Category: Dogs & Cats

The poodle is an extremely popular dog breed known for its tightly curled fur and intelligent nature.



Scientific & Common Names

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order – Carnivora

Family – Canidae

Genus - Canis

Species – C. lupus familiaris

Common Name – Poodle, Standard Poodle


Poodles are bred in a variety of sizes. In addition to the standard poodle, there is also the smaller miniature poodle and the even smaller toy poodle. The defining characteristic of the poodle is the single layer of thick, curly fur with minimal shedding. This makes them a better option for those with mild pet allergies.

Poodles come in many colors, including white, black, apricot, red, brown, grey, and harlequin (black and white).


Poodle litter size varies according to the size of the dog. A toy poodle averages three pups, while a miniature poodle averages five, and a standard poodle averages six. The largest poodle litter ever recorded is 16 puppies.


Poodles are smart, active and eager to please dogs that are great companion animals. They are good with children and their intelligence makes them fairly easy to train. Their high energy level requires a devoted owner, as they do not like being left alone for long periods of time.


Poodles are “water dogs” bred for hunting ducks and other waterfowl. The English name of “poodle” is derived from the Germanic word “pudel” which means to splash about. It’s actually the same root word of “puddle” for similar reasons.

In France the dog is known as “caniche” which comes from “chien canard” (“duck dog”), a reference to its duck hunting abilities. There is much debate over where the breed originated. Though it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887, it is seen in artwork dating back to the 1600s, and both Germany and France lay claim to the breed.

Present Status

Poodles are one of the most well-known dog breeds, consistently found in the top ten most popular breeds in the United States. They held the number one spot from 1960 to 1982, longer than any other breed.


  1. http://www.allpoodleinfo.com/poodle-pregnancy
  2. http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle/
  3. http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/poodle#/slide/1
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle#Hypoallergenic_qualities