Poodles might look like they've just stepped out of a fancy salon, but they started out as tough, splashy working dogs. Underneath all those curls is one of the cleverest breeds around.
Poodles are the national dog of France, but they actually come from Germany, where they fetched ducks out of ponds and rivers. Their name comes from an old German word for splashing in the water. That famous haircut with the pom-poms started out as a practical idea too. Hunters shaved off the heavy fur so the dogs could swim easily, but left puffs over the joints and chest to keep them warm in cold water.
Poodles come in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy. They're often called the second smartest dog breed, right behind the Border Collie.
Poodle coats can be white, black, cream, apricot, silver, brown or red. Try drawing lots of tiny loops with your pencil to give the fur a curly texture, pressing a little harder around the edges of each pom-pom. Some owners even dye their Poodles pink or purple for dog shows, so feel free to get silly with your colors!
