Moyen Poodle: Care Guide, Pictures, Info & FAQ
By Kit Copson
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The Poodle is one of the most iconic dog breeds in the world, conjuring up images of elegance and nobility while giving off an air of Parisian charm. In the U.S., the American Kennel Club officially recognizes three Poodle varieties—standard, miniature, and toy, but there’s actually a fourth type which is called “Moyen”.
‘Moyen” translates to “medium” in French, so Moyen Poodles are somewhere between the Miniature Poodle and Standard Poodle in size. In Germany, the Moyen Poodle is known as a “Klein” poodle.
In this post, we’ll explore the history of Moyen Poodles and share some unique Moyen Poodle facts.
The Earliest Records of Moyen Poodles in History
Poodles originated in Germany where they were bred to hunt waterfowl and retrieve them from water—hence why Poodles are today known for being excellent swimmers and retrievers. The breed dates back more than 400 years and their ancestors could either be Barbets or various European water dogs.
Poodles get their infamous coat style from the way they were shaved back when they were commonly used as hunting dogs. The shaved legs, tail, and neck served to help the Poodle navigate through water easily while the still-coated leg joints, hips, and chest protected them from the cold.
Poodles got their name from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin”, which translates to “to splash in the water”.
How Moyen Poodles Gained Popularity
Poodles became popular with the French nobility and their unique appearance meant they were often sought after as circus dogs in Europe. Their beauty, distinctive coat style, and intelligence made them ideal for this purpose as they were quick to learn and catch the attention of circus-goers. They were also used to sniff out truffles—a job they’re still sometimes given today.
Poodles first came to the United States sometime in the 19th century and the Toy Poodle was bred there in the 20th century. They became very popular in the U.S. in mid 20th century. Famous Poodle owners have included Elvis Presley, Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe.
The Poodle’s trainability, friendliness, and playfulness make them one of the most popular dog breeds today. In 2021, they were ranked number five on the AKC’s most popular dogs list.
Formal Recognition of Moyen Poodles
The American Kennel Club considers Moyen Poodles to be standard Poodles and registers Moyens as such. The AKC first recognized the Poodle in 1887, but the British Kennel Club first registered a Poodle even earlier, in 1874.
The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) first recognized Poodles in 1936. In French, Poodles are referred to as “Caniche”, which is a reference to their history as duck-hunting dogs. Unlike in the U.S. and U.K., the FCI recognizes all four Poodle size varieties—Standard, Moyen (medium), Miniature, and Toy.
The Poodle falls into the AKC’s “non-sporting” category, the Kennel Club’s “utility” group, and the FCI’s “companion and toy dogs” category.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Moyen Poodles
1. Moyen Poodles Are the Result of Intervariety Breeding
First-generation Moyen Poodles usually come about as the result of inter-variety breeding between a Standard Poodle and a Miniature Poodle. The result will be a litter of Poodle puppies in various sizes. It can take around four generations from this point to breed “true” Moyens.
All said and done, whether a Poodle is standard, medium-sized, miniature, or toy, they’re all still Poodles—not crossbreeds.
2. The Poodle Is France’s National Dog
Poodles have been incredibly popular in France for centuries and the breed is today the country’s national dog. This often leads people to believe that Poodles originated in France when they in fact originated in Germany.
3. The Poodle Is Highly Intelligent
Poodles are known for being one of the world’s smartest dog breeds along with Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. Their high intelligence makes them typically very easy to train.
Does a Moyen Poodle Make a Good Pet?
Poodles in all shapes and sizes make great companion dogs as long as they’ve been socialized properly. They’re typically good with children and other dogs and are playful, whip-smart, affectionate, and full of energy.
It’s worth bearing in mind that Poodles are considered to be quite a vocal breed which means they’re more responsive to potential barking triggers like sounds, feeling stressed, or being left alone. Excessive barking can be minimized with proper training, though. Their intelligence can make them especially prone to boredom, too, so they need plenty of mental stimulation.
In terms of grooming, Poodles need to be brushed and combed daily to keep their coats in good condition since they’re prone to matting and tangling. Like other breeds, it’s important to brush or get their teeth brushed, check their ears regularly, and trim their toenails regularly to prevent overgrowth.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, Moyen Poodles are the fourth Poodle size—a variety recognized by the FCI but not the AKC, which registers Moyens as Standard Poodles. Poodles of all size varieties make excellent family dogs due to their fun, friendly personalities, and high intelligence, but they do require a lot of mental and physical stimulation and daily brushing sessions.
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Featured Image Credit: Lisjatina, Shutterstock
