TUFT LOVE

Look beyond its fancy ’do and you’ll discover an irresistibly smart, loving, lively pet, writes Roger Crosthwaite.

The poodle’s distinctive dog-show clip inspired US actor and comedian Rita Rudner to comment: “I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.” Yes, this sort of coif can look a bit ridiculous when taken to extremes. But don’t judge all poodles by their haircut. Unless, of course you’re a judge in a dog show, in which case go right ahead.

Despite its frou-frou reputation, the poodle cut isn’t as frivolous as it might seem. Poodles were originally hunting dogs, bred for retrieving game from the water, so those extra tufts of fluff around the joints were designed for protection and warmth around a poodle’s joints.

In fact, a poodle’s coat isn’t technically fur, but a sort of wool. The woolly coat is non-shedding, which makes them far less allergenic than that of other breeds. That, and a lot of other useful characteristics, account for poodles’ popularity as source breeds for many of the so-called ‘designer’ dogs – cavoodles, labradoodles, groodles, cockerpoos and the like.

The standard poodle – originator of the other variations, the miniature and the toy – is an energetic, easily trained dog that consistently rates very high on dog-intelligence tests. (Border collies, poodles and German shepherds make up the top three in Stanley Coren’s book

The Intelligence of Dogs.)

Standards usually run to about 38cm at the shoulder and around 30kg, so they’re not delicate beasts by any means. Their working-dog origins – in either France or Germany, depending on who you believe – took a different path after the late 18th century when the smaller varieties began to be deliberately bred as companion dogs, a function they fulfil well due to their sociable, friendly nature.

Poodles, especially standards, like to keep on the go and are gluttons for exercise, so your throwing arm will get a workout as a poodle owner.

They are renowned for being calm, reliable, friendly dogs, although as you move down the size scale they tend to become a little more timid, which is only natural since a 26cm tall, 7kg toy would be much more easily injured than a standard. But all poodle variants are sociable, with a yen for company, so they fit well into family situations where there are people and a lot of action around.

“Even the tiniest poodle is lionhearted, ready to do anything to defend home, master or mistress.” So says US author Louis Sabin, an electee of the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame, no less. Religious cult indeed.