10 Fascinating Facts About Poodles Everyone Should Know

The fuzzy and fun-loving Poodle dog is a breed that conjures images of elegance, grace, dog shows, and neatly manicured coats. Dog breeders revere these champions, and dog owners love their companionship. However, there are a few things the average person probably doesn’t realize about these amazingly beautiful dogs. 

Ten Fascinating Facts About Poodles Include:

1. Poodles Come From Germany, Not France

2. Poodles Can Fetch as Well as Retrievers

3. Poodle Haircuts Help Them Swim

4. Poodle Haircuts Are Expensive

5. A Poodle’s Hair is More Similar to Human Hair

6. Poodles Are Highly Intelligent Animals

7. Poodles Are Bred in Different Sizes

8. Poodles Are Very Energetic Dogs

9. High Intelligence Makes a Poodle Extremely Trainable

10. Poodles Often Lose Their Teeth

There are many myths about Poodles we believe in this modern society. This article aims to clear up the misconceptions, as well as provide new and revealing information about poodles. Read on for the fascinating facts about poodles everyone should know. 

1. Poodles Come From Germany, Not France

In case you didn’t know, Poodles are the national dog of the country of France. The Poodle is synonymous with the culture and elegance that the French espouse.

Interestingly, Poodles originated further north from France in the land of Germany. However, the French aren’t going to give up their national dog symbol any time soon. 

The original Poodle was born and bred in Germany as a hunting and retrieving dog. The poodle’s name is derived from the German word “Pudel” or “pudelin,” which means “splash in the water.”

So, it is no wonder that the Poodle was known for retrieving ducks and other waterfowl from lakes and streams. The misnomer of “French Poodle” is called a Caniche or “duck dog” in France. These dogs are retrieving dogs and are great swimmers, just like their ancestors from Germany. 

2. Poodles Can Fetch as Well as Retreivers

If you have ever played fetch with a poodle, you probably realized that these dogs fetch very well. Some Poodles are as good at the game of fetch as a retriever. This is not an accident. Some poodles were used as bird retrievers by hunters throughout history.      

Poodles might look fuzzy and friendly on the outside, but their manicured appearance hides a more brutal past. Poodles trace their bloodline back to ancestral tasks of being water retrieval dogs for hunting.      

Today, poodles are good retrievers because they were used to retrieve birds on hunts. Poodles were historically bred to be waterfowl hunters that worked with their masters by stalking, and then retrieving ducks and other birds that were shot. 

Just because the Poodle has been utilized as retrievers for hundreds of years doesn’t mean they have lost all of their hunting skills. Hunters still use Poodles as waterfowl hunters and retrievers to great success. Poodles are aggressive, skilled, and athletic enough for hunting and maneuvering in any terrain. 

The typical Poodle dog used for hunting has its hair an even one-inch length over its whole body, is kept lean and athletic, and is voice command trained for retrieving and staying silent while in stalk mode. 

3. Poodle Haircuts Help Them Swim

Sure, you might believe that poodle hairstyles are all about fashion with their unique lion-Esque shaves and poofs of hair. After all, many of the Poodles who participate in dog shows have these fancy hairstyles. However, these haircuts are more about function than fashion.

The origin of the Poodle haircut came about because Poodles needed to get wet to fulfill their purpose. Trimming the hair in strategic areas on the Poodle’s body made it easier for the dog to move by allowing them to more easily move their legs and swim after waterfowl. 

The tufts of hair still provide warmth for the vital organs around the upper torso and the circumference of their joints when the dog is swimming in cold water. However, the rest of the body is shaved down close to the skin for increased swimming ability. 

So, before you judge the dazzling and stylish hairstyle of the Poodle as weak or soft, consider that this hairstyle helps your dog do things that other dogs can’t. These traditional haircuts increase the athletic ability of the Poodle.

4. Poodle Haircuts Are Expensive

Chances are you have seen the hairstyle of tufts around the joints and upper torso many times before. It doesn’t matter which type of Poodle you have or what activities it does. Hunting, working, or house Poodle dogs all require special trimming and hair cuts for functionality and appearance. 

There are many hairstyles that poodles will sport, and all of them are costly at around $30 to $90 per cut. 

