Poodle (Toy)The breed standard outlines the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed, and ensures that a dog can carry out its original purpose. Breeders and judges should be mindful toprioritize dogs that are healthy and sound in both mind and body.For show purposes, there are three varieties of the Poodle breed:1. Standard;2. Miniature; and3. ToyOrigin and PurposeThe breed probably dates back to the late Roman period but certainly the variety we know as theStandard Poodle was well established across the whole of Europe by the 16th Century. The Miniatureand Toy varieties developed in the next two hundred years or so. The Poodle is the world’s oldest waterretriever, circus performer, and truffle hunter. The ubiquitous Poodle is such a versatile dog, he can beall things to all people.General Appearance, Carriage and ConditionThat of a very active, gay, intelligent, smart and elegant-looking dog, squarely built, well proportionedcarrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodlehas about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.TemperamentThe Poodle is known for his intelligence, his lively, mischievous sense of humour, and his willingnessto please. The Poodle is a people-oriented breed that refuses to be ignored.SizeWithin the size limitations there is no preferred size.Standard PoodleThe Standard Poodle is over 38 cm (15 in) at the highest point at the shoulder. Any poodle 38 cm(15 in) or less in height shall be excused from competition as a Standard Poodle. If excused at threeshows for this reason, the dog then has the same status as a disqualified dog.Miniature PoodleThe Miniature Poodle is 38 cm (15 in) or under at the highest point at the shoulder, with a minimumheight in excess of 25 cm (10 in). Any Poodle, which is over 38 cm (15 in) or 25 cm (10 in) or under atthe highest point at the shoulder, shall be excused from competition as a Miniature Poodle. If excusedat three shows for this reason, the dog then has the same status as a disqualified dog.Toy PoodleThe Toy Poodle is 25 cm (10 in) or under at the highest point at the shoulder. Any Poodle which ismore than 25 cm (10 in) at the highest point at the shoulder shall be excused from competition as aToy Poodle. If excused at three shows for this reason, the dog than has the same status as adisqualified dog.Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - POODLE (TOY)GROUP V - TOYSCanadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - POODLE (TOY)Coat QualityCurly PoodlesDense, naturally harsh texture throughout, frizzy or curly.Corded PoodlesAll hair hanging in tight even cords of varying lengths.ClipA Poodle under 12 months may be shown in the “Puppy Clip”. In all regular classes, Poodles 12months or over must be shown in the “English Saddle” or “Continental” Clip. A Poodle shown incompetitive classes in any other clip shall be disqualified. However, the brood Bitch and Stud Dog maybe shown in any clip.a) Puppy Clip: A Poodle under a year old may be shown in the Pup- py Clip with the coat long.The face, throat, feet, and base of the tail are shaved. The entire shaven foot is visible. There isa pom- pon on the end of the tail. In order to give a neat appearance and a smooth unbrokenline, shaping of the coat is permissible.b) English Saddle Clip: In the English Saddle Clip, the face, throat, feet, forelegs, and base oftail are shaved, leaving bracelets on the forelegs, and a pompon on the end of the tail. Thehindquarters are covered with a short blanket of hair except for a curved shaved area on eachflank and two shaved bands on each hind leg at the stifle and hock joints. The entire shavenfoot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the bracelets are visible. The rest of the bodymay be shaped in order to ensure overall balance.c) Continental Clip: In the Continental clip, the face, throat, feet, and base of the tail are shaved.The hindquarters are shaved with pompons (optional) on the hips. The legs are shaved leavingbrace- lets on the forelegs and rear legs. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. The entireshaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the bracelets are visible. The rest of thebody may be shaped to ensure overall balance.In all three clips, the hair of the topknot may be left free, or shaped, or held in place by elastic bandsused only on the skull.Coat Colour and SkinAny solid colour. The coat is an even solid colour at the skin. In the blues, greys, silvers, browns, café-au-laits, apricots, and creams, the coat may show varying shades of the same colour. This is frequentlypresent in the somewhat darker feathering of the ears and in the tipping of the ruff. Note: the tan-point pattern expressed in light and dark shades of the same colour is to be discouraged. While clearcolours are definitely preferred, such natural variations in the shading of the coat are not to beconsidered faults. Brown and café-au-lait Poodles may have brown- coloured