Black Poodle: Care Guide, Pictures, Info & FAQ
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Poodles come in three sizes and colors: standard, miniature, or toy, and black, white, or apricot. The standard Poodle is 15 inches tall at the shoulder, the miniature is 15 inches and under, and the toy is under 10 inches tall. In this article, we will focus on the Black Poodle, which is the most popular color for this breed. Black Poodles are also the most common due to the dominant gene that produces the color.
Poodles are among the most intelligent dogs you can own. They are eager to please, easy to train, and loyal and friendly, regardless of their color or size. All Poodles have the same temperament. The only difference with the black Poodle is the color of the coat.
Read on to learn more about these intelligent, loveable, and athletic dogs.
The Earliest Records of the Black Poodle in History
The earliest records of the Black Poodle date back to the 14th and 15th centuries in Europe, and the breed is one of the oldest purebred dogs around. One may believe that these dogs came from France since they are the national dog breed of the country. However, it’s said that they hail from Germany, although it’s unclear. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the name “Poodle” came from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin,” which means “to splash in water.”1
Poodles were bred as hunting and retrieving dogs and can maneuver through the water quite well, labeling them water retrievers, as they excelled in retrieving ducks and birds on hunting outings.
Ancient Egyptian and Roman artifacts from the B.C. area of the first centuries have been found with carvings of dogs that resemble the Poodle. Still, it’s unclear if the dogs carved on these artifacts are ancestors of the breed or if this particular breed of that time died out.
How the Black Poodle Gained Popularity
Poodles gained popularity in the United States around the 1950s, and they were the most popular dog breed from 1960–1982, which was the longest-running stint ever of any breed. Since then, they have maintained in the top 10 of the most popular breeds to own in the country.
Originally, Poodles were bred for hunting and retrieving, but over time, they play more of a human-companionship role within society. People love their intelligence and ease of training, making them a popular choice of breed to own to this day. They are extremely adaptable and are loyal to their owners.
Formal Recognition of the Black Poodle
As we’ve mentioned, this breed is among one of the oldest purebred dogs. The AKC recognized the breed in 1887, and the Kennel Club of England recognized them even before that in 1874. The United Kennel Club recognized them in 1914.
If you’re a Poodle owner and are so inclined, you can join the Poodle Club of America. The club’s purpose is to bring awareness to the breed and to promote responsible breeding within AKC’s standards. The club was formed in 1931 when the public first started to take note of the breed. The first specialty show was held in 1932 at the North Westchester, and you will see many Poodles in dog shows.
The Poodle Club of America Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1989 in Minnesota. The club’s purpose is to promote overall awareness of the breed and possible genetic conditions and to promote responsible breeding and training advice.
Top 5 Unique Facts About the Black Poodle
The Poodle does not lack interesting and unique facts. Here we will discuss some of these unique facts more in-depth.
1. Poodles Have Hair, Not Fur
Anyone who has owned or even petted a Poodle knows how their coat feels. The curly hair of the Poodle does not shed due to the single-layered coat and is considered hypoallergenic. Like human hair, it will continue to grow, resulting in regular grooming requirements. The Poodle’s hair responds to hormonal changes and will only fall out due to such changes.
2. The Infamous Poodle Cut Has a Purpose
The Poodle cut serves the purpose of protecting vital organs and joints. You will see puffs and pompoms of hair in certain places, such as the torso and around the joints. It’s easy to perceive this as a fashion statement, but it’s actually for functionality.
3. Poodles Prefer People to Dogs
Poodles love human companionship and would rather hang out with their humans rather than with other dogs. With their intelligence and human-like thinking, it’s no wonder they feel this way.
4. They Love Children
Dogs are like children in a sense, making it no surprise that this breed does exceptionally well with children. If you have small children, a toy Poodle may work best because of their small size; however, the toy Poodle is the least tolerant of loud and rowdy children.
5. Elvis Presley Loved Poodles
That’s right–the King himself had many Poodles over the years and gave many to friends and family. He had a Poodle named Champagne while stationed in Germany during his military service.
Does the Black Poodle Make a Good Pet?
Poodles are excellent pets and can adapt to any family or climate, regardless of color. They are fun, energetic, and love to hang out with family. Their incredible intelligence makes training easy, but be sure to use positive reinforcement, as they are sensitive creatures and will be afraid of harsh tones or yelling.
Early socialization is key to ensuring your Poodle gets along with other pets in the household, but naturally, they have a terrific temperament and do well with other pets, even cats! Poodles are not aggressive, but they are protective of their family. For example, they will bark if they see someone pull into your driveway, and they may be wary of strangers at first.
Since they do not shed, regular grooming is required with this breed. They are highly energetic and require roughly an hour of daily exercise. Playing fetch or swimming is an excellent activity they will enjoy that provides exercise simultaneously.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve stated, all Poodles, regardless of color or size, have roughly the same temperament. Black Poodles are black due to a dominant gene and seem to be the most popular in the United States. These dogs are extremely smart and make wonderful pets.
These dogs are one of the oldest purebred dogs, and you cannot go wrong with adding one to your family. They get along with everyone and are easy to train. If you’re looking for a true companion, you will find it in the Poodle, regardless of the color.
Featured Image Credit: No-longer-here, Pixabay
