Information on AKC Poodle Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Poodle
The Poodle, though often equated to the beauty with no brains, is exceptionally smart, active and excels in obedience training. The breed comes in three size varieties, which may contribute to why Poodle is one of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration statistics. Poodles can be a variety of solid colors, including white, black, apricot and gray, but never parti-colored.
A Look Back
The breed originated in Germany as a water retriever. The stylish "Poodle clip" was designed by hunters to help the dogs move through the water more efficiently. The patches of hair left on the body are meant to protect vital organs and joints which are susceptible to cold. The Standard variety is the oldest of the three varieties. The Miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting. The Toy Poodle was often used in performances and circuses.
Right Breed for You?
The Poodle can accommodate nearly any size living quarters. His hypoallergenic coat may reduce allergic reactions, but requires regular professional grooming. The Poodle is an active breed and requires daily exercise.
If you are considering purchasing a Poodle puppy, learn more here.
- Non-Sporting (Standard and Miniature) and Toy (Toy) Groups; AKC recognized in 1887.
- Standard: over 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniature: over 10 but under 15 inches; Toy: 10 inches or under.
- Water retriever, companion.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Poodle Breed Standard
The Standard for the Poodle
(Toy variety) is the same as for the Standard and Miniature varieties except
as regards heights.
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.
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
