OFFICIAL BREED STANDARD

POODLE

POODLE – CANICHE

Historical origin: Western Europe, with particularly important selective development in France and German-speaking territories
Original utilization: water dog, retrieval of waterfowl
Current utilization: companion dog, sport, utility, canine activities, retrieving, obedience, agility and other disciplines
WDF Classification: one breed divided into five size varieties
Working trial: not mandatory

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Poodle is one of the oldest and most recognizable European water-dog breeds.

Its history is closely linked to dogs used for hunting waterfowl and to the Barbet, from which the Poodle retained many morphological and functional characteristics, particularly the curly coat, strong affinity for water, intelligence and great learning ability. French historical documentation confirms that as early as the 18th century the term Caniche was associated with duck hunting and that Barbet and Caniche were progressively differentiated through selection.

The French etymology of Caniche is linked to cane, meaning female duck, while the German name Pudel recalls the action of splashing in water.

The Poodle was therefore originally selected as a water-retrieving dog: agile, resilient, intelligent and capable of working in difficult climatic conditions.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, selection increasingly emphasized elegance, regularity of coat texture, morphological balance and adaptability to family life, while maintaining the characteristics of an athletic and functional dog.

Historically, the larger sizes preceded the reduced varieties. Medium, dwarf and toy subjects were subsequently selected. French documentation records the official acceptance of the Toy in 1984; the WDF system today also recognizes the Teacup as a fifth autonomous size variety.

At the same time, broad colour diversity developed. Early modern breeding programmes favoured solid colours, but historical and modern documentation demonstrates the presence of multicoloured subjects as well. The present genetic heritage of the breed includes numerous solid, bicolour, tricolour, tan-point, brindle and other combinations.

The World Dog Federation considers this diversity part of the genetic heritage of the breed, provided that it is not associated with impairment of health, structure or breed type.

2. GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF THE WDF STANDARD

For the World Dog Federation, the Poodle constitutes one single breed.

Differences in:

• size;
• colour;
• pattern;
• permitted coat texture;
• grooming style

must not generate different anatomical models.

The five size varieties must maintain, as far as biologically possible:

• the same breed type;
• the same proportions;
• the same construction;
• the same expression;
• the same character;
• the same quality of movement;
• the same typical coat texture.

Reduction in size must not be achieved through selection for deformities, pathological dwarfism or craniofacial disproportions.

3. GENERAL APPEARANCE

A harmonious, elegant, proportionate, active dog with an intelligent expression.

Construction must be solid but never heavy.

The Poodle should immediately convey an impression of:

• elegance;
• balance;
• agility;
• pride;
• liveliness;
• distinction.

The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, while still maintaining an overall nearly square appearance.

Sexual dimorphism should be perceptible without compromising type.

4. IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS

The scapulo-ischial length is slightly greater than the height at the withers.

Height at the withers is practically equal to height at the croup.

The distance from elbow to ground is approximately 5/9 of the height at the withers.

Muzzle length is approximately 9/10 of skull length.

The silhouette must be balanced and never:

• long and low;
• excessively compact;
• heavy;
• fragile;
• disproportionate.

5. CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT

The Poodle is known for its high intelligence and extraordinary learning ability.

It should be:

• alert;
• active;
• cheerful;
• balanced;
• cooperative;
• sensitive;
• self-assured;
• curious;
• easily trainable;
• strongly attached to the family.

It should show a natural aptitude for work and interaction with humans.

Undesirable are:

• marked fearfulness;
• constant nervousness;
• unjustified aggression;
• apathy;
• unstable temperament.

6. HEAD

The head should be distinguished, straight in outline and proportionate to the body.

Well chiselled.

Not heavy.

Not excessively fine.

It should maintain elegance without appearing fragile.

7. CRANIAL REGION

Skull

Skull width should be less than half the total length of the head.

Viewed from above, the skull appears oval.

Viewed from the side, slightly convex.

The longitudinal axes of skull and muzzle are slightly divergent.

The superciliary arches should be moderately developed.

The frontal furrow is relatively broad between the eyes and narrows toward the occiput.

The occipital protuberance should be perceptible.

In the smaller varieties it may be slightly less pronounced without disappearing.

Stop

Slightly marked.

It must not be completely absent.

It must not be excessively pronounced.

8. FACIAL REGION

Nose

Well developed.

Vertical profile.

Open nostrils.

Pigmentation must be intense and genetically consistent with coat colour.

