Toy poodle info

The Poodle is a breed of dog, and is regarded as one of the mostintelligent breeds of dog.^[1] The poodle breed is found in small, medium, and large sizes, and in many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the poodle is skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. Poodles are elegant in the conformation ring, having taken top honors in many shows, including Best in Show (BIS) at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 2002 and BIS at the World Dog Show in 2007.
Poodles are retrievers or gun dogs, and can still be seen in that role. The breed's English name has German origins.^[2] (The name poodle comes from the German word short for pudelhund or, reflecting the breed's development from a water dog; the word pudel is related to the English word puddle.) However, most sources concur that the French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its current form, and developing the different sizes. The French name for the poodle iscaniche, referring to ducks and the poodle's water dog origins.

Most poodles have a dense, curly, low-shedding coat that requires regular grooming. Since poodles do not have the plush double coat of many breeds, their fur is often referred to as "hair", a term usually reserved for humans.^{[note 1]} Most poodles are solid-colored, and many registries only allow solid colors in conformation shows. "Parti" (short for parti-colored) poodles have large patches of colors different from the main body color. "Phantom" poodles have the color pattern of a black-and-tan dog, although not necessarily black and tan. Solid-colored poodles may either "hold" their color (i.e., stay more or less the same throughout their lives) or "fade" or "clear" to a lighter shade. Usually the ears and the thicker guard hairs hold more of the original color than other hair.

The tail is usually docked in the US, less often in Europe, and tail docking is now illegal in the UK^[3] and Australia^[4]. These days, tails, when docked, are left much longer than in times past. "Bunny like tails" (very short-docked tails) are now rarely seen except amongpuppy mill pet shop dogs. Poodles have drop ears, which are never cropped.

[edit]Poodle sizes

Unlike many breeds, poodles come in a variety of sizes, distinguished by adult shoulder (withers) height. The exact height cutoffs among the varieties vary slightly from country to country. Non-Fédération Cynologique Internationale kennel clubs generally recognize three sizes, standard, miniature, and toy, sometimes as sizes of the same breed, and sometimes as separate breeds. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes four sizes of one breed, standard, medium, miniature, and toy.^[5] Only the Fédération Cynologique Internationale describes a maximum size for standard poodles.

The terms royal standard, teacup, and tiny teacup are marketing names, and are not recognized by any major kennel club.

Comparison of Poodle sizes defined by major kennel clubs^[6]SizeFédération Cynologique InternationaleThe Kennel Club (UK)Australian National Kennel CouncilNew Zealand Kennel ClubCanadian Kennel ClubAmerican Kennel ClubUnited Kennel ClubStandard, Grandeover 45cm to 60cm (+2 cm) (18ins to 24ins)over 38 cm (15 ins)38 cm (15 ins) and over38 cm (15 ins) and overover 15 inches (38cm)over 15 inches (38cm)over 15 inches (38cm)Medium, Moyenover 35cm to 45cm (14ins to 18ins)not usednot usednot usednot usednot usednot usedMiniature - Dwarf, Nainover 28cm to 35cm (11ins to 14ins)28cm to 38cm (11ins to 15ins)28cm to under 38cm (11ins to 15ins)28cm to under 38cm (11ins to 15ins)over 10ins to under 15ins (25.4cm to 38cm)over 10ins to 15ins (25.4cm to 38cm)over 10ins up to 15ins (25.4cm to 38cm)Toy24 cm to 28 cm (9.4ins to 11ins)under 28 cm (11 ins)under 28 cm (11 ins)under 28 cm (11 ins)under 10ins (25.4cm)under 10ins (25.4cm)under 10ins (25.4cm)