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History
The Poodle is one of the oldest breeds
of dog. The Standard is the orignal from which the Miniature and the Toy were developed. Poodles with the traditional
clips appear on Greek and Roman Coins and on Roman Tombs in the time of Emperor Augustus around 30 A.D and can be seen in
numerous European paintings as early as the 15th Century.
Contrary to popular belief and despite the fact that the Poodle is widely
known as the National Dog of France, the birthplace of the early Poodle was Germany. The breed took its name from
the German word 'Pudel' which means 'to splash in water'. It was however the French who were responsible
for bringing the Poodle to International attention.
The first Poodles in England were known as 'Rough Water
Dogs' and they served primarily as hunting companions. Poodles were first brought to the USA at the end of the 19th
Century but the breed did not become popular until after World War II. By the end of the 1950's the Poodle
was the most popular bred in the USA, a position held over 20 years. Today the poodle is divided into two breeds, the
Standard Poodle which serves as primarily a gundog and companion and the Poodle, composed of the Miniature and Toy varieties
which serves primarily as companion dogs. The Standards of the two breeds are essentially identical but for size.
The Parti - Coloured Poodle
If you look back into the history of the Poodle you will find the Parti-Coloured Poodle as its core.
They have been in existance since the beginning of Poodle breeding. It is a natural occurring part of the original Poodle
gene pool.  History has shown Parti - Coloured Poodles from the beginning of time, some were shown in the early days and are documented
as far back as the late 1800's and early 1900's. It wasn't until the 20th Century that for some unknown
reason the Poodle Clubs disqualified the Parti - Coloured Poodle in the conformation ring, but because of the Breed Standard
these Parti - Coloured Poodles were pushed into the background and because breeders selected out Parti - Coloured Poodles,
in the last century, the numbers of them sadly decreased.
Nowadays
Parti-Poodles are becoming much more popular again and are currently experiencing a strong comeback in the  USA and throughout most of Europe. In January 2004 the United Kennel Club, revised the Poodle Breed Standard to
eliminate the disqualification for Multi - Coloured Poodles. The United Kennel Club Breed Standard now places Solid
Coloured and Multi - Coloured Poodles on equal footing as one breed.
Parti - Coloured Poodles
can be registered with the American Kennel Club but due to the Poodle Club of America not currently recognising the Parti
- Colour, they cannot be shown in American Kennel Club Conformation Classes .
The Multi - Coloured Poodle
Club of America was formed in February 2002, bringing together Parti - Coloured Poodle enthusiasts from around
the world.
Breed Characteristics
Standard
Poodles are very intelligent almost humanly so, they are very quick to learn, eager to please and have great memories, thus
making them very easy to train. They are gentle, faithful and devoted companions, they are not fighters and they
get along amicably with other pets. They adore their family both human and canine. They make ideal family dogs
being both patient and playful with children.
In times of trouble the Standard Poodle will protect his loved ones.
They are wise, dignified and regal. They love companionship and like to be part of the family unit, they do not take
readily to being excluded or being alone for any length of time. They are active and agile dogs that need active play,
without enough activity they can get bored and restless. Nor forgetting a frolic in water which they totally adore.
Standard Poodles are a relatively healthy breed and can live as long as 15 years.
Coat & Appearance
Standard Poodles have a non shedding hypo-allergenic
wool coat which makes them ideal for people witth a allergy to dog fur. Poodles are not difficult to care for despite
their coats, with the different styles and clips available. The Traditonal Show Trims are The Puppy Clip, English Saddle
Clip and The Lion or (Continental Clip) .
There are various Pet Trims that enables you to change your Poodle's
hair style as often as you change your own !!!. A Poodle's coat needs trimming and bathing every 6-8 weeks,
so this needs to be taken into account before you consider purchasing a Poodle Puppy.
Standard Poodles
are squarely built, well proportioned, they move soundly and carry themselves proudly. The Standard Poodle has an air
of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.
Parti Colours
Parti Poodles come in an array of stunning colours aswell as markings.
Black, blue,
silver, various colours of brindle and various shades of brown, red and apricot.
    
black/white blue/white silver/white brindle/white
  
brown/white red/white
apricot/white
Height: over 15" Weight:
20.5 - 32kg
In the Water
It
is known that the Standard Poodle was and even today is used as a Working Hunter and Duck Retriever. The very stylish
hair trim that is distinctive with the Poodle and is seen in the conformation ring actually has a real function and purpose.
Before the 1300's Duck Hunters began trimming some fo the Poodle's coat to assist in swiming after downed waterfowl
in rough water. Thus the 'Lion Clip' came about, which left the Poodle with a full mane in front, covering the
areas of the retrieving Poodle that would be most sensitive to the freezing cold water, leg bracelets to protect the joints
and shaved hindquarters which freed up the rear of the dog to aid it in swimming. The pompon on the tail was left to
serve as a type of rudder, it also made a useful signal flag that let Hunters know the location of their dogs in choppy waters.
Hunting
Early Poodles spent a lot of time with
humans as hunting brought much needed food to the table. The dogs needed to be obedient to the hunters commands aswell
as having a soft mouth so they would not damage the waterfowl. They were required to swim long distances against the
currect in turbulant water to retrieve game, so the dogs had to have much stamina. Unlike hounds and other type
of hunting dogs that were kept in kennels, the Poodles usually became beloved family pets and actually lived with the Hunter
and his family. It just shows how much these dogs were prized.
Agility, Flyball & Obedience
Agility
training offers fun, confidence-building and competition. It is a strenuous activity that turns dogs into athletes  while helping them develop physical skills. There are various levels of difficulty in the training so dogs and
owners can continue to meet new and personal challenges.
There are various
types of equipment that the dogs use, they walk over a high dog walk, climb over an A-Frame, they run through tunnels, go
over various jumps, weave through poles, ride a see-saw and jump through tyres.
Standard Poodles are particularly good
at agility, as they are very agile, intelligent, quick to learn. and it is well suited to their sense of fun.
It is great fun for both owner and Poodle and it is not surprising that it is becoming an increasingly
popular pastime among owners worldwide.
Flyball provides exercise and good
fun for dogs and excitement for spectators as well as owners. You can play alone or as part of a relay team, racing
against another flyball team as originally developed, the sport provides even more excitement.
The object of the game
is for the dog to run to a box, step on a lever that releases a tennis ball into the air, retrieve the ball, and race
back to the owner. In addition there are a series of low jumps over which the dog must jump on its way out and back
from the box.
Dogs love this sport as it is great fun.
Standard Poodles have become a familiar
sight in Obedience Rings in many countries the world over. They love
to learn new things but can get bored with repetition so you need to keep things interesting.
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