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
