The Evolution of the Poodle


Much has been written about the origins of this magnificent animal, but not all Poodle Historians are in agreement. One thing is certain, the Poodle has been around for a really long time.

The earliest known evidence of the Poodle was found in 1897 by noted archeologist Sir Edmund Whyne. He had been searching for Neolithic Poodle artifacts for over 25 years, when, on a dig near Las Vegas, he stumbled upon a bone fragment which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be the tail of this noble creature. His subsequent findings astounded the scientific community.
The prehistoric Poodle was much like his modern counterparts - he loved chasing balls and doing tricks for proto-hominids. From Sir Edmund's vast writings on the ancestry of the modern Poodle, we learn that the Proto-Poodle was also an able hunter, and was good with small children.

Because of his shy demeanor, the Poodle was rarely seen by any but the most intrepid of early explorers. There are a few references to a ferocious half dog, half lion creature who would suddenly appear before startled sailors, but it was not until the sixteenth century that the Poodle was regarded as anything more than a myth.

When a pair of wild Poodles were brought back to England as a gift to the Queen, the Royal Court was astounded at the strangeness of this animal, its luxuriant fur bouncing and behaving at the same time. It soon became a mark of social prestige to own a Poodle, as it still is today.

And so began our love affair with the Modern Poodle. Notice the difference in size of the Proto-Poodle and its contemporary. Its scaly claws have evolved into dainty feet, and fortunately for us, it no longer hunts and eats humans.

As the editor of Doggie Digest, I must confess that the Poodle has always been my favorite breed. It is my intention to enlighten you, dear reader, with fascinating tales and interesting facts about all breeds of dogs, but especially the Poodle. In our next installment, I will discuss the proper way to groom and clip your Poodle.





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