© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited.

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.  

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

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. Non solid colours are highly undesirable and should be heavily penalised.

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 - August 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are 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.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• BRITISH TOY POODLE CLUB. Sec: Mrs V Foulkes. Tel No: 07950 900410
• EASTERN COUNTIES POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mrs P McGough. Tel No: 01638.577252
• INTERNATIONAL POODLE CLUB. Sec. Ms A Matthews. Tel No: 01353 741410
• 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: Mrs N Garbutt. Tel No: 01287 644161
• POODLE CLUB. Sec. Mr & Mrs Butcher. Tel No: 020 8500 2335
• POODLE CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec: Mr B Fleming - 01592 630287
• POODLE CLUB OF WALES. Sec. Mr L Cox 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

Find A Puppy

Search for Kennel Club registered Poodle (Toy) puppies for sale in the UK

Find A Rescue

Search for Poodle (Toy) rescue societies for adopting and re-homing rescue dogs

Date page created:

Categories:

Utility Group 

This article has been read 39837 times.