Standard Poodles are ancient hunting dogs bred to retrieve water fowl. Their country of origin is Germany. Only later did Standard Poodles travel to France, where the French bred them down into the smaller varieties, Miniture and Toy. Standard Poodles are among the oldest water retrieving breeds, predating both the popular Lab and Golden breeds by hundreds of years. The first known art depicting a Standard Poodle like dog dates to 300AD.

Webbed feet and water repellent coats are universally accepted signs of a water retriever. Less accepted signs of true water dogs are todays take on the ancient trims. The controversial Continental Trim found in the show ring is a haircut with an ancient purpose. Poodles like humans have hair that grows forever. Without trimming the hair will drag on the floor in a few years. This profuse coat weighed the dog down in water hindering its ability to swim. One day a man decided to cut down the hair so his dog could swim faster and longer and further. Unfortunately the barbered dog got very cold and suffered from the elements. Eventually through trial and error it was discovered that to leave long coat on the body of the dog (todays rounded jacket), the joints of the legs (todays  bracelettes), the hips and kidneys (todays rosettes or pom-poms on the butt) the dog was able to swim without suffering from cold water conditions while being able to swim longer and faster and farther than an unbarbered dog.

The origional water retriever trim is thought to be a more tailored version of todays Continental Trim known as the Historically Correct Continental.  The HCC has a small but loyal following among hunting poodles who also wish to participate in conformation events. Unfortunately the easier to care for trim has not caught on among those who show exclusively in conformation. As such it is not seen to be a competitive trim in the conformation ring. Leaving one to wonder: Would judges overlook a dog due to sporting the HCC trim or is this another Poodle Urban Legend?  One reason why the profuse coat of todays continental is so desireable by handlers and breeders alike may be that a conformationally correct Standard Poodle in full coat is extremely hard to beat in the Non-Sporting Group Ring. 

Standard Poodles reside in the Non-Sporting Group Ring. The Non-Sporting Group contains a diverse collection of breeds who are not singular in ability, or who have an ability that is not a good fit for any other group. Some dog breeds (for example: a golden or a lab) are in the Sporting Group but also have diverse working abilities (for example: guide dogs for the blind) aside from hunting ability which qualify the breed for placement with-in the Non-Sporting Group. Likewise the Standard Poodle has hunting and water retrieving abilities which qualifies the breed for placement with-in the Sporting Group. Every breed has its own parent breed club. In America the club for Standard Poodles is the Poodle Club of America. The parent breed club upon conception requests recognition and assignment within a specific group. PCA selected the Non-Sporting Group for Standard and Minature Poodles. There has been several attempts by minority PCA members to bring Standard Poodles into the Sporting Group over the years. To date Poodles are allowed to compete in field trials with the sporting breeds but remain within the Non-Sporting Group. This breeder likes to think that Standard Poodles are too versatile a breed to pin down to any one set of atributes and find the Non-Sporting Group inclusion an affirmation to the versatility in poodles.

Standard Poodles are among the most versatile of breeds. In their 1700 year history they have aided man in numerous tasks. Among these are: going off to war with their master; sniffing to seek truffles, drugs, bombs, cancer and people trapped; draft dog pulling dairy cans to market; draft dog pulling a dog sled in the Iditorod; watchdog; guard dog; guide dog for the blind; hearing dog for the deaf; assistance dog for the handicaped; seizure alert dog; sidekick in nefarious schemes; circus performer; herding duties; hunting abilities; and of course companion.

A dog so versatile must be extremely intelligent, decisive, and discerning. Displaying both wisdom and loyalty. A poodle is your friend for life once you have earned its loyalty.   Likewise until you earn their loyalty they will only work grudingly for you.  A poodle needs a steadfast set of rules. They remember the one time you allowed something to go unchecked and will continue to push for another opening until the rules are steadfast, in their mind,  again. Poodles are problem solvers. Sometimes the problem may be a trait their humans find undesirable. Having a brilliant dog that can lock the deadbolt is no great joy if you are in slippers and robe getting the morning paper in winter without housekeys.

Poodles are said to be Poodley. That elusive quality is a buoyant and vivaciousness that stays with a poodle all its life. Poodles have a wonderful sense of humor, though their idea of funny may differ from their humans. Standard Poodles are very active dogs not suited for city life without regular walks numerous times a day.  Standards are not hyper, just very active. Beware: An underexercised standard can become an unhappy, hyper, and destructive dog. A large fenced yard with another active canine companion will provide any Standard with sufficient exercise. Poodles are natural watch dogs. Barking a warning at any stranger invading their property (line of sight). A bored Standard left alone in a fenced yard all day long may become an unwelcome neighbor. Training and socialization lessens the probability of your poodle becoming a irritating barker.

As with all dog breeds (and mixed breeds also as the healthy disease free mutt is another Urban Legand) Standard Poodles suffer from several inheritable canine diseases. Hip dysplasia. PRA, SA, Thyroid, Addisons, Cushings, JRD, vWd, Neonatal Encephalopathy. Responsible breeders breed tested parents from tested lines to ensure the very best health is passed down to every poodle puppy produced. Beware of any breeder not willing to offer a health warrantee, any breeder stating they had their hips tested by their vet so there was no need to send off hip xrays, any breeder stating they do not need to test as their lines never produced a problem (all lines produce healthy problems at one time or another, responsible breeders do not cover up the health issues in their lines, they breed away from those issues). or any breeder stating they do not produce show dogs just pets so testing is not needed.  The puppy you take home should be considered to be a family member for the next 12-16 years. To select a puppy who comes from uncaring and haphazard lineage greatly increases the likelyhood that you will experience the heartache of loosing your new family member well before its time.

Before you settle on a Standard Poodle as your next family member go meet Poodles in their homes and out in public. Spending a half hour looking at a litter of cute puppies does not give a potential puppy buyer any idea of what a poodle is like. Go to a dog show. Find the biggest setup of poodles you can find. Unfold a chair and sit out of the way and watch how the poodles act and react over the next 4 hours. Offer to foster a poodle for Poodle Rescue or a local shelter. Offer a local breeder (hopefully a reputable one!!) a few hours a week of dog walking or other activities. Do not be afraid to wait a few months or a year for your perfect puppy. A 15 year commitment should not be entered upon a whim.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns,

Paula Alexander