)	over 10 in to under 15 in (25.4 to 38 cm)	over 10 in to 15 in (25.4 to 38 cm)	over 10 in up to 15 in (25.4 to 38 cm)	over 28 cm to 35 cm (11 to 14 in)
Toy	under 28 cm (11 in)	under 28 cm (11 in)	under 28 cm (11 in)	under 10 in (25.4 cm)	under 10 in (25.4 cm)	under 10 in (25.4 cm)	24 to 28 cm (9.4 to 11 in)

All the Fédération Cynologique Internationale Poodles are in Group 9 Companion and Toy, Section 2 Poodle. All the Kennel Club Poodles are in the Utility Group. All three sizes of Poodles for the Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club are in the Non-sporting Group. The Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club place standard and miniature sizes in the Non-sporting Group, and the toy size in the Toy Group. The United Kennel Club places the miniature and toy in the Companion Group and the standard Poodle in the Gundog Group.

Coat

File:Medium-sized Poodles, traditional parti color.jpg

Poodles, in traditional parti coloring, in a Modern Clip

Unlike most dogs which have double coats, poodles have a single layer coat (no undercoat) composed of dense, curly fur that sheds minimally. They could be considered hypoallergenic (though not completely allergen free). The Poodle does shed, but instead of the fur coming off the dog, it becomes tangled in the surrounding hair. This can lead to matting without proper care. Texture ranges from coarse and woolly to soft and wavy. Poodle show clips require many hours of brushing and care per week, about 10 hours/week for a Standard Poodle. Poodles are usually clipped down into lower-maintenance cuts as soon as their show careers are over. Pet clips are much less elaborate than show and require much less maintenance. A pet owner can anticipate grooming a poodle every six to eight weeks. Although professional grooming is often costly, poodles are easy to groom at home with the proper equipment.

Show clips

Many breed registries allow only certain clips for poodles shown in conformation. In American Kennel Club (AKC) shows, adults must be shown in the "Continental" or "English saddle" clips. Dogs under 12 months old may be shown with a "puppy clip". The AKC allows the "Sporting" clip in Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes, as well.

Some sources believe the show clips evolved from working clips, which originally provided warmth to major joints when the dogs were immersed in cold water. The rest of the body is shaved for less drag in the water. Others express skepticism at this theory, instead citing the French circus as the origin of the entertaining and unique clips.

Second puppy

A medium-sized Poodle in the Scandinavian clip

The second puppy clip is also called the Scandinavian clip or puppy clip. It was invented by Swedish and Norwegian show groomers in the 1970s. It is the most common one in all sizes for shows in Europe, and is allowed for adult poodles to be shown in the FCI countries. The face, throat, belly, feet and the base of the tail are shaved five to seven days before the show to get a nice, smooth appearance of the shaved areas. The hair on the head is left to form a "topknot", fixed in place using latex bands, because in most European countries, hair spray is banned. The rest of the dog is shaped with scissors. It makes the parts of the dog look fluffy.

Continental clip

In the continental clip, the face, throat, feet and part of the tail are shaved. The upper half of the front legs is shaved, leaving "fluffy pompons" around the ankles. The hindquarters are shaved except for pompons on the lower leg (from the hock to the base of the foot) and optional round areas (sometimes called "rosettes") over the hips. The continental clip is the most popular show clip today.

English saddle clip

The English saddle clip is similar to the continental, except for the hindquarters, which are not shaved except for a small, curved area on each flank (just behind the body), the feet, and bands just below the stifle (knee) and above the hock, leaving four (4) pompons. This clip is now rarely seen in standard poodles.

Pet clips

Pet clips can be as simple or as elaborate as owners wish. The hair under the tail should always be kept short to keep feces from matting in the dog's curls. Most owners also keep the feet and face clipped short to prevent dirt from matting between toes, tear stains on lighter-coated poodles and food from matting around the dog's muzzle. Beyond these sanitary requirements, desired clips depend on owners' preferences. Some owners maintain a longer clip in winter than summer, which they groom often with a wire slicker brush to remove tangles and prevent matting.

