Poodles come in three sizes:
the Standard (over 15 inches at the shoulder - most are in the 22-27" range); the Miniature
(over 10 inches and not over 15 inches); and the Toy ( 10 inches and under.)
The original Poodles were water dogs used for retrieving. It
is believed that their country of origin is Germany. Their conformation and the texture of their
coats to this day, reflect the purposes for which they were bred. The traditional Continental or English
Saddle clip pattern of the hair you see on Poodles today in the show ring, mirror the historical clips
used to assist the Poodle in the water - unusual clips out of occupational necessity. An unshorn poodle's
thick coat could weigh it down in the water. With the bottom half of its body shaved, the animal was more buoyant and could
swim more freely. The long mane and hair around the chest were left intact to keep the poodle's vital organs warm in the
cold water, and owners also kept the hair around the joints to protect them from cold and injury and to help prevent rheumatism.
Shaving the hair around the face left the poodle's mouth and eyes free so it could fulfill its retrieving responsibilities,
and tying the hair on a poodle's head into a "top knot" also kept hair out of its eyes. Owners eventually tied
these knots with brightly colored ribbons to help them identify their dogs from afar.
Poodles' haircuts evolved into some of the more ornate and elaborate incarnations
we see today when the animals gained popularity in France, particularly in the 18th century under the reign of
Louis XVI. Poodles, especially the smaller varieties, were popular with the nobility, who would mold the little dogs'
hair into extravagant styles, sometimes mimicking the ornate pompadours that French men and women wore themselves at the time.
General Appearance, Carriage and Condition
That of a very active, intelligent and elegant-appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly
and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him
an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size
The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is 15 inches
or less in height shall be disqualified from competition as a Standard Poodle.
The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum
height in excess of 10 inches. Any Poodle which is over 15 inches or is 10 inches or less at the highest point of the shoulders
shall be disqualified from competition as a Miniature Poodle
Toy
Group
The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest
point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders shall be disqualified
from competition as a Toy Poodle.
As long as the Toy Poodle is definitely a Toy Poodle, and the Miniature Poodle
a Miniature Poodle, both in balance and proportion for the Variety, diminutiveness shall be the deciding factor when all other
points are equal. The Standard for the Poodle (Toy variety) is the same as for the Standard and Minature varieties except
as regards heights.
Head
and Expression
(a) Eyes-- very dark, oval in shape and set far enough apart and positioned to create an
alert intelligent expression. Major fault: eyes round, protruding, large or very light.
(b) Ears-- hanging close
to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide and thickly feathered; however, the ear fringe
should not be of excessive length.
(c) Skull-- moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones
and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle.
(d) Muzzle-- long, straight and
fine, with slight chiseling under the eyes. Strong without lippiness. The chin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Major
fault: lack of chin. Teeth-- white, strong and with a scissors bite. Major fault: undershot, overshot, wry mouth.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck well proportioned, strong and long enough to permit the head to be carried high and with dignity. Skin
snug at throat. The neck rises from strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. Major fault: ewe neck.
The topline is
level, neither sloping nor roached, from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail, with the exception
of a slight hollow just behind the shoulder.
Body
(a) Chest deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs. (b) The loin is short, broad and muscular. (c) Tail straight,
set on high and carried up, docked of sufficient length to insure a balanced outline. Major fault: set low, curled, or carried
over the back.
Forequarters
Strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. The shoulder blade
is well laid back and approximately the same length as the upper foreleg. Major fault: steep shoulder.
(a) Forelegs
- Straight and parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side the elbow is directly below the highest point
of the shoulder. The pasterns are strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
Feet - The feet are rather small, oval
in shape with toes well arched and cushioned on thick firm pads. Nails short but not excessively shortened. The feet turn
neither in nor out. Major fault: paper or splay foot.
Hindquarters
The angulation
of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters.
(a) Hind legs straight and parallel when viewed from the
rear. Muscular with width in the region of the stifles which are well bent; femur and tibia are about equal in length; hock
to heel short and perpendicular to the ground. When standing, the rear toes are only slightly behind the point of the rump.
Major fault: cow-hocks.
Coat
(a) Quality--(1) Curly: of naturally harsh texture,
dense throughout. (2) Corded: hanging in tight even cords of varying length; longer on mane or body coat, head, and ears;
shorter on puffs, bracelets, and pompons.
(b) Clip-- A Poodle under 12 months may be shown in the "Puppy"
clip. In all regular classes, Poodles 12 months or over must be shown in the "English Saddle" or "Continental"
clip. In the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes and in a non-competitive Parade of Champions, Poodles may be shown in the "Sporting"
clip. A Poodle shown in any other type of clip shall be disqualified.
(1) "Puppy"--A Poodle under a year
old may be shown in the "Puppy" clip with the coat long. The face, throat, feet and base of the tail are shaved.
The entire shaven foot is visible. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. In order to give a neat appearance and a smooth
unbroken line, shaping of the coat is permissible. (2) "English Saddle"--In the "English Saddle" clip
the face, throat, feet, forelegs and base of the tail are shaved, leaving puffs on the forelegs and a pompon on the end of
the tail. The hindquarters are covered with a short blanket of hair except for a curved shaved area on each flank and two
shaved bands on each hindleg. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven leg above the puff are visible. The rest
of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped in order to insure overall balance. (3) "Continental"--In the
"Continental" clip, the face, throat, feet, and base of the tail are shaved. The hindquarters are shaved with pompons
(optional) on the hips. The legs are shaved, leaving bracelets on the hindlegs and puffs on the forelegs. There is a pompon
on the end of the tail. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the puff are visible. The rest of
the body is left in full coat but may be shaped in order to insure overall balance. (4) "Sporting"--In the "Sporting"
clip, a Poodle shall be shown with face, feet, throat, and base of tail shaved, leaving a scissored cap on the top of the
head and a pompon on the end of the tail. The rest of the body, and legs are clipped or scissored to follow the outline of
the dog leaving a short blanket of coat no longer than one inch in length. The hair on the legs may be slightly longer than
that on the body.
In all clips the hair of the topknot may be left free or held in place by elastic bands. The
hair is only of sufficient length to present a smooth outline. "Topknot" refers only to hair on the skull, from
stop to occiput. This is the only area where elastic bands may be used.
Color
The
coat is an even and solid color at the skin. In blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-au-laits, apricots and creams the coat
may show varying shades of the same color. This is frequently present in the somewhat darker feathering of the ears and in
the tipping of the ruff. While clear colors are definitely preferred, such natural variation in the shading of the coat is
not to be considered a fault. Brown and cafe-au-lait Poodles have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, dark toenails and
dark amber eyes. Black, blue, gray, silver, cream and white Poodles have black noses, eye-rims and lips, black or self colored
toenails and very dark eyes. In the apricots while the foregoing coloring is preferred, liver-colored noses, eye-rims and
lips, and amber eyes are permitted but are not desirable. Major fault: color of nose, lips and eye-rims incomplete, or of
wrong color for color of dog.
Parti-colored dogs shall be disqualified. The coat of a parti-colored dog is not
an even solid color at the skin but is of two or more colors.
Gait
A straightforward
trot with light springy action and strong hindquarters drive. Head and tail carried up. Sound effortless movement is essential.
Temperament
Carrying himself proudly, very active, intelligent, the Poodle has about him
an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Major fault: shyness or sharpness.
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