Poodles who are show dogs have strict rules about where the pompoms and tufts of hair are allowed on their body. The AKC requires a Poodle haircut to be one of three cuts for show dogs: 

• Continental Clip
• English Saddle
• Puppy Clip (Puppies under a year of age)

Poodles who do not perform as show dogs have many other options when it comes to hairstyles.

Some of the most popular hairstyles for Poodles are listed below: 

• Teddy Bear: The teddy bear cut is very popular for more miniature breed Poodles. The style leaves them looking like cuddly little adorable teddy bear toys. The soft hair on the face is left rounded, and the rest of the body gets a short trim that is even in length. 
• Summer Coat: A low-maintenance option for your Poodle during summer is the Summer Coat. Your Poodle might thank you for this short and cool hairstyle that keeps the hair short around the entire body for increased comfort during hot months. 
• German Cut: A fancy cut that doesn’t look over the top is the German Cut. The German Cut leaves a sharp silhouette and profile with the power of angles. The hair on the body and ears gets cut very short, while the legs get left with long hair. This trim is terrific for active canines and those who are prone to ear infections or ear matting. 
• Modern Cut: This cut features the streamlined and athletic shape of the Poodle’s long legs. The hair on the head, ears, and tail are left long so that Poodle has a fluffier appearance. The cut also accentuates the Poodle’s trim build by cutting the hair around the whole body short. 
• The Puppy Clip: When the poodle is a puppy and being shown, or the owner just wants it looking nice and cleaned up, the most common cut is The Puppy Clip. The Puppy Clip is an even length over the whole body. 
• Lion Cut: Many Poodle owners want their dog to look like a fierce lion. However, the outcome is more adorable than scary. The lion cut has a tuft of hair on the tail and a mane of hair around the neck that resembles the hairstyle of the king of the jungle. 
• Cupcake Cut: A lesser-known hairstyle for poodles, the cupcake cut is named for the shape of the head and ears. With this cut, the head of the Poodle has hair shaped into a pointed cupcake shape while the ears are rounded and fluffy. This cut is much more popular for miniature and petit breed Poodles because it looks so adorable and delicate. 

5. A Poodle’s Hair is More Similar to Human Hair

Poodles are known for their curly and thick coats of hair that are often cut into attractive and adorable hairstyles. However, don’t call the coat fur because that would not be the accurate definition of their fuzzy coats. 

Poodles have hair, not fur. Poodles are not like most dog breeds which grow fur with two layers. Instead, the coat is one layer of hair that continually grows in length if it is not cut. So, in this sense, Poodles are just like humans in that they have a single coat of hair that grows uniformly. 

The benefit of a Poodle’s hair is that it can get styled in multiple different ways throughout its life. These styles can be fun and attractive, as well as functional and every Poodle will need hair grooming throughout its lifetime. Now you know the reason for those frequent haircuts. 

However, Poodle hair is also constantly growing. Therefore, your Poodle’s continually growing hair must get trimmed occasionally, or it will grow too long. Overgrown hair tends to get matted and look unkempt, much like human hair. But this is a small price to pay for that long hair that looks so good when properly manicured. 

6. Poodles Are Highly Intelligent Animals

Just because Poodles look fancy and high-class doesn’t mean that a Poodle can’t work. The fuzzy hair that might get in the way is trimmed back, and the true nature of this athletic beast is revealed, making the Poodle suited to many difficult and strenuous settings. 

Poodles possess incredible intelligence and bond well with humans. As a result, they have been utilized as working animals for hundreds of years. 

Poodles are considered the second smartest of all 138 breeds of dogs. They are emotionally intelligent enough for service work and athletic and responsive enough for work with professionals. They have even competed as sled dogs!

As unbelievable as it sounds, a team of poodles finished the over 1,000 mile race across the open frozen country of Alaska for the first time ever. This team shows that poodles are very strong, athletic, and above all, intelligent animals. 

Poodles are capable helpers and work in many different settings for humans. Their knack for figuring out what humans want, and their innate need for human companionship, make them great working animals who are eager to please.

A Poodle’s intelligence rivals some of the most intelligent and legendary working dogs in the world. As you can see, Poodles are much more than meets the eye. 

7. Poodles Are Bred in Different Sizes

Poodles are not a one size fits all breed. The breed is unique because it has evolved past just a single dimension. These size varieties make the Poodle a good fit for a variety of owners and homes, from large estates with sprawling lawns to single-bedroom apartments in the city. 

