Poodles

Poodle

Standard Poodle. Simple pet clip
Other names	Caniche Pudelhund
Origin	Uncertain - France Germany Africa
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The poodle is a group of formal dog breeds, the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. The origins of the poodles are still discussed with a dispute over whether the poodle descends from the old French Barbet breed or from Germany as a type of water dog.

Ranked second most intelligent dog breed just behind the Border Collie, the poodle is skillful in many dog sports and activities, including agility, obedience, tracking to herding, circus performers or assistance dogs. Poodles have taken top honors in many conformation shows, including "Best in Show" at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and 2002, and at the World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.

Toy Poodles won "Best in Show" at Crufts in 1966 and 1982. Standard Poodles achieved the award in 1955, 1985, 2002 and 2014. The 2002 winner came from Norway and was the first overseas exhibit to win the Crufts best in show award.

The origin of the poodle is disputed. Encyclopædia Britannica traces the origin of the poodle in Germany where it was known as the Pudelhund. The word Pudel is derived from the Low German verb meaning "to splash about", and the word Hund (dog). The Fédération Cynologique Internationale holds that the poodles descends from the French dog Barbet and might have been crossed with the Hungarian water dog. The French name Caniche comes from the word cane (the female of the duck) since this type of breed was used as a water retriever mainly for duck hunting thanks to its swimming ability. Due to the breed's popularity in France, it became established as a national breed.