Permitted:

• black nose;
• brown;
• liver;
• genetically coherent diluted tones

in relation to the base colour.

Complete pathological depigmentation is undesirable.

Muzzle

Strong.

Straight.

Not pointed.

Its length corresponds approximately to 9/10 of skull length.

The branches of the lower jaw should be almost parallel.

The lower profile of the muzzle is determined by the lower jaw and not by the upper lip.

Lips

Moderately developed.

Rather close fitting.

Medium thickness.

The upper lip rests on the lower without hanging.

The corners of the lips should not be marked.

9. JAWS AND DENTITION

Jaws strong.

Dentition well developed.

Bite:

complete and regular scissor bite.

Teeth should be strong and correctly positioned.

No tooth should cause traumatic injury to the palate or oral mucosa.

Dentition must also be assessed in relation to size, with particular attention to Toy and Teacup varieties, in which dental crowding must not be regarded as a desirable feature.

10. CHEEKS

Not prominent.

Shaped by the underlying bone.

Suborbital region chiselled and only slightly filled.

Zygomatic arches only slightly pronounced.

11. EYES

Expression lively, intelligent and attentive.

Placed approximately at stop level.

Slightly oblique.

Almond-shaped.

Preferred colour:

• apparently black;
• very dark brown;
• dark brown.

In brown, chocolate, café-au-lait and other genetically related diluted subjects, dark amber eyes or coherent shades may be permitted.

Eye rims should be well pigmented.

Eyes that are:

• excessively large;
• round;
• protruding;
• sunken

are undesirable.

12. EARS

Rather long.

Hanging along the cheeks.

Set on the ideal extension of a line starting from the upper part of the nose and passing below the outer corner of the eye.

Flat.

Widening progressively after the set-on.

Rounded at the tip.

Covered with long, wavy hair.

When gently drawn forward, the leather should reach at least the corner of the lips; ideally it may extend slightly beyond it.

13. NECK

Strong.

Of medium length.

Well proportioned.

Slightly arched after the nape.

Without dewlap.

Oval in cross-section.

The head should be carried high and proudly.

Neck length is slightly less than head length.

14. BODY

Well proportioned.

Slightly longer than height at the withers.

Never heavy.

Never cylindrical.

15. TOPLINE

Harmonious.

Taut.

Stable.

It must not appear broken or weak.

16. WITHERS

Moderately developed.

Height at the withers should be practically equal to height of the croup from the ground.

17. BACK

Relatively short.

Strong.

Stable.

Adequately muscled.

A long, soft, sway or excessively arched back is undesirable.

18. LOIN

Solid.

Muscular.

Compact.

It should efficiently transfer hindquarter propulsion to the forequarters.

19. CROUP

Rounded.

Not hollow.

Not excessively sloping.

It should blend harmoniously into the topline.

20. CHEST

It should reach approximately to elbow level.

Chest width is approximately 2/3 of its depth.

The forechest should be sufficiently developed.

The point of the sternum should be slightly prominent and relatively high.

In the Grande Mole variety, chest circumference measured behind the shoulders should be approximately 10 cm greater than height at the withers.

The thoracic section should be oval and broader dorsally.

21. UNDERLINE AND ABDOMEN

Underline moderately tucked up.

The abdomen should not be excessively tucked up like that of a sighthound.

22. TAIL

Set rather high.

It should continue the dorsal line harmoniously.

Carried high in action, without falling completely curled over the back.

The traditional ideal carriage is close to a 9:10 clock-hand position in relation to the topline.

The natural tail is an integral part of the dog.

A congenitally very short tail should not be selected for.

23. FOREQUARTERS

Viewed from the front:

• perfectly straight;
• parallel;
• well muscled;
• with good bone.

Height from elbow to ground should be slightly greater than half the height at the withers.

24. SHOULDER

Oblique.

Muscular.

The scapula forms an angle of approximately 110° with the humerus.

Scapula and humerus should be of approximately equal length.

25. UPPER ARM

Close to the body.

Proportionate to the scapula.

Adequately muscled.

26. ELBOWS

Close fitting.

Turning neither inward nor outward.

They must allow free forward movement.

27. FOREARM

Straight.

Solid.

Parallel.

With good bone.

28. CARPUS

In continuation of the forearm line.

Strong.

29. METACARPUS

Solid.

Viewed from the side, almost vertical.

Not weak.

30. FRONT FEET

Rather small.

Compact.

