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?
Yes, it means that the dog is easier on those with allergies.  Certain people are more compatible with those breeds.
Are they also good with cats?