BREED INFORMATION

The Standard Poodle

About the breed:

Standard Poodles are medium to large in size and are elegant with a wiry, curly coat that requires grooming and clipping. The Standard Poodle has a delightful springy gait and is full of energy. The head and muzzle are long; the skull is a bit rounded with a slight stop. Good teeth should form a scissors bite. This breed have wide ears that hang close to the head, with eyes that are oval in shape and generally a very dark color. Brown and Café-Au-Lait colored Poodles often have dark amber eyes, while apricot Poodles may have amber eyes, but dark eyes are considered better. Poodles are more square in proportion; the length from breastbone to rump is approximately the same as the height at the withers. The top line is level except for a slight depression behind the withers. The croup is rounded and the feet are compact, small, and oval. The tail is normally docked to half the original length and dewclaws are often removed. Poodles come in all solid colors; black, brown (chocolate), white, cream, red, apricot, grey, silver, café-au-lait, blue, etc. Other colors, which are not as common, include parti, brindle, phantom, sable, abstract, and tuxedo. (See below for pictures and list of colors). The coat may be groomed according to personal preference, but there are three basic, popular styles: the “Pet clip” (or puppy clip) where the entire body has relatively short hair all over, the “English Saddle clip”, and the “Continental clip” where the rear half of the body is shaved with bracelets left around the ankles and pom-poms left on the tail and hips. There are different clip styles required for showing a Poodle as well (see Grooming).

Temperament:

The Standard Poodle is a proud, elegant, dignified, good-natured dog. They are highly intelligent and one of the most trainable breeds. They are happy, pleasant, and sensitive. They tend to be calmer than the smaller Poodles but this is also affected by the temperament of the parents. They are a very social dog and need to be with people. They dislike being alone for long periods of time and love attention. They are generally friendly towards strangers and are excellent with children and other dogs. Some Standard Poodles are good guard dogs and some can be trained as hunters.

Size (physical attributes):

Height: 15 (38 cm) or more.
Weight: Males average around 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg). Females average around 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg).

Color:

Standard Poodles can be many colors. They can be any solid color and can also be multi-colored. Below is a list along with a picture of the variety of Poodle colors. These are not all my own pictures or dogs and they are not all Standard Poodles. Most of the pictures belong to the websites listed below (see list below pictures).

Picture credits to...
http://www.execuairpoodles-yorkies.com/AKC-Standard-Poodles.html
http://www.canine-genetics.com/pdlcolor.html
http://www.standardpoodle.net/summermis15.html
http://www.fullmoonpoodles.com/females.htm
http://www.alpacasofohio.com/doodle%20pictures.htm
http://www.petsonsale.com/members/smith/StandardsParti.html
http://terragethen.com/gallery.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle

Health Problems:

Poodles are subject to many genetic diseases, even though they are a long-lived breed. Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy may cause blindness. Allergies and skin conditions are common, possibly due to unskilled use of clippers or allergies to shampoo and/or color reinforcer. Hip dysplaisa, runny eyes, and ear infections are also common. They are prone to PRA (a hereditary eye-defect) and Von Willebrand’s Disease (a hereditary bleeding disorder). Brown Poodles tend to become prematurely grey. Poodles are prone to bloat, so it is wise to feed your Standard Poodle 2-3 small meals a day, rather than one large one.

Living Conditions and Exercise:

Standard Poodles are relatively inactive indoors. They will be okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient. Although they adore water and love to go for walks, Poodles are not demanding as far as exercise goes. They will, however, be happier and more fit if given regular opportunities to run and play off the leash in a safe area. Standard Poodles retain a sporting instinct, have great stamina, and need more physical activity than smaller Poodles.  

Life Expectancy:

The average life expectancy is about 12-15 years, depending on the condition and environment of the dog.

Grooming Requirements:

Extensive grooming is necessary for this breed. They must be bathed, brushed, and clipped regularly, approximately every six to eight weeks. The ears should be checked often for mites, smell, discharge, or other abnormalities. The ear hair should be plucked out on occasion or if necessary. The traditional clip styles were developed to lighten the weight of the coat for swimming, and for protection of the joints and major organs from the cold. Many owners prefer a plain “Pet clip” style, where the length is the same all over because it is easier to maintain. The teeth need regular scaling and brushing. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for people with allergies.

Below are some pictures of Poodle clip styles.

Picture credits to...
http://standardpoodlesusa.com/clip-styles.html

Origin:

Although the Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years, its origin is controversial. Whether it was developed in France, Germany, Denmark, or the ancient Piedmont is uncertain. France has been officially recognized as its country of origin and the breed occupies a special place on the affections of the French. It is certain that the Poodle is descended from a now nearly extinct French water dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Hound. The name “Poodle” probably derives from the German word “Pudel” which means ‘one who plays in water’. The Poodle was used as a gun dog. Originally the breed was used in Germany and France as a retriever or waterfowl. Hunters clipped the dog’s thick coat to help it swim, leaving hair on the leg joints and around vital organs to protect them from the extreme cold and sharp reeds. The French capitalized on the breed’s high intelligence, trainability, and innate showmanship and made the Poodle into a circus performer. The Poodle’s great popularity in that country led to the breed’s common name “French Poodle”. In France, however, the Poodle is called “Caniche” or duck dog. The Poodle has also been used to sniff out truffles lying underground in the woods. Poodles are depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the 1^st century. Toy Poodles became royal favorites, particularly in the 18^th century. The Toy and Miniature Poodle varieties were bred down from larger dogs, today known as the Standard Poodle. The three sizes are considered as one breed and are judged based on the same standard. Today, the Poodle is primarily a companion and show dog, though they can learn almost anything.

Group:

Standard Poodles are used as gun dogs, in the AKC Non-sporting groups, and for retrieving waterfowl.

Recognition:

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR

CKC = Continental Kennel Club

FCI = Federation Cynologipue Internationale

AKC = American Kennel Club

UKC = United Kennel Club

KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain

CKC = Canadian Kennel Club

ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club

NKC = National Kennel Club

NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club

CCR = Canadian Canine Registry

APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.

ACR = American Canine Registry

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