We were thrilled with the great response we got to our blog post about “London” a Standard Poodle co-owned by our own Jamie Danburg and Michele Molnar, who won “Best in Show” at last month’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship for his 51st career title.

To put “London S Poodle’s” 51 “Best in Show” titles in perspective, that’s more wins that Muhammad Ali, twice as many championships as the New York Yankees and he has beaten 2.3 million show dogs in competition over the past 2 years. So you would think people would be asking, how does he do it, or what outstanding characteristic sets him apart, etc.

Wrong – All people want to know is:

What’s up with the haircut ?

So, by popular demand, here goes…

“London” in “Continental Clip” Wins Best In Show 12-17-2011

Creatures resembling poodles have been found on Roman tombs, Greek and Roman coins, and monuments dating back to A.D. 30. Still, most experts trace the poodle haircut to 16th and 17th century Germany where poodles were bred for use as water retrievers. (The word “poodle” is derived from the German pudelhund, which means “water dog.”)

Poodles in that era had these unusual clips out of occupational necessity: A  poodle’s thick coat could weigh it down in the water. With the bottom half of its body shaved, the poodle was more buoyant and swam more freely. The long mane and hair around the chest kept the poodle’s organs warm in the cold water, and owners also kept the hair around the joints to protect them from cold and injury. Shaving the hair around the face left the poodle’s mouth and eyes free to engage in their retrieving responsibilities, and tying the hair on a poodle’s head into a “top knot” also kept hair out of its eyes. Owners eventually tied these knots with brightly colored ribbons to help them identify their dogs from afar.

These days, poodles competing at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club in New York generally sport one of two coat patterns, the Continental or the English Saddle.  The “corded” look, which resembles Jamaican “dreadlocks” is also approved but is less common as it is more difficult to maintain.Prepping a show poodle takes considerable time. About two days before an important competition, poodles usually undergo a “rough cut” grooming that shapes the hair into an outline of the show style. The morning of the event, a poodle’s coat is carefully blow-dried, and the pompoms, mane, and decorative bracelets are scissored and styled. Top handlers will work with only the finest scissors; the best are generally produced in Japan and can cost upward of $600.

All the time an effort is well worth it as poodles have always been among the crowd favorites at major dog shows worldwide. Poodles have won Best in Show at the Westminster on nine occasions. Our “London’s” 51 titles are further evidence of the popularity of a an unusual haircut that originated to help a working dog to move more efficiently through the water.

Be sure to tune in and see “London”  Saturday, February 4th, 2012 on ABC: AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB
MONDAY AND TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13-14, 2012
Monday schedule: Hounds, Toys, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups televised live on USA Network from 8-9 p.m. ET and on CNBC from 9-11 p.m. ET.
Tuesday schedule: Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, followed by Best In Show televised live on USA Network from 8-11 p.m. ET.

The “Corded” Look