one of a breed of very active dogs, probably originating in Germany but regarded as the national dog of France, having long, thick, frizzy or curly hair usually trimmed in standard patterns, occurring in three varieties (standard, miniature, and toy) differing only in size, and originally used as a water retriever.
Origin of poodle
1815–25; <German Pudel, short for Pudelhund, equivalent to pudel(n) to splash (see puddle) + Hundhound1
While Steinbeck journeyed with his loyal French poodle, Buzzell has only a 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente as a companion.
Great Weekend Reads|Malcolm Jones, Matt Gallagher, Saul Austerlitz, Sharon Steel|September 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He insisted that far from being America's poodle on this, he was an enthusiastic collaborator with Mr. Bush.
Tony Blair, Outcast|Andrew Neil|February 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Mademoiselle de Corandeuil was entirely occupied in restoring her poodle to health.
Gerfaut, Complete|Charles de Bernard
His poodle whimpers low the tune, And holds the cup between its teeth.
Enamels and Cameos and other Poems|Thophile Gautier
By silent consent, we paid the hack off, and proceeded arm in arm towards the Poodle Dog for dinner.
The Wrecker|Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne
The surplice, which Mr. Poodle was still holding, parted with a rip, and Gissing was free.
Where the Blue Begins|Christopher Morley
Althea should have a nurse, and a carriage, and a poodle dog.
Hubert's Wife|Minnie Mary Lee
British Dictionary definitions for poodle
poodle
/ (ˈpuːdəl) /
noun
a breed of dog, with varieties of different sizes, having curly hair, which is often clipped from ribs to tail for showing: originally bred to hunt waterfowl
a person who is servile; lackey
Word Origin for poodle
C19: from German Pudel, short for Pudelhund, from pudeln to splash + Hund dog; the dogs were formerly trained as water dogs; see puddle, hound1