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Poodle

You are welcome to print this flyer (back to back works well) to utilize for identification purposes in shelters or rescue efforts.

Complete breed standards for poodles can be found at http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/poodle.cfm Since rescue poodles rarely approach these standards, this description will concentrate on general identification guidelines of the breed.

Size: Poodles come in three sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard. Toys are less than 10” at the shoulders, Minis are 10”-15”, and Standards are over 15”. There are wide variations within these ranges. Very small toys are often referred to as “teacups” while very large standards are called “royals”. These designations are not acknowledged as legitimate. Weights are proportional to frame size, so a toy can vary from 4-10 lbs, and a standard from 25-85 lbs. Minis have more of a standard's head, whereas toys usually have a shorter, smaller nose and more bulging eyes.

Body: The chest is deep and the feet appear small. Ideally, the length and height are proportional, but tall and long-legged (or long-bodied and short) dogs are common. The skin can appear all white, pinkish or gray, with or without freckling.

Tail: If docked, the tail is usually straight and carried upright. If undocked, a long tail may arch over the back.

Head: A poodle’s skull is slightly rounded, with a long and straight muzzle. Ears are long and wide and held close to the head. They may be full and feathered if not shaved. Eyes are generally dark. Although an overbite or under bite does occur, a scisorred bite is most common.

Coat: The coat can vary from coarse and curly to much finer and silky. They come in a variety of shades of solid colors such as white, black, cream, apricot, brown, red, and gray. They can be “parti-colored” which is any combination of colors other than solid, e.g., a white poodle with chocolate ears. They can appear with Doberman-like markings in combinations of black and white or brown and cream, etc. These have been referred to as “phantom” poodles. A poodle that has not been groomed may present with large, dense mats. There are acquired or congenital conditions that may result in hair loss over a small or extended portion of the body.

Gait: The gait is straightforward and springy.

Miniature poodles are most often misidentified as Bichons, which are generally heavier boned and sturdier.

If you have questions, corrections, or comments, please contact the author of this page:

Terri Kennedy
Volunteer, Florida Poodle Rescue
floridapoodle@bellsouth.net
www.floridapoodlerescue.org
www.poodles.petfinder.org