examination, if you have disturbed the grooming, take a second and put it back the way it
was. Your exhibitors will appreciate your concern for their efforts to present their Poodle as
well groomed as possible.
A note on checking feet when examining them on the table: sometimes they will not
"make a foot." on the table. If I think the foot is flat or splayed, I will check for this again
when they come back to me after gaiting. The feet are rather small, oval in shape with
toes well arched and cushioned on thick firm pads.
Our clips are "traditional." Learning the clips (trims) can be challenging; the breed
Standard and our Illustrated Study of the Poodle Breed Standard covers it quite well. You
must be comfortable with the grooming; it is part our breed history. We have
disqualifications for incorrect clips one of which concern the age of the Poodle. Poodles 12
months or over must be shown in the "English Saddle" or Continental" clip. Which means
as a judge, you must ask the age (from the steward) of any Poodle that is presented in
Puppy Trim, entered in any class other then 6-12 month class. The Poodle must be in adult
trim after one year of age, but may be shown in adult trim as a puppy. The puppy clip
states: in order to give a neat appearance and a smooth unbroken line, shaping of the
coat is permissible. There has been a tendency with grooming to present the puppy with
what appears to be a definite scissored line, which resembles the start of an English
Saddle. This is not correct.
Color is covered in our Standard; The coat is an even and solid color at the skin. Shading of
solid colors is allowed. The clearing or various shades of silver, blues, browns, apricots and
creams is acceptable. Silver and the various shades of gray are born black and clear
slowly. As puppies they will show the true color at the skin (all over) but may have the
remains of the dark birth color at the tips of their body coat and ears. Colors such as
brown and apricot tend to lighten with age. The feathering on the ears may be darker.
Creams also may have shading on the ears. On the lighter colored dogs, when injured the
hair may come in at a darker shade and then clear to the color of the rest of the coat. The
Phantom markings (Black and Tan markings such as Dobermans, Black and Tan
Coonhounds, etc.) are not acceptable; they are a disqualification. This coloration may
appear as black and tan, brown and tan, silver and tan, and the tan may be so light as to
appear creamy or white. Parti-colored, two or more distinct colors is a disqualification also.
When accepting the responsibility of judging Poodles you must be comfortable with all
three varieties. If you are aspiring to judge the Poodle I would recommend that you attend
the Poodle Club of America National held in Upper Marlboro, MD. Judges Education is held
yearly. We feel it is the most beautiful and comfortable show for all concerned that is held
in this country. The "Cream Of The Crop" is always in attendance and vying for top
honors---For information please contact me: Doris Cozart, Poodle Club of
America, Judges Education, 6162 Highland Drive, Kaufman, Texas 75142. email
dgcozart@msn.com. Italics: quotes from the Poodle Standard
Letter from the Poodle Club of America, Inc.
Subject: the color of a Poodle's coat
Since the early 1990's, published standards for the Poodle have stated-color: all white, all
black, all blue, etc. From that time forward all the approved AKC Standard have stated
that the Poodle is a one colored animal.
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