The Standard Poodle is an elegant, well-proportioned breed with a frizzy and curly coat.

The Standard Poodle's dense coat can be curly (frizzy curls over the whole body) or corded (even cords that hang in varying lengths). Poodle owners often give their pups stylized haircuts or a "puppy clip" that trims hair to an even length over the whole body.

Poodles come in a wide range of colors—including solid blacks, grays, silvers, browns, apricots, creams, and shading variations.

The Standard Poodle has dark, oval-shaped eyes that offer an alert, intelligent expression. Covered in long, wavy hair, the ears are long enough to reach the corner of the lip when pulled forward.

Despite their strong association with the country, Poodles didn't originate in France. And no one really knows the full story behind the breed's origins. Poodles are likely related to the Portguese Water Dog and Irish Water Spaniel. Some experts believe they originated in Central Europe or Russia, while others think they got their start in Spain or Portugal. Another common theory is that German soldiers brought the Poodle to France during the 1400s.

Regardless of the breed's exact beginnings, everyone agrees that Poodles were bred for bird hunting and water retrieval. And their love of water is how they got their name. "Poodle" comes from an old German word meaning "to splash about."

What's the deal with the famous Poodle haircut? Hunters knew that Poodles would be more efficient swimmers if they had less hair. But less hair would leave them more vulnerable to the cold water. So, creative Poodle owners had an idea. They shaved most of the dog's body but strategically left puffs of hair to protect joints and vital organs from the cold. Problem solved.

In the 1700s, Standard Poodles were bred down to smaller sizes. Today, the Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle all share the same breed standard.