Poodle
/ Non-Sporting
Group and Toy Group
/ 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
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