The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20170220212429/http://www.akc.org:80/dog-breeds/poodle/
Loading... Search
Close the search
Poodle

meet thePoodle

Did you know?

The denominations Standard, Miniature, and Toy are used to describe size only. All the Poodles are one breed, governed by the same standard.

Learn More

 

 

 

 

at aGlance

theBreed Standard

Embed the breed standard on your site.

Download the complete breed standard or club flier PDFs.

  • Click the box above and use
    Cmd + C or Ctrl + C
    to add this code to your site/blog.
    Adjust the height and width as necessary.
    Show off your love for the Poodle!

Poodle Breed Standard Illustration 01 02 03 04 05 06

  • General Appearance

    That of a very active, intelligent and elegant-appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.

  • Head

    Moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle.

  • Body

    Skin snug at throat. The neck rises from strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. Major fault: ewe neck. The topline is level, neither sloping nor roached, from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail, with the exception of a slight hollow just behind the shoulder. Chest is deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs. The loin is short, broad and muscular. The tail is straight, set on high and carried up, docked of sufficient length to insure a balanced outline. Major fault: set low, curled, or carried over the back.

  • Forequarters

    Strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. The shoulder blade is well laid back and approximately the same length as the upper foreleg. Major fault - steep shoulder.Forelegs - Straight and parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder. The pasterns are strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - The feet are rather small, oval in shape with toes well arched and cushioned on thick firm pads. Nails short but not excessively shortened. The feet turn neither in nor out.
     

  • Coat

    Curly: of naturally harsh texture, dense throughout. (2) Corded: hanging in tight even cords of varying length; longer on mane or body coat, head, and ears; shorter on puffs, bracelets, and pompons. (b) Clip - A Poodle under 12 months may be shown in the "Puppy" clip.

  • Hindquarters

    The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters. Hindlegs straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. Muscular with width in the region of the stifles which are well bent; femur and tibia are about equal in length; hock to heel short and perpendicular to the ground. When standing, the rear toes are only slightly behind the point of the rump. 

get involved inClubs & Events

National
Breed Club

thePoodle Club of America, Inc.

Local Clubs


Find the Local Clubs in your area.

Meetups

Explore meetups.com and see all of the local Poodles in your area.

watch a video of thePoodle

thePoodle Community

Add my DogAdd My Dog

Upload your favorite Poodle photos to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #akcPoodle.

More Photos

exploreOther Breeds

AKC Most Popular
Dog Names

Female puppy Male puppy
Tap to See More Names
Get More Names on AKC Dog Name Finder