The PoodleStandard, Moyen, Mini and Toy sizes

The Poodle

BREED GROUP: Non-sporting dogs
RECOGNITION: AKC, UKC, CKC
OCCUPATION: Retriever, companion
LONGEVITY: About 12-15 or more years
EXERCISE: Daily walk
GROOMING: The Poodle requires extensive grooming, depending on the clip
TRAINING: Needs to be challenged

The Poodle, though often equated to the beauty with no brains, is exceptionally smart, active and excels in obedience training.

The breed comes in four size varieties, Standard, Moyen, Mini, and Toy which may contribute to why the Poodle is one of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration statistics.

Otherwise notable is this breed’s keen sense for instinctual behavior. In particular, marking and hunting drives are more readily observable than in most other breeds. Even Toys will point birds. Classified as highly energetic, poodles can also get bored fairly easily and have been known to get creative about finding mischief. Poodles like to be in the center of things and are easily trained to do astonishing tricks involving both brains and agility. They have performed in circuses for centuries, beginning in Europe, and have been part of the Ringling Circus in its various forms from its inception. The Grimaldis, the famous British clowns Kenneth and Audrey Austin, “developed a stronger circus act” with a clever poodle named ‘Twinkle,’ the success of which allowed them to continue performing even as octogenarians.”

Poodles are extremely people-oriented dogs and generally eager to please. Standard poodles in particular tend to be good with children. Poodles are adaptable and easy to train, but sometimes their intelligence can make them obstinate and stubborn. Like most dogs, they appreciate daily exercise, such as a walk or a play session. Most are fairly agile and athletic.

Even the Toy poodles will play ball and love to fetch. Play time is vital to a poodle!

Poodles are very easy to housebreak. Whether going outside or being trained on a pad, they learn quickly where to defecate. They are still animals, however, and they need time to understand what is desired of them. It may take a while, but poodles are quite smart and learn more quickly than most dogs.

The Poodle – General Appearance:

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.

The Poodle Coat:

Most poodles have a curly, non-shedding coat that requires regular grooming. Since poodles do not have the plush double coat of many breeds, their fur is often referred to as “hair”, a term usually reserved for humans. Most poodles are solid-colored, and many registries allow only solid colors in conformation shows, parti poodles are not allowed in some show rings.

Texture ranges from coarse and woolly to soft and wavy.

Poodle Colors

Poodles come in a wide variety of solid colors including white, black, blue, gray, silver, brown, cafe-au-lait, apricot, red and cream. “Parti” (short for parti-colored) poodles have large patches of colors different from the main body color. “Phantom” poodles have tan points, a pattern similar to that of a Doberman Pinscher or Rottweiler.

If given enough exercise, Standard Poodles are relatively inactive indoors. They will be okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. A small yard will suffice. (More Info on the Standard Poodle)

Some toy poodles can live up to 20 years, if they have a healthy life and are not overweight.

Hypoallergenic qualities

Poodles are often cited as a hypoallergenic dog breed. The poodle’s individual hair follicles have an active growth period that is longer than that of many other breeds of dogs; combined with the tightly curled coat, which slows the loss of dander and dead hair by trapping it in the curls, an individual poodle may release less dander and hair into the environment. In addition, most poodles are frequently brushed and bathed to keep them looking their best; this not only removes hair and dander but also controls the other potent allergen, saliva.

Although hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they are still present and can stick to “clothes and the carpets and furnishings in your home”; inhaling them, or being licked by the dog, can trigger a reaction in a sensitive person. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can help clear dander floating in the air.

The word hypoallergenic, when referring to a dog, is also a misconception; all dogs shed. Poodles shed hair in minimal amounts, and also release dander, but are not as likely to trigger allergies as much as many other breeds.

The Standard Poodle

Height: 15 (38cm) or more.
Weight: Dogs 45-70 pounds (20-32kg.) Bitches 45-60 pounds (20-27kg.)

The Standard Poodle is a medium to large-sized dog. When groomed to show dog standards the body is meant to give off a square appearance. It has approximately the same length as the height at the withers. The skull is moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop. It has a long, straight muzzle. The dark, oval shaped eyes are set somewhat far apart and are black or brown. The ears hang close to the head and are long and flat. Both the front and back legs are in proportion with the size of the dog. The topline is level. The tail is set and carried high. It is sometimes docked to half it’s length or less to make the dog look more balanced. Dewclaws may be removed. The oval shaped feet are rather small and the toes are arched.

