Captain Poodle Scanned the Horizon From His Cabin
The tricorn hat sits at a jaunty angle over a cloud of white curls, its gold trim catching the candlelight. The Poodle captain wears a navy coat with gold braid across the chest, a golden epaulette on one shoulder and a snowy cravat. His long, elegant face looks to the side as if he is watching the horizon for sails. Behind him is the dark, glowing brown of a ship's cabin, and a lantern flame glows somewhere far in the shadows.
Poodles have a seafaring side that many people forget. The Standard Poodle's ancestors were water retrievers, and the traditional show clip, with its pompoms and bare patches, started as a practical design to keep joints warm while letting the dog swim. Today many Poodles still love water and can make excellent swimmers. If you take a dog to a lake or boat, a well-fitted canine life jacket is a smart safety measure, even for strong swimmers. Rinse the coat afterward to remove salt, algae or chlorine, and dry the ears carefully to prevent infection. And always supervise, since even good swimmers can tire. Your vet can advise on water safety for your own dog.
The captain steers a steady ship, and the crew is free to bring snacks aboard. Any sailor knows the finest voyages end with a warm bunk, and the captain's is lined with velvet and sleeping fur.
