Few dogs have climbed to such high favour in so many different countries as has the Poodle, but it appeared so early in various parts of the world that there is some doubt as to the land of its origin.

It is supposed to have originated in Germany, where it is known as the Pudel or Canis Familiaris Aquatius. However for years it has been regarded as the national dog of France, where it was commonly used as a retriever as well as a travelling circus trick dog. In France it was, and is known as the Caniche, which is derived from chien canard or duck dog. Doubtless the English word poodle comes from the German Pudel or Pudelin meaning to splash in the water. The expression "French" Poodle was in all probability a somewhat later cognomen, bestowed as a result of the dog's great popularity in France.

At any rate, the Poodle undoubtedly originated as a water retriever. In fact the unclipped Poodle of today bears strong resemblance in type to the old Rough-haired Water Dog of England as painted by Reinagle at the beginning of the nineteenth century; and except that the Irish Water Spaniel is born with short hair on its face and tail, there is little difference between this ancient Irish dog and the Poodle.

Authorities concede that the large, or Standard, Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties, and that the dog gained special fame as a water worker. So widely was it used as retriever that it was shorn of portions of its coat to further facilitate progress in swimming. Thence came the custom of clipping to pattern which so enhanced the style and general appearance that its sponsors, particularly in France, were captivated by it.

All of the Poodle's ancestors were acknowledged to be good swimmers, although one member of the family, the truffle dog (it may have been of toy or miniature size), it is said, never went near the water. Truffle hunting was widely practiced in England, and later in Spain and Germany, where the edible fungus has always been considered a great delicacy. For scenting and digging up the fungus, the smaller dogs were favoured, since they did less damage to the truffles with their feet than the larger kinds. So it is rumoured that a terrier was crossed with the Poodle to produce the ideal truffle hunter.

Despite the Standard Poodle's claim to greater age than the other varieties, there is some evidence to show that the smaller types developed only a short time after the breed assumed the general type by which it is recognized today.

There is scarcely a pure bred dog of this day that can claim so many references in art and literature going back into time. Bas-reliefs dating from the first century, found along the shores of the Mediterranean, portray the Poodle very much as it is in this twentieth century. Clipped to resemble the lion, it is not unlike some of the specimens seen at the earliest dog shows.

The univervsal esteem in which the Poodle has been held since the beginning of modern history is attested by its interesting variations in size and colour. In accordance with present day show classification, we have three sizes: Standard Poodles, Miniature Poodles, Toy Poodles - as well as an array of colours to suit almost anyone"s taste. We have white ones, black ones, brown, cream and blue ones, gray, apricot and so on; any solid colour is allowed. Some are pink-skinned, some blue or silver skinned, others cream-skinned. Hence he who fancies a Poodle is never at a loss; he may choose a big dog to guard and protect, a medium sized one to fit into restricted quarters, or a tiny tot to serve only as "comforter." But beyond all that, the dog's innate intelligence and his ability to learn are considered exceptional.