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Where does the word "poodle" come from? It comes from German puddeln, passing through German before entering English (1800s).
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Where does the word "poodle" come from? It comes from German puddeln, passing through German before entering English (1800s).
Poodle’s story begins in German: puddeln meant “to splash.” Meaning "to splash in water". Within German, it grew into Pudel by 1600s. Named the water-retrieving dog breed. It reached English by 1800s as poodle. German 'Pudelhund', splash-dog, since poodles were bred as water retrievers. Today, poodle means a dog breed known for its dense, curly coat.
- Stage 1 · German · medieval puddeln "to splash", meaning "to splash in water".
- Stage 2 · German · 1600s Pudel "a water dog", named the water-retrieving dog breed.
- Stage 3 · English · 1800s poodle "a curly-coated dog breed", German 'Pudelhund', splash-dog, since poodles were bred as water retrievers.