Elegant, confident, and astute. The Poodle is an outstanding dog, as seen by the numerous best-in-show winners in this dog breed. But underneath the blue ribbons, magnificent hairdos, and regal demeanor, you'll discover a loving family dog with a long history and a wide range of skills. Poodles are the second most intellectual breed after border collies and are often regarded as show dogs, beautiful and well-groomed.