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Breed standards call for a dignified, elegant carriage.
Size mattersThe breed comes in three sizes (as described by most breed registries):
• Standard: Over 38 cm (15 in) at the shoulder
• Miniature: Over 28 cm (11 in) high, but under 38 cm
• Toy: Under 28 cm (11 in) and 10 lb or under
The American Kennel Club has a slightly different standard, with the maximum for Toys and the minimum for Miniatures at 25cm (10 in). The FCI standards divide Poodles into four groups: Large (45 to 60 cm), Medium (35 cm to 45 cm), Miniature (28 cm to 35 cm) and Toy (less than 28 cm with an ideal size of 25 cm).CoatThe fur on the animal's body is naturally curly, often in small tight clumps of small curly ringlets. Hair on the ears can be straight or slightly curly. With brushing, the dog's fur will still retain wavy or curly properties, but will soften and straighten somewhat.
ClippingThe coat can be clipped in various styles. For show purposes, only three clips—the puppy clip (only for dogs one year old or younger), the Continental or Lion clip (with the instantly-recognisable 'mane'), and the English Saddle clip (with leg bracelets)—are acceptable. The traditional show-cut 'bracelets' of long fur covering the dog's leg joints are said to date back to winter hunts, where most of the fur was clipped short to facilitate swimming but the joints, lungs, heart, and kidneys needed protection from the cold.
The pom-pom on the end of the tail served as a "flag" when the Poodle dove under the water's surface. Clip styles for pets include the Kennel clip (fur same length all over) and other styles, generally variants of the Continental. Left alone, Poodle fur will become corded in the manner of a Puli or Komondor.
Working Poodles are often clipped closely to avoid tangles and to reduce the amount of water a wet dog brings into a duck boat.Corded PoodleIf a Poodle's coat is not given the attention it requires, it may form into cords.
Most national registries recognize two coat types for Poodles: curly and corded. These types are sometimes also, confusingly, called curly and wavy. A curly coat is distinctly wooly if brushed while a wavy coat more readily cords if not brushed out.
Wavy Poodles have coats which will more or less naturally cord, others must be coaxed into it, but virtually all Poodles are capable of having corded hair once their adult hair has been established. Puppies can be born with either type of coat, even in the same litter. Once cords have been established, they cannot be brushed out, but must be clipped away.
Breed historians seem to agree that the corded or wavy coat is the older of the two varieties. If left to cord, wavy coats are more difficult to take care of, and intentionally corded dogs have fallen out of fashion, in favor of those with brushed wooly coats or brushed wavy coats.
HybridsMany hybrids have been created by crossing a Poodle with another breed,such as Labradoodles and Cockapoos. These "hybrids" are not, however,recognized breeds. Many breeders promote Poodle hybrids as actualbreeds and charge more for them than is usually charged for amixed-breed dog. |
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