Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs, specifically for waterfowl hunting and retrieving game from water. Their name reflects this history: in German, "Pudel" means "puddle," and in French, "Caniche" means "duck dog," highlighting their role in retrieving ducks and other birds from water bodies
. The Standard Poodle, the oldest variety, was primarily used by hunters for this purpose due to their excellent swimming abilities and intelligence
. Over time, poodles have also been bred for other roles such as circus performers, truffle hunters (Miniature Poodles), and companion dogs (Toy and Miniature Poodles)
. Today, while still recognized for their hunting origins, poodles are widely appreciated as versatile, intelligent, and trainable dogs suited for companionship, service work, obedience, agility, and even search and rescue
. In summary, poodles were bred for:
- Hunting and retrieving waterfowl from water (primary original purpose)
- Companion roles (especially smaller varieties)
- Specialized tasks like truffle hunting (Miniature Poodles)
- Various working roles including service and therapy work due to their intelligence and trainability
