The current Poodle breed standard was approved August 14, 1984, and reformatted March 27, 1990, by the Poodle Club of America. Again, except for height, the standard is the same for all 3 varieties. The breed standard refers to the ideal dog. No dog is ideal, however, and many dogs excluded from the show ring for minor faults make excellent pets.

Size: Here lies the only difference of note among the three varieties. The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders and weighs 45 to 65 pounds. The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches. He weighs 14 to 18 pounds, and is the most popular of the Poodle varieties today. The Toy Poodle is ten inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. He weighs between 6 and 12 pounds. (European standards are somewhat different, dividing the breed into four size categories: Standard, Miniature, Dwarf, and Toy.)

The first Toy Poodles were nearly always white, but the other colors were introduced by breeding white Toy males to Miniature females of various colors. Today, Toys come in the same range of colors as Standards and Miniatures.

General Appearance: The standard states that the Poodle is a "very active, intelligent, and elegant-appearing dog, squarely built, well-proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself." That describes the Poodle most accurately.

At first, the English and American breed standards were identical. Both the English and the American Kennel Clubs recognized Standard and Miniature Poodles; both recognized all colors. Today, minor differences exist between the two. In America, the Toy Poodle must be under 10 inches; it is catagorized in the Toy Group, while the other two sizes are catagorized in the Non-Sporting Group. The English Toy Poodle is another inch higher, and all varieties of Poodle are catagorized in the Utility group.

The general appearance of the Poodle is square, meaning that "the length of body measured from the breastbone to the point of the rump approximates the height from the highest point of the shoulders to the ground."

Head and Expression: The proper Poodle has almond-shaped eyes which are "very dark" and "oval in shape." He should have "an alert intelligent expression." It is considered a major fault if the eyes are "round, protruding, large, or very light." The ears should hang "close to the head, set at or slightly below eye level."

The skull should be "moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop." (The stop is where the muzzle meets the upper part of the skull.) The muzzle should be "long, straight, and fine with slight chiseling under the eyes." The ideal length is clearly defined; it should be the same as the "length from occiput [the back part of the skull] to stop." A muzzle that is too long is called "snipey" and is considered a fault.

Reputable Veterinarians

How can you locate the right veterinarian for your Poodle? Word of mouth is always the best first step. Start by asking the Poodle's breeder for a referral. Most breeders have a favorite vet who treats all their dogs and pups.

You may tray asking a Poodle rescue volunteer or dog-owning friend for a name. Contact the local Poodle club and ask for a referral or ask your Poodle's trainer to recommend a vet. Or look in the yellow pages of your local telephone book or search the Internet. Stick with national, well-recognized Poodle clubs and organizations.

Once you've acquired a few names, visit the office. Look for a clean, well-lit, up-to-date, friendly environment. Chat with the staff and let them know you're searching for a vet. Don't be afraid to ask waiting clients what they think of the vet and staff. Ask for a tour and a listing of fees and services offered.

Other considerations include suitable location, convenient hours, and helpful staff. Give the clinic a good look-see, make mental notes of what you like or dislike, and visit another clinic. Then make your decision.