Profile & Natural History
The Poodle's ridiculous haircut was once function: hunters clipped the coat for swimming while leaving joints warm, and ribbons marked dogs in the field. The breed standardized in France as the national dog while its German name — Pudel, "to splash in water" — kept the origin honest.
Temperament. Standards are brilliant, proud, and people-oriented, with realRetrieve drive still — they love fetching, swimming, and any game with rules. Trainability is elite: they read tone, anticipate routines, and excel at obedience, agility, and trick work. With strangers they're initially reserved but never sharp; with family, genuinely bonded. This is the large breed for people who want intelligence without herding-dog neurosis.
Care. The continuously-growing curly coat doesn't shed into your home but does need professional clipping every 4–6 weeks plus weekly brushing — budget for it. Exercise needs are real but flexible: walks, swims, play sessions, sports. Health watchlist: hip dysplasia, bloat (feed two meals, rest after), Addison's disease, and ear infections under those curls.
Fits: families, allergy-sensitive homes, sport and obedience fans. Thinks twice: owners unwilling to fund professional grooming.