Temperament

     The Poodle is known for his intelligence, his lively, mischievous sense of humour, and his willingness to please. The Poodle is a people-oriented breed that refuses to be ignored.
 

Size
     Within the size limitations there is no preferred size.
 

Standard Poodle
     The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches (38.1 cm) at the highest point at the shoulder. Any poodle 15 inches (38.1 cm) or less in height shall be excused from competition as a Standard Poodle. If excused at three shows for this reason, the dog then has the same status as a disqualified dog.
 

Miniature Poodle
     The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches (38.1 cm) or under at the highest point at the shoulder, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches (25.4 cm). Any Poodle, which is over 15 inches (38.1 cm) or 10 inches (25.4 cm) or under at the highest point at the shoulder, shall be excused from competition as a Miniature Poodle. If excused at three shows for this reason, the dog then has the same status as a disqualified dog.
 

Toy Poodle
     The Toy Poodle is 10 inches (25. 4cm) or under at the highest point at the shoulder. Any Poodle which is more than 10 inches (25.4 cm) at the highest point at the shoulder shall be excused from competition as a Toy Poodle. If excused at three shows for this reason, the dog than has the same status as a disqualified dog.
 

Coat Quality
     Curly Poodles - Dense, naturally harsh texture throughout, frizzy or curly.
 

     Corded Poodles - All hair hanging in tight even cords of varying lengths.
 

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. A Poodle shown in competitive classes in any other clip shall be disqualified. However, the brood Bitch and Stud Dog may be shown in any clip.
 

     (a) Puppy Clip: 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.
 

     (b) English Saddle Clip: In the English Saddle Clip, the face, throat, feet, forelegs, and base of tail are shaved, leaving bracelets 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 hind leg at the stifle and hock joints. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the bracelets are visible. The rest of the body may 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 leaving bracelets on the forelegs and rear legs. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. The entire shaven foot and a portion of the shaven foreleg above the bracelets are visible. The rest of the body 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 bands used only on the skull.
 

Coat Color and Skin
     Any 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 frequently present 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 clear colours are definitely preferred, such natural variations in the shading of the coat are not to be considered 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 the foregoing colour is preferred, brown noses, eye rims and lips and dark amber eyes are permitted, but not desirable. Particoloured Poodles shall be disqualified. Particoloured is at least two definite colours appearing in clearly defined markings at the skin. The skin is pliable, tight, and not mottled.
 

Head and Expression
     Skull should be slightly full and moderately peaked with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as the length of muzzle. Viewed from the side, 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. The chin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Teeth (42) white and strong. Tight scissors or level bite. Nose sharp with well-defined nostrils. Eyes oval shaped, very dark, tight eyelids; happy, alert and full of fire and intelligence. Ears hanging close to the head set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide and thickly feathered.