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AKC Poodle Conformation Explanations & Hiding Faults - Continued, Page 2
We've all read the AKC Poodle conformation standards, but let's take a look at what these actually mean, in "layman" words to better understand what a show quality AKC Poodle looks like.This will be helpful, especially, when having your Poodle clipped and groomed.
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Grooming Tips for Head Conformation
How you handle a Poodle's topknot depends on whether your dog is a pet or show dog. On show dogs, the long hair on the top of the head is left full and secured with latex bands to form the topknot. Once the air is banded, the topknot is blended into the neck hair and then shaped with shears for balance and symmetry
On all pet clips, the Poodle's topknot is shaped round and full with scissors. It should never be wedge shaped, broad or flat or cut back above the eyes.
The Ears
The top of the ears should be set on a line level with the corners of the eyes or slightly lower, but never higher. The hair on the ears is called the feathering (Click here for the Poodle Area Glossary). The ear itself is called the leather. Poodle ear leathers are wide and almost fan shaped. They should hang close to the head and ideally almost reach the nose when pulled forward. Faults are short or high-set ears placed too far back on the head and "flying ears". With flying ears, the leathers are short, set horizontally, and almost stand out from the head.
Grooming Tips for Poodle Ears
When you are shaping the head on all pet styles, as you scissor across the top of each ear, if the ears are set properly )on a line level with the corner of the eyes), you want to create a definite separation between topknot and ears to outline the bottom of the topknot. After the topknot has been shaped, comb through the ear feathering, then round the bottoms slightly with shears to remove any straggly ends. On short or high set ears, always let the feathering grow as long as possible. Instead of scissoring a definite separation between the ears and the topknot, blend the feathering into the topknot hair to create a soft look and help disguise these faults Never clip short or high set ears!
The Muzzle or Foreface
Ideally the distance from the ear to the corner of the eye should be almost the same as the distance from the eye to the end of the muzzle. "Chiseling" is the very slight molding or indentation under the eyes. "Snipiness" means the lack of sufficient chin or underjaw. When you look at a "snipy" Poodle in profile, you see a pointed muzzle lacking breadth and depth with little, if any underjaw. "Lippiness" means a pendulous or heavy upper lip (common no the Spaniel breeds) which hangs over the lower lip.
A scissor bite (The AKC Poodle standard) is one in which the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors. A slightly undershot or overshot bite is no basis to reject a Poodle as a pet, but both are disqualifications for show dogs. No show Poodle will win with either an undershot both (the font teeth or incisors of the lower jaw overlap or project beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw) or an overshot bit (the incisors of the upper jaw project beyond the incisors of the lower jaw, not touching the front teeth of the lower jaw, resulting in a space between the inner and outer surfaces). A wry mouth is defined as an asymmetrical alignment of upper and lower jaws or a cross bite.
Grooming Tips for the Poodle's Face
Clipping the Poodle's face adds length to the face, whereas a mustache shortens the face. Mustaches on Poodles are not as popular today as they were in the past, but they can be helpful in concealing mouth problems. A Poodle with large round eyes or one with a snipy muzzle, a wry mouth or protruding teeth will look better with a mustache. Just leaving a tuft of hair around the mouth ( to be finished in a donut - style mustache) softens and takes the attention away from his unattractive foreface. Always keep the moustache close to the nose and away from the corners of the mouth to make it look neat, especially when the mouth is open.
The Neck
The neck should be well-arched, strong and in balance with the head and body. There should not be any loose flaps of skin at the throat. A long neck carries an aristocratic high head and presents it for all to see. A long neck is not only part of proportion and symmetry of the dog, it seems to give this symmetry a focus and dimension. A short, thick neck makes a Poodle appear coarse. Unfortunately, a dog whoese head seems to be joined to his body with no length of neck in between will never have the elegance essential to the Poodle.
Grooming Tips
When it comes to grooming tips for the Poodle's neck, it is hard to disguise a short neck, but to add length to one that is not fat, choose a pet pattern where the hair is clipped off both sides of the neck. The Dutch, Town & Country and Sweetheart are good choices for Poodles with sort (but not stocky) necks. If you wish to have a more simple pattern, choose the Sporting, Lamb, Desi or any pattern with hair on the back of the neck. Clip or scissor the hair short of the back of the neck; clip the throat a little lower in front, then scissor the topknot slightly higher to add height.
If the neck is short and thick, do the same, choose the Sporting, Lamb, Desi or any pattern with hair on the back of the neck. Clip or scissor the hair short on the back of the neck, clip the throat a little lower in front and then, if you can, shape the topknot slightly higher to add height, instead of emphasizing the fact that the dog has a short, stocky neck.
To make a very long neck look shorter and more balanced, choose pet pattern where the hair remains on the back of the neck instead of clipping the neck completely and calling attention to it. Clips like the Lamb, Miami, Desi and others are fine for Poodles with overly long necks. Leave the hair longer on the back of the neck, blend this hair with scissors, from the topline up to the topknot, to give the appearance of a properly proportioned neck. If you must use a style where the throat and back of the neck are clipped, shape the topknot into a V that extends into the center of the neck.
