Moyen Poodle vs Standard Poodle: A Comprehensive Comparison Guide

The Moyen Poodle and Standard Poodle are two of the most recognizable and beloved Poodle varieties. The Moyen Poodle, also known as the Medium Poodle, typically stands between 15 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder.

In terms of grooming, both Poodle varieties require regular maintenance to prevent matting and tangling of their fur. However, the Moyen Poodle has a slightly shorter coat than the Standard Poodle, making it a bit easier to manage.

The Standard Poodle, on the other hand, is the largest of the Poodle varieties, standing between 18 and 23 inches tall at the shoulder. This larger size requires more food and exercise to maintain a healthy weight and prevent joint issues.

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Moyen poodles are sturdily built with a rectangular body shape, making them perfect for lapdogs and adventurous activities alike.

They come in all the same colors and patterns as Standard and Miniature Poodles, including black, white, cream, silver, gray, brown, apricot, and red.

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Their coats are curly or corded and grow continually with little shedding, requiring regular haircuts to keep them neat.

Moyen poodles have a "leggy" appearance with a springy gait and square features, similar to Standard Poodles.

Their floppy ears and long muzzle are characteristic features of both breeds.

Here's a comparison of their notable features:

Both Moyen and Standard Poodles have a "leggy" appearance, with the main difference being their height.

The coat and grooming needs of Moyen and Standard Poodles are quite similar, but also have some key differences.

Both Moyen and Standard Poodles have wavy or curly hair as puppies, but it becomes coarser and tighter as they mature, usually around 9-16 months.

Their coats never stop growing, so daily brushing is essential to prevent matting.

It's also crucial to bring them to the groomer every 6-8 weeks for a haircut.

Standard Poodles require more grooming than Miniature or Toy Poodles due to their larger size.

For more insights, see: How to Groom a Standard Poodle

All Poodles, regardless of size, require daily brushing and regular visits to a professional groomer.

Their hypoallergenic features make them a great choice for people with allergies, as they shed little and have a lower chance of causing allergies.

Regular grooming not only keeps their coat healthy, but also prevents matting and tangling.

The Moyen Poodle is generally between 15–20 inches tall, making it a great choice for people who live in smaller apartments. They're often better suited for these spaces due to their smaller size.

Standard Poodles, on the other hand, can be as high as 24 inches tall and weigh between 45–70 pounds. This makes them a bit too large for apartment living.

In the United States, the Moyen Poodle is recognized as a small Standard Poodle, which can be a bit confusing. However, in Europe, the Moyen Poodle is a recognized breed in its own right.

Here's a comparison of the sizes of Moyen and Standard Poodles:

Moyen Poodles can adapt well to apartment living due to their medium size and intelligence. With sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, they can thrive in smaller living spaces.

Moyen Poodles and Standard Poodles can be prone to specific health issues. Regular veterinary check-ups and proper nutrition and exercise can help prevent or manage these issues.

Some common health problems that poodles may face include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, epilepsy, and progressive retinal atrophy.

Poodles are also susceptible to ear infections, especially those that enjoy swimming. This is because a Poodle's floppy ears reduce airflow to the inner ear, making it a breeding ground for bacteria.

Annual vet checkups can help reduce the chances of one of these breed-related ailments impacting your Moyen or Standard Poodle.

Here are some of the most common health problems that Moyen and Standard Poodles experience:

Both Moyen and Standard Poodles have a lifespan of 12 – 15 years. However, there's a higher chance that a Moyen Poodle will live longer than the Standard Poodle.

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Temperament-wise, Moyen and Standard Poodles are highly intelligent and love to learn, which makes them a joy to be around. They're fiercely loyal to their owners, but this can sometimes lead to separation anxiety.

Moyen and Standard Poodles thrive off of making their owners happy, and they're highly intelligent, which makes them a pleasure to train. They love a good challenge, and training them is fun and easy, even for those without prior dog training experience.

These larger Poodle varieties have a bigger bone structure, making them ideal for families with younger children. They have a lot of energy, especially when they're young, so it's essential to let them run around outside before starting their training session.

Broaden your view: Training a Standard Poodle

Poodles are highly intelligent dogs that love to learn. They thrive on mental stimulation and can get bored if left without engaging activities.

Their loyalty to their owners can be a blessing, but it can also lead to separation anxiety when they're away from their family.

Moyen and Standard Poodles are ideal for families with younger children due to their bigger bone structure, which can withstand rough play.

These dogs are naturally protective of their loved ones, but with proper socialization, they can learn to interact well with strangers.

Their intelligence and trainability make them a joy to work with, especially for owners who enjoy interactive training sessions.

Moyen and Standard Poodles are highly intelligent and love to learn, making training a fun and easy process even for inexperienced owners.

They thrive off making their owners happy and love a good challenge, so training sessions should be engaging and increasingly difficult to keep them interested.

Moyen and Standard Poodles have a lot of energy, especially when they're young, so it's essential to let them run around outside before starting their training session.

Regular exercise, including daily walks and playtime, is crucial to burn off excess energy and prevent boredom.

Standard Poodles require regular grooming, including brushing and clipping, to keep their coats in good condition.

Moyen and Standard Poodles are ideal for younger children due to their bigger bone structure, which can better withstand a child playing with them.

Training should involve positive reinforcement methods, as Standard Poodles respond well to them.

Separation anxiety is a common issue in Moyen and Standard Poodles, so it's essential to provide them with plenty of attention and interaction when you're home.

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First Generation Moyens can be a bit of a mystery, but now you know that they're usually the result of breeding a Miniature with a Standard, which can lead to some variation in size among the pups.

The Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) for first-generation Moyens is zero, which is great because it means the Poodle Club of America's recommendation of keeping the COI to 5% or under to promote genetic diversity and overall health in the breed is met.

Regular veterinary check-ups, maintaining a healthy diet, providing regular exercise, and staying up-to-date on vaccinations and preventive care can help ensure your Moyen Poodle stays healthy.

Standard Poodles are quite large and require a lot of space to thrive, making them unsuitable for apartment living.

If you live in Europe, you may have more options when it comes to Poodle size, as the Moyen Poodle is officially recognized in this region.

In the United States, however, Moyen Poodles are technically considered Standard Poodles due to their size.

Here are some key differences between Standard and Moyen Poodles to consider:

If you're thinking of bringing a Poodle into your life, the first thing to consider is size. Standard Poodles are quite large and require a lot of space to thrive.

They're not apartment dogs, so if you live in a small space, a Standard Poodle might not be the best fit.

On the other hand, Moyen Poodles are slightly smaller, but they're mostly only found in Europe, where this size is officially recognized.

In the United States, Moyen Poodles technically fall into the Standard Poodle category, so you may need to look harder to find one.

If you're interested in a Moyen Poodle, you might need to travel to Europe to find one, or look for breeders who specialize in this size.

Poodles come in three different sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Each size has unique characteristics.

The American Kennel Club's (AKC) classification of Poodles is the most widely recognized. Poodles are classified into three sizes: Standards, Miniatures, and Toys.

As you consider bringing a Poodle into your life, remember that they're loving, intelligent, and always ready to please you.

Their size is a key factor to consider, with Moyen and Standard Poodles being the two main varieties. The Moyen Poodle is likely a better fit for smaller spaces.

Ultimately, the right Poodle for you will depend on your lifestyle and living situation.