The general appearance, carriage and condition is that of a very active, intelligent and elegant appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.
For years people have associated the Poodle breed with France, but these curly-haired canines actually originated in Germany. Their name is derived from the German word pudel, which means ‘to splash in the water.’
Originally bred as a water dog, hunters would use Poodles to retrieve waterfowls. In fact, the pom pom haircut that these dogs are known for was inspired by their first job as retrievers. The fur around their organs and joints would be left longer, in order to protect them from the cold water temperatures. The rest of their hair would then be trimmed to lower resistance and lower the risk of getting caught on something when they were in the water.
Although they originated in Germany, Poodles quickly made their way to France, where people fell completely head over heels for the canines. Over time, many people began wishing for a smaller, more manageable size of the Standard Poodle.
The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. Most Toy Poodles mature under 10lbs when they are a healthy weight!
The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches. Most Miniature Poodles weigh up to 15lbs when they are at their ideal weight.
The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. Often Standard Poodles can weigh up to 70lbs at their perfect condition.