Standard

There is always a stand out breed that greatly impacts the rest of its domesticated species. For domestic cats, this breed is the Persian. For horses, that breed has been the Arabian. And for dogs, the breed that has the most influence on all other breeds (and quite a lot of mongrels) is the Standard Poodle. There are four Poodle types (Standard, Miniature, Toy and Teacup), but the Standard is considered the oldest type.

Just how old this breed is, we don’t know. It is guessed by dog experts like the late Roger Caras that the breed stretches back to the days of antiquity. The other three Poodle types are basically just smaller versions of the Standard Poodle. The Standard Poodle is a minimum height of fifteen inches at the withers and often gets a lot bigger than that! Bitches can be found from forty-five to sixty pounds, with dogs (males) from forty-five to seventy pounds.
The body of the Standard Poodle basically looks like a hound in a long curly coat. The legs should be in proportion to the body, the topline (spine) should be level and the dog should stand squarely with their heads and tails naturally held up. When they trot, they often look like they are bouncing. The minimum height is fifteen inches at the shoulder – thankfully, there is no maximum limit. They can weigh anywhere from forty-five to seventy pounds.

And that coat! It’s actually hair and not fur, which is why all Poodle types are often recommended for those with dog allergies. This is where the Standard Poodle falls short of being a perfect dog – their coats require a lot of special attention. They need to go to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. If this is ignored, the resulting mess will make the dog not only filthy, but also miserable and ill.
The acceptable colors include all solid shades. In show dogs, their entire lips and noses will also be solid colored. It is impossible to find a Poodle that fits the breed standard exactly, so all Standard Poodles will fall short in a few or many places and still be purebred Standard Poodles. If you think that shelter dog is a Standard Poodle, it most likely is.

Common faults in show dogs often seen in pet Standard Poodles include too large, round protruding eyes, an undershot jaw or an overbite, being parti-colored instead of solid colored, having too big splayed feet instead of oval-shaped paws, a curly tail, a tail set too low, a tail held over the back and not up, dogs that are overweight, dogs with a spine that sharply slopes to the hindquarters, or an ewe neck. These are only physical faults and the dog may still make a delightful, almost-perfect pet.

All of the many Poodle types make great family pets. Really good Poodle information can be found online and at the library.

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Describing the Poodle as an individual breed is best articulated by whats called a “breed standard.” This specific standard is compared with what genetics determine - a dog’s physical characteristics, such as height, weight, body type, color, or coat. Breed standards also spell out the breeds desired temperament, personality, and faults. Breed standards assigned by a kennel or dog club may vary slightly from nation to nation, and can change over time.

In a nutshell, the breed standard paints a picture of what the ideal Poodle should look like and how it should act, making it distinct and special from other breeds. Only those dogs that most closely meet the standard receive championship status or are elected to be bred, at least in theory. The first American Kennel Club official standard for the Poodle was approved in 1901.

The very first AKC breed standard for the Poodle was similar to the standard for The Kennel Club (English), which was written in 1886. Three distinct varieties of the Poodle - Toy, Miniature, and Standard - existed then, but they were distinguished by weight rather than height as they are now. The following description summarizes the current breed standard, as set by the Poodle Club of America:

Appearance: The Poodle is intelligent and elegant in appearance. Known for his alert expression, the Poodle is well proportioned and moves gracefully. The Poodle has what enthusiasts call “an air of distinction.” Its poise and dignity are unique to this breed.

Size: There are three sizes or varieties of Poodles: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. They are all the same breed. Toy Poodles are 10 inches tall or less at the shoulder, Miniatures are 15 inches or less, and Standards are 15 inches or taller.

These three are the only sizes recognized by the American Kennel Club, though prospective Poodle buyers may find “teacup” (very small Toys) or “royal” (very large Standards) Poodles as one of their choices. However, these are not AKC-accepted sizes.

Coat: No matter which size of Poodle you choose, the Poodle’s curly coat is her crowning glory. White, black, brown, cream, blue, gray, and apricot are the colors accepted by the AKC. A well-bred Poodle’s coat texture is one-of-a-kind: harsh, dense, and curly.

Personality: The Poodle’s other greatest asset is his personality. Poodles are highly intelligent, good natured, sensitive, and adaptable. Poodles are people lovers, and aim to please, generally following through on any request their owner may ask. Poodles are suited to show careers, field work, therapy dog work, or life as a pleasing companion. Being the adaptable animals they are, Poodles can live happily in a city apartment or take to life on the farm.

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