Moyen Poodle, often known as Medium Poodle or Klein Poodle, is one of the four Poodle breed sizes. In the size chart, Moyen Poodles comes in between Standard Poodles and Miniature Poodles. The term ‘Moyen’ means ‘Medium’ in French. These Medium Poodles are not mixed breeds. Instead, they are bred by breeding two Moyen Poodles or by breeding Standard Poodles with Miniature Poodles.
Moyen Poodles or Medium Poodles are happy, companion dogs with high intelligence. The elegant Moyen Poodles inherit agility and confidence from their Poodle heritage. They are great watchdogs, but they won’t suit guarding.
Table of Contents
Moyen Poodle Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Highly intelligent | Prone to Small Dog Syndrome |
Hypoallergenic | High Grooming Needs |
Moyen Poodle Basic Information
- Name: Moyen Poodle
- Height: 15 to 20 inches
- Weight: 20 to 30 pounds
- Coat: Thick, Curly, and Wiry
- Color: Black, White, Gray, Silver, Cream, Brown, Red, Apricot, Blue
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Energy: Medium to High
- Activities: Conformation Showing, Agility, Rally, Watch Dogs, Therapy Dogs
- Group: Non-Sporting Group, Gun Dog Group
- Litter Size: 3 to 7 Puppies
- Life Span: 12 to 15 years
- Other Names: Medium Poodle, Klein Poodle, Caniche, Pudle, Barbone, Chein Canne, French Poodle, Kleinpudels
- Club Recognition:
- FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
- UKC = United Kennel Club
- DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc
Standard Poodles Vs. Moyen Poodles Vs. Miniature Poodles Vs. Toy Poodles: A Comparison
Features | Standard Poodle | Moyen Poodle | Miniature Poodle | Toy Poodle |
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Origin | Germany, France | Germany, France | Germany, France | Germany, France |
Height | Over 15 inches | 15 to 20 inches | 11 to 15 inches | Below 10 inches |
Weight | 40 to 70 Pounds | 20 to 30 Pounds | 15 to 17 Pounds | 6 to 9 Pounds |
Size | Medium | Medium | Small | Very Small |
Group | Non-Sporting | Non–Sporting, Gun Dog | Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting |
Children Compatibility | High | High | High | Medium |
Family Compatibility | High | High | High | High |
Pets Compatibility | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium |
Barking Level | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
Shedding Level | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Grooming Needs | High | High | High | High |
Overall Health | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Low to Medium | Medium |
Energy | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium to High |
Exercise Needs | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium to High | Medium |
Trainability | High | High | High | High |
Activities | Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs | Conformation Showing, Agility, Rally, Watch Dogs, Therapy Dogs | Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs | Therapy Dogs, Companion Dogs |
Complication in breeding | No | No | No | No |
Life Span | 10 to 18 Years | 12 to 15 Years | 12 to 15 Years | 12 to 15 Years |
Moyen Poodle History
The origin of Poodles is unclear. Many trace the origin of Poodles to Germany and France. In Germany, Moyen Poodles are called Klein Poodles. The term ‘Klein’ means ‘low’, ‘little’ or ‘small’ in German. This breed’s name ‘Poodle’ also has a German origin. The German word ‘Pudlen’ means ‘to splash in water’. Earlier, Poodles were used for hunting and water retrieving.
Moyen Poodles are common in the USA, but they are most often put in pet homes. This is because of their unsuccessful participation in AKC show rings against Standard Poodles. However, they compete and win in UKC rings. AKC doesn’t recognize them as a distinct breed type, but Moyen Poodles are distinct in Europe. However, you can register Moyen Poodles as Standard Poodles or Miniature Poodles, depending on their size in AKC. Club Recognition and Registering in dog clubs is needed only if you plan to involve your Moyen Poodle in dog shows, dog club-sponsored events, and breeding.
Moyen Poodle Height and Weight Chart
Age (in weeks) | Height (in inches) | Weight (in pounds) |
Puppy birth – 4 weeks | Less than 7 inches | Less than 4 Pounds |
4 weeks – 8 weeks | 4 – 10 inches | 2 – 10 Pounds |
8 weeks – 16 weeks (4 months) | 7 – 13 inches | 4 – 22 Pounds |
16 weeks – 32 weeks (4-8 months) | 9 – 19 inches | 7 – 23 Pounds |
32 weeks – 52 weeks | 10 – 20 inches | 11 – 34 Pounds |
Moyen Poodle Personality
Some Moyen Poodles will be groomed to meet the standards set for show dogs. Those dogs will have the same height and length as the withers giving them a square appearance. The skull is moderately rounded, distinguished, and proportional to the body. The muscular neck is shorter than the head arched slightly after the nape.
