8 Amazing Facts Every Poodle Owner Should Know

While all poodles have more or less the same physical build, any poodle parent will tell you that their personalities differ quite a lot. Overall, poodles are utterly graceful and intelligent creatures with great athletic abilities.

While there are many assumptions that circulate these adorable little creatures, the fact is that poodles are one of the most incredible dog breed. Let’s set the record straight with these interesting facts about poodles.

1. Poodles First Originated In Germany

A common assumption encircling this breed is that they originate from France. This is probably due to the popular term ‘French Poodle.’ However, this isn’t true. Even though poodle is the national dog of France, it originated in Germany. Even the name of the breed is derived from a German word.

2. Poodles are Hyper Intelligent

Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. As intelligent as other breeds may be, poodles always have some smart tricks up their sleeves that will leave you in awe! They can learn a massive number of tricks, such as jumping through hoops or walking on two paws.

Poodles also have amazing observational skills: they can pick up a great deal of behaviors from their human companions. Their intelligence and athleticism are the main reasons that you’ll find these quirky creatures in circuses and showrooms.

Poodles are also quite an easy breed to train using techniques of repetition, patience, and lots of treats. If done correctly, there’s no limit to what these amazing four-legged creatures can learn.

3. Their Main Purpose was Hunting

If you aren’t too well-acquainted with poodles, you’ll be surprised to know that these adorable dogs were initially bred to assist humans on hunts. One standard poodle fact is that this canine breed is utterly athletic compared to any other hunting breeds.

The word ‘Poodle’ descends from the German word Pudelhund, which means “splash dog.” Poodles are great swimmers and were initially used for hunting waterfowl such as geese and duck. Not only do they fair well during the pheasant season, but they can also easily fetch and bring injured birds without crushing them.

These cute canines also have a fantastic sense of smell that has proven to be handy for mushroom hunters. When poodles are around four months old, they can be trained to sniff truffle mushrooms.

4. Poodles are Hypoallergenic

One of the most interesting facts about poodles is that they experience minimal shedding, and are hypoallergenic. Even when they shed, their hair usually gets caught in the web of their other hair, and therefore, they don’t fall on your couch or anywhere else. You can easily remove your poodle’s shed hair during their regular grooming session.

Even though poodles are naturally hypoallergenic, they need to be bathed, brushed and groomed on a regular basis. Their skin carries as many allergens and as much dandruff as any other dog if it isn’t kept clean.

Also, since Standard Poodles are highly intelligent and hypoallergenic, they are also commonly used as Guide Dogs for those who are visually impaired and have allergies.

5. Their Cut Is Functional More Than Fashionable

The infamous ‘poodle cut’ seems to be the ultimate fashion statement for this breed, but it is more about function rather than fashion. To understand this, you need to know that poodles were initially a hunting breed. Even though they are generally efficient swimmers, less hair would make them even more efficient. However, it would also make them very vulnerable to cold water. So, for this reason, poodle owners and hunters would trim their hair to create puffs around their joints and upper torso to protect their vital organs.

6. Poodles Prefer to Mingle With Other Poodles

If you’re a poodle owner, you probably must have noticed that your pet is quite reluctant to engage or play with other unknown pets, including dogs. Poodles require a lot of encouragement from their owners to go out and mingle, and even when they do, they are back quite quickly.

The phrase ‘bird of a feather flock together’ definitely applies to this breed as Standard Poodles gravitate towards their fellow poodles when they meet in public places such as the groomers or the park. Even though poodles are loving creatures, they aren’t very keen on meeting or making new friends.

7. Poodles can Lead or Follow

Poodles possess some remarkable qualities, their intelligence being one of their strongest suits. While they typically need some stimulation from having a dominant figure in their life, if they don’t have a leader, they will readily assume the role and become dominant.

This trait can make it quite difficult to train these fluff balls. You might see this as rebelliousness, but that’s not the root reason behind this. Since dogs are pack animals, they are well-aware of the fact that the pack will suffer without a strong leader.  So, if your poodle senses that you have unstable emotions, they will assume a leadership role and take charge of the situation.

8. They Have a Few Health Concerns

Poodles are considered to be one of the sturdiest dog breeds with minimal health issues. Their typical life expectancy ranges from 10 to 18 years. The long history of this breed reveals that these intelligent and compassionate creatures usually live a long and healthy life.

In popular culture, poodles are often described as spoiled or snobby pets. In fact, poodle owners are also stereotyped as impractical and fussy. Hopefully, the above interesting poodle facts will help change your mind and have you see them as they really are – a truly intelligent and practical breed!