The Standard Poodle is proud, graceful, noble and good-natured. Enjoyable and cheerful. This highly intelligent dog is one of the most trainable breeds. Some can be trained to hunt. The Standard Poodle is generally lower energy and often calmer than the smaller varieties of Poodles, but will become high strung if you do not give them the proper amount and type of exercise. They are sensitive to the tone of one’s voice and will not listen if they sense that they are stronger minded than their owner, however they will also not respond well to harsh discipline.

Owners need to be calm, yet possess an air of natural authority. They are not the type of dog to live outside in a kennel, as they enjoy being with their owners and dislike being alone. They are generally friendly toward strangers, and are excellent with children. The Standard Poodle is good with other dogs. Some can make good guard dogs. Make sure you are this dog’s firm, consistent, confident pack leader, providing daily pack walks to avoid separation anxiety and other unwanted behavior issues.

If given enough exercise, Standard Poodles are relatively inactive indoors. They will be okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. A small yard will suffice.

Poodles do not like to be left alone for hours on end. They love being around people and are able to form bonds with each member of the family, as opposed to bonding with just one person. Poodles are ideal family dogs, being both patient and playful with children. They also make superb watchdogs, barking zealously when strangers approach the home.

Poodle Size Comparison Chart:

as defined by the major kennel clubs…

The Moyen Poodle also called the Klein Poodle

The Moyen Poodle falls in-between the Miniature and Standard Poodle size. Not an official AKC size variation, however has become popular outside the USA.

• Height: 15-20 inches (38-50 cm.)
• Weight: 20-30 pounds (9-13 kg.)

The Klein Poodle is good for apartment life. Given enough exercise, they are not active in doors. They will lay right next to you and are more sedate when indoor although they love to play outdoors and are a highly intelligent breed, so they do like lots of thoughtful activities to stimulate their mentality. They will do okay without a yard.

(More Info on the Klein/Moyen Poodle)

The Miniature Poodle

The Miniature Poodle must be over 10 inches and 15 inches or less at the highest point of the shoulder. Any Poodle which is over 15 inches or is less than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders cannot compete in the AKC show ring as a Miniature Poodle.

• Height: 11-15 inches (28-38 cm.)
• Weight: 15-17 pounds (7-8 kg.)

Temperament

Miniature Poodles are intelligent, lively, quick to mimic and learn. They are highly intelligent and very obedient. Miniature Poodles love to be around humans and are not good for kenneling. They are good with other pets and children, but wary with strangers, although they do warm up to them. They are friendly and affectionate, and are slightly more sensitive than their Standard siblings. Minis have a spring in their step and are well-mannered

The Miniature Poodle is good for apartment life. They will be calm indoors if they receive enough exercise. They will do okay without a yard.

(More Info on the Miniature Poodle)

The Toy Poodle

Toy Poodles are both elegant and athletic, moving with a light, springy gait.

• Height: up to 10 inches (25.4 cm.)
• Weight:  6-9 pounds (3-4 kg.)

The sizes of the official AKC recognized Poodle breeds are determined by height, not by the weight. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders.

The Toy Poodle is remarkably intelligent. Highly responsive, they are said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Sweet, cheerful, perky and lively, they like to be with people. Delightful, very amusing and keen. Socialize them well. They make a very good watchdog for their size. Without the proper type and amount of exercise they may be high-strung and timid. If the human is not 100% pack leader, they may snap if they are teased or surprised.

The Toy Poodle is a “thinking” dog who pays rapt attention to his owner, learns quickly, and responds eagerly to positive training methods. Indeed, Toy Poodles NEED some sort of mental stimulation in order to be happy, even if it’s just challenging games such as hide ‘n seek, or fetching a variety of named toys. This intelligent breed cannot simply sit in the backyard and be ignored.

Toy Poodles have been known to live up to 20 years if properly cared for.

(More info on the Toy Poodle)

The Bottom Line..

Poodles may look dainty and demur, but in truth, these are high-stamina dogs with a stellar range of skills, including agility, obedience, hunting and herding. Your pretty Poodle could be a sporty competitor in addition to a beautiful show dog. The poodle is ranked second as the most intelligent dog breed.

We do Not Breed Poodles… but I LOVE my Poodles and my Doodles!!

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