Re: Poodles!?!?!?!?
Posted by:
LUV My Poodle
()
Date: August 30, 2009 10:44PM
Poodles like that are called "Parti" poodles. Meaning they have more than one color. Back in the day, poodles were colored like that, then breeders bred them for solid colors and the solid colors were show quality. If the dog had even a hint of more than one color on it, it was disqualified. Now the two tone look is back and is all the rage.
Poodles are great dogs and severely misunderstood. Like Labs and all retrievers, the poodle was used as a hunting dog centuries ago. Many of them still exhibit strong prey drive now. The breed was a large dog -- 40-60 pounds and used for retrieving waterfowl in cold rivers. Hence the fancy pom poms around the joints. The pom poms were useful for protecting the joint from freezing up. The hair would freeze before the joint. Their sporting abilities put them right up there with the best retrievers.
Poodles are also great because they do not shed. They have wool, not hair, so they are great if you have allergies. They are high energy, smart and require a lot of interaction, but they are great with kids and fun to have around. Even the miniature (14" at the shoulder and under) is a great dog. The toys and tiny teacup toys can be inbred to the point of nervousness and yappiness, and those are the ones that get the bad rap.