The poodle is widely known for its flamboyant clipping styles, which makes people think that poodles are all fluff. This is simply not true, and for the record, I much prefer the "natural style" of poodle grooming.

Traditionally, some of these fancy hair-cuts were practical. In the 17th century, poodles were clipped Continental style for hunting expeditions. This was a very paractical clip because it prevented the dog's legs from caking up with mud, while leaving the hair long enough in the short parts to protect against brambles. Also, the poodle could swim easily with this cut, yet it had enough hair around the shoulders, back, and chest to keep dry and warm in cold water and wet, windy weather.

Poodles are a member of the European water-dog family, which are the original versatile hunting dogs. Minature poodles are between 10 and 15 inches. They are highly intelligent and easily trained. In France and England, poodles were know to be able to sniff for truffles when they became ripe in the Winter months. Generally poodles are very active, friendly, and hardly shy.

Richard Wagner, Winston Churchill, Victor Hugo, Mary Queen of Scots, Gertrude Stein, and Charles Dickens all owned poodles.