The Poodle, from the tips of its toes
to the tip of its nose General Aspect A harmonious, medium-sized dog, with a characteristically frizzy coat, which is curly or corded. The Poodle has the aspect of an intelligent animal- ever alert and active; harmoniously built, radiating elegance and pride. Head Distinguished, rectilinear, in proportion with the body. Its length must be a little more than 2/5 of its height at the withers. Without heaviness or massiveness, but not too fine either. Chiseling must be evident under the shin that covers it. Ears Fairly long, hanging against the cheeks; set on a line that starts above the nose and extends under the outer corner of the eye; flat, broadening after the base and rounded at the tip, covered with very long wavy hairs. A Poodle with ears that fail to extend to the corner of the lips cannot obtain the qualification excellent. Eyes Keen lively expression at the level of the stop and slightly slanting. The outline of the eyelids gives the eyes and almonds shape. Black, white, grey and apricot Poodles have black or very dark brown eyes; those of brown Poodles may be dark amber. Neck Well proportioned, strong and on enough to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity. Skin snug at the throat. Body The body of a Poodle is generally well proportioned, its length generally exceeding the height at the withers. The withers are moderately developed. The back, which describes a short harmonious topline, must not be of the roach or saddle back type. The height from the ground to the withers is more or less equal to that from the ground to the rump. The loins are firm and muscular, the rump rounded but not falling away. The forechest is that of a medium-sized dog; the extremity of the sternum must protrude somewhat and is set rather, which means that the head is carried higher, more effortlessly and more noble. The chest extends down to elbow level; the width is 2/3 of the depth (from spinal column to sternum). The thorax perimeter measured behind the shoulders must be at least 4 inches (10 cm) more than the height at the withers. Legs Forelegs- straight, parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side, the perpendicular line falls through the fourth thoracic vertebra, the point of the scapula, the elbow at the deepest point of the brisket, and the back of the pastern. The pasterns are strong. Hind legs straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. When viewed from the side, muscular with width in the region of the stifles, Which are well bent. Pelvis and femur are about equal in length; pad to heel short and perpendicular to the ground. When standing, the rear toes are only slightly behind the point of the rump. The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters.
Feet Rather small and oval in shape. Toes well arched and close with webbing, pads thick and firm, nails short. The feet turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws may be removed. Tail Set quite high at the level of the loin. It must be docked by a third nearest to the body, or to half its natural length and never curled nor carried over the back in curly coated Poodles. A long tail carried well is not a fault however. It may be preserved without docking in corded coat Poodles. The tail is raised obliquely in action. Major faults Any distinct deviation from the desired characteristics described in the breed standard with particular attention to the following: · Temperament: Shyness or viciousness · Bad mouth: Undershot, overshot, wry mouth, missing teeth · Eyes: Round protruding, large or very light · Muzzle: Down faced, dish-faced, Roman nose, snippiness · Tail: Set low, curled or carried over the back · Hindquarters: Cow hocks or sickle hocks · Feet: flat or spread, thin pads, no webbing Disqualifications: Parti colors, unorthodox clip, size a Poodle over or under the height limits specified. Size Toy Poodle (Under 10 in. (25.4cm)-Canada and USA, under 11 in. (28cm) UK and FCI) On the whole, the Toy Poodle retains the aspect of the Miniature Poodle and all the same general proportions as demanded of the Standard Poodle. Any sign of dwarfism is banned; the occipital crest may be less marked. Dwarf Poodle (Over 11 in. (28cm) and under 14 in. (35cm)-FCI size only) On the whole, the Dwarf Poodle must display the aspect of a smaller Standard Poodle, retaining the same proportions wherever possible and not displaying any appearance of dwarfism. Miniature Poodle (Over 10 in. (25.4cm) and under 15 in. (38cm)-Canada and USA, over 11 in. (28cm) and under 15 in. (38cm)-UK, over 14 in. (35cm) and under 18 in. (45cm)-FCI) This is the standard from which the Dwarf and Toy varieties have been selected. Standard Poodle (Over 15 in. (38cm)-Canada, UK and USA, over 18 in. (45cm) and under 24 in. (60cm)-FCI) The Standard Poodle must be a larger, more developed reproduction of the Miniature Poodle with which it shared the same characteristics. Coat Curly Coated Poodle Abundant hairs of fine texture, woolly and curly, elastic and resistant to pressure of the hand. It must be thick, dense, of uniform length, forming even curls that are generally combed. The coat should have good water-proof properties.
