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General Appearance
Well balanced, elegant looking with very proud carriage.

Characteristics
Distinguished by a special type of clip for show activity and by a type of coat which does not moult.

Temperament
Gay-spirited and good-tempered.

Head and Skull
Long and fine with slight peak. Skull not broad, moderate stop. Foreface strong, well chiselled, not falling away under eyes; cheek bones and muscle flat. Lips tight-fitting. Chin well defined but not protruding. Head in proportion to size of dog.

Eyes
Almond-shaped, dark, not set too close together, full of fire and intelligence. Eye colour see Colour Clause.

Ears
Leathers long and wide, set low, hanging close to face.

Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect, regular complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. A full set of 42 teeth is desirable.

Neck
Well proportioned, of good length and strong to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity. Skin fitting tightly at the throat.

Forequarters
Well laid back shoulders, strong and muscular. Legs set straight from shoulders, well muscled.

Body
Chest deep and moderately wide. Ribs well sprung and rounded. Back short, strong, slightly hollowed; loins broad and muscular.

Hindquarters
Thighs well developed and muscular; well bent stifles, hocks well let down; hindlegs turning neither in nor out.

Feet
Tight, proportionately small, oval in shape, turning neither in nor out, toes arched, pads thick and hard, well cushioned. Pasterns strong.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set on rather high, carried at slight angle away from the body, never curled or carried over back, thick at root.
Undocked: Thick at root, set on rather high, carried away from the body and as straight as possible.

Gait/Movement
Sound, free and light movement essential with plenty of drive.

Coat
Very profuse and dense; of good harsh texture. All short hair close, thick and curly. It is strongly recommended that the traditional lion clip be adhered to.

Colour
All solid colours. White and creams to have black nose, lips and eye rims, black toenails desirable. Browns to have dark amber eyes, dark liver nose, lips, eye rims and toenails. Apricots and reds to have dark eyes with black points or deep amber eyes with liver points. Blacks, silvers and blues to have black nose, lips, eye rims and toenails. Creams, apricots, reds, browns, silvers and blues may show varying shades of the same colour up to 18 months. Clear colours preferred.

Size
Poodles (Standard): over 38 cms (15 ins).
Poodles (Miniature): height at shoulder should be under 38 cms (15 ins) but not under 28 cms (11 ins).
Poodles (Toy): height at shoulder should be under 28 cms (11 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• BRITISH TOY POODLE CLUB. Sec Mr L Harwood. Tel No: 01843 833631
• EASTERN COUNTIES POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mrs P McGough. Tel No: 01638.577252
• INTERNATIONAL POODLE CLUB. Sec. Miss K Rees. Tel No: 01623 861946
• LONDON & HOME COUNTIES TOY POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mr N B Cook. Tel No: 01634 241073
• MERCIA TOY POODLE ASSOC. Sec. Mrs H D Bakewell. Tel No: 01283 814876
• MIDLAND COUNTIES POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mrs C Lawton-Anderson. Tel No: 01782 623955
• NORTH WESTERN POODLE CLUB. Sec. Miss C Harwood. Tel No: 01254 812121
• NORTHERN TOY POODLE CLUB. Sec. Miss D Smith. Tel No: 01254 33422
• NORTHUMBRIA POODLE CLUB. Sec: Mr R McAuley. Tel No: 01287 281923
• POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mr & Mrs Butcher. Tel No: 020 8500 2335
• POODLE CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mrs M Munro - 0131 666 2516
• POODLE CLUB OF WALES. Sec. Mr J R Stone. Tel No: 01278 760210
• SOUTH WESTERN POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mr M Hooper. Tel No: 01256 851717
• TRENT TO TWEED POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mr Holmes. Tel No: not available, please contact the Kennel Club

Date:

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Categories:

Discover Dogs, Utility Group 

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