what were poodles bred for

Poodles were originally bred for waterfowl hunting. Their intelligence, athleticism, and swimming abilities made them excellent retrievers of ducks and other birds for hunters. The breed originated in Germany and was specifically bred for its exceptional swimming abilities. Poodles were highly valued for their hunting abilities and were used to retrieve game from water, as well as to recover lost arrows and bolts that had missed their mark. Despite this history, they are currently classified as companion dogs, and they are also popular as service dogs, circus performers, and working dogs in the military due to their highly intelligent and trainable nature.