HISTORY OF POODLES

These dogs were originally bred in Germany, and can be seen in art from as early as the 15th and 16th century. Their name comes from the German word pudel, meaning “to splash about.” There they worked as water retrievers from the 17th century on, helping hunters retrieve ducks and other waterfowl, and occasionally as retrievers in upland bird hunting. In addition to their roles as duck dogs, they have also worked as circus performers and truffle hunters.

The breed’s ancestry is disputed, with some saying they descended from a German water dog, and others believing the Poodle originated from the French barbet, possibly bred with a Hungarian water dog. But the general consensus is that they originated in Germany.

Many people associate Poodles with France, and, indeed, it has historically been a popular breed in France, prized as both water retrievers and truffle dogs. However, the colloquial term “French Poodle” is mainly used to refer to a breed with a continental clip.

Standard Poodles are the largest of the breed and were bred as water retrievers. The thick coat and the traditional trims reflect the practical requirements of retrieving in cold European waters. Miniature and Toy Poodles were developed over the centuries as companions, circus and street performers, and for searching out truffles, the mushroom-like fungus used in gourmet cooking.  

- https://www.rover.com/blog/breeds/poodle/

- https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/what-were-poodles-bred-for

- chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://oz.dogs.net.au/poodleclubnsw/uploads/documents/Poodle_Information_Sheet.pdf

- https://drbillspetnutrition.com/dog-breed-spotlight-poodle/#:~:text=The%20Kennel%20Club%20in%20England,their%20first%20Poodle%20in%201886.