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. 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.
Proportion
To insure the desirable squarely built
appearance, the length of body measured from the
breastbone to the point of the rump approximates the
height from the highest point of the shoulders to the
ground.
Substance
Bone and muscle of both forelegs and
hindlegs are in proportion to size of dog.
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.
Major
Faults
Any distinct deviation from the desired
characteristics described in the Breed Standard.
Disqualifications
Size-A dog over or under
the height limits specified shall be disqualified.
Clip-A dog in any type of clip other
than those listed under coat shall be disqualified.
Parti-colors-The coat of a parti-colored
dog is not an even solid color at the skin but of two or
more colors. Parti-colored dogs shall be
disqualified.
Value of
Points
General appearance, temperament, carriage
and condition 30
Head, expression, ears, eyes and teeth 20
Body, neck, legs, feet and tail 20
Gait 20
Coat, color and texture 10
Approved August 14,
1984
Reformatted March 27, 1990
