General Appearance 
The Standard Poodle is a medium-sized, squarely built dog with a distinctive harsh curly coat that  may be presented in several traditional Poodle clips or corded. The ears are long, drop, and densely feathered. The tail is normally docked, set high and carried erect. The length of the body (sternum to point of buttocks) is equal to the height (withers to ground).

The Standard Poodle carried himself with an air of dignity and pride and should be evaluated as a working gun dog. Exaggerations or faults should be penalised in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.


Characteristics 
One of  the Standard Poodle’s most readily identifiable characteristics is its harsh, dense cost, which is presented in various traditional trims or, less frequently, corded. Another essential characteristic is proper temperament. The breed is noted for its high intelligence and trainability, while Poodles are wary of strangers, they require human companionship and do not do well without regular, close interaction with family members. Because of their great intelligence and the joy they take in human companionship, Poodles excel in performance events of all sorts. 
They are extremely affectionate with children.


Head 
The head is proportionate to the size of the dog. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are roughly parallel to one another and joined by a slight but definite stop. 

Skull 
The skull is long and moderately rounded on top. Cheeks are clean and flat. 

Muzzle 
In profile, the muzzle is straight and roughly equal in length to the skull, measured from stop to occiput. The muzzle is fine with a slight chiselling under the eyes but with sufficient depth of underjaw to prevent snippiness. Lips are tight with black or liver pigment appropriate to coat colour. 

Serious faults: Lip pigment incomplete or of the wrong colour for colour of coat; 
weak underjaw. 

Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect, regular complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. A full set of 42 teeth is desirable.

Nose 
Nose leather is black or liver, depending on coat colour. 

Serious faults: Nose pigment incomplete or of wrong colour for colour of coat. 

Eyes 
Eyes are oval in shape and set sufficiently wide apart to give an alert, intelligent expression. Eye and eye rim colours are black or liver, depending on coat colour. 

Serious faults: Round, 
protruding, large or very light eyes; eye and eye rim colours wrong for colour of coat; eye rim pigment incomplete. 

Ears 
Ears are drop with long, wide, densely feathered ear leather; ears are set at or slightly below eye level and hang close to the head. Fault: Excessively long ear fringe 

Neck 
The neck is of sufficient length and strength to permit the head to be carried high when standing or moving. The neck blends smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. The skin on the neck and throat is tight.

Forequarters 
Shoulders are smoothly muscled. The shoulder blades are long and well laid back. The upper arm appears to be equal in length of the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle. 
Elbows are close to the body. The forelegs are straight with bone and muscle proportionate to the size of the dog. Pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are parallel. Viewed from the side, the point of the elbow is directly below the withers.

Body 
A properly proportioned Standard Poodle is square, with a length of body (measured from prosternum to point of buttocks equal to height)  measured from the withers to the ground. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is just slightly longer than half the dog’s height. The line of the back drops off almost imperceptibly behind the withers 
and is then level. The loin in short, broad and muscular with moderate tuck-up. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung out from the spine, then curving down and inward to form a deep body. The brisket extends to the below. Viewed from the front, the chest is well filled and moderately wide. 

Hindquarters 
Hindquarters are muscular and with broad second thighs. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. The stifles are well bent and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground and, viewed from the rear, parallel with each other. In profile, the croup is nearly flat.


Feet 
Good feet are essential for a working gun dog. The feet are relatively small, oval in shape and compact with well-arched toes and thick, elastic pads. Feet do not turn in or out. Nails are short and dark or self-coloured, depending on coat colour. Dewclaws may be removed. 

Serious fault: Thin pads, splayfoot.


Tail 
The tail is straight, set high and normally docked to a length proportionate to the size of the dog. Whether standing or moving, the tail is carried erect. Serious Faults: 

Low tail set, tail  curried or carried over the back.


Coat 
The Standard Poodle has harsh, dense, curly coat. For conformation exhibition, the coat may be presented naturally, corded, or in one of the traditional clips described below.

Corded 
The cords are tight and of even diameter but varying lengths. Cords may be longer than the mane, body coat, head and ears, shorted on puffs, bracelets and pompons. 
Clips in all of the traditional clips described below, the hair on the top skull may be left free or held in place by elastic bands, which may not be used elsewhere in the coat. 

Puppy 
The coat is long with the face, throat, feet and base of the tail shaved. A pompon shall be left on the end of the tail. The coat may be shaped to give a neat appearance. 

English Saddle 
The face, throat, feet, forelegs and base of tail are shaved, leaving puffs on the forelegs and a pompon on end of tail. The hindquarters are covered with a short blanket of hair except for a curved shaved area on each flank. Each rear leg is circled by two shaved bands, one just above 
the stifle and one just above the hock joint. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped or balanced. 

Continental 
Face, throat, feet and base of tail are shaved. Hindquarters are shaved with pompons on the hips optional. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. Legs are shaved leaving bracelets on the rear legs and puffs on the forelegs. A portion of the foreleg is shaved above the puff. The rest of the body is left in full coat but may be shaped for balance. 

Sporting 
Face, feet, throat and base of tail are shaved. There is a pompon on the end of the tail. Coat on the top of the head is scissor into a cap. The rest of the body and legs are trimmed following the outline of the dog. The body coat shall be no longer than 1 inch in length. Leg hair may be slightly longer. 

Colour 
Coat colour is solid and even. Clear colours are preferred by natural variations in the shading of the coat are not to be considered a fault. The following are approved coat, eye, and pigment and nail colours:

Apricot, black, blue, cream, grey, silver and white with very dark eyes; black noses, eye rims and lips; and black or self-coloured nails.

All shades of brown with dark amber eyes; liver noses, eye rims and lips; and dark nails. 
Apricot Standard Poodles may have this combination of eye, pigment and nail colour as well but is not desirable, Disqualification; Part-coloured dog.


Height & Weight 
Over 15 inches, measured at the withers. Disqualification: 15 inches or under.


Gait 
When trotting, the gait if effortless, smooth, powerful and well co-ordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. Action is light and springy with head and tail carried up. 
Poor movement should be penalised to the degree that it reduces the Standard Poodle’s ability to perform the tasks it was bred to do.

Disqualifications 

Unilateral or bilateral crypt orchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. 
Albinism, Parti-color. 15 inches or under in height