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Beneath the Poodle's air of distinction and dignity, beneath that lovely "poodly" coat, beats the heart of a plain old simple wonderful dog whose good-natured versatility makes it at home in any arena, from the show ring to the field to its favorite spot, the home. The oldest of the three Poodle varieties, the Standard is the original from which the Miniature and Toy were developed. The breed is a member of the family of water dogs and is closely related to the Portuguese Water Dog and the Irish Water Spaniel. Widely known throughout Europe as a retriever of waterfowl, it is possible that either Germany or Russia was the Poodle's country of origin, although France seems to be the country most responsible for popularizing the breed both as a family pet and sporting dog. In that country the breed is known as the caniche, a name derived from the French word for "duck". The Standard Poodle measures over 15 inches at the shoulder, averaging between 22 and 26 inches. The coat has a dense, harsh texture, and may be in any solid color: black, brown, gray, apricot, cream or white, with dark pigmentation of nose, lips and eye rims preferred. To keep the coat mat-free, it should be brushed daily and clipped regularly, at least four times a year. Special care should be taken to keep the Poodle's long, thickly feathered ears clean and free from infection. With its well-mannered demeanor, clean habits, non-shedding coat and desire to please, the Poodle makes a superior house pet for town or country. The Standard needs plenty of outdoor exercise and is better suited to a house than a highrise. It's an excellent watchdog and loves playing with children. (Editor's Note: According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, parti-colored Poodles will be disqualified from the AKC show ring. However, they may be shown at United Kennel Club conformation events.)

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