Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Poodle is one of the oldest and most recognizable dog breeds in Europe. Its origin is associated with water dogs that were common in Germany and France during the Middle Ages. Originally, Poodles were used for hunting waterfowl — their dense, curly coats and excellent swimming abilities made them highly effective in aquatic work. Over time, the breed gained popularity among the European aristocracy and became a symbol of refinement and elegance. In the 18th and 19th centuries, decorative varieties — miniature and toy Poodles — were developed. Today, the Poodle is recognized as one of the most intelligent breeds, successfully competing in shows and sports, as well as serving as a companion, therapy, and working dog.
General Appearance
The Poodle is a medium- or small-sized dog of harmonious build, elegance, and balanced proportions. It is distinguished by a proud posture, lively movements, and a noble expression. The body is strong yet refined, with well-developed musculature. The head is elongated with clear lines, the eyes are expressive and intelligent. The coat is dense, curly or corded, evenly covering the body and emphasizing the graceful silhouette. The tail is set high, carried upright or at an angle. Movements are light, elastic, and energetic. The Poodle gives the impression of an intelligent, confident, and well-balanced dog with an aristocratic appearance and an expressive individuality.
Important Proportions
The Poodle has a harmonious, well-balanced build with proportions close to square — the body length is approximately equal to the height at the withers. The head is proportional to the body, the muzzle elongated but not pointed. The muzzle and skull are of roughly equal length. The neck is of medium length, gracefully arched, without dewlap, harmoniously blending into the body. The height from elbow to ground equals half the height at the withers. The limbs are straight, parallel, and muscular, ensuring smooth, effortless movement. The tail is set high, carried upright but not curled over the back. All body parts are balanced, creating an impression of ideal proportion, elegance, and lightness combined with strength and stability.
Behavior and Temperament
The Poodle is calm, friendly, and lively in temperament. It is an intelligent, loyal, and easily trained dog with natural intuition and a high degree of intelligence. Poodles adapt quickly to any environment, are highly attuned to human emotions, and seek close companionship with their owners. They are active, social, and require regular physical and mental stimulation. The Poodle loves attention, gets along well with children and other pets, showing patience and kindness. With its curiosity and obedience, the breed excels in training, sports, exhibitions, and even service work, while remaining a devoted and affectionate family companion.
Head
The Poodle’s head is proportional to the body — refined, elongated, and harmoniously shaped, without coarseness or angularity. The skull is slightly convex with a smooth transition to the muzzle. The forehead is moderately wide, the occiput slightly pronounced. The cheekbones are flat, the muzzle line straight and parallel to the skull. The stop is visible but not abrupt. The lips are tight, well-fitted, and pigmented according to the coat color. The nose is large with wide-open nostrils: black in black, white, and silver Poodles; brown in brown ones; dark liver in apricot and red colors. The overall expression is intelligent, alert, and noble.
Foreface
The foreface is elongated, neat, and dry, with a straight nasal bridge. The muzzle is strong, not pointed; the chin is defined but not massive. The lips are thin, close-fitting, not pendulous, and pigmented according to coat color. The bite is scissor, the teeth strong, white, and complete. The nose is large with wide nostrils and pigmentation matching the coat. The cheeks are flat, without prominent bones. The muzzle expression is intelligent, alert, and kind, emphasizing the refined character of the breed.
Eyes
The eyes are oval, set slightly obliquely but neither deep nor protruding, of medium size. The expression is lively, intelligent, and kind, reflecting the dog’s friendliness and alertness. The iris is dark — in black, white, silver, and apricot Poodles, dark brown or nearly black is preferred; in brown Poodles, a lighter amber tone is acceptable if it harmonizes with the coat. The eyelids are tight, pigmented according to the nose color. The eyes give the Poodle its characteristic expressive and soulful appearance, underlining its intelligence, friendliness, and lively temperament.
Ears
The ears are long, hanging, set at or slightly below eye level, covered with thick, wavy, or curly hair. Their shape is elongated with rounded tips. The ear lies close to the head and extends forward, reaching at least the corner of the lips when pulled. The skin is thin, elastic, and covered with dense hair, giving volume and elegance. The ears harmoniously complement the refined shape of the head. When alert, the base of the ear lifts slightly, preserving the typical noble expression. The ears are an important feature of the breed, emphasizing elegance and refinement.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, elegant, strong, and dry, with a graceful arch that enhances the proud posture. It is well set, emerging high from the shoulders and forming a smooth line with the back. The transition from head to body is gradual. The skin is tight and smooth, without dewlap or folds. The muscles are moderately developed, providing flexibility and ease of movement. The correct carriage emphasizes the Poodle’s confident and balanced temperament and adds harmony and expressiveness to its overall appearance.
Body
The body is proportional, strong, yet elegant, with a solid but graceful structure. The back is short, straight, and firm; the loin muscular and slightly arched, blending into a rounded but not drooping croup. The chest is well-developed, deep, reaching the elbows, with moderately curved ribs. The abdomen is tucked up, emphasizing a light and athletic silhouette. The shoulders are long and sloping, providing freedom of movement. The topline is smooth with a pronounced withers. The tail is set high, carried at an angle when relaxed, raised but not curled over the back when moving. The overall impression is one of strength, elegance, and natural balance.