The Body
The most important point to remember is that the Poodle's body should be compact. Depth of chest is best judged from a side view of the Poodle. The brisket (sternum) line should be almost even with the elbows. Use your hands to feel the rib spring. The correct rib cage, illustrated in the official breed standard, is similar to that of an over-tuned rowboat, not barrel-like or slab sides. The back should be as short and as level as possible. If you run your hand from the shoulder to the base of the tail, other than a slight hollow just behind the withers, you should feel no bumps or indentations. The loins (the area between the end of the rib cage and the hips) should be short, broad and powerful. Hipbones should not protrude and should be level with the spine. The croup should be level. When the hindquarters slope too sharply, it gives the Poodle a low tail set and swings the rear framework under the body. Faults are long back, a roach back which is usually accompanied by a low tail set, a swayback, which often causes the tail to curl over the back, a shallow chest and flat ribs.
Grooming Tips for the Body
Unfortunately, pets with long bodies, especially those with very short legs, will never have the needed elegant look essential to the Poodle. They will look best in styles that make the body appear shorter. The Chicago Dutch, Desi, Y, Swirl and Sweetheart clips are good choices for long bodied dogs.
Other ways to camouflage a long body are to leave slightly more hair on the back of the front legs and the front of the back legs, to shorten the hair on the front of the chest and the back of the hindquarters, and to leave slightly more hair on the top of the back and less hair on the chest.
Pet Poodles with short bodies and very long legs look best in patterns that make the body appear longer. The Dutch and Town & Country are good choices for short-bodied dogs. When scissoring, follow the natural contour of the body, rounding the hair over the ribs and hindquarters. If the Poodle has a shallow or flat chest, gradually increase the length of hair over the ribs and under the chest.
The topline should be level from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail (with the exception of the slight hollow just behind the shoulders). If your dog has a roach back, choose the Puppy, Sporting, Lamb, Desi or similar clip. Leave extra "fill in" hair on top, and scissor the hair accordingly to make the topline appear level, instead of a pattern like the Dutch or Sweetheart that would call attention to this fault.
The tail should be set high at the end of the backbone. Faults include low-set tail, a tail that curls up and is carried more or less forward over the back (squirrel tail) as on the Bichon Frise.
Continued...
Grooming Tips for Head Conformation
How you handle a Poodle's topknot depends on whether your dog is a pet or show dog. On show dogs, the long hair on the top of the head is left full and secured with latex bands to form the topknot. Once the air is banded, the topknot is blended into the neck hair and then shaped with shears for balance and symmetry
On all pet clips, the Poodle's topknot is shaped round and full with scissors. It should never be wedge shaped, broad or flat or cut back above the eyes.
The EarsThe top of the ears should be set on a line level with the corners of the eyes or slightly lower, but never higher. The hair on the ears is called the feathering (Click here for the Poodle Area Glossary). The ear itself is called the leather. Poodle ear leathers are wide and almost fan shaped. They should hang close to the head and ideally almost reach the nose when pulled forward. Faults are short or high-set ears placed too far back on the head and "flying ears". With flying ears, the leathers are short, set horizontally, and almost stand out from the head.
Grooming Tips for Poodle Ears
When you are shaping the head on all pet styles, as you scissor across the top of each ear, if the ears are set properly )on a line level with the corner of the eyes), you want to create a definite separation between topknot and ears to outline the bottom of the topknot. After the topknot has been shaped, comb through the ear feathering, then round the bottoms slightly with shears to remove any straggly ends. On short or high set ears, always let the feathering grow as long as possible. Instead of scissoring a definite separation between the ears and the topknot, blend the feathering into the topknot hair to create a soft look and help disguise these faults Never clip short or high set ears!
The Muzzle or Foreface
Ideally the distance from the ear to the corner of the eye should be almost the same as the distance from the eye to the end of the muzzle. "Chiseling" is the very slight molding or indentation under the eyes. "Snipiness" means the lack of sufficient chin or underjaw. When you look at a "snipy" Poodle in profile, you see a pointed muzzle lacking breadth and depth with little, if any underjaw. "Lippiness" means a pendulous or heavy upper lip (common no the Spaniel breeds) which hangs over the lower lip.
A scissor bite (The AKC Poodle standard) is one in which the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors. A slightly undershot or overshot bite is no basis to reject a Poodle as a pet, but both are disqualifications for show dogs. No show Poodle will win with either an undershot both (the font teeth or incisors of the lower jaw overlap or project beyond the front teeth of the upper jaw) or an overshot bit (the incisors of the upper jaw project beyond the incisors of the lower jaw, not touching the front teeth of the lower jaw, resulting in a space between the inner and outer surfaces). A wry mouth is defined as an asymmetrical alignment of upper and lower jaws or a cross bite.
