Poodles are well known for their temperament. They are loving animals who enjoy being pampered and petted. One of the most loyal breeds of dogs, they are the most intelligent breed, capable of learning quickly and always wanting to please their owner.

The Poodle is one of the oldest breeds known to man. As early as 30 A.D. Poodle-like dogs appeared in carvings on Roman tombs and on Greek and Roman Coins. By, the fifteenth century references to Poodles appeared in both writing and art, and the art of that time portrayed the Poodle in trims similar to today's traditional trims. It is generally recognized that the three countries that contributed most to promoting the breed were Russia, France and Germany. The Russian Poodle was described as being somewhat Greyhound-like in body type. The German Poodle was more thickset and had a wooly coat texture. And it was here that the two different coat types -- curly and corded -- were noted. The Poodle got his name from the German word pudel, meaning to splash in water. The first documented reference dated 1642.

In France, where this breed is the national dog, the Poodle was found in several forms. There was a small dog known as Petit Barbet, it has been suggested that it might have resulted from the influence of dogs such as the Toy Spaniel and the Maltese. The Caniche was a larger dog and was used for duck hunting. It is suggested it may have gotten its size and sturdiness from the influence of Spaniel. The similarity of the poodle today and the Irish Water Spaniels remains evident. Then there was the Truffle Dog who was use to ferret out tiny morsels sought after for the unique flavors they provided the French cooks.

The poodle began to achieve popularity in Britain by the end of the 19th century. The first poodle was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1890 but, but breed didn't really achieve popularity until after World War 2. When they were considered extremely fashionable. By the 1960's they were the most popular breed in America and maintained that distinction for an unprecedented 23 consecutive years. In 1994 the poodle was the 5th most commonly registered breed by the American Kennel Club, attesting to it's continued popularity.

Those interested in the Poodle should be aware there are three varieties of Poodles;' Toy, Miniature, and Standard. There is no officially recognized Poodle variety such as a “Royal” Standard, a “Tea Cup“ Toy or a “Tiny Toy” Poodle. These are all just marketing terminologies to facilitate the sale of animals that are in reality just dramatically over or under in size from the norm.

Toy Poodle- The Toy is the smallest of the three varieties of Poodle. For the conformation show ring the Toy should be no larger than 10” high at the shoulder. This more diminutive variety of Poodle is particularly well suited to apartment life or as a traveling companion for retired people.

Miniature Poodle- The Miniature Poodle is a medium-sized animal limited to 15” high at the shoulder for the show ring. Still it's a sturdy compromise between the Toy and the Standard, suitable both to apartment life as well as the hardy lifestyle of a family with children.

Standard Poodle- The Standard is the largest of the three varieties with no restriction on size. Typically Standards will be about 21” to 27” high at the shoulder with the females usually a little smaller than the males. Being a larger, more substantial animal, the Standard will usually require a little more room to roam than the other two varieties

Cream: Tan, more yellow in tone and a lighter color than the lightest tan. The eyes are deep, soft brown; the jet black eye should not appear in a cream, being unbecoming to this color. Eye rims, nose, lips, and toenails are a very dark brown or black. Skin is blue and sometimes a tawny pink; it should not be spotted.

Apricot: A vivid bright color on the tone of the actual fruit, but usually lighter by several degrees; a brilliant orangey-peach color. Eyes are dark brown, but may be almost black or a dark reddish brown. Eye rims, nose, lips, and toenails are black. Skin is a matching shade of pinky tan several degrees darker than the coat. Sometimes the skin is blue or gray.

Brown: There are many shades of brown. Two described in The Book of The Poodle are: A deep rich Mahogany or Dark Walnut, in its perfect tone, and a brilliant shade of chestnut, redder in tone than mahogany or walnut, but just as strong in tone and even right down to the roots of the hair. In all browns, the eyes are brown, dark amber, sometimes a golden brown, sometimes a reddish brown. The eye rims, lips, nose and toenails are brown to match the tone of the coat. Sometimes the toenails are black, but never the lips, nose and eye rims. Skin should match the tone of the coat in a lighter shade.

Cafe-Au-Lait: Beige, a tan with a gray overtone, the color of khaki. These French words mean coffee mixed with milk. The eyes are dark brown, amber, sometimes a reddish brown. Eye rims, lips, nose, and toenails are a liver-brown; sometimes the toenails are black. Skin is a light pinky gray or tan to match the hair in a lighter tone.

Black: A deep intense glowing black that in the sun gives off an almost metallic blue-black tone. Eyes very dark, not necessarily as black as those of a white, but so dark as to be described as a "black-brown," not just brown. Eye rims, lips, nose, and toenails black. Skin should have a distinct bluish cast.

Silver: May vary from a glistening light platinum to a light gray flannel, should be even in color. The eyes are very dark, almost as dark as the eyes of a white. Eye rims, lips, nose and toenails are black. Skin compatible with the tone of the hair, a gray tone, but can be almost black. Silvers clear at about 18 months of age. Silver Puppies are nearly always born jet black.

Grey: A solid even gray. The eyes are very dark, almost as dark as the eyes of a white. Eye rims, lips, nose and toenails are black. Skin compatible with the tone of the hair, a gray tone, but can be almost black.

Blue: A dark gray, somewhat the color of steel, the color of a Kerry Blue Terrier. No brown, rust, light gray or black should appear in the coat. Eyes are very dark, almost black; eye rims, lips, nose and toenails black; skin dark gray or almost black. Clears at about 2 or 3 years of age.

White: Clear and brilliant, with no cream, yellow or tan. A glistening, startling white. The eyes are jet black. Eye rims, nose and toenails are black. Skin is bluish, black, or silver, a solid color.