Despite the Poodle’s association with France, it is believed that the Poodle originated from Germany as a duck hunting breed. The name Poodle comes from the German word “pudelin” which refers to splashing in water.
Believe it or not, the elegant Poodle “show coat” actually served a practical purpose in the breeds early years. Hunters wanted their dogs to have free range of movement in the water, but they also wanted to protect vital areas of the anatomy from the cold water. They shaved the legs, neck & tail, but left the chest, hips, and leg joints coated for warmth.
The Poodle’s many fine qualities including its showy looks and trainability also made it a natural entertainer and Poodles have long since been associated with the European circus tradition.
It is unknown when the Standard Poodle first came to the United States, but the American Kennel Club registered the first Poodle in 1886. Since then the Standard Poodle has become one of the most popular dog breeds in America, ranking #6 by the AKC in 2020.