The origin of the Poodle cut—my version

Why do Poodles have funny haircuts? The tradition of the Poodle clip goes back thousands of years. We don’t know the origin, but with my proclivity for historical novels I imagine this scenario:

The Poodle is a favorite with the lord of the manor when he goes off hunting waterfowl. After the hunt the lord invites the shaggy Poodle, who is wet and dirty from a day of retrieving, into the manor so that they can discuss the day’s hunt.

“Oh, no,” the lady of the manor screams. “You are not bringing that filthy dog into the manor.”

Thinking quickly, the lord summons the barber. They confer and invent the Poodle clip. Thinking that a totally bald dog looks pretty ugly, the barber shaves the parts of the dog that get dirty: the feet, face, tail and underbelly. Then the rest is sculpted. The barber molds the topknot to give the dog an intelligent look. The fur on the long ears is combed down to give her beauty. Strategically placed pompoms give her a charming, jaunty look.

As they are finishing, the lord says, “Don’t you think my favorite hunting dog looks rather (he searches for the word)…stupid?”

“No, no,” the barber assures him, hoping for a big tip. “Very practical. She will stay clean and dry on land and be more buoyant in the water. The pompoms will keep her joints warm.“

The lady of the manor is enchanted by the elegant look and invites the Poodle into the manor. Of course the other dogs are laughing their butts off when they see the Poodle. The Poodle has no idea why they are laughing until she sees the second Poodle cut, but by then Poodles have become household fixtures in the manor as they settle by the feet of the lord and lady to warm themselves by the hearth every evening.

See Poodle as hunting dog

Comments

[Rennie]

Thats hilarious but that is probably the way it really happened.

[Carina]

Hahaha! That's really cute.
I don't think Poodles need a sculpted topknot to look intelligent though...they're such smart dogs! I wonder why they are not used for hunting and retrieving any more?

[Hope]

Entirely plausible - I love it!

[Jerry]

I had never thought of it as being practical, just fufu.

[jackie]

the end....

it's going to take more than a top knot to make a poodle look intelligent.but that is exactly the way it probably happened..ha

[Kim Hanson]

VERY funny!! The men in my family, namely my husband had a fit when I told him I was getting a standard poodle. Then when he found out I wanted to show him, he and my teenage boys BEGGED me not to walk him around the neighborhood. Hmmm...

I think it would be a great exercise to have people send you pictures of their poodles without goofy haircuts...let's move away from fufu, yet stay practical! I'm letting Roxi's hair grow out around her face and feet, and I think she looks cuter.

[chandira]

Aww... It would only work on a Poodle, too, can't see any other dog sporting such a cut.
I have inlaws with a labradoodle, which has no cut, but could probably do with one. He's a big hairy mutt, but we love him. :-)

[Laura]

It's the jaunty pompoms on either side of the back hips that I can't figure. The rest of the cut is fine.

Love the story. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the real story wasn't close to the one you wrote.

[Janey Loree]

Love your version! My uncle had a silver poodle named "Princess" that was one of his best hunting dogs!

[Invisible]

I LOVE POODLES!

of course.. I love all doggies. And kitties. And rodents. And reptiles. Ok..all critters :-)

Thanks for the comment on my blog. Glad I entertained you.

[Faith]

So they sacrificed dignity for a little comfort? Yeah I would have too lol

That was a fantastic story!

[Denny]

Very funny! Reminded me of the Poodle I had ...oh...about 28 years ago.

[mike]

whoa, what a beautiful kinds of dogs and about the poodle really beutiful and what a style.

[Laura]

The pompoms have always thrown me. Personally, I think the pompoms ruin what would otherwise be an okay cut. In the long run, though, I prefer poodles without the poodle cut.

[asdf]

they are shaved so they can better swim. the poms keep bony parts warm. A colored ribbon was tied in the top knot so the hunters would know which dogs were which

[Hot News Today]

I love all doggies. And kitties. And rodents. And reptiles. Reminded me of the Poodle I had ...oh...about 28 years ago.

[rox wisely]

Cute story! Poodles indeed look quite amusing, but they are the 2nd smartest dog breed there is.

[Lirik Lagu]

It's the jaunty pompoms on either side of the back hips that I can't figure. The rest of the cut is fine.

Love the story. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the real story wasn't close to the one you wrote.