Sep 18 2009
The Versatile Poodle: From Water Dog to Circus Dog to Companion
All dog breeds can lay claim to a certain purpose in life, all of which can fill in a role, helping their humans in some way. Similar to the case of many dogs, poodles have shifted and adapted to being companions, after being working dogs. And similar to the case of many dog breeds, the skills that made them a perfect fit for their occupations have been nicely applied to making them lovable and welcome house pets.
One of the oldest known work roles of the poodle, and most likely the task for which it was actually bred for, was as a water dog. Hunters would bring along the ancestors of the modern poodles, and the dog’s duty was to bring back the quarry that lands in the water. Today, the poodle’s coat in fact has a lot of similarities with that of the Portuguese Water Dog. Just like many hunting breeds, the poodle is also smart, and is very nimble with his feet. Thus even centuries ago, the poodle was already showing versatility as duck dog, or bait for fowl, or field hunting parter. With a little poodle training, the breed proved to be very up to snuff in these assignments.
The dog’s level of patience for and focus on hunting makes it the ideal companion to humans. But this also means that the dog makes a worthy assistant in the battlefield. Poodles have actually distinguished themselves in battles for saving courageously their masters from death and guarding army supplies. And poodles still have served in many other colorful occupations, such as using their good sense of smell to help their master look for edible fungi like truffle. Many experts also think that some poodle-like dogs may have helped herd livestock in the past.
Thanks to their wide array of skills and abilities, poodles are popularly known for being dedicated and loving family companions. They are good with children, and enjoy human companionship. They are also well-adjusted to other animals being with them at home. They love and are best simulated through play and standard poodle training, and can keep their family entertained even for hours. Lastly, this is a dog that can “read” into situations and the moods of its owners in order to know how to best please them, and praise and affection is the only thing it craves for.
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