Poodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard
Poodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard, the Poodle Head and Skull

4th Edition 2023 by G J Ross.
Copyright © 2001-, G J Ross and J K McMahon
Poodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard

 

BREED STANDARD
 HEAD and SKULL

Long and fine 1 with slight peak 2 at the back. Skull not broad and with a moderate stop 3. Foreface strong and well chiselled, not falling away under the eyes 4; bones and muscle flat. Lips tight fitting 5. Chin well defined, but not protruding 6. The whole head must be in proportion to the size of the dog.


Discussion Notes:

1. The sides of the skull are lean and not a lot wider than the muzzle (as illustrated in Figure A).

The distance from the occiput to stop is approximately equal to the distance from the stop to the end of the foreface (as illustrated in Figure B).

Figure A Poodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard


2. The "slight peak" is the occiputal protuberance.

3. The stepdown from the top of the skull to the muzzle, the planes of which are almost parallel, is moderate yet quite defined (as illustrated in Figure B).

Figure BPoodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard


4. A certain amount of fill under the eyes is required; whilst the zygomatic arch is clearly defined, it should not be so pronounced that there is a distinct bulge under the eye (as illustrated in Figure C).

5. Lips (flews) should not be pendulous at all.

Figure CPoodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard


6. This "well defined chin" is required so that there is enough bone for the strength of jaw and enough room for correct teeth placement (also refer to TEETH); a defined chin precludes a snipey foreface (as illustrated in Figure D).

Figure DPoodle Head and Skull,An Illustrated Extended Discussion of the Australian Poodle Breed Standard

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