The POODLE is a wonderful dog. It can't help it if people clip it in ridiculous shapes, nor can it help being doted on too much. A long time ago, before the invention of mechanical clippers, to Poodle was an excellent hunting and water dog. The word "poodle" derives from the old German "Pfudel", or Pfutze" in modern German, which means "puddle". Initially the Poodle was clipped a little so that it could work in the water more easily. Then it became very popular among French aristocrats, and this popularity has spread to all classes worldwide. The secret of the popularity is probably the Poodle's intelligence. Clipped or unclipped, and whatever size, the Poodle is probably the smartest of all dogs. It is also a tireless clown, reliable, loyal, easy to train; willing to learn not only a trick you care to teach it, but also a few of its own.

It is an unsurpassed children's dog that is willing to listen for hours to adolescent jokes, or itself be dressed up in the most outlandish costumes (being used or looking ridiculous after centuries of wearing the pompom of the continental clip). Finally, it is also a very active and athletic dog. There is nothing a Poodle can't or won't learn. It has very acute hearing and an excellent sense of orientation. Problems arise only if force is used in training or if it is spoiled too much. Then it can easily become obstinate and resentful. But if it is treated like the tough, intelligent dog it is, it has practically no weaknesses. (This may not be true of the Toy Poodle, whose personality and brain capacity seem to have shrunk along with its size.