Poodles are probably the most common purebred dog
found in early art and literature. Dogs in the familiar
lion trim were carved in Roman tombs around 30AD and
appeared on ancient Greek and Roman coins. The Germans
wrote about them and painted them in the 15th century.
The oldest variety of poodle is the Standard.

While it is accepted that Poodles originated in Germany,
they were developed in Russia and France as well. Poodles
were origanally noted for their abilities as water retrievers.
In Germany, they were referred to as Pudel (splashes in water)
or Canis Familiars aquaticus. These dogs were probably brought
into France during the Revolutionary Wars by German soldiers.
In France they became popularly known as Caniche or
Chie Canard (duck dog).

Poodles have a curly coat which grows continuously so needs
grooming every 4 to 6 weeks. Because they do not shed
they make good pets for people with allergies!