POODLEY FACTS - The Poodle gets its name from the German word "pudel", which means "to splash around in the water". They were originally bred as a water retriever. The poofy haircut seen on show poodles today originated with hunters. The haircut was designed to allow the dog to swim freely while keeping its major organs and joints warm. - The Poodle is the national dog of France. - Poodles are one of the oldest known breeds. As early as 30 A.D., poodle-like dogs appeared on carvings in Roman tombs and on Greek and Roman Coins. Throughout history, the poodle has been extensively written about and featured in paintings. - Poodles do not shed and are hypoallergenic. People who have allergies to dogs and cats can usually own a poodle without difficulty. - The Standard Poodle is the oldest of the three varieties. The Standard Poodle is the largest of the three. Miniature Poodles are mid-sized, and Toy Poodles are the smallest. - If you don't clip the poodle's coat, it will grow out in matted, ropelike cords. - The poodle has also been raised as a circus and vaudeville performer and as a hunter of truffles (a delicacy mushroom.) - With an excellent sense of smell and unusual sixth sense, the Poodle was used in the Vietnam War to ferret out booby traps. - The Poodle is one of the most intelligent dogs and eager to please dog, thus he is really easy to train. Poodles are very sensitive to vocal intonation, which is probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train.