Standard Poodles have been cherished and adored for hundreds of years. Based on history, we know that they’ve been around at least since the 15th or 16th century due to their images in artwork of the period.
The Standard Poodle that we know and love today probably developed around the 17th century. Most people think the Poodle originated in France, but actually, it originated in Germany. The German word for Poodle is “Pudel,” which means “to splash in the water.” There were several Poodle type dogs in other countries during this time, including Russia, France and Italy.
The original Poodle was highly valued as an excellent water dog because it was extremely intelligent and cooperative. It is actually the oldest known water retriever breed. It’s bond with humans stood out from any other breed. This characteristic is what makes the Poodle so highly popular today.
In the early 1930s, there were only about 34 Poodles registered in the United States. In 1935, a white Standard Poodle won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club show in New York. After that show, the Poodle’s popularity soared, and it was the number one dog registered by the American Kennel Club for approximately 20 years.
The Poodle still remains in the top 10 popularity wise, due to breeders diligently striving to preserve the personality and characteristics of the breed.