Corded coat

A corded Standard Poodle

In most cases, whether a Poodle is in a pet or show clip, the hair is completely brushed out. Poodle hair can also be "corded" with rope-like mats similar to those of a Komondor or human dreadlocks. Though once as common as the curly Poodle, corded Poodles are now rare. Corded coats are difficult to keep clean and take a long time to dry after washing. Any Poodle with a normal coat can be corded when its adult coat is in. Corded poodles may be shown in all major kennel club shows.

Temperament

A Standard Poodle catching a ball

Of note is this breed's keen sense for instinctive behavior. In particular, marking and hunting drives are more readily observable than in most other breeds. Even Toys will point birds. Classified as highly energetic, Poodles can also get bored fairly easily, and have been known to get creative about finding mischief. Poodles like to be in the center of things and are easily trained to do astonishing tricks involving both brains and agility. They have performed in circuses for centuries, beginning in Europe, and have been part of the Ringling Circus in its various forms from its inception. The Grimaldis, the famous British clowns Kenneth and Audrey Austin, "developed a stronger circus act" with a clever Poodle named 'Twinkle,' the success of which allowed them to continue performing even as octogenarians."

Health

A Standard Poodle at a baseball game

With proper care and nutrition, many enjoy life well into their teens. The Toy Poodle pictured above is 16, and with arthritis medication, still has an active life.

The most common serious health issues of Standard Poodles (listed in order of the number of reported cases in the Poodle Health Registry (as of August 20, 2007) are Addison's disease, gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV = bloat/torsion), thyroid issues (hyperthyroid and hypothyroid), tracheal collapse, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia, and cancer. Standard Poodles are also susceptible to some health issues usually too minor to report to the health registry. The most common of these minor issues is probably ear infection. Ear infections are a problem in all Poodle varieties because their nonshedding coat grows into the ear canal, where it traps wax and dirt. Ear problems can be minimized by proper ear care, including regular cleaning and plucking of hair within the ear canal. A veterinarian should be consulted if the dog shows signs of an ear infection.

Addison's disease

Addison's disease is (as of August 20, 2007) the illness most commonly reported to the Poodle Health Registry. The number of reported cases is nearly twice as high as the next most common problem (GDV). Addison's disease is characterized by insufficient production of glucocorticoid and/or mineralocortoid in the adrenal cortex (near the kidneys). Addison's is often undiagnosed because early symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for other conditions. Standard Poodles with unexplained lethargy, frequent gastric disturbances, or an inability to tolerate stress should be tested for it. Addison's can cause fatal sodium/potassium imbalances, but if caught early and treated with lifelong medication, most dogs can live a relatively normal life.

Gastric dilatation volvulus

Standard poodle owners should take special note of the high incidence of GDV in this breed. Excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach causes "bloat". Twisting of the stomach (volvulus or "torsion") causes or is caused by excess gas. Symptoms include restlessness, inability to get comfortable, pacing, or retching without being able to bring up anything. The dog's abdomen may be visibly swollen, but bloat or torsion can occur without visible swelling. A dog with GDV requires immediate veterinary care. The dog's survival usually depends on whether the owner can get to a veterinarian in time.

Longevity and causes of death

Standard Poodles in UK, Denmark and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of 11.5 to 12 years. In a UK survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (30%), old age (18%), GDV (6%), and cardiac disease (5%).

Miniature and Toy Poodles in UK surveys had median lifespans of 14 to 14.5 years. In Miniatures, the leading cause of death was old age (39%). In Toys, the leading causes of death were old age (25%), and kidney failure (20%).

Some Toy Poodles can live up to 20 years, if they have healthy lives and are not overweight. The oldest poodle that ever lived was Lady who lived to be 28 years and 218 days old. She was born in 1908 and died on August 6, 1937.

