I can tell that just from the look on his face in the photo.
We use him as a water retriever and he's great. (I hesitate to post this picture because of all the teasing I get, but I tell you he AIN'T NO SISSY).
As a rule, standard poodles aren't sissies -- it's the smaller breeds which earn that reputation.
You might enjoy "Poodlevania" and "The Dominant Dog", two online books by writer Michael Finley, about his "drill-sargeant" (and semi-psycho) standard poodle Beau, and dogs (and the dog/human bond) in general. In fact, I recommend them to all dog lovers, Finley is a wonderful writer and a great observer of human nature and "dog nature".
The books can be read online, or downloaded as .lit "eBook" files and read via the free Microsoft Reader application.
Thanks for the post. I bookmarked the link, and am looking forward to some great reading.
I had a Standard on my ranch when I was a teenager. She was a fantastic companion dog and hearder. I also recognized hunting instincts. When my husband's two English Pointers passed on and it was time for another dog I recommended a standard. Of course hubby was hesitant. What self-respecting man would be caught dead in the company of a poodle. Now they are absolutly inseperable. Hubby can't believe how smart and trainable he his. He understands over 100 voice commands and about 20 hand commands.
The English Pointers were very prey driven...they would do anything for the hunt, but boy, were they stupid. We loved them nevertheless.