Short oval in shape.

Toes:

• arched;
• close;
• tight.

Pads:

• thick;
• resistant;
• well developed.

Nails pigmented according to genetic colour.

31. HINDQUARTERS

Viewed from behind they should be parallel.

Musculature well developed and clearly perceptible.

32. THIGH

Strong.

Well muscled.

The coxo-femoral angle should be clearly defined.

33. STIFLE

Well angulated.

Stable.

Turning neither inward nor outward.

34. LOWER THIGH

Adequately long.

Muscular.

In proportion with the thigh.

35. HOCK

Well angulated.

Strong.

Stable.

Not cow-hocked.

Not open.

36. METATARSUS

Rather short.

Almost vertical.

Solid.

37. HIND FEET

Rather small.

Compact.

Oval.

Toes arched and close.

Pads thick and resistant.

38. MOVEMENT

Poodle movement should be:

• light;
• springy;
• energetic;
• fluid;
• elegant.

The trot should be regular and apparently effortless.

Good forward reach.

Strong rear propulsion.

The back should remain stable.

The dog must not:

• move stiffly;
• bounce artificially;
• cross excessively;
• show instability;
• display heavy or dragging movement.

39. SKIN

Soft.

Elastic.

Not loose.

Well pigmented according to the genetic expression of the coat.

In the white Poodle, silvery skin pigmentation is permitted and appreciated.

40. COAT

The coat is one of the essential characteristics of the breed.

The World Dog Federation recognizes two fundamental structures:

A. CURLY COAT

Abundant.

Fine.

Woolly.

Very curly.

Elastic.

Resistant to hand pressure.

It should be:

• dense;
• abundant;
• uniform;
• of sufficiently even length.

It should form defined curls.

B. CORDED COAT

Abundant.

Fine.

Woolly.

Dense.

Forms characteristic cords.

Mature cords should develop naturally and uniformly.

41. WDF PRINCIPLE ON COAT

The coat must not be judged exclusively through grooming style.

The anatomical quality of the subject must take precedence over aesthetic presentation.

Grooming must allow the judge to assess:

• structure;
• proportions;
• angulation;
• topline;
• movement.

Excessive grooming must not confer an advantage in judging.

42. WDF CLASSIFICATION OF THE FIVE SIZE VARIETIES

The World Dog Federation recognizes five official Poodle varieties.

Classification is based primarily on height at the withers.

Weight is an indicative reference and should be assessed together with structure, sex, bone and body condition.

A. GRANDE MOLE

Height at withers: 45 to 60 cm

Indicative weight: 20 to 32 kg

The Grande Mole should represent the fully developed version of the Poodle, without heaviness and retaining elegance, agility and proportion.

B. MEDIUM

Height at withers: 35 to 45 cm

Indicative weight: approximately 9–13 kg

It should perfectly maintain the general model of the breed.

C. DWARF

Height at withers: 28 to 35 cm

Indicative weight: approximately 4.5–7 kg

It should appear as a harmonious reduction of the Medium Poodle.

It must not show signs of pathological dwarfism.

D. TOY

Height at withers: 24 to 28 cm

Indicative weight: approximately 2.2–3 kg

It must retain:

• correct muzzle length;
• proportionate head;
• good bone;
• functional dentition;
• free movement;
• correct thoracic structure.

Exaggerated infantile traits must not be rewarded.

E. TEACUP

Height at withers: less than 23 cm

Indicative weight: less than 2 kg

The Teacup variety must be an authentic miniature Poodle, not a subject affected by pathological dwarfism.

It must retain:

• harmonious proportions;
• non-globular skull;
• sufficiently developed muzzle;
• eyes not excessively prominent;
• good dental occlusion;
• proportionate bone;
• stable patellae;
• free movement;
• functional chest;
• lively and confident behaviour.

Reduction in size must not compromise health, fertility, respiration, locomotion or quality of life.

WDF Size Classification Note

With the size limits established above, subjects measuring 23 cm or more but less than 24 cm do not automatically fall within either the Teacup or Toy variety and must be classified under a specific WDF technical regulation or following a new official measurement at maturity.

43. PERMITTED COLOURS

The World Dog Federation recognizes all genetically identifiable colours and patterns of the breed, provided they are not associated with pathological conditions incompatible with welfare.

Colour must not alter morphological type.

Solid, bicolour, tricolour and multicolour subjects are permitted.

