Moyen vs Standard Poodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

The Poodle is a beloved dog breed that comes in three main size varieties: toy, miniature, and standard. But there is actually a fourth, lesser-known Poodle size that falls between the miniature and standard – the Moyen Poodle. Sometimes called a Klein Poodle or Medium Poodle, the Moyen is a popular size in Europe but is still relatively rare in the United States.

So what exactly is a Moyen Poodle, and how does it compare to the Standard Poodle? Let‘s take a closer look at the origins, characteristics, and differences between these two Poodle sizes.

Poodle Size Overview

First, a quick refresher on the officially recognized Poodle size varieties according to the American Kennel Club:

Toy Poodle: Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Miniature Poodle: 10-15 inches tall
Standard Poodle: Over 15 inches tall (typically 18-24 inches)

The Moyen or Medium Poodle slots in between the Miniature and Standard sizes. While the AKC does not officially recognize the Moyen as a distinct variety, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (the world governing body of dog breeds) does include the Moyen in its Poodle breed standard. The FCI defines the Moyen size as 35-45 cm (roughly 14-18 inches) tall at the shoulder.

History of the Moyen Poodle

The Poodle breed originated in Germany, where it was developed as a water retriever and duck hunting dog. The Standard Poodle was the original size, and smaller varieties were later bred down from the larger dogs.

The Moyen size class emerged in the early 20th century, as breeders in various European countries began selectively breeding small Standard Poodles. The Moyen provided a more compact, transportable size that maintained the robustness and athleticism of the Standard Poodle.

Moyen Poodles became especially popular in France, Denmark, and the Scandinavian countries. In the 1980s, breeders in the United States began importing Moyen Poodles from Europe in an effort to establish the size on this side of the Atlantic. However, the Moyen has still not caught on to the same degree in the U.S. as it has in parts of Europe.

Size Differences

The most obvious difference between Moyen and Standard Poodles is, of course, their size. A Moyen Poodle typically stands 14-20 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 20-35 pounds. Standard Poodles, in contrast, are 18-24 inches tall (sometimes taller) and weigh 40-70 pounds. So while there is some overlap between the tallest Moyens and the shortest Standards, in general Moyen Poodles are distinctly smaller.

Within the Standard Poodle size category, there is a wide height and weight range. Some Standards are bred to be larger and heavier (up to 80+ pounds), while others are more moderately sized. The Moyen size was actually developed by selectively breeding smaller Standard Poodles, so a petite Standard may not be much bigger than a robust Moyen.

The size difference between Moyen and Standard Poodles is significant enough to affect their suitability for different living situations and owner lifestyles. Standard Poodles are best suited for homes with plenty of indoor and outdoor space for their larger frames to move around in. With their smaller size, Moyen Poodles can adapt well to apartment living as long as they still get enough daily exercise. The lower food costs and smaller crates/beds needed for Moyens can also make them more affordable to keep compared to Standards.

Grooming

Both Moyen and Standard Poodles have the same curly, dense coat that sheds very minimally but requires extensive grooming to maintain. They need regular clipping every 4-8 weeks, as well as frequent brushing and combing in between haircuts to prevent mats.

Professional grooming for a Standard Poodle will be more time consuming and expensive than for a Moyen, simply because there is more coat to work with. Products like shampoo and conditioner will also go further with a Moyen. However, don‘t expect to skimp on grooming time and effort just because a Moyen is smaller than a Standard – their coat care needs are still very high compared to the average dog.

Temperament and Training

Temperament-wise, Moyens and Standards share the same key Poodle characteristics:

Highly intelligent, trainable, and eager to please
Energetic and athletic, needing lots of physical exercise
Responsive and tuned-in to their owners
Friendly and non-aggressive, good with people and other dogs
Can be reserved or cautious around strangers
May have a tendency to bark
Strong retrieving and swimming instincts

The same training techniques and approaches work well for both sizes. Poodles are very bright and quick learners, but their cleverness means they can also become bored easily. Keeping training sessions positive, engaging, and mentally stimulating will give the best results.

While the core Poodle personality applies across the size spectrum, some owners note that Moyen Poodles can be a bit more spunky and excitable than Standards. This may relate to the Moyen‘s relatively smaller size, as very small dogs tend to be more reactive. However, proper socialization and training can help any Poodle develop a calm, stable temperament.

Health and Lifespan

Poodles are generally a healthy, long-lived breed, with an expected lifespan of 12-15+ years. The size difference between Moyens and Standards does not appear to significantly affect longevity, as both tend to fall in the 12-15 year range.

However, Standard Poodles are more prone to certain health issues compared to Moyens and other smaller Poodles:

Hip dysplasia
Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus)
Certain eye disorders like progressive retinal atrophy
Hypothyroidism
von Willebrand‘s disease (a blood clotting disorder)
Sebaceous adenitis (a skin disease)

This is not to say that Moyen Poodles are immune to genetic disorders – they can still develop conditions like luxating patellas, eye problems, and allergies. But in general, the smaller Poodle varieties tend to be somewhat hardier and longer-lived than Standard Poodles.

Ultimately, the best way to ensure a healthy Poodle of any size is to purchase from a responsible breeder who conducts thorough health testing on their breeding dogs. This greatly reduces (though doesn‘t completely eliminate) the risk of hereditary diseases being passed on to puppies.

Availability and Cost

One of the biggest practical differences between Moyen and Standard Poodles is their availability. Standard Poodles are very common in the United States, and it is not difficult to find a reputable breeder with available Standard puppies.

Moyen Poodles, on the other hand, are still quite rare in the U.S. and Canada. Only a small number of breeders are working with true Moyen lines that have been carefully bred for generations to maintain the medium size. You will likely need to search beyond your local area and be prepared to wait for the right puppy.

Because of their scarcity, Moyen Poodle puppies also tend to command higher prices than Standards from comparable breeders. Expect to pay upwards of $2000-3000 for a well-bred Moyen puppy, whereas Standard Poodle prices typically start in the $1500-2000 range.

If you are open to rescuing an adult dog, you may have better luck finding a Poodle in the Moyen size range. Some Poodle rescues do occasionally take in smaller Standards that need rehoming. However, a rescued Poodle‘s exact size and breeding background may be uncertain compared to a puppy from a known Moyen breeder.

Conclusion

The Moyen Poodle has a dedicated following among Poodle enthusiasts who appreciate its medium size, portable but still athletic build, and lively personality. For owners wanting a Poodle a few inches smaller and pounds lighter than a Standard, the Moyen can be an ideal fit.

However, Standard Poodles remain the most popular and readily available Poodle variety, especially in the United States. If you are new to Poodles, you may prefer the confidence and predictability of beginning with a Standard from a well-established breeder. Many Standards are also in the lower end of the height/weight spectrum, blurring the distinction from Moyens.

Ultimately, the best Poodle size for you depends on your individual preferences, lifestyle, and household situation. If you are torn between a Moyen and a Standard, spend time meeting dogs of both sizes, and get to know their breeders and owners. Seeing the varieties in person and hearing directly from those with experience will help guide you towards your perfect Poodle match.