The Poodle has a most endearing personality.  Many people consider the Poodle to one of the most beautiful of dogs.  This dog comes in two coat varieties - the curly and the corded, although the corded coat is rarely seen in the United States.  There are three sizes (four, if using the F.C.I. standards) a size for almost any life style. The Standard Poodle measures over 15 inches at the withers.  The Miniature Poodle measures over 10 inches at the withers, but not more than 15 inches.  The Toy Poodle does not exceed 10 inches at the withers.
     There are a number of colors that the Poodle possesses.  The colors most commonly found are black and white.  There are also browns, apricots, reds, and silvers(these are born black and their "fading" to silver is called "clearing to silver").  Poodle puppies do not always stay the color they are at the age of eight to twelve weeks. The best way to determine the puppies' coat color as adults, is to ask to see the sire and dam of the puppy.  Also consider the pedigree.  The pedigree paper should indicate color of the ancestors and a good idea of the puppies' adult color can be then be determined.
     All Poodles are quick learners, are energetic, can be comical, and are natural born performers.  Their intelligence is quite remarkable, some owners swear their Poodles are capable of reasoning, and they are very attuned to mood in their environment.  The Poodle is also very versatile.  This breed of dog has been used for hunting, retrieving, they have performed in circus' and as a war dog.
     The Standard Poodle enjoys being with children, has a natural hunting and retrieving instinct, and can  make an effective watchdog.
     The Miniature and Toy Poodles can also be effective watchdogs by boisterously sounding an alarm, however, they do not know their limitations at times.  These sizes should not be considered guard dogs.  They are bold and confident in personality, and will not back down.  Children should be closely supervised when around this size of Poodle, the children do not always know how to treat the animal with care.  Once any puppy has been hurt by a child the trust is not easily won back.
     When considering the purchase of a Poodle, do not forget to factor in the cost of grooming.  The curley coated Poodle does not necessarily need to be in the Continental or English Saddle cut. However, the Poodle must be brushed and combed every day.  He/she will require a bath at least every ten days.  Keeping the coat in good condition will require a professional groomer's services at least once per month, especially if the dog is kept in any style cut, even if it is the sporting cut.
     One advantage of the Poodle's coat is it is so dense that hair and dander do not easily fall off of the dog, therefore people with allergies are not as afflicted around Poodles as they would be around some other breeds.

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