General Appearance: A very active, intelligent, well balanced and elegant
looking dog with good temperament, carrying himself very
proudly.
Characteristics: (Refer to General
Appearance)
Temperament: Good temperament. (Also refer to General
Appearance).
Head And Skull: Long and fine with slight peak at the
back.
The skull not broad and with a moderate stop. Foreface strong and
well
chiselled, not falling away under the eyes; bones and muscle flat. Lips tight
fitting. Chin well defined, but not protruding. The whole head must be in
proportion to the size of the dog.
Eyes: Almond shaped, dark, not
set too close together, full of fire and intelligence.
Ears: The
leather long and wide, low set on, hanging close to the
face.
Mouth: Teeth - white, strong, even, with scissor bite. 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:
Shoulders - strong and muscular, sloping well to the back, legs set
straight from the shoulders, well muscled.
Body: Chest - deep and
moderately wide. Ribs - well sprung and rounded. Back - short, strong slightly
hollowed,
loins broad and muscular.
Hindquarters: Thighs well
developed and muscular, well bent stifles, well let down hocks, hind legs
turning neither in nor out.
Feet: Pasterns strong, tight feet
proportionately small, oval in shape, turning neither in nor out, toes arched,
pads thick and hard, well cushioned.
Tail: Set on rather high,
well carried at a slight angle away from the
body, never curled or carried over
the back, thick at the root.
Gait/Movement: Sound, free movement
and light gait are essential.
Coat: Very profuse and dense of good
harsh texture without knots or tangles. 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 cream poodles to have
black
nose, lips and eyerims, black toenails desirable, brown poodles to
have
dark amber eyes, dark liver nose, lips, eyerims and toenails. Apricot poodles to
have dark eyes with black points or deep amber
eyes with liver points. Black,
silver and blue poodles to have black
nose, lips, eyerims and toenails. Cream,
apricot, brown, silver and
blue poodles may show varying shades of the same
colour up to 18 months. Clear colours preferred.
Sizes:
Standards: 38 cms (15 ins.) and over.
Miniatures: Height
at shoulders should be 38cms (15 ins)
but not under 28cm
(11ins)
Toys: Height at shoulders should be under 28cm
(11ins)
Faults: Heavy build, clumsiness.
Vicious
temperament.
Coarse head, lippiness, snipy in foreface.
Flesh coloured
nose.
Light or round or prominent eyes.
Over or undershot or pincer
mouth.
Long back, coarse legs and feet, long flat toes.
Bad carriage,
heavy gait.
Open soft coats with no curl.
Particolours -
White markings
on black or coloured poodles.
Lemon or other markings on white
poodles.
Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal
testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.
