Two Poodles Reading by the Christmas Tree

About this drawing

Poodles reading a book by the tree make a sweet holiday scene, and it is no accident that this breed shows up so often in drawings. With curly coats and cheerful personalities, poodles are among the most recognizable dogs in the world.

Although many people link them to France, poodles trace their roots to Germany, where they worked as water dogs, retrieving ducks and other birds from lakes and rivers. The German name, Pudel, is tied to splashing in water.

That famous haircut, with pom-poms on the legs and tail, began as a practical choice. It made the dog lighter in the water while keeping joints and chest warm. Over time it became a show-ring style.

Poodles come in several sizes, from standard down to tiny toy. All of them are very smart, quick to learn commands and eager to play. That is why they are so popular with families, as long as they get company, exercise and regular brushing for those curls. Over the years, poodles have also worked as circus performers, service dogs and therapy dogs, thanks to how easily they learn. Few breeds are as versatile or as eager to please.

• poodle
• dogs
• reading
• christmas
• pets