Poodles come in three size variations: 

• Toy Poodle – The toy variety of Poodles is no more than ten inches tall.
• Miniature Poodle – The miniature Poodles can grow up to 15 inches tall.
• Standard Poodle – The Standard Poodle is the largest and tallest of the three varieties and grows 15 inches or taller.

Since all of these sizes are the same breed of Poodle, they follow the same standards of breeding for all Poodles.

8. Poodles Are Very Energetic Dogs

Every prospective owner of poodles should be aware of their wild nature. If you leave a Poodle alone, make sure it has plenty of toys and distractions. Chew toys, balls, or anything else that keeps your Poodle active while alone might help reduce damage to your home by lowering your Poodle’s anxiety level. 

Poodles are known as energetic and rambunctious dogs.

Some common energetic characteristics of the Poodle breed include:

• Jumping
• Playing hard 
• Running fast
• Snapping

If you are an active person, a Poodle’s needs are probably perfect for you. The Poodle requires walks or playtime each day. Suppose you aren’t able to give your Poodle the physical activity and attention it needs. In that case, it might be best if you consider another breed of dog.

Overall, the Poodle breed can be more challenging to train without proper training due to its rambunctious nature and high intelligence. These traits can make for a troublesome pooch if it is not trained properly. 

Activities for your Poodle should be high energy and exercise the mind of your Poodle as well. Obstacle courses, learning new tricks, long walks, and playtime are great activity ideas for any Poodle owner to provide for their rambunctious dog.

Time spent with your Poodle will pay dividends. However, if you don’t have time to properly train and exercise your Poodle, you should choose another breed of dog. 

9. High Intelligence Makes a Poodle Extremly Trainable

Some will argue that smarter dogs are harder to train because they enter into a battle of wills. The truth is that the battle of wills only happens if you let it. It all goes back to training – and starting that training early.

Studies have been conducted that assert that because of the high intelligence that poodles possess, they only need to hear (and associate) a training command five times until they have completely internalized the concept.

Where To Start With Your Poodle’s Training

The first thing you want your puppy to know is his name. Just like most breeds, Poodles are motivated by treats. You can buy training treats that you will want to break into multiple pieces.

For any command you want to teach your puppy, repeat the word in a calm, firm (not angry) tone, and when your Poodle responds appropriately, give him a treat and lots of praise. 

Commands you will want to focus on initially include:

• Your puppy’s name
• Heel
• Sit
• Stay
• Lay down
• Come

Once your puppy has mastered these commands, you will be able to move on to additional terms like fetch, rollover, and so many more.

Positive Reinforcement is Key

Your Poodle wants to please you and will work to do so. Their desire to please, combined with their high intelligence, however, makes them very susceptible to poor behavior when negative correction is the method most often used.

Avoid using angry or yelling tones, and do not strike your dog – he may choose to protect himself and strike back. This would be a natural reaction, but it can also lead to aggressive behavior.

10. Poodles Often Lose Their Teeth

The teeth of a Poodle may be one of the last things you consider when caring for this cuddly and fluffy dog breed. However, Poodles are known by veterinarians to have many dental problems. 

Poodles are susceptible to losing teeth early in their lives due to plaque build-up and poor dental hygiene. 

Even though other breeds may have bad dental hygiene, they are not generally affected by tooth loss early in life. Unfortunately, Poodles with bad teeth tend to lose those teeth earlier in life than other breeds. 

Because Poodles have a weaker than normal dental structure of the gums and teeth roots, dental hygiene is incredibly important. However, if Poodles have bad teeth and begin chewing hard chew toys, such as an antler bone, they may end up losing teeth.

This is a dilemma that Poodle owners deal with by ensuring their dog’s teeth are in top health before allowing them to chew on any hard substances before tooth and gum issues can arise. 

In Conclusion

Poodles are an excellent breed of dog with many aspects that you may not have known about. This fascinating breed has delighted human beings for hundreds of years. They are athletic, pretty, and extremely good personal companions. 

Hopefully, you are now aware of some more information about the fascinating life of the Poodle. Whether you own a Poodle, are thinking about buying one, or are just interested in the breed, you now have more information to allow you to truly admire their grace and beauty more because of these fascinating facts.