What was the Poodle originally bred for, despite its French elegance association?

Answer

Water retriever

Although the Poodle breed is frequently associated with French culture and elegance in modern times, its historical purpose was centered on retrieving game from water bodies. This function required intelligence, stamina, and a specific coat texture suitable for water work. This foundational role as a water retriever shapes the genetic traits, such as coat density and trainability, that are passed down when a Poodle is crossed to create a Weimardoodle, illustrating that breed elegance often obscures specialized historical working origins.

What was the Poodle originally bred for, despite its French elegance association?
classificationDoghybridWeimardoodle