Few breeds have been as mischaracterized as the Poodle. Erroneously considered a “froo froo” dog, Standard Poodles are hardly that. Bred to be a hunting dog, Poodles are are especially adept as water retrievers, their ‘fancy show coats” nothing more than a stylized version of practical hair cuts developed to keep joints and vital organs warm.  It was Anne Rogers Clark, esteemed breed and show judge who once said, “the Poodle much have the strong legs and deep body that the retrieving breeds have – really, [they’re] row boats with legs.”

To see more about hunting Poodles, read about the Central Carolina Poodle Club Hunt Test and Duck Dynasty’s Standard Poodle, “Cooper.”

“Hannah” by Sandra Cointreau. This piece may be available for purchase; to see more of this artist’s work, visit the link: http://sandracointreau.com/poodles-and-pets/