On January 23 appeared a new poodle standard FCI. English version of the document may be found here. The new standard neccesity was longely discussed and expected. At the moment my feelings of that are mixed. The new changes in apricot and red colour (newly óne fawn colour) seem to look as a compromise, but I praise the effort of making the standard more precise. What’s new in? (new things are bold).
Stop
Only slightly pronounced, but can never be absent. Never seen that, but included to the standard it seems to be a more frequent problem.
Nose
In fawn (apricot/red) subjects, the nose should be black or brown according to the intensity of the fawn colour. In light fawn subjects the nose should be as dark as possible. The nose depigmentation in fawn colours of poodles is a problem. I personally dislike the pink noses, but I can admit the problem is never just black-and-white. Some dogs have depigmented noses just in no-sun period (so-called winter nose – as our Donatello has).
Jaws/Teeth
Complete scissor bite. Strong teeth.
Eyes
In light fawn subjects the eye rims should be as dark as possible.
Ears
The leather should reach – or ideally pass – the corner of the lips when pulled forward. I hope nobody will controll Charlie‘s ears, which are after Maja‘s puppy attacks two centimeters shorter both of them.
Tail
Ideally carried at a “ten past nine” compared to the topline. I preffer tails set on 12 o’clock. These tail will be never carried at “ten past nine”. One of our dogs has a little bit lower set of tail and yes – this tail is carried “ten past nine”. Does it mean that a little bit lower set is the same as set “quite high” mentioned in the standard?
Forefeet
About claws in reds and apricots: In the fawns they are brown or black; according to coat colour, as dark as possible.
Colour
The new standard recognizes 5 colours instead of 6. Apricots and reds are now one colour called fawn. Can go from pale fawn to red fawn or even be orange fawn (apricot). For light fawn subjects, all pigmentation should be as dark as possible. Sincerely, I’m curious about this news. At the moment I haven’t decided if it is a good or a bad change. Possibly it is an elegant solution for red colour which is fading. I’m not sure if it helps to not colouring the dogs for the shows.
Size and weight
I’m not sure why is this paragraph called size and weight if it is talking just about the size. The new is: The sexual dimorphism must be clearly visible in all varieties.
Severe faults
In this part there are several new things mentioned. Ears: too short (not reaching the corner of the lips). Roach or sway back. Tail set on too low. Rear angulations too straight or over-angulated. Partially depigmented nose. What to say? The over angulated dog seems to be in fashion. Especially if you look to the East. Exaggerated cases which throw out their legs a kilometer behind in movement are surely not aesthetically nice. Exaggerated things are often harmful.
Disqualifying faults
Lacks type and particularly in head, hinting notably at a mixture with another breed.
Addition to standard
Judging a Poodle in a show does not mean it is judged in a grooming contest. It is not encouraged to stimulate overgrooming one’s dog. Last year I read an interview with a president of French poodle club (if I remembred it well) and the person also mentioned that often the poodle shows appear more to grooming competitions. What to add? The poodle is made by the grooming 🙂
Authorized show clips
Finally the puppy and the scandinavian terrier clip are authorized for the show ring. Hip-hip-hurray!
In conlusion: this post is not an official interpretation of the standard. It includes mainly my first impressions of the new standard. I mainly observe just standard, so my comments are dedicated to this size. The opinion is developing with time and new experiences, possibly it could be quite different next year.