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
