Hi,I posted a question about the size of my standard poodle pup and was asked the size of the parents.They arent huge but they are not little either.Has anyone had a standard poodle that has been tiny as a pup but caught up in size as an adult? Thanks

I have noticed that on the whole standards are smaller than they used to be.  Earlier in the year  I went over two four month old puppies which if I had bought I would probably have sold as would have been sure that they were going to be too small for showing, they were still small at 6/7 months but by the time they were 10/11 months they were plenty big enough (not as big as some but big enough to show).  There breeder advised me that this was how they would end up but I wasnt convinced until I saw them myself at 10/11 months.  A lot depends on what lines they are too as some lines develop quicker than others, most good breeders have a good idea at roughly what age their pups stop growing.  As regards to the colour question, your pup will prob end up white or cream, I have had white mins for 25 years and almost all my pups have had apricot ears to start with but they clear to white.

This is interesting as to being too small to show, as surely anything over the minature height is a standard, so unless they were under that how would they be too small?  There must be a lot of people that would actually prefer smaller standards???

Having checked the Kennel Club standard it states for size over 15 inches.  I ahve never met a Standard anywhere near as small as that all have been taller than my own breed which is around 20 inches at the shoulder.

A standard really should be a big dog as after all if anyone wanted a smaller one they could get a miniature or even a toy. As for size for showing although anything over 15 inches is officially a standard it would need to be a good bit bigger to get anywhere in the show ring, likewise although miniatures should be between 11-15 inches you would never show a 12inch miniature.  But in my opinion the majority of standards being shown now are definately a good bit smaller than when I started showing 25-30 years ago, but from a groomers point of view thats a good thing as less hair to wash, dry and trim!!!!!

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