Zaffiro Blu
            More than a dog
           

The poodle or poodle is one of the best known dogs in the world due to its elegance, intelligence and balanced character. It is characterized by being a cheerful, alert and sociable dog, extremely sensitive and accommodating of its owner.

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The breed standard according to the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) recognizes four sizes:

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- Giant

- Medium

- Dwarf: 29 to 35cm

- Toy: 24cm to 28cm

The Toy being the smallest variety, from 24cm to 28cm at the withers, for the FCI.

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FCI Standard ​​

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Standard according to the AKC (American Kennel Club)

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- Dwarf: It comprises a height of 11 inches (28cm) up to 15 inches (38cm).

- Toy: Must be 10 inches (25.4cm) or less in size. No minimum size is specified as long as it meets the breed standard.​

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Standard AKC ​

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There are poodles with a smaller size than the Toy, which are called "Mini Toy", "Tea Cup" or "Tiny Toy". They are those that are considered to have a size less than 24cm.

These puppies are born from crosses of two Toys, and not because they are smaller they are malnourished dogs, with dwarfism or serious defects, as long as they are born from two completely healthy dogs and a suitable size. 

Although it is true that this type of puppies will be disqualified in the FCI beauty shows.

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Let's remember that the standard in the US is different, and with the importation of dogs with American bloodlines, the size of the puppies can be reduced.

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RED OR APRICOT?

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Red, Apricot, Apricot, Fawn... There are countless names to define a color range in the poodle, but are there really so many colors?

If we go to what the International Cinological Federation says in the poodle standard, we will read that the colors are:

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• Black

• White

• Brown

• Gray

• Tawny

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And what exactly does it say about the color Fawn?

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The fawn should be uniform, it can go from pale fawn to reddish fawn or even orange fawn (apricot).

Basically, it is telling us that there is no distinction between red and apricot, and that they ALL have the same nomenclature for that coat color, which is "apricot".

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What if I want a red one?

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The fact that the entire range of shades is called by the same name is none other than because in the end, with age, they will all have a similar color, and this is because reds lighten, and the more intense, as a rule In general, it lightens more, having in the end the same color as the apricot (note, we do not include cream or champagne).

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Does everyone clarify?

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Yes, they all clarify, some more, others less, but ultimately, as an adult, your poodle will not have the same color that it had as a puppy or as a youngster.

As a curious fact, it must be said that some intermediate apricots darken when their hair grows out as adults and they take on the reddish color that they did not have as puppies, but later, over the years, this color will go down again. The one that was already intense reddish as a puppy, will not increase in intensity, it simply waits for it to gradually degrade the color until it reaches an intermediate apricot tone.