Standard poodles may or may not be the ultimate show dogs, but they have Serious Presence when they are in full plumage. Cut like topiary and puffed up and blown out, they seem to fulfill the lay public's opinions of show dogs in general and poodles in particular. Big Hair beyond the wildest dreams of a Texas matron. Their demeanor is serious, thoughtful, and focused, and in general their handlers show equivalent emotions. Do they dial back their emotions for shows? Are they wildly frisky and playful offstage (dogs or handlers)?  Who knows. Our own dog experience is that non-show poodles are "proud" of how they look and feel after being freshly groomed. Perhaps their pride comes from being handled with care during grooming and receiving appreciative sounds afterwards; besides, it seems unlikely they know how they look since most don't have mirrors.  But the show poodles certainly display restraint and aristocratic reserve - even disdain - worthy of Louis XIV.  Some even look a little like Louis XIV (or what Alan Rickman looked like when playing Louis XIV).  There was little frivolity apparent in the poodle compound before the show.  And the poodles seemed to ignore each other pre-show even though they were in close proximity - nose-to-nose and otherwise.  Maybe it was all old hat to them, or maybe, like athletic competitors, they avoided any signs of affection or interest that might betray weakness.  Can all dogs be Alphas?  Maybe the show poodles think so.

Serious, aloof, a little bored

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Cut, dried, puffed and buffed

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Everyone is serious.

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