44. SOLID COLOURS

These include, by way of example:

• Black;
• White;
• Brown;
• Chocolate;
• Grey;
• Silver;
• Blue;
• Cream;
• Apricot;
• Red;
• Fawn;
• Café-au-lait;
• Silver Beige;
• other genetically identifiable shades.

In solid colours, colour uniformity is preferred, while natural shade variations related to age, genetics and coat texture do not automatically constitute a fault.

45. BICOLOUR / PARTI-COLOUR

Bicolour or Parti-colour subjects are fully permitted.

White may be:

• predominant;
• a minority component;
• distributed in large patches.

Permitted combinations include, among others:

• Black & White;
• Brown & White;
• Chocolate & White;
• Grey & White;
• Silver & White;
• Blue & White;
• Cream & White;
• Apricot & White;
• Red & White;
• Fawn & White.

Patching may be irregular.

Perfect symmetry is not required.

46. TUXEDO / MANTLE

A distribution is permitted in which the main colour forms a mantle or pigmented back, with white:

• on the limbs;
• on the chest;
• sometimes on the muzzle;
• sometimes at the tip of the tail.

This distribution constitutes a pattern and not a separate breed.

47. PHANTOM / TAN-POINT

Combinations with clearly defined tan points are permitted.

Examples:

• Black & Tan;
• Brown & Tan;
• Chocolate & Tan;
• Blue & Tan;
• Silver & Tan;
• other genetically documentable combinations.

Tan points may typically appear:

• above the eyes;
• on the cheeks;
• inside the ears;
• on the sides of the muzzle;
• on the extremities of the limbs;
• on the chest;
• in the perineal region.

Phantom/tan-point must be registered as a specific pattern.

48. TRICOLOUR

Tricolour subjects are permitted.

Classic example:

Black – White – Tan

but other genetically identifiable combinations are also permitted.

Colour distribution must be accurately described in the genealogical registry.

49. BRINDLE

The Brindle pattern is permitted.

It may occur:

• on a solid background;
• associated with white;
• in genetically coherent combinations.

50. SABLE

Sable is permitted.

Its expression may vary with age.

The subject should be registered according to phenotype and, where available, according to genetic data.

51. MERLE / DAPPLE

The WDF permits registration of the Merle/Dapple pattern when genetically documented.

The presence of merle does not alter the morphological identity of the breed.

However:

MERLE × MERLE MATINGS ARE PROHIBITED.

The prohibition also includes cryptic or minimal merle subjects when genetically identified.

Merle selection must be subordinate to protection of:

• vision;
• hearing;
• pigmentation;
• welfare.

Colour alone cannot justify the production of matings carrying a high genetic risk.

52. PIGMENTATION

Nose, lips, eye rims, pads and nails should show pigmentation compatible with genetic colour.

Pigmentation:

• black;
• brown;
• liver;
• diluted

may be permitted when genetically coherent.

Complete pathological depigmentation is undesirable.

53. WDF PRINCIPLE ON COLOURS

No genetically identifiable colour should be penalized solely for aesthetic reasons.

Evaluation must focus on:

• health;
• breed type;
• structure;
• movement;
• functional pigmentation;
• genetic correctness;
• genealogy.

Bicolour and multicolour subjects are therefore fully recognized by the World Dog Federation.

54. GENERAL HEALTH

Selection should favour subjects that are:

• clinically healthy;
• functional;
• balanced;
• long-lived;
• structurally correct.

Aesthetic characteristics must not take precedence over health.

55. RECOMMENDED HEALTH SCREENING – GRANDE MOLE

For Grande Mole breeding stock, particularly recommended are:

• hip evaluation;
• ophthalmological examination;
• thyroid evaluation;
• genetic testing for vWD type I;
• genetic tests relevant to known hereditary encephalopathies;
• cardiac examination when indicated;
• skin and sebaceous disease evaluation when indicated.

International health programmes for the Standard Poodle particularly recommend screening of hips, eyes, thyroid, vWD and specific hereditary neurological conditions.

56. RECOMMENDED HEALTH SCREENING – MEDIUM AND DWARF

Particularly recommended are:

• ophthalmological examination;
• PRA-prcd;
• patellar evaluation;
• hip evaluation;
• further genetic tests according to bloodline.

Specialist breed health programmes recommend eye, PRA and patella screening for intermediate and reduced size varieties, and hip evaluation for the Miniature.

