What Breed of Dog is Best for the White House & the Obama family?!?
The Poodle Won Out As The Breed of Choice!!!
Poodle Facts
In the recent American Kennel Club® (AKC) poll at www.presidentialpup.com about
what breed of dog is best for the Obama family, the poodle won out as the breed of choice.
Despite this vote of confidence and its overall popularity –it’s the 8th most popular breed registered by the AKC – the breed suffers from an image problem among people who can’t see past the poodle’s pouf. But underneath all that hair, there’s an intelligent, athletic dog that excels at all canine activities and has a long, proud history.
Not just a breed for “the ladies who lunch,” this breed is beauty with brains.
Here are some surprising facts about the versatile poodle:
• Despite their glamorous looks, Poodles were originally bred to retrieve water fowl. They retain characteristics such as webbed feet and a dense, water repellent coat that makes them suitable for that task still today but their superior intelligence and gregarious personalities make them more common as companions than hunting dogs.
• The Poodle’s fancy haircut evolved as a way to lighten their coat and give the dogs more mobility in water. Legs and hindquarters were shaved so the dogs could move freely without a lot of hair weighing them down. Puffs of coat left around the joints and over the kidneys kept those areas warm and protected. Hair around the neck and chest protected heart and lungs.
• Contrary to what many people believe, the Poodle originated in Germany – not France -- and the name is derived from the German word ‘pudel’ or ‘pudelin,’ meaning to splash in the water.
• The Toy Poodle achieved great popularity in France and was known worldwide as a "trick dog." They were court favorites during the reign of Louis XVI and Queen Anne.
• For the Poodle, beauty and brains go together. Poodles are exceptionally smart and excel in obedience training. For instance a Poodle is 6th in this year’s “Top Obedience Dogs” rankings while another is the 13th ranked Top Obedience Dog of all time.
• The Poodle is one of the hypoallergenic breeds recommended by the AKC for those who suffer from allergies. Their coat requires regular professional grooming every four to six weeks.
• Great leaders such as Winston Churchill and Grover Cleveland owned Poodles.
• Poodles are currently the eighth most popular breed registered in the United States, according to 2007 American Kennel Club registration statistics. The breed enjoyed a long reign as the most popular dog for 23 years (1960-1982), the longest any breed has held that position consecutively -- a true testament to its suitability as a family pet.
• Poodles come in three varieties: o The Toy – a dog less than ten inches tall at the shoulder; o The Miniature – a dog more than ten inches but less than 15 inches at the shoulder; and o The Standard – a dog more than 15 inches at the shoulder.
In the recent American Kennel Club® (AKC) poll at www.presidentialpup.com about
what breed of dog is best for the Obama family, the poodle won out as the breed of choice.
Despite this vote of confidence and its overall popularity –it’s the 8th most popular breed registered by the AKC – the breed suffers from an image problem among people who can’t see past the poodle’s pouf. But underneath all that hair, there’s an intelligent, athletic dog that excels at all canine activities and has a long, proud history.
Not just a breed for “the ladies who lunch,” this breed is beauty with brains.
Here are some surprising facts about the versatile poodle:
• Despite their glamorous looks, Poodles were originally bred to retrieve water fowl. They retain characteristics such as webbed feet and a dense, water repellent coat that makes them suitable for that task still today but their superior intelligence and gregarious personalities make them more common as companions than hunting dogs.
• The Poodle’s fancy haircut evolved as a way to lighten their coat and give the dogs more mobility in water. Legs and hindquarters were shaved so the dogs could move freely without a lot of hair weighing them down. Puffs of coat left around the joints and over the kidneys kept those areas warm and protected. Hair around the neck and chest protected heart and lungs.
• Contrary to what many people believe, the Poodle originated in Germany – not France -- and the name is derived from the German word ‘pudel’ or ‘pudelin,’ meaning to splash in the water.
• The Toy Poodle achieved great popularity in France and was known worldwide as a "trick dog." They were court favorites during the reign of Louis XVI and Queen Anne.
• For the Poodle, beauty and brains go together. Poodles are exceptionally smart and excel in obedience training. For instance a Poodle is 6th in this year’s “Top Obedience Dogs” rankings while another is the 13th ranked Top Obedience Dog of all time.
• The Poodle is one of the hypoallergenic breeds recommended by the AKC for those who suffer from allergies. Their coat requires regular professional grooming every four to six weeks.
• Great leaders such as Winston Churchill and Grover Cleveland owned Poodles.
• Poodles are currently the eighth most popular breed registered in the United States, according to 2007 American Kennel Club registration statistics. The breed enjoyed a long reign as the most popular dog for 23 years (1960-1982), the longest any breed has held that position consecutively -- a true testament to its suitability as a family pet.
• Poodles come in three varieties: o The Toy – a dog less than ten inches tall at the shoulder; o The Miniature – a dog more than ten inches but less than 15 inches at the shoulder; and o The Standard – a dog more than 15 inches at the shoulder.