Along with the chihuahua and the yorkshire, the poodle or French poodle It is one of the most common small dog breeds in homes, although in this breed, apart from the small, miniature or dwarf, there are also toy, medium or standard and giant sizes.
One of the most common questions for the owners of these beautiful pets is how to tell if a poodle is pure. And it is that this beautiful race originating in Europe is characterized by great beauty, elegance, intelligence, skill, empathy and fidelity; in addition, it was one of the monarchy’s favorites for hunting and company.
Today it is one of the favorite breeds in the world, although it is also one of the most frequent and crossed, making the task of recognizing a purebred specimen somewhat more complex. In oneHOWTO we give you some keys so that you know how to identify if your poodle or poodle dog is pure, or not.
How to know if my poodle is pure – characteristics and traits
The first step to identify a pure poodle is to pay attention to their physical characteristics. At three months of age these characteristics begin to be defined very well, and they are already indicating the purity of the breed or if it is a mixed dog of this breed with another or several.
There is a set of specific traits common to this beautiful breed, without distinction between the different varieties that a poodle has regarding size. The only different trait between the giant poodle, the standard or medium poodle, the small, miniature or dwarf poodle, and the toy poodle is size. These are the traits of a pure poodle:
- Height and weight: French poodles have a square constitution, that is, they measure the same from the withers to the ground as from the point of the chest or sternum to the rump. The giant poodle can measure from 35 cm to 48 cm and weigh between 20 kg and 30 kg. The miniature or small poodle measures from 28 cm to 35 cm and weighs between 5 kg and 8 kg. Finally, the toy poodle is the smallest, as it can measure between 24 cm and 28 cm and weigh between 2 kg and 4 kg. Keep in mind that the dorsal line should be parallel to the ground and one of its most notable features is a slight indentation behind the ribs, which defines its waist and makes its chest deep, while the tail is long and hairy.
- Skull: This should be a little rounded and with a slight but defined stop between the head and the muzzle, while the latter is long and straight and has a chiseled under the eyes.
- Eyes: They should be dark and oval in shape. They should also be separate and show an expression of alertness and liveliness.
- Ears: They should hang at or slightly below eye level. They must be short, because if they are long they are no longer purebred, but rather a mixture.
- Neck: This area has to be proportional, since the poodle stands out for having a strong and long neck.
- Fur: Pure poddoles have two layers of fur that are made up of two types of hair. The outer layer is thick, curly and wavy, while the inner layer is softer and has a texture similar to that of wool, in order to provide warmth. As for puppies, their fur is softer and has little waviness (in some cases it is even nil), but as they grow into adults it becomes thick and curly. A very important trait that helps to know if a poodle is pure is that this breed gives off little odor and barely shed hair, which makes it a good option for allergy sufferers, as it is among the hypoallergenic dog breeds. However, its fur is constantly growing and, therefore, it must be cut regularly. In this other oneHOWTO article we talk about How to cut the hair of a Poodle or French Poodle.
- Colour: the purity of color is directly associated with the breed and for this the colors are recognized white, black, gray or brown (apricot), although there are those who admit shades of cream color, through apricot and even variations of gray. Now, it is also important to note that puppies are darker in color than they will be when they grow up.
The pedigree, another way to know the purity of a poodle
Everything we have told you so far may not remove you from doubts about whether your poodle is pure or not. You can also consult with an expert, such as a official breeder or a veterinarian. Thanks to their experience and extensive knowledge, they can identify with the naked eye if the poodle is purebred or not. Still, there is another way to know the purity of your race.
Its about Pedigree or Pedigree, which is a document that formally certifies that a dog is purebred based on the record of your ancestry. It consists of a table that records the line of ancestry and is a test of all the characteristics of the race of your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents.
This certificate is issued by authorized institutions, like the FCI, as an unquestionable proof of the purity of the dog and must contain the information regarding the name of the herd book, the date of registration, the date of birth, the name of the dog, its breed, the specific variety ( for example, according to the size or type of hair), sex, color and other elements about the dog and its lineage. You must also include the vaccination card.
Enjoy your purebred or mongrel poodle
The poodle or french poodle, in addition to being very pretty, is an intelligent dog, very skilled, with a good temperament and a powerful emotional intuition. Therefore, they are the best companions for everyone, from small children to the elderly. All this makes these dogs a great option as an animal companion for a home.
To identify a pure poodle you just have to pay attention to each of the physical characteristics that define the poodle or french poodle breed and that we have commented and look for them in your furry friend. Even better if you do it with the help and advice of a professional. Or as you have seen, if you have bought your dog from a breeder or a store, simply request the pedigree.
From unCOMO we hope we have helped you learn to identify if your poodle is pure, or not. However, we want to emphasize that outside of the legal breeding of purebred dogs and beauty contests, purity doesn’t matter, because any dog can bring joy to a home and be part of the family, whether of breed or not.
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