General Appearance
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.

HindquartersThighs 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

Breed Standard courtesy of The Kennel Club