Greetings!  When I was younger my first pet was a Poodle.  Her name was Muffin.  The Poodle is a group of formal dog breeds.  The standard, Mini, and Toy.
I have never had a poodle.  They seem like great dogs.
She was great indeed.  I know that the origin of the Poodle is disputed, although Britannica traces the origin to Germany where it was know as the "Pudelhund"
Really, Germany?  I never would have guessed.  I heard they are very intelligent animals.
I'm sorry I meant to say "known* as the Pudelhund.  Sorry about that.  Yes, Germany indeed.  The other disputed origin comes from the Federation Cynologique Internationale that holds that the poodles descend from the French Dog Barbet, and may have crossed with a breed from Hungary.
Sounds like the poodle origin is more complicated!  I know they win a lot of international dog shows.  I've never had one. Are they like shepherds?
They have some similarities, although Poodles are Hypoallergenic and Shepherds are not.  Oddly enough Shepherds also originate in Germany. 
So people are less allergic to poodles than other dog breeds?
Hypoallergenic dog breed
The term hypoallergenic dog breed is commonly used to refer to a dog breed (or crossbreed) that is more compatible with allergic people than other breeds. However, prominent allergen researchers have claimed that there is no basis to the claims that certain breeds are hypoallergenic and, while allergen levels vary among individual dogs, the breed is not a significant factor.
The myth.
Though some studies suggest the possible existence of hypoallergenic dog breeds, there is too much variability to conclude that such a breed exists
Poodle
Poodles are a group of formal dog breeds, the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. The origin of the breed is still discussed, with a prominent dispute over whether the poodle descends from Germany as a type of water dog, or from the French Barbet.
Ranked second most intelligent dog breed just behind the Border Collie, the poodle is skillful in many dog sports and activities, including agility, obedience, tracking to herding, circus performers and assistance dogs. Poodles have taken top honors in many