57. RECOMMENDED HEALTH SCREENING – TOY AND TEACUP

Particular attention should be paid to:

• patellar luxation;
• PRA and hereditary eye diseases;
• correct dental development;
• persistent fontanelles;
• joint stability;
• correct craniofacial structure;
• trachea and respiratory function;
• hypoglycaemia in extremely small subjects;
• weight and body condition;
• fertility and reproductive capacity.

For the Toy variety, established health programmes identify PRA testing, ophthalmological examination and patellar evaluation as fundamental.

In the Teacup, the WDF requires particular selective caution, because miniaturization must not be pursued at the expense of health.

58. GENERAL FAULTS

Any deviation from the standard must be assessed in proportion to its severity and its effect on health and functionality.

Faults may include:

• heavy head;
• excessively fine head;
• stop too pronounced;
• muzzle too short;
• pointed muzzle;
• excessively broad skull;
• eyes too round;
• protruding eyes;
• short ears;
• short neck;
• long back;
• soft back;
• excessively sloping croup;
• insufficient chest;
• fine limbs;
• insufficient angulation;
• open feet;
• stiff movement;
• sparse coat;
• coat lacking typical texture.

59. SERIOUS FAULTS

The following should be regarded with particular severity:

• obvious loss of type;
• convex muzzle;
• disproportionate head;
• kyphotic back;
• strongly sway back;
• tail set too low;
• excessively straight hindquarters;
• excessively angulated hindquarters;
• markedly incorrect movement;
• very sparse coat;
• soft coat lacking typical structure;
• severe depigmentation;
• extremely light bone;
• disproportions resulting from miniaturization.

60. SIGNS OF PATHOLOGICAL DWARFISM

The following must not be considered breed characteristics:

• globular skull;
• extremely pronounced stop;
• very short, upturned muzzle;
• markedly prominent eyes;
• absence or extreme reduction of the occipital protuberance;
• deformed limbs;
• severe bone fragility;
• locomotor incapacity.

This principle applies to all varieties and with particular strictness to Toy and Teacup.

61. DISQUALIFYING FAULTS

The following must result in exclusion from breeding or morphological evaluation:

• uncontrolled aggression;
• extreme fearfulness;
• severe behavioural abnormalities;
• obvious disabling physical abnormalities;
• marked overshot or undershot bite;
• tooth position causing trauma;
• severe mandibular deformity;
• severe joint instability;
• inability to move normally;
• disabling blindness;
• clinically significant deafness;
• generalized pathological depigmentation;
• pathological albinism;
• severe pathological dwarfism;
• obvious absence of fundamental Poodle type.

Colour alone does not constitute a WDF disqualifying fault.

62. BREEDING

Only subjects that are:

• healthy;
• functional;
• typical;
• genetically identified;
• of traceable genealogy;
• correctly classified by size;
• correctly registered by colour and pattern

should be used for breeding.

Both breeding animals should undergo health evaluation.

Selection must not pursue:

• extreme size;
• excessively infantile heads;
• exaggerated reduction of bone;
• colours at the expense of health.

63. SPECIFIC WDF PRINCIPLE ON THE TEACUP VARIETY

The World Dog Federation recognizes the Teacup as the fifth size variety, but does not consider indiscriminate extreme miniaturization desirable.

A correct Teacup should be:

small but harmonious, light but structurally sound, elegant but functional.

A smaller subject must not be rewarded if the reduction in size results in:

• fragility;
• deformity;
• severe dental crowding;
• joint problems;
• respiratory deficits;
• reproductive incapacity;
• neurological abnormalities;
• reduced quality of life.

64. WDF GENEALOGICAL IDENTIFICATION

Every Poodle should be registrable with:

• breed;
• sex;
• date of birth;
• microchip;
• size variety;
• official height;
• weight;
• base colour;
• pattern;
• coat type;
• genealogy;
• DNA where available;
• health results;
• any conformation or working titles.

66. FINAL WORLD DOG FEDERATION PRINCIPLE

The Poodle is one breed.

Its five varieties differ exclusively by size, not by morphological model.

All must retain:

intelligence, elegance, proportion, movement, typical coat, balanced character and functionality.

The World Dog Federation recognizes the full colour heritage of the breed, including:

solid, bicolour, Parti-colour, tuxedo, phantom, tricolour, brindle, sable and other genetically identifiable patterns.

No colour should be selected at the expense of health.

Protection of the Poodle requires the combined preservation of:

morphology, character, function, health, genetics and genealogical traceability.