| One glance at a Poodle, especially show Poodles in | | | | the back legs and hip area weighs the dog down and |
| competitive events, and many people get the | | | | makes the act of kicking harder. The "pompom" on the |
| impression that Poodles were merely bred to be the | | | | tip of the tail allows a handler to more easily keep |
| pampered, spoiled, high maintenance brats of the dog | | | | track of the dog, especially if the dog dives under |
| world. The extravagant hairstyles that Poodles are | | | | water. Some of the hair is left on the joints (the Poodle |
| known for, are one of the main factors lending to the | | | | leg pompoms for example) to protect them from the |
| idea that Poodles can be bratty divas. Is it true? Are | | | | cold water and lowers the risk of arthritis developing. |
| they a dog breed that loves to lounge around in the lap | | | | While the Portuguese Water Dog might look like a |
| of extreme luxury? The question actually has no | | | | Poodle, it does not have the extravagant haircut that a |
| clear-cut answer. | | | | Poodle has. This is because Poodles did become |
| Lets for a moment, take a look at the haircut. The | | | | popular stars in their history and made quite a bit of |
| Poodle hairstyle just screams out to be looked at and | | | | money for performing their tricks. In France and |
| it is hard not to think of the dog being a bratty diva | | | | through parts of Europe, gypsies and circus |
| when you see a Poodle with pompoms around its | | | | performers took advantage of a Poodles intelligent |
| ankles and at the tip of its tail, not to mention the dainty | | | | and desire to please, and trained them to perform |
| little ribbon fastened to its head. But was the hair of a | | | | amazing acts for circuses and street fairs. They |
| Poodle cut this way to merely make the Poodle stand | | | | began to exaggerate a Poodles hairstyle giving them |
| out? No. The original Poodle haircut had the purpose of | | | | elaborate makeovers, much to the delight of the |
| protecting the dog from cold water while at the same | | | | crowds. Poodles that were gifted performers were |
| time allowing for ease of movement in the water; as | | | | bred together to create a new generation of actors |
| they were originally bred to be water dogs. | | | | and actresses. The history of theatrical arts has |
| If you take a closer look at a water dog, specifically | | | | remained at the heart of the Poodle breed; many walk |
| the Portuguese Water Dog, you will notice this breed | | | | through the show ring or stroll through their |
| has a shaved posterior area, with a bit more hair left | | | | neighborhood with an air of self-importance, they seem |
| at the tip of the tail. Water dogs use their back legs to | | | | to be under the distinct impression that they are the |
| propel through the water by kicking; excessive fur on | | | | center of the whole universe. |