Common illnesses

• Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism)
• Cataracts
• Congenital heart disease
• Chronic active hepatitis
• Cushing's syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism)
• Distichiasis
• Entropion
• Epilepsy
• Gastric dilatation volvulus (Standard)
• Gastric torsion
• Glaucoma
• Intervertebral disc degeneration
• Lacrimal duct atresia
• Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Patellar luxation (Toy and Miniature)
• Trichiasis
• Urolithiasis
• Hip dysplasia (Standard)
• Hypothyroidism
• Mitral valve disease
• Osteosarcoma
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Sebaceous adenitis
• Von Willebrand disease

Poodle mixes

Main article: Poodle hybrid

Twelve-week-old Cockapoo puppy

Poodles are crossed with other breeds for various reasons, and the resulting puppies (called designer dogs) are described by whimsical portmanteau words, such as cockapoo or spoodle (Cocker Spaniel), goldendoodle, labradoodle (Labrador), Schnoodle (Schnauzer), pekepoos (Pekingese), Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles) and many others.

A cross between a shedding breed and a Poodle (which does not shed much) does not reliably produce a nonshedding dog. Traits of puppies from crossbreedings are not as predictable as those from purebred poodle breedings, and the crosses may shed or have unexpected or undesirable qualities from the parent breeds.

Poodle crossbreds (also called hybrids) are not recognized by any major breed registry, as crossbreds are not one breed of dog, but two. If both parents are registered purebreds but of different breeds, it is still not possible to register a puppy as two different breeds. Some minor registries and Internet registry businesses will register dogs as any breed the owner chooses with minimal or no documentation; some even allow the breeder or owner to make up a new "breed name".

Hypoallergenic qualities

Poodles are often cited as a hypoallergenic dog breed. Their individual hair follicles have an active growth period that is longer than that of many other breeds of dogs; combined with the tightly curled coat, which slows the loss of dander and dead hair by trapping it in the curls, an individual Poodle may release less dander and hair into the environment. In addition, most Poodles are frequently brushed and bathed to keep them looking their best; this not only removes hair and dander, but also controls the other potent allergen, saliva.

Although hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they are still present and can stick to "clothes and the carpets and furnishings in your home"; inhaling them, or being licked by the dog, can trigger a reaction in a sensitive person. An air cleaner, air duct outlet and vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can help clear dander floating in the air.

The word hypoallergenic, when referring to a dog, is also a misconception; all dogs shed. Poodles shed hair in minimal amounts, and also release dander, but are not as likely to trigger allergies as much as many other breeds.

Famous poodles

Poodles over the years have been known for their agility and intelligence, which make them ideal for performing for private and public entertainment.

• French poodles Philax and Brac were trained to play dominoes.
• Weiss, also called Professor Weiss, from Europe could count
• The "mentalist" Munito was able to read the minds of spectators while the dog's trainer, General Huchinson, would handle a deck of cards.
• Boye, pet of Prince Rupert of the Rhine (1619–1682), was killed at the Battle of Marston Moor.
• Charley, pet of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck, a black (referred to as "blue" in the book) Standard Poodle, played Charley in the TV miniseries "Travels with Charley: In Search of America", based on Steinbeck's 1961 book of the same name.
• Derek, pet of Patrick Swayze
• Rhapsody in White ("Butch"), the Standard Poodle featured in the movie "Best in Show".
• Roly was featured in the BBC's "EastEnders" for eight years.
• Atma and Butz, poodles owned by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer
• In Goethe's Faust, Mephistopheles first appears to Faust in the form of a black poodle.

• 
  Danny Thomas show Poodles (1964)
• 
  Agility of Poodles (HMKC Spring 2007 Agility Trial)
• 
  Caricature of Schopenhauer by Wilhelm Busch (1832–1908)

Notes

note 1. ^{^} fur is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "the short, soft hair of certain animals" whereas hair is defined as "any of the fine thread-like strands growing from the skin of mammals and other animals, or from the epidermis of a plant."

External links

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