| es were clipped historically to make them mobile in | | | | elegant, must have a regal carriage, must be |
| water. Today, Poodle breeders have Poodles | | | | intelligent, and must have physical characteristics such |
| groomed in elaborate show clips. Like any other dog | | | | as: curly, dense and coarse fur trimmed in the |
| breed, Poodles have good and bad qualities. Poodle | | | | appropriate style, proportionate features, dark eyes, |
| breeders should be knowledgeable of all the | | | | oval-shaped feet, straight and delicate muzzle and |
| characteristics of the breed. Good Poodle breeders | | | | deep, wide chest. |
| love animals and want their Poodle pups to go to | | | | The style of fur required for competition is a puppy |
| loving, permanent homes. | | | | cut for dogs twelve months and under and either an |
| The Poodle is one of the most loved and hated dog | | | | English Saddle or Continental clip for adult dogs. There |
| breeds. Often seen fully coiffed either in competition | | | | are various requirements of each type of cut, which |
| or strolling with their owners, their fur simultaneously | | | | the AKC clearly defines. Dogs that are not competing |
| pouffed high and trimmed close, poodles appear to | | | | are trimmed down considerably to reduce |
| be a haughty and decadent dog breed to the Poodle | | | | maintenance. Dogs in full fur require at least ten hours |
| layman. | | | | of brushing weekly. |
| Surprisingly, the history of the poodle is actually very | | | | Buyers can find reputable Poodle breeders by asking |
| down-to-earth. Poodles are water dogs. They are | | | | for referrals from local animal shelters. The American |
| naturals at hunting birds in water and on land. The | | | | Kennel Club or local dog clubs and organizations are |
| name Poodle comes from the German words Pudel | | | | other good places to begin. Buyers must research |
| or Pudelhund, which means splashing and splashing | | | | Poodles and have a good understanding of Poodle |
| dog respectively. The name for Poodles is related to | | | | information so that nefarious breeders won't take |
| the English word puddle. Knowing Poodles are named | | | | advantage of them. Unfortunately, there are |
| after a simple puddle makes the breed seem less | | | | breeders working only to make a profit with no |
| intimidating already. Poodles most likely originated in | | | | regard for the health or happiness of the dogs they |
| Eastern Europe and they have been popular | | | | produce- or their potential buyers. These backyard |
| throughout Europe for hundreds of years. However, | | | | breeders raise Poodles in puppy mills where they |
| it is the French who are given credit for the breed. | | | | breed dogs continuously, keeping the mothers and |
| French Poodle breeders successfully cultivated all | | | | puppies in cages with little socialization and no |
| three sizes of Poodle: miniature, toy and standard. | | | | freedom or play. Buyers can avoid bad breeders by |
| Poodle breeders understand Poodle history and | | | | asking to see the kennel where puppies are raised, |
| Poodle breed standard characteristics. The American | | | | requesting pedigree information, registration papers |
| Kennel Club, which defines breed standards for all | | | | and medical records, and by interviewing breeders to |
| breeds registered and competing in AKC competition, | | | | make sure they do not mass market puppies or sell |
| has specific characteristics that are required in each | | | | them to pet stores. Good Poodle breeders will |
| purebred Poodle. Poodles must meet the size | | | | interview buyers to make sure they can give Poodles |
| requirements for miniature, toy or standard sized | | | | a good home. |
| Poodles. All Poodles must appear energetic, alert, and | | | | |