In an effort to preserve the characteristics of pure bred Poodles, the AKC set some pretty strict standards on what qualifies as such. Most of these standards are purely based on appearance, but some of them are based on health concerns. A Poodle that doesn’t demonstrate a particular characteristic may after all, indicate an illness or a genetic disorder of some sort. This is extremely important since one of the goals of the AKC is to uphold healthy dogs. The following paragraphs describe what the AKC defines as healthy, pure bred Poodle characteristics. If you discover that your Poodle lacks one or more of these characteristics, it doesn’t mean that it’s any less of a wonderful companion. These standards are really only applicable to show dogs and professional breeders.

Head Work

All Poodles should display dark oval eyes, wide ears that hang slightly below eyelevel, a rounded skull, and a occiput-to-stop length that’s the same length as the dog’s muzzle. The muzzle should be long and straight with a definite chin presence. But the teeth can not look dull and the jaw cannot create an overbite, under-bite, or wry mouth. In addition, the dog’s neck should protrude in a convex manner, while the back of the head (called, “topline“) should be straight. The only concave shape allowed on the neck is a slight hollow right behind the dog’s shoulders.

Body Work

There are three types of pure bred Poodles: standard, miniature, and toy. The standard Poodle stands over 15 inches, the miniature stands between 10 and 15 inches, and the toy Poodle stands under 10 inches tall. These measurements are based on the distance between a Poodle’s shoulders and the ground or floor.

All types however, should be as long as they are tall from the breastbone to the rump. This ratio defines a well proportioned Poodle, but it isn’t the only thing. A well proportioned Poodle will also display a healthy muscle mass that’s neither lacking or overbearing.

The body should additionally display a wide, muscular chest and loin, while the tail should stand straight in proportion to the dog’s body. Muscles are an important characteristic in the Poodle in fact, and should be noticeable in the dog’s forequarters (shoulders), and hindquarters (hind legs). This is the sign of a healthy dog. And so are straight, parallel legs.

A show Poodle’s feet need to be small, oval, and parallel to the dog‘s body. Nails should be cut and protrude from thick pads so that the dog’s toes don’t tire. These characteristics indicate that a dog’s feet can adequately support its weight.

Coat Work

An AKC Poodle demonstrates curly, thick hair. If the hair is corded, the cords need to be tight and even except on the dog’s bracelets, puff, and pompons. This is where cords are shorter than the cords on the body and mane.

The color of Poodle hair has to be solid too -- even at the skin. Various shades of the same color are okay, but multi-colored Poodles aren’t given the same recognition as solid-colored Poodles are given. Black, gray, silver, brown, apricot, and cream are acceptable hues. But the Poodle nose, eye rims, nails and lips must bear a specific color based on it’s coat hue. Solid dark brown or maroonish noses for example, are acceptable on brown and café-au-lait colored Poodles, while solid black noses, eye rims, nails and lips are acceptable on apricot, black, cream, gray or silver, and white colored Poodles. No multicolored noses, lips, or eye rims are allowed.

Appropriate haircuts generally depend on the age of the dog. Poodles aged 12 months and older should bear the English saddle or continental hair cut, while Poodles under 12 months should bear the puppy cut. Sporting cuts are only appropriate for Poodles of the Stud Dog or Brood Bitch class, or those that exhibit in a Parade of Champions dog show.

Behavioral Work

Poodles are known for their agility and grace. They should therefore trot as through they were prancing ponies (without the bobbing heads of course), and carry their heads and tails high. This strut gives the Poodle the dignified look that we’re all familiar with.