Tail
The tail is set high, on the same line or slightly above the back, of moderate length. At rest, it may hang down; in motion, it is carried joyfully but not curled or touching the back. Traditionally, the tail was docked to half its length, but natural tails are now accepted. The coat on the tail is thick, curly, or corded, forming a pompon at the tip in show grooming. The correct tail carriage emphasizes the breed’s proud posture, confidence, and cheerful temperament, completing the elegant silhouette.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, parallel, and well-set, ensuring balance and smooth movement. The shoulder blades are long and sloping, closely attached to the body, muscular but not heavy. The angle between shoulder and upper arm is about 110°. The forearms are straight, strong, and dry, with solid bone; the elbows point straight back, neither in nor out. The pasterns are short, firm, and slightly slanted. The feet are small, oval, compact, with firm pads and dense nails pigmented according to coat color. The forequarters convey strength and elegance, providing proper balance and graceful gait.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and well-balanced with clear angulation. The thighs are long and muscular; the lower legs are of equal length, dry and firm. The stifles are well-defined but not exaggerated. The hocks are short, vertical, and parallel when viewed from behind. The feet are oval, compact, with firm pads and strong nails. The hindquarters provide a powerful drive and light, springy movement. The gait is smooth and elastic, with good reach and active hind action, showing energy and grace.
Gait and Movement
The gait is light, energetic, and elastic, with a clear rhythm and harmonious coordination. The dog moves with elegance and power, maintaining a level topline. The forelegs extend freely and confidently; the hind legs provide strong propulsion, creating a springy stride. The elbows remain close to the body, and the feet move in a straight line. In motion, the Poodle retains its proud posture and high head carriage. The movement reflects balance, vitality, and the breed’s natural grace — a vital part of the Poodle’s structure and expression.
Coat
The coat is dense, abundant, and composed of tight curls or long cords, evenly covering the entire body. The texture is resilient, elastic, neither soft nor harsh, providing protection from moisture and cold. Two coat types exist — curly and corded. The curly coat forms dense, close curls; the corded coat consists of long, uniform cords. The undercoat is absent or very thin. Regular grooming, trimming, and combing are necessary to maintain the typical appearance. When properly maintained, the coat remains elastic, glossy, and enhances the dog’s graceful outline.
Permitted Colors
The Poodle must be solid-colored throughout, including coat, skin, and pigmentation of nose, lips, and eyelids. Any signs of bicolor or spotting are undesirable. Accepted colors are black, white, brown, silver, apricot, and red. Each shade must be uniform and rich from root to tip, without fading or dark patches. Brown Poodles have dark-brown pigmentation of the nose, eyelids, and nails; apricot and red Poodles may have lighter pigment harmonizing with the coat tone. All colors should emphasize elegance and refinement while maintaining breed balance and expression.
Size
The Poodle exists in four sizes, all maintaining the same breed type and proportions.
Standard Poodle: height 45–60 cm at the withers (±2 cm permitted).
Miniature Poodle: height 35–45 cm.
Dwarf (Mini) Poodle: height 28–35 cm.
Toy Poodle: height 24–28 cm (not less than 23 cm).
Weight corresponds to size, maintaining balance and proportion. Regardless of size, all Poodles share common traits — elegance, balance, solid bone, lively movement, and noble expression.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the standard that do not affect health but reduce breed quality: disproportionate build, weak withers or loin, shallow chest, excessively short or long limbs. Light eyes in dark-colored dogs, overly large or small ears, insufficient pigmentation of the nose, lips, or eyelids are also considered faults. Coat that is too soft, sparse, or uneven in color is undesirable. Behavioral faults such as shyness, excessive excitability, or stubbornness are also penalized.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations affecting type, health, or temperament. These include aggression or extreme shyness; structural defects such as undershot, overshot bite, missing several teeth, deformities of skull or limbs. Light eyes in black and white Poodles, depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids, bicolor or spotted coat, straight or soft hair without curls, or atypical sexual characteristics are disqualifying. Albino traits, deformities, and major proportion deviations also lead to disqualification.
Important Notes
The Poodle must preserve all breed characteristics regardless of size or color. Particular attention should be given to coat quality, proportions, and general expression — the dog must appear elegant, intelligent, and harmonious. In shows, grooming must emphasize natural body lines without distortion. Artificial coloring or cosmetic alteration of hair texture or pigment is prohibited. Any manipulation changing appearance or color results in disqualification. The Poodle’s temperament must be balanced, kind, and lively, without signs of aggression or fear.
Conclusion
The Poodle embodies intelligence, elegance, and harmony. Its exceptional trainability, loyalty, and affectionate nature have made it one of the most beloved breeds worldwide. Versatility defines the Poodle — equally successful in sport, obedience, and shows, as well as a devoted family companion. Regardless of size, every Poodle retains its refined type, graceful lines, and expressive temperament. This breed unites nobility and liveliness, beauty and energy, remaining a timeless symbol of refinement, intellect, and devotion.