Grooming Tips for the Poodle's FaceClipping the Poodle's face adds length to the face, whereas a mustache shortens the face. Mustaches on Poodles are not as popular today as they were in the past, but they can be helpful in concealing mouth problems. A Poodle with large round eyes or one with a snipy muzzle, a wry mouth or protruding teeth will look better with a mustache. Just leaving a tuft of hair around the mouth ( to be finished in a donut - style mustache) softens and takes the attention away from his unattractive foreface. Always keep the moustache close to the nose and away from the corners of the mouth to make it look neat, especially when the mouth is open.
The Neck
The neck should be well-arched, strong and in balance with the head and body. There should not be any loose flaps of skin at the throat. A long neck carries an aristocratic high head and presents it for all to see. A long neck is not only part of proportion and symmetry of the dog, it seems to give this symmetry a focus and dimension. A short, thick neck makes a Poodle appear coarse. Unfortunately, a dog whoese head seems to be joined to his body with no length of neck in between will never have the elegance essential to the Poodle.
Grooming Tips
When it comes to grooming tips for the Poodle's neck, it is hard to disguise a short neck, but to add length to one that is not fat, choose a pet pattern where the hair is clipped off both sides of the neck. The Dutch, Town & Country and Sweetheart are good choices for Poodles with sort (but not stocky) necks. If you wish to have a more simple pattern, choose the Sporting, Lamb, Desi or any pattern with hair on the back of the neck. Clip or scissor the hair short of the back of the neck; clip the throat a little lower in front, then scissor the topknot slightly higher to add height.
If the neck is short and thick, do the same, choose the Sporting, Lamb, Desi or any pattern with hair on the back of the neck. Clip or scissor the hair short on the back of the neck, clip the throat a little lower in front and then, if you can, shape the topknot slightly higher to add height, instead of emphasizing the fact that the dog has a short, stocky neck.
To make a very long neck look shorter and more balanced, choose pet pattern where the hair remains on the back of the neck instead of clipping the neck completely and calling attention to it. Clips like the Lamb, Miami, Desi and others are fine for Poodles with overly long necks. Leave the hair longer on the back of the neck, blend this hair with scissors, from the topline up to the topknot, to give the appearance of a properly proportioned neck. If you must use a style where the throat and back of the neck are clipped, shape the topknot into a V that extends into the center of the neck.
The BodyThe most important point to remember is that the Poodle's body should be compact. Depth of chest is best judged from a side view of the Poodle. The brisket (sternum) line should be almost even with the elbows. Use your hands to feel the rib spring. The correct rib cage, illustrated in the official breed standard, is similar to that of an over-tuned rowboat, not barrel-like or slab sides. The back should be as short and as level as possible. If you run your hand from the shoulder to the base of the tail, other than a slight hollow just behind the withers, you should feel no bumps or indentations. The loins (the area between the end of the rib cage and the hips) should be short, broad and powerful. Hipbones should not protrude and should be level with the spine. The croup should be level. When the hindquarters slope too sharply, it gives the Poodle a low tail set and swings the rear framework under the body. Faults are long back, a roach back which is usually accompanied by a low tail set, a swayback, which often causes the tail to curl over the back, a shallow chest and flat ribs.
Grooming Tips for the Body
Unfortunately, pets with long bodies, especially those with very short legs, will never have the needed elegant look essential to the Poodle. They will look best in styles that make the body appear shorter. The Chicago Dutch, Desi, Y, Swirl and Sweetheart clips are good choices for long bodied dogs.
Other ways to camouflage a long body are to leave slightly more hair on the back of the front legs and the front of the back legs, to shorten the hair on the front of the chest and the back of the hindquarters, and to leave slightly more hair on the top of the back and less hair on the chest.
Pet Poodles with short bodies and very long legs look best in patterns that make the body appear longer. The Dutch and Town & Country are good choices for short-bodied dogs. When scissoring, follow the natural contour of the body, rounding the hair over the ribs and hindquarters. If the Poodle has a shallow or flat chest, gradually increase the length of hair over the ribs and under the chest.
The topline should be level from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail (with the exception of the slight hollow just behind the shoulders). If your dog has a roach back, choose the Puppy, Sporting, Lamb, Desi or similar clip. Leave extra "fill in" hair on top, and scissor the hair accordingly to make the topline appear level, instead of a pattern like the Dutch or Sweetheart that would call attention to this fault.
The tail should be set high at the end of the backbone. Faults include low-set tail, a tail that curls up and is carried more or less forward over the back (squirrel tail) as on the Bichon Frise.
Continued...
More Information
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22 Emotional and Behavior Issues with the Poodle - Understand & Help
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35 Poodle Issues EVERY owner must know
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Breeding for Color, Explanation of Color Genes, Photos of ALL Poodle colors and types
- Caring for your Poodle...Newborn, Puppy, Adolescent, Adult AND Senior care
- Grooming BOTH pet & show Poodles
- Understanding clippings and the important, detailed elements of baths, drying, wrapping, topknots and MORE
- Pregnancy Must-Knows
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Detailed Training for Commands and Behavior
- And Much More is inside of the Giant AllPoodleInfo Book – Click to Learn More
