Poodles are intelligent, active dogs that make good retrievers. Originally Poodles were gun dogs, bred to retrieve ducks on the hunt. Today, more Standards are used as retrievers, but some Miniatures can handle the job as well. Poodles most generally have a soft mouth that allows the bird to be carried without being destroyed, the bird stays edible. The show clip has evolved from working clips which originally provided boyancy, and warmth for major joints and upper body during hunts in cold water.