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Blue Poodle: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

Chelsie Fraser

By Chelsie Fraser

blue poodle

Blue Poodles are intelligent, graceful dogs with an eye-catching coat color that makes them stand out. Interestingly, a Blue Poodle is a black Poodle with a faded coat. Purebred Poodles don’t have “blue” coat colors, but black Poodles often look blue, which is where the Blue Poodle comes from.

Let’s look at how these dogs got dubbed Blue Poodles and where their distinctive color comes from.

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The Earliest Records of Blue Poodles in History

The Poodle is an ancient dog breed that has been described in records as far back as the 1400s. The original Poodles were a particolored yellowish-blonde, and all Poodles were the same color.

In the early 1900s, solid-colored Poodles became popular, and many breeders took it upon themselves to eliminate the parti-color from the genetic pool. This led to the many different colors of Poodles that we see today.

Poodles are highly intelligent hunting dogs with prized retrieval skills. They are easily trained and versatile in obedience, agility, and field competitions. Their hypoallergenic nature and low shedding of dander make them an excellent choice for people with allergies and are partly why the breed is so popular.

How Blue Poodle Gained Popularity

Poodles have been popular dogs for centuries, but people eventually became interested in developing new coat colors. By mixing different breeding lines of Poodles, new coat colors arise. Such crossbreeding also has the added advantage of reducing the number of inheritable genetic diseases in purebred dogs because it increases the variety in the genetic pool.

Blue Poodles got their name because of the bluish hue in their coat, but they aren’t bred for that blue color. Black Poodles suffer from coat fading, called graying out. When dark coats fade, they look blue instead of black. Blue Poodles are born black, but their coat color changes at about 2 years of age.

Formal Recognition of Blue Poodle

The Poodle is a highly recognized dog. Blue is recognized as an official color by the American Kennel Club and has a distinct registration from the Black Poodle. Dogs over 15 inches tall are recognized as standard sized, those under 15 inches are considered miniature, and those under 10 inches are considered toy sized.

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Top 10 Unique Facts About Blue Poodle

1. They Have German Origin

Contrary to popular belief, Poodles originated in Germany, not France. The breed name comes from the German term “pudel,” which means “to splash in the water.”


2. They Are Water Breed

Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers. Their job was to bring waterfowl, birds, and ducks back to their owners during hunting trips.


3. They Come in Different Sizes

While Poodles come in three different sizes, they all follow the same breed standard.


4. They Are Active Dogs

Poodles are active dogs regardless of size, requiring plenty of exercise.


5. No Shedding in Poodles

Poodles don’t shed. This dog breed has hair, not fur, which means it never stops growing, and it will not fall out (with the exception of thinning due to age or pregnancy).


6. There Have Been a Sledding Attempt

In 1988, a team of Standard Poodles competed in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. They had significant problems with the cold, and the race is now restricted to northern breeds that are well-adapted to the climate.


7. Famous People Love Poodles

Many famous people have owned Poodles, including Lucille Ball, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney, Jackie Kennedy, and Elizabeth Taylor.


8. They Have High Intelligence

Poodles are the second most intelligent dog breed in the world.


9. They Are Family dogs

Poodles make excellent family dogs due to their gentle, loving nature.


10. They Have Few Health Issues

Despite being purebred dogs, Poodles have remarkably few health issues.

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Does Blue Poodle Make a Good Pet?

Blue Poodles, or Poodles of any other color, make excellent pets because they are incredibly gentle. They make great watchdogs but are not known for being aggressive. While they get along with other animals, they prefer human company to animal company in most cases.

The high intelligence of the Poodle makes them easy to train. While they require plenty of exercise, they are happy to do just about any activity, from a long walk or bike ride to a robust game of fetch. They are great companions for active children because they can keep up with them but are patient. They’ll warn you if something is wrong and can keep your family safe.

Since Poodles don’t shed, they are considered hypoallergenic. While this does mean they require extensive grooming, it makes them a great option for anyone with allergies or those who don’t want to clean up dog hair in the house.

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Conclusion

Blue Poodles have a distinct and unique color, but they are actually black Poodles with faded coats. Poodles are energetic, intelligent dogs that make great family pets. While they do have significant exercise and grooming requirements, they are patient, loving, and gentle. Their ease of training makes them a fantastic option for owners who aren’t experienced in training.


Featured Image Credit: Sarhara Frost, Shutterstock

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