The Moyen poodle, also known as the Klein poodle, is a medium-sized dog that falls between the Miniature and Standard poodles.
They are not specially bred to achieve this size but are the fourth poodle breed size in Europe.
Their name “Moyen” means “medium” in French.
However, outside of France, this dog breed is known as “Klein,” which means “small” or “mini” in German.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) considers all poodle sizes the same breed, and medium-sized poodles are excellent for competition groomers and as household pets.
It is not an official size according to the AKC. However, medium poodles are popular in Europe, and many of them are imported to the US.
If you are looking to bring a Moyen poodle home, read on for all the info you need to know about this dog breed.
History of the Moyen Poodle
The earliest existence of the Standard poodle was recorded in the 15th century through paintings from Spanish artist Goya and German artist Albrecht Durer.
Though the poodle became a top-rated dog in France, this breed is native to Germany.
Hunters originally used this dog breed to retrieve birds that fell into swamps and watery areas.
Poodles are thought to have derived from the German Barbet breed, which also sports a rough coat.
Poodles gained enormous popularity in France, where they were also initially used as water retrievers.
The name “poodle” comes from the German word, “pudel,” which means “puddle” or “to splash,” but this dog breed quickly became known as the French poodle because of its popularity in France.
Due to their unique coat and elegant stature, poodles became highly sought after by fashionable ladies as an attractive and elegant canine companion.
Later on, dog breeders created smaller versions of the standard poodle.
The Miniature and Toy variations became widely accepted, and French aristocrats like King Louis XVI were known for carrying around these smaller poodles.
Poodles became a popular dog for the French aristocracy, who loved this breed so much it was deemed France’s national dog.
There are three main types of poodles: the Standard, Miniature, and Toy poodles.
In France, this dog type is also known as the Caniche and Chien Canne, referring to its historic duck-hunting abilities.
However, poodles were not only used by hunters as retrievers and favored by the French aristocracy.
They were also popular in the circus to perform tricks using their high intelligence and agility.
These traits of the poodle are still used today in a different kind of show.
In the late 19th century, poodles became frequent participants in dog shows.
The poodle’s hair is usually cut to look like a swimsuit, while the puffs on its tail and legs are believed to keep the joints warm when they swim.
Though some of the earliest poodles in dog shows had a corded coat, it was quickly replaced with the fancier “bouffant” style that remains popular today.
Poodles now are usually considered a companion or non-sporting dog.
They are most often kept as show dogs or household pets.
Appearance of the Moyen Poodle
Like all dogs of this breed, the Moyen poodle has a fluffy and curly coat that is non-shedding.
Most people with allergies can tolerate it because they shed less dander, making them less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Their coat naturally has a harsh texture and is dense all around their body.
This elegant dog has a squarely-built body that is well-proportioned.
Poodles have eyes that are usually dark and oval-shaped, giving them an intelligent and alert expression.
Their ears typically hang close to the head, either set at or slightly below eye-level.
The Moyen poodle’s coat can have several different solid colors.
Some of these colors include: black, brown, cream, white, red, blue, apricot, silver-beige, and cafe-au-lait.
Their coat can also come in patterns, such as tuxedo, sable, phantom, brindle, mismark, and parti.
Additionally, their coats can come in different shades of the colors listed, giving a wide variety of poodle appearances.
Temperament
As former circus and hunting dogs, Moyen poodles are brilliant dogs.
They are easy to train because they seek to please their owners.
Poodles can learn new tricks and commands quickly if you use positive training techniques.
This breed is also playful, alert, focused, energetic, and very loyal to their families.
However, if they are not socialized early on between 8 to 12 weeks, they may be shy and act nervously around new people later in adulthood.
The Moyen poodle thrives on consistent and positive training techniques.
They are excellent at performing tricks and are strong at obedience, agility, scent work, rally, barn hunt, and dock diving, all of which are different types of advanced performance skills.
Poodles often shine when they are introduced to other training methods that keep them engaged.
Moyen poodles are also good family dogs for those with young children.
They love being with people and usually don’t like to be alone or outside by themselves.
They are the happiest when kept inside with their loved ones, and they can make excellent guard dogs for the house.
Overall, they are a happy and sensitive breed that is gentle with children and can be easily trained at almost any age.
Expected Size
Moyen poodles are medium-sized dogs that fall between the Miniature and the Standard poodle sizes.
Though the Moyen is not an official AKC size variation, it is a popular type outside of the United States.
Most adult Moyen poodles are between 16 to 20 inches tall and weigh between 20 to 35 pounds.
Lifespan & Health
The Moyen poodle has an expected lifespan of between 12 to 15 years.
They are generally a healthy breed, but they are prone to minor problems such as lacrimal duct atresia, glaucoma, cataract, distichiasis, and entropion.
The more severe health concerns they have a higher chance of developing include patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, Legg Perthes disease, epilepsy, and trichiasis.
Moyen Poodle Care
The Moyen poodle needs a lot of care, exercise, and human interaction.
Experts recommend obedience sessions coupled with outdoor activity every day to keep them active.
Grooming
When it comes to grooming their curly coat, poodles are a more high-maintenance breed.
They need professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to keep their fur from matting.
At home, owners need to brush their poodles regularly and care for this type of coat.
Unlike most other dog breeds where the hair follicle has a long primary hair and several fine secondary hairs, the poodle’s coat contains about 80% of secondary hairs.
It gives their coat the look of “puppy hair,” while the curly appearance is from the high concentrations of amino acids containing sulfur in their body.
Both good nutrition and regular grooming are crucial to keep this unique coat looking its best.
Clipping a poodle’s hair at least once a month is essential as well to promote healthy skin.
If it has long hair, it is recommended to brush it every day. Short hair can be brushed weekly.
Eyes and Ears
To avoid eye infections and irritation, owners need to trim the fur around the eyes properly.
Poodles with lighter-colored coats can develop reddish tear stains caused by irritation and some environmental allergies.
The hair inside their ears also needs to be plucked or trimmed to avoid ear infections.
These infections can develop when moisture is trapped inside.
Check your poodle’s ears for any redness, swelling, brown waxy debris, or a bad odor that indicates an ear infection or yeast.
Dental Hygiene
Brushing your poodle’s teeth can help reduce tartar buildup while promoting healthy gums and strong teeth.
You can use canine toothpaste and brush your dog’s teeth twice a week as part of your grooming routine.
It is important to know what your poodle’s normal gum color is to ensure their dental health.
If your dog’s gums are very pale, you should report it to your vet right away, as this may indicate a health issue.
Weight
Check your poodle’s body for any unusual lumps around their body by running your hands over them.
If any areas of their body are tender to the touch, you may want to have your vet take a look at it.
It is important to make sure your poodle is not overweight. Obesity in poodles can cause serious joint problems, such as hip dysplasia.
This painful and serious disease can be avoided by keeping your poodle in excellent physical condition with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.
You can keep track of your poodle’s weight loss or gain. It can be felt by how hard you need to press to feel its ribs.
Another way to check if your poodle is overweight is if you can see your poodle’s waist when you look at it from above.
If you cannot see the indention where their waist should be, that is most likely a sign that your poodle is overweight.
Conclusion
The Moyen poodle is a popular breed with a long history as a working and performance dog.
They are easy to train and thrive in positive environments with their loved ones. Moyen poodles come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Though they are not recognized as an official size in the United States by the AKC, they are popular in Europe.
This dog breed is great with small children due to their playful and gentle demeanor.
However, they require a lot of care and attention, especially when it comes to grooming.
If you are looking for an intelligent and elegant dog and can handle high-maintenance grooming, the Moyen poodle is a lovely addition to any household.