The black or brown oval-shaped eyes are set apart. The muzzle is long and straight, with long, flat ears hanging close to the head. The tail is set high at the end of a leveled topline. The tail can be docked if you want your dog to look more balanced. The front and back legs are proportional to the dog’s size with dewclaws removed, arched toes, and oval feet.
Friendliness Overview
Affection Level | High |
Family-Friendly | High |
Kid-Friendly | High |
Pet-Friendly | Medium to High |
Strangers-Friendly | Medium to High |
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners | High |
Good for Apartment Living | High |
Sensitivity Level | Medium to High |
Tolerates being alone | Low |
Cold Tolerance | Medium |
Heat Tolerance | Medium to High |
Moyen Poodle Temperament
Moyen Poodles are an active breed with a playful attitude. Moyen Poodles thrive around their family. Medium Poodles get along well with kids, dogs, and other pets. Moyen Poodles are perfect for families with children and seniors. They are great therapy dogs and companion dogs.
As they are prone to small dog syndrome, it is essential to establish yourself as the alpha. Small dog syndrome can cause issues such as sensitivity, nervousness, and other behavioral disorders. Letting them be the pack leader might result in undesired qualities.
Moyen Poodle Training
Training a Moyen Poodle will be easy and fun. Due to their smartness and tendency to please, you can train various commands and skills to Moyen Poodles. Mental stimulation is needed to keep them engaged. Adequate socialization will encourage stable manners with children or other pets. They can be involved in various dog sports, including agility, and they excel in Obedience training.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train | High |
Intelligence | High |
Prey Drive | Low to Medium |
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite | Medium to High |
Tendency to Bark or Howl | Low to Medium |
Wanderlust Ability | Medium |
Attention/Social Needs | High |
Moyen Poodle Exercise Needs
Moyen Poodle loves to be outdoors. You can take Moyen Poodles for a walk every day. During walks, ensure that they are following you or are beside you and never let them lead. It would help if you led the walk for the dog to understand that you are the leader.
Moyen Poodles love to be in the water, and swimming can be an excellent exercise for them. They have a remarkable ability to swim. In addition, they can retrieve toys, balls, or sticks to maintain them physically and mentally stimulated.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level | Medium to High |
Exercise Needs | Medium to High |
Playfulness | High |
Intensity | Medium |
Moyen Poodle Grooming
Moyen Poodles have curly, thick, wiry coats, and they do not shed much. They come under hypoallergenic dogs. It would be best if you regularly groomed the coat every 5 to 8 weeks. Then, you can trim, shave, or groom into various shapes. There are many styles of clipping, and the pet clip or puppy clip is commonly preferred. Other popular clips are English Saddle, Continental Clips, Modified Continental Clip, Country Clip, Town Clip, Summer Clip, Kennel, or utility clip.
Irrespective of the clipping, Moyen Poodles should be bathed and combed regularly to maintain their coat texture. While brushing their coat, it is vital to reach the roots, or else the roots can get matted, and you might have to shave off the coat thoroughly.
Properly clean and wipe their ears to prevent any potential infections. You can trim their nails once or twice a week by yourself or through a professional groomer. Dental care includes brushing their teeth to avoid gum diseases and foul odor.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding | Low |
Tendency to Drool | Low |
Tendency to Snore | Low |
Easy to Groom | Low |
Moyen Poodle Health
Poodles of all sizes are generally healthy and long-lived. Moyen Poodles are a healthy breed of dogs, but they are susceptible to some genetic diseases.
Health Overview
Basic Health | Low to Medium |
Weight Gain Possibilities | Medium to High |
Size | Medium |
Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is caused when the bones of the rear legs don’t fit properly in the joints. It is a painful condition, and only some dogs show symptoms, while most dogs won’t have any visible symptoms. Though it is hereditary, factors such as injuries, excessive weight gain, wrong exercises can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment ranges from medication to replacement of the hip through surgeries. This condition, if ignored, can be life-threatening, but you can prevent it by avoiding the breeding of affected Poodles.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Progressive Retinal Atrophy affects the photoreceptors of the eye. In this degenerative condition, the affected dog will eventually be blind due to the deterioration of the photoreceptors cell.
Corneal Dystrophy: Corneal Dystrophy affects the layers of the cornea in the eyes. This inherent disease is not a painful condition, and the common symptom is the formation of an opaque layer.
Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy frequently causes seizures and can occur in moderate and extreme seizures. Strange actions, such as running desperately as if being chased, stumbling, or hiding, may indicate a seizure. Seizures are often inherited and alarming, but dogs with epilepsy have a positive long-term prognosis.
Legg Calve Perthes: Legg Calve Perthes results from the degeneration of the femur in the bone joints of the hip. This hereditary condition is common in small breed dogs. If the severity worsens, it can lead to arthritis or lameness.
Sebaceous Adenitis: Sebaceous Adenitis is often mistaken as hypothyroidism, asthma, or other illnesses as it is difficult to diagnose. Sebum produced from the sebaceous gland protects the coat. In dogs with sebaceous adenitis, the sebaceous gland will be inflamed, leading to the dog’s death. This is a prevalent hereditary condition. The symptoms include hair loss, rough, scaly skin on the dog’s head, neck, back. When the situation is severe, secondary skin infections and skin thickening can also occur. The vet will perform a skin biopsy to confirm and provide appropriate treatment for this condition.
Patellar Luxation: Patellar Luxation results from the slipping of the knee cap from its position. Symptoms include uncomfortableness in dogs while running or walking. So, they might kick their legs to set the knee back in the proper position. Patellar luxation on one leg or mild symptoms can be cured easily through medication.
Hypothyroidism: A disruption in the thyroid gland which can further lead to epilepsy, obesity, hair loss, dark skin patches, lethargy, and other skin conditions. Treatment includes medication and a proper diet.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: VWD is an inherited condition in which the ability for blood clot is disturbed. Some of the symptoms are extreme bleeding after surgery or injury, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. As there is no cure available for this condition, a blood transfusion from a healthy dog can be done.
Cushing’s Disease: Cushing’s disease is caused by the excessive production of cortisol. This overproduction can be because of any imbalance in the adrenal gland, pituitary, or other health conditions. Some of the symptoms include excessive intake of water, and urination.
Gastric Dilatation-volvulus: Bloat occurs if the dog’s stomach is filled with air or gas due to pressure. When the dog cannot get rid of this excessive air, it will result in the falling of blood pressure and he might go into shock. Symptoms include swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, retching without vomiting, restlessness, lethargy, depression, and weakness with a rapid heart rate.
Moyen Poodle Diet and Nutrition
Feeding healthy, quality food is important for all dogs. You can provide 2 to 3 cups of high-quality food divided into two meals to Moyen Poodles. A vet might help you plan the perfect diet for your Moyen Poodle, considering his size, age, metabolism, energy, and health conditions. You can also feed homemade food. Ensure to provide all the essential nutrients.
Moyen Poodle Living Conditions
Moyen Poodles are best suited for apartment living. As they are fairly inactive indoors, they will be satisfied resting next to you. The backyard is not necessary for them. They may not be suitable for cold weather conditions. So, if you live in cold regions, keep your medium poodle warm using a jacket or sweater. As they are hypoallergenic, they are suitable for people with allergies.
Adding a Moyen Poodle to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Buying a Moyen Poodle Puppy
Puppy mills and backyard breeders focus more on profit and ignore the health of the dogs. So, you can buy from reputable breeders to get healthy puppies. When you buy from them, you might have to pay some deposit and wait as puppies are sold quickly from well-established breeders. Sometimes the breeder might ask you to sign a neutering approval ensuring that you will involve your dog for breeding. You will have to pay extra money for breeding rights. Before buying, ensure that there are no structural problems. A Moyen Poodle that has been bred down through generations to the appropriate size will not have any structural issues. Standard Poodles bred with Toy Poodles to produce Moyen Poodles will have weak bone structure and are more prone to joint dysplasia.
Cost of Buying a Moyen Poodle Puppy
The pricing may range from $2500 to $5000 if you buy from a reputable, well-established breeder. The cost is determined by various factors such as the puppy’s color, heritage, and health tests. Tri-color Poodles, for example, will attract many buyers and can be overpriced. Puppies with the lineage of show champions will be costly. If breeders can produce the parents’ health clearance and gene tests certificates, the puppy’s cost will be high.
Rare Moyen Poodle
Moyen Poodles are gaining more popularity recently. Even though they are common, Poodles with apricot and red coat colors are hard to find and the most sought-after colors. The apricot coat color is the last color to be registered, and the coloration is due to a recessive gene. The Rufus gene is responsible for the red coat color. Due to their rarity, Poodles of these coat colors are expensive.
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Moyen Poodle Videos
Moyen Poodle Before and After Obedience Training