Popular misconceptions abound, but one of the ugliest is that of the poodle.
The equivalent would be to call a US Navy Seal a bellboy. Everyone who has successfully waded the mucky water of breeder apathy and public image finds a incredible surprise. I worked along side poodles. All I knew was the general TV opinion of them. Gradually over time I became aware of their strengths and, being an animal person, began working with them.