Show Quality Vs Pet Quality
A show quality puppy is one which,
in the breeder's opinion, should be able to become a champion. A pet quality puppy is less likely, in the breeder's estimation,
to become a champion. However, when buying a puppy (8 weeks to 16 weeks), trying to guess what that puppy will look like when
it is an adult is just that...a guess. A pet quality puppy is one that has a minor fault which would disqualify it from
being shown; i.e., a white spot on the chest (or elsewhere), only one descended testicle, oversize or undersize Toys or Miniatures,
or an improper bite. However, the feature(s) which disqualify these puppies from the show ring will, in no way, affect
their abil ity to be a wonderful companion.
Pet quality puppies are sold with the AKC's limited registration form and
spay/neuter contracts. The limited registration form is a simple way of saying that although your pup is an AKC registered
pure-bred dog, it cannot be bred. And if it is bred, the offspring cannot be registered with the American Kennel Club. Using
this form is the breeder's way of ensuring that the puppy will not be bred and pass along the disqualifying feature to future
generations. Neutering your dog also increases its chances of leading a longer, healthier and happier life.
Poodle
Breed Standard
General
Appearance, Carriage and Condition 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.
Size, Proportion, Substance Size The
Standard Poodle is over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is 15 inches or less in height shall
be disqualified from competition as a Standard Poodle.
The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches or under at the highest point
of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches. Any Poodle which is over 15 inches or is 10 inches or less
at the highest point of the shoulders shall be disqualified from competition as a Miniature Poodle.
The Toy Poodle
is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches at the highest point
of the shoulders shall be disqualified from competition as a Toy Poodle.
As long as the Toy Poodle is definitely a
Toy Poodle, and the Miniature Poodle a Miniature Poodle, both in balance and proportion for the Variety, diminutiveness shall
be the deciding factor when all other points are equal.
Proportion - To insure the desirable squarely built appearance,
the length of body measured from the breastbone to the point of the rump approximates the height from the highest point of
the shoulders to the ground.
Substance - Bone and muscle of both forelegs and hindlegs are in proportion to size of
dog.
Head and Expression (a) Eyes-- very dark, oval in shape and set far enough apart and positioned to create
an alert intelligent expression. Major fault: eyes round, protruding, large or very light.
(b) Ears-- hanging close
to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide and thickly feathered; however, the ear fringe
should not be of excessive length.
(c) Skull-- moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and
muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle.
(d) Muzzle-- long, straight and fine,
with slight chiseling under the eyes. Strong without lippiness. The chin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Major fault:
lack of chin. Teeth-- white, strong and with a scissors bite. Major fault: undershot, overshot, wry mouth.
Neck, Topline,
Body Neck well proportioned, strong and long enough to permit the head to be carried high and with dignity. 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.
Body (a) Chest deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs. (b) The loin is
short, broad and muscular. (c) Tail 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.
(a)
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. Major fault: paper or splay foot.
Hindquarters The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of
the forequarters.
(a) Hind legs 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. Major fault: cow-hocks.
Coat
(a) Quality--(1) 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. In all regular classes, Poodles 12 months or over must be shown in the "English
Saddle" or "Continental" clip. In the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes and in a non-competitive Parade of Champions, Poodles
may be shown in the "Sporting" clip. A Poodle shown in any other type of clip shall be disqualified.
(1) "Puppy"--A
Poodle under a year old may be shown in the "Puppy" clip with the coat long. The face, throat, feet and base of the tail are
shaved. The entire shaven foot is visible. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. In order to give a neat appearance and
a smooth unbroken line, shaping of the coat is permissible. (2) "English Saddle"--In the "English Saddle" clip the face, throat,
feet, forelegs and base of the tail are shaved, leaving puffs on the forelegs and a pompon on the end of the tail. The hindquarters
are covered with a short blanket of hair except for a curved shaved area on each flank and two shaved bands on each hindleg.
The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven leg above the puff are visible. The rest of the body is left in full coat
but may be shaped in order to insure overall balance. (3) "Continental"--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, leaving
bracelets on the hindlegs and puffs on the forelegs. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. The entire shaven foot and
a portion of the shaven foreleg above the puff are visible. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped in
order to insure overall balance. (4) "Sporting"--In the "Sporting" clip, a Poodle shall be shown with face, feet, throat,
and base of tail shaved, leaving a scissored cap on the top of the head and a pompon on the end of the tail. The rest of the
body, and legs are clipped or scissored to follow the outline of the dog leaving a short blanket of coat no longer than one
inch in length. The hair on the legs may be slightly longer than that on the body.
In all clips the hair of the topknot
may be left free or held in place by elastic bands. The hair is only of sufficient length to present a smooth outline. "Topknot"
refers only to hair on the skull, from stop to occiput. This is the only area where elastic bands may be used.
Color
The coat is an even and solid color at the skin. In blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-au-laits, apricots and creams
the coat may show varying shades of the same color. This is frequently present in the somewhat darker feathering of the ears
and in the tipping of the ruff. While clear colors are definitely preferred, such natural variation in the shading of the
coat is not to be considered a fault. Brown and cafe-au-lait Poodles have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, dark toenails
and dark amber eyes. Black, blue, gray, silver, cream and white Poodles have black noses, eye-rims and lips, black or self
colored toenails and very dark eyes. In the apricots while the foregoing coloring is preferred, liver-colored noses, eye-rims
and lips, and amber eyes are permitted but are not desirable. Major fault: color of nose, lips and eye-rims incomplete, or
of wrong color for color of dog.
Parti-colored dogs shall be disqualified. The coat of a parti-colored dog is not an
even solid color at the skin but is of two or more colors.
Gait A straightforward trot with light springy action
and strong hindquarters drive. Head and tail carried up. Sound effortless movement is essential.
Temperament Carrying
himself proudly, very active, intelligent, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.
Major fault: shyness or sharpness.
Major Faults Any distinct deviation from the desired characteristics described
in the Breed Standard.
Disqualifications Size-- A dog over or under the height limits specified shall be disqualified.
Clip-- A dog in any type of clip other than those listed under coat shall be disqualified. Parti-colors-- The coat of a parti-colored
dog is not an even solid color at the skin but of two or more colors. Parti-colored dogs shall be disqualified.
Value
of Points General appearance, temperament, carriage and condition.......30 Head, expression, ears, eyes and teeth.......20 Body,
neck, legs, feet and tail.......20 Gait.......20 Coat, color and texture.......10
Approved August 14, 1984 Reformatted
March 27, 1990
|