General Appearance: The toy poodle is a smaller version of the regular poodle, and is a so-called "toy poodle" due to its smaller stature. Poodles taller than 10 inches are disqualified from being toy poodles.

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Proportion and Symmetry: The length of the body measured from the breastbone to the point of the rump approximates the height from the highest point of the shoulders to the ground.

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Substance: The toy poodle's maximum height is 10 inches, and weighs 4 to 6 pounds. The average lifespan of a toy poodle is 10 to 18 years.

 

Head: Ears hanging close to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide, and thickly feathered; however, the ear fringe should not be of excessive length. Skull moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as the length of muzzle. Muzzle is long, straight, and fine, with slight chiseling under the eyes. Strong without lippiness. The chin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Major fault: lack of chin.

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Body: The chest is deep and moderately wide with well-sprung ribs. The loin is short, broad, and muscular. (c) Tail straight, set on high and carried up, docked of sufficient length to insure a balanced outline.

 

Forequarters: Strong, smoothly muscled shoulders. The shoulder blade is well laid back and approximately the same length as the upper foreleg. The forelegs are straight and parallel when viewed from the front. The feet are rather small, oval in shape with toes well arched and cushioned on thick firm pads. 

 

Coat: The hair is curly, wiry, and dense, and this unique texture can be trimmed, clipped, groomed, shaved, and otherwise manipulated into all kinds of fanciful shapes.

 

Color: The coat comes in many colors, including blue, black, white, gray, silver, brown, café-au-lait, apricot, and cream.

 

Gait: A straightforward trot with light springy action and strong hindquarters drive. Head and tail carried up.

 

Temperament: Very active, intelligent, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself.