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While walking through the backstage area at Westminster, called the benching area, I came across a Poodle whose hair was tied in little bundles on his head. His name was Grand Champion Deseret Turquoise Elijah, or Elijah for short.
His handler, Julie Pantages from Gloucester, Mass., told me that it, keeps it out of his face and eyes, and it keeps it out of his feed bowl. I asked Pantages why poodles hair was groomed so differently than the other dogs in the dog show.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
Handler and groomer Julie Pantages from Gloucester, Mass., holds Grand Champion Deseret Turquoise Elijah at The Westminster Dog Show on Monday, Feb. 14.
"Poodle actually comes from the German word, pudlen, which means puddle. They were originally used as water dogs," Pantages explained. "They were bred in Germany before the French ever bred them. They were used as a water retriever just as a Golden or a Labrador Retriever would be used; they retrieved ducks from the water for the hunters. But they would get bogged down with all their hair while trying to swim in the water. So their legs were shaved to free them up in the water so they could swim more freely. But they would leave hair on their joints to protect their joints from the icy water so they wouldnt get arthritic too young."
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
Pantages says the grooming of Poodles today goes back hundreds of years to when they retrieved birds for hunters in icy waters in Germany.
The hair left on the joints of the hind legs are called bracelets, and the hair on the fore legs are called puffs. The poodles also have balls of hair on their hip bones called pompoms or rosettes. The hair left on the poodles tail was essentially used as a flag so the hunter could see the dog as it swam through the water. The main body of the poodle is covered with a layer of hair called the jacket, and its purpose is to protect the dogs organs from the cold water.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
The hair on a poodle's front legs are called puffs, and it was originally used to keep the dog's joints warm while swimming in cold water even though much of the dog had been shaved to reduce drag in the water.
"The Germans actually bred them as party colors, which means they were multiple colors, they were black and white and browns," Pantages said. "It was the French who took them and made them solid colors, and thats how they got the reputation of being a French Poodle, when in actuality theyre a German Poodle.
"They fetch, they go swimming, and they're rough and tumble. They're not froofy at all. They're Dobermans with hair. They're real dogs."
Pantages told me this was Elijahs last show, that he's retiring at only two years old. I wondered if he's looking forward to the normal haircut hed be getting in only a few days.
Check back for our ongoing coverage of the furry underbelly of Westminster Dog Show.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
Handler and groomer Julie Pantages from Gloucester, Mass., gets a kiss from Grand Champion Deseret Turquoise Elijah at The Westminster Dog Show on Monday, Feb. 14.
Leave a Comment:
Real dogs drink out of the toilet.
No dog should be made to look like the poodles in a dog show. Poodles are extremely intelligent dogs and a nice short clip all over makes them look so much more dignified.
Love standard poodles, but the little ones should be banned from breeding. Yech.
So sad - you've hurt phantompoodle's feelings. :(
My daughter and I were just wondering yesterday why poodles had what we considered "ridiculous" haircuts when all other breeds must be shown with what is normal fur growth. Now it makes perfect sense, I appreciate knowing the answer and will never look at those cuts the same way again!
My sister has poodles and a labradoodle too. They are the sweetest dogs and so smart.
Wow, what interesting history. I always thought they were just girlie dogs.....I know the standards are smart.. it's just sooooo hard to take them seriously... sissy bodies with iron guts? whooda thunk.....
Well Paul, you got it right. And they like to hunt in packs. I have had the breed for 20+ years & they do have "iron guts" doing everything from sorting cattle to being the best Service Dogs you can get. They love old people & kids. I am glad they have to wear all that hair ! IF the breed was easy, everyone would want one & it would ruin the breed like the have done the Dalmations, German Shepards to name a few!
As a Doberman owner, I enjoyed seeing the Headline, because one of my dog's K-9 trainer always said that one of the best and toughest guard dogs is a standard poodle.
We have had a toy poodle for 8 years, he is too smart for his own good! He is definitely a rotweiller in poodle "fur". In our neighborhood, he is the alpha dog - will stare down dobermans, ridgebacks, labs, & even a retired DEA dog; then comes inside & wants in "momma's" lap - too funny
We had three standards take on a bear who was attacking our Sheltie. The Sheltie ended up with a huge hole in his neck but he lived thanks to the three standards coming to his rescue. A side note: They had to crash through a screen door to get outside to where the bear and Sheltie were.
I just got my second miniature poodle and they are the best friends and PROTECTORS ever! My first one survived a home alone invasion and would have protected me "to the death" if need be. Do not underestimate this breed - I've had dogs all my life but these guys are the best!!!!
Hey Jim, loved the article and pics! Just wanted you to know the " Puffs " are actually called Bracelets. Just incase you wanted to get technical....... Thanks again for the great interview!
Julie
I've known Elijah for a while. He's a great dog... with great owners. So proud to see him at Westminster!! At first I didn't "get it" either.. .but now since I've gotten to know "Eli".... it all makes sense!!! He's awesome with a great personality!!!
Thank you Julie, for this wonderful explanation of the origin and clipping of poodles. I hope that you have enlightened many with your words. I have had the privilege of having you groom my dog for 7 years. You constantly amaze me with your snip of the scissors turning my alpha female, ball retrieving, beach dog into a work of art. Congratulations on all you have achieved and I know there will be more to come!