Corded Poodle Abundant hairs of fine texture, woolly and dense, forming characteristic thin cords of even length, which must be at least 8 in. (20cm) long. The longer they are, the more they are prized. The cords on each side of the head may be tied by a ribbon above the ears and those on the body parted on each side to avoid an untidy coat.
Colors Curly Coated or Corded Poodles Any solid color. The coat is an even solid color at the skin. In the blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafι-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. Wile clear colors are definitely preferred; such natural variations in the shading of the coat are not to be considered faults. Brown and cafι-au-lait Poodles may have brown colored noses, eye rims and lips, dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Black, blue, grey, silver, cream and white Poodles have black noses, eye rims and lips, and black or self-colored toenails, and very dark eyes. In the apricots, while the foregoing color is preferred, brown noses, eye rims and lips and dark amber eyes are permitted but not desirable. Parti-colored Poodles shall be disqualified. Parti-colored are at least two definite colors appearing in clearly defined markings at the skin. Grey Must be uniform. The graduations in the grey must never extend to black or white. Apricot Must be a uniform tint without any hint of beige/cream or red/auburn. Must never extend to brown or its derivatives. Gait A straight, smooth, forward trot, verging on the single track, showing balanced reach and drive; pasterns, hocks and feet showing light springing action. Head and tail carried high. It is imperative that all three varieties be moved in the ring fully and decidedly to show correct gait.
Poodle Clips
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 or Continental Clip. A poodle shown in competitive classes in any other clip shall be disqualified. However, the Brood Bitch and Stud Dog may be shown in any clip.
Puppy Clip: (picture on left of a puppy from Jazzs 1st litter with a puppy clip at 10 wks) 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 smooth unbroken line, shaping of the coat is permissible.
English Saddle Clip: In the English Saddle Clip, the face, throat, feet, forelegs and base of the tail are shaved, leaving bracelets 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 hind leg at the stifle and hock joints. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the bracelets are visible. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped in order to ensure over-all balance.
Continental Clip: In the continental Clip, the face, throat, feet and base of the tail are shaved with pompons (optional) on the hips. The legs are shaved leaving bracelets on the forelegs and rear legs. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the bracelets are visible. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped to ensure over-all balance.
In all three clips listed above the hair of the topknot may be left free, or shaped, or held in place by not more that three elastic bands. Modern, Utility or Lamb Clip: Hair cut to a uniform length over the whole body. Variations include slightly longer hair on legs blended at hips and shoulders, Pompon on tail and a topknot.
Scale of Points
General appearance, temperament, carriage, and condition
25 pts Head and expression
15 pts Neck and shoulders
.. 10 pts Body, tail and hindquarters
..10 pts Coat, color and texture
. 10 pts Legs and feet
10 pts Gait
.. 20 pts Total
100 pt
Show Quality verses Pet Quality Puppies
A show quality puppy is one which, in the breeders opinion, should be able to become a champion. A pet quality puppy is less likely, in the breeders estimation to succeed in the show ring. However, making such a prediction at 8 to 16 weeks of age (the age when puppies typically are sold) involves guesswork and is not a sure thing. A Pet quality puppy is one that has a minor fault that would eliminate it from being shown; e.g., a white spot on the chest or elsewhere, one testicle, oversized or undersized (Toys or Miniatures), or an improper bite. However, the feature(s) that disqualify the puppies from the show ring in no way affect their ability to be a wonderful companion.
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