In the popular imagination, it's a tiny, high-strung foofoo dog. Toy poodles are often pretty yappy and aggressive, though they may be getting their bluff in on a world that's much, much larger than they are.
Standard poodles, believe it or not, got their start as bird dogs, and their traditional haircut was designed to reduce the weight of their fur when they were in the water, while keeping their joints warm.
Poodles are considered highly intelligent, obedient, and sociable dogs. They make excellent pets.