All sizes of poodles can be used for what they were bred to be, water retrieval hunters. And, by the way, that clip originated from their working background. Hair is left long around the torso to help keep the body core warm (in fact it's designed so that the upper layers can freeze without harm), clipped close around the haunches, legs and tail to keep movement free and to help with swimming (less to waterlog) and leave the 'bracelets' to keep joints warm. Most people keep their poodles in what's called 'the companion' clip (about 1/2 long on the body, little longer on head and ears, unless you're showing the dog in conformation.

Back in the day, our vet's wife showed in Obedience and she flat said she'd have to be happy with 2nd anytime there was a poodle in her class.


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>>Rated the 4th most intelligent of all dog breeds, behind German shepherds, poodles (!), and I forget the other one. They hide their brains behind their charm.
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>I guess I was exagerating a bit. TBH all the dogs I've had have been working dogs - and retrievers do what they are meant to do extremely well. No first hand experience with Poodles but I've seen the larger working strain (which look far more attractive then the pimped and clipped varieties usually seen) working well. Top on the intelligence list for me will always be a sheep dog (specifically Welsh collie, of course).....
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>>Have I mentioned I'm excited? I'm excited.
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>Yes, I think so :-}