Standard Poodle 50

Although the Poodle is the national dog of France, they actually originated in Germany over 400 years ago where they were commonly used as a duck hunter. One of the facts about Poodles is that they were bred to be hunting dogs. Their curly coat protected them from the elements and they were bred for their excellent swimming skills, high intelligence, and incredible retrieval skills.

The Poodle is one of the most popular dog breeds and comes in three sizes - Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Throughout history, this dog breed has served many purposes. From living in the lap of luxury as companions to nobility to working out in the field as a valuable hunting companion to entertaining people in circuses around the world, the Poodle is right at home.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Poodle in 1887 as part of the Non-Sporting Group. Although they are more popular as a companion dog, the Poodle still maintains their athleticism and working dog instincts. As such, the Standard Poodle is the only member of the Non-Sporting Group that is also eligible for the AKC Retriever Hunting Tests.