Poodles seem to be a little
different from other breeds of dogs in many ways. The Brown brain concept
seems to be just another one of those little quirks that the Poodle
possesses. There is no research on the Brown brain concept in Poodles.
Nothing I will offer here is backed by scientific evidence. I will however
offer my own observance and facts as I see them. I have also interviewed
breeders that have bred brown poodles for many years, some judges, authors
and all in good standing in the Poodle community.
The first breeder I
contacted about the "brown brain" immediately ask " why are you having
trouble with your Poodle" ? I laughed... Goodness no.
Here is the start of this
story as how it has come about in my life. I own natural breeds. The
Criollo, and Texas Longhorn are not synthetic, but natural breeds. They were
not created by man, but by nature. This has allowed for a different kind of
intelligence to emerge. Although they are both highly intelligent, they
think differently, there for are not for everyone when it comes to advance
training. They are more sensitive to the feelings and thoughts of their
handler, and their surroundings. This part of my own personality that is
attracted to the natural breeds is most likely what has also caused a deep
affection for the brown Poodle. The Brown Poodle is an independent thinker.
This does not mean they are independent like the Great Pyer, or Bov, it
means they can solve problems that they them self found, solved and went on
with their lives. They don't need a person to show them a problem and then
teach them to solve it.
I do believe there is a
genetic link with color. Here is why. Over 1000 years ago the North African
Barberry tribes that invaded Spain during the war between the Moores and the
Visigoths knew something the Spanish had also noticed. That color of a horse
did in fact determine its character. No, science has never proven it. But
down though the ages even the American cowboy had his own beliefs as to
color and character. Why may this be? Here is my hypothesis.
When a breed is being
developed, such as the Poodle something had to mate to something to get the
end result. Back in the day.. the people bred "type" to "type" there were no
such thing as breeds as we know them today. So a cart horse was bred to a
cart horse, a gaited horse to a gaited horse and so on. The same most likely
happened with dogs. So the dogs that created the white Poodle were most
likely very different than those that created the black, brown and so on.
Poodles also developed in Germany, France, and Russia on different
levels in the very early times. The Romans also had dogs that resembled the
Poodle ( I assume that's how they got to the British isles). There for
we have spotted Poodles even to this day. We have black and tans, and even
brindle that will crawl out of the past to show witness to the origins of
the Poodle breed. Why then would it not make sense that the dog used to
create the brown color wouldn't have also given some form of character to
the breed as well. It is more likely that the dog was used to developed
character rather than color anyhow. Thus I present this to you. Why couldn't
it be that those dogs who show the color of its predecessor wouldn't also
show his character? While most breeders agree that a brown Poodle does
"live on a different plain" Wouldn't that plain be the hunting dog, the
Water Dog from days gone by? The Brown from what information I have gathered
is more apt to take to hunting, have webbed feet, and naturally enjoy water.
From the information I have gotten it is also more common for a Brown to
have a white spot on his chest, another symbol of that water dog so long forgotten. No, there is no fact to back any of this up.
There are few breeders that specialize in the Browns. Why? I think its
harder to get that great breed standard in today's Poodle in the Brown coat,
why? because they aren't today's Poodle, they are yesterdays Puddle dog. I
personally want to own, breed and use the Brown and no other color because I
love this attitude, I love the fact their bodies may not be today's show
champions but are perfect examples of yesterdays water dog. I don't mind the
white spot that discredits them. I see it as a thumbprint of history.( this
does not mean Im not a purest and will not strive for today's standard in
removing that thumbprint, it simply means I won't faint at the sight of it)
The brown Poodle is smart beyond some trainers understanding. They are
goofy, they love to learn through play. Don't you? They keep constant watch
on our emotions, our lives and their job to insure our happiness. They are
every bit a Poodle. They are just a Poodle with a twist.
Riding steers