noses, eye rims and lips,dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Black, blue, grey, silver, cream, and white Poodles have black noses,eye rims and lips, and black or self-coloured toenails, and very dark eyes. In the apricots, while theforegoing colour is preferred, brown noses, eye rims and lips and dark amber eyes are permitted, butnot desirable. Particoloured Poodles shall be disqualified. Particoloured is at least two definite coloursappearing in clearly defined markings at the skin. The skin is pliable, tight, and not mottled.Head and ExpressionSkull should be slightly full and moderately peaked with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones andmuscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as the length of muzzle. Viewed from theside, the plane of the top of the skull should extend parallel to the plane of the top of the muzzle.Muzzle long straight and fine, but strong, without lippiness. Moderate chiseling under the eyes. Thechin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Teeth (42) white and strong. Tight scissors or level bite.GRO UP V - TOYSNose sharp with well-defined nostrils. Eyes oval shaped, very dark, tight eyelids; happy, alert and fullof fire and intelligence. Ears hanging close to the head set at or slightly below eye level. The earleather is long, wide and thickly feathered.NeckWell proportioned, arched, strong and long enough permitting the head to be carried high with dignity.Skin snug at the throat.ForequartersForelegs straight, parallel when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side, the whole forelimbassembly should be placed well back on the body with a perpendicular line falling through the rearpoint of the scapula, the elbow at the deepest point of the brisket, and the back of the pastern. Theangle of the scapula from the vertical should approach 45o and the angle between the scapula andhumerus should approximate 90o. The pasterns are strong.ShouldersStrong and smoothly muscled. The shoulder blade (scapula) is well laid back and is about the samelength as the forearm (humerus).BodyThe chest deep, oval and moderately wide with a prominent breast bone. The ribs well sprung. Toensure the desirable squarely built appearance, the length of the body measured from the breastbone(prosternum) to the pinbone (ischiatic tuberosity) approximates the height from the highest point atthe shoulders to the ground. However, the leg length is 55% of the height of the dog. The back shortand strong and very slightly hollowed immediately behind the withers. The loin short, broad andmuscular. Bone in proportion to the size of the dog.HindquartersStraight and parallel when viewed from the rear. When viewed from the side, muscular with width inthe region of the stifles, which are well bent. Pelvis (set at 30o from the horizontal) and femur areabout equal in length; hock to heel short and perpendicular to the ground. When standing, the reartoes are only slightly behind the point of the rump. Pinbone protruding behind and below the set onof tail to give a well-defined buttock. The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of theforequarters.FeetRather small and oval in shape. Toes well arched and close with webbing. Pads thick and firm. Nailsshort but not excessively short. The front feet may turn out slightly and the rear feet should turnneither in nor out. Dewclaws may be removed.TailSet on high, carried up, and may be docked. The tail set is distinctly ahead of the pinbone. Nevercurled nor carried over the back.GaitA straight, smooth, forward trot, light and effortless, verging on the single track, showing balancedreach and drive; pasterns, hocks and feet showing a light springing action. Head and tail carried high. Itis imperative that all three varieties be moved in the ring fully and decidedly to show correct gait.Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - POODLE (TOY)GROUP V - TOYSCanadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - POODLE (TOY)Major faultsAny departure from the aforementioned ideals shall be considered faulty to the degree in which itinterferes with the health and well-being of the dog and the breed’s purpose. Any distinct deviation from the desired characteristics described in the breed standard with particular attention to the following:a) Temperament: shyness, viciousness) Bad mouth: undershot, overshot, wry mouth, missing teeth, weak under jaws) Eyes: round, protruding, large, very light, entropion, entropic) Muzzle: down-faced, dish-faced, Roman nose, snippiness) Neck: ewe neck) Forequarters: steep shoulder, forelimb assembly too far forward) Tail: set low, snap tail) Hindquarters: cow hocks, sickle hocks, over angulation) Feet: flat, spread, thin pads no webbing, cat feet) Gait: hackney, choppy, side winding, lumberingDisqualifications• Particolours, unorthodox clip.• Size: a Poodle over or under the height limits who has been excused at three shows for this reason.