Moyen Poodle Vs. Standard Poodle- What Is The Difference?

The Poodle is unique and one of the most sought-after breeds. On top of the fantastic qualities the Poodle comes with, the variety and size make it a viable breed for many people. These sizes vary widely, but the Moyen and Standard Poodle seem confusing for some people.

So, Moyen Poodle vs. Standard Poodle, what is the difference? The size is the main difference between the Moyen Poodle and the Standard Poodle. The Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard Poodle yet more prominent than the Miniature Poodle.

Below, you will find a conclusive discussion on the Moyen and Standard Poodles. You will understand the differences between the two in terms of appearance, temperament, care needs, and health concerns. Read on.

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What Does Moyen Mean in Poodles?

“Moyen” is the French word for medium and refers to the medium size of Poodles. This is the size between the Miniature Poodle and the Standard Poodle. This poodle size is also referred to as ‘Klein,’ which is the German word for ‘medium.’

The Moyen size is recognized as a size of Poodles in addition to the Toy, Miniature, and Standard sizes. However, the American Kennel Club does not recognize the Moyen as a unique size.

AKC recognizes only three Poodle varieties; the Toy, Miniature, and Standard, but the good thing is you can still register a Moyen puppy with the AKC if you want to. In such a case, you can choose to register it as a Standard or as a Miniature.

In other parts of the world, the Moyen size is recognized as a Poodle size. The FCI, a Europe-based organization, recognizes this size of Poodle. The Dog Registry of America also recognizes the Moyen as a size of Poodles, allowing registration of puppies in this size.

Moyen Poodle Vs. Standard Poodle Origin

Poodles have their roots in Germany, where they originated before becoming a distinct breed in France. Hunters widely used the Standard Poodle to retrieve fowl from water, therefore becoming a water dog.

The smaller varieties of Poodles, the Toy, Miniature, and Moyen, were bred in France, where they were commonly used as circus performers. As breeding these advanced, the Moyen was created purposely to reduce the number of Poodle varieties entries at dog shows.

The Poodle was recognized by the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom in 1874. This followed recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1886. Poodles grew in popularity earning the most popular breed title between 1960 to 1982 following consecutive wins in dog shows.

Today, Poodles are not widely used as working and competition dogs, although some people get them for these purposes. They are majorly companion pets, making some of the best family dogs of all time.

Moyen Poodle Vs. Standard Poodle Appearance

The Moyen Poodle and the Standard Poodle have the same appearance, and the only significant difference is their size. Some of the notable features of these two are their signature floppy ears, long legs, and long muzzle. The tail is also a pretty unique feature of Poodles.

The Moyen and the Standard Poodle have a square outline with a long neck and a straight back. They have a docked tail but are not short; therefore, they can wave gaily. Generally, the Poodle has a leggy appearance making them appear taller when they sit.

Coat Types and Color

The coat of the Poodle is one of its best qualities and the primary reason it is considered one of the top choices for mixing with other breeds. The coat of both Poodle varieties is tight and curly unless brushed out.

As puppies, Moyen and Standard puppies have a gently curly coat. As they approach their 16-month mark, the coat grows coarser, and the curls become tighter, although sometimes, they remain gentle wavy.

The coat comes across as human hair-like in that it keeps growing. Even so, the coat is considered hypoallergenic as it rarely sheds. This quality makes the Poodle one of the best dogs for people that suffer from pet allergies.

When it comes to coat color, these two come in Black, White, Grey, Fawn, and Brown. You can also find them in Apricot, Chocolate, and Silver. Rare colors you might see are Red and Blue.

Size Difference

The American Kennel Club considers Poodles over 15 inches tall as the Standard size. However, Standard Poodles can grow as tall as 24 inches and weigh between 45 to 70 pounds.

On the other hand, the Moyen Poodle stands between 15 inches and 20 inches. The adult Moyen poodles can weigh anywhere between 17 to 55 pounds. Moyen Poodles will most likely be within this range; however, the best way to determine the size is by looking at the parents’ size.

In most cases, the size of the Poodle, Moyen, or Standard will be the average of its parents. It is important to note that the size of Moyen or Standard Poodle can vary from one breeder to the other.

Some breeders will have Moyen Poodles between 16 to 19 inches tall, weighing between 17 to 25 pounds, while others will have a height between 15 to 18 inches and weighing about 20 to 30 pounds.

Again, the size of the Poodle highly depends on its gene lines more than anything else. If you have a Standard Poodle parent and another Miniature parent, it will be challenging to determine the size of the Moyen Poodle.

Remember, some dogs will grow to be as their biggest parents, others will take the smaller parents’ genes, while others will be the average of both parents. The only guarantee that your puppy will grow to be about the parents’ size is if the parents are closer in size.

Weight and Height Chart of Moyen Poodles

Here is a weight and height chart to help you place your Moyen Poodle. Remember, the size can vary from one Poodle to the other, and the size lies between that of a Standard Poodle and a Miniature Poodle.

Poodle Age	Weight	Height
0-4 Weeks	Under 4 Pounds	Under 7 inches
4-8 Weeks	2 to 10 Pounds	4 to 10 inches
2-4 Months	4 to 22 Pounds	7 to 13 inches
4-8 Months	7 to 23 Pounds	9 to 19 inches
8-12 Months	11-24 Pounds	10-20 inches

Temperament and Personality in Moyen Poodle Vs. Standard Poodle

The temperament of both Moyen and Standard Poodles is the same, just like other Poodle varieties. Thanks to their gentle and affectionate nature, these dogs are excellent family dogs. They are intelligent and highly trainable; therefore easy to settle in new homes.

One thing that makes Moyen and Standard Poodles great for families is their gentle personality, particularly towards small children. They can handle kids’ rough handling and withstand minor unforeseen accidents when kids and dogs play together.

Considering the differences in size between the two, Standard Poodles tend to act big, while Moyen Poodles are more mellow and softer. That said, a Standard Poodle’s jump can have more of an impact than that of the Moyen Poodle.

On this note, Moyen Poodles might do better in apartments than Standard Poodles. That is not much worry as their behavior patterns are still the same. As long as you have adequate space for your dog, their temperament shouldn’t be much of a concern.

Both dogs are energetic and highly active. They enjoy outdoor activities and relate well with other dogs. They are playful and stick around for playtime with kids, adults, or other pets.

Moyen Poodle Vs. Standard Poodle – Care and Maintenance

Whether you choose a Moyen Poodle or a Standard Poodle, you need to understand how to care for one to ensure it stays happy and healthy. These dogs require training, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and grooming as care and maintenance.

Training

Both varieties are intelligent, therefore, quick to catch on to commands. But that comes with a sense of independence, making them a little hard to keep on track. The good thing is with positive reinforcement and short training sessions; Poodles become a breeze to train.

Their intelligence makes them adaptable to changes during training, and even inexperienced dog trainers can achieve great results. Poodles will quickly follow prompts and commands as long as you keep the training fun and engaging.

Nutrition

Moyen and Standard Poodles have similar nutrition needs. They are highly energetic dogs; therefore, they need food that meets their energy requirements and provides essential vitamins and minerals.

Any dog food ideal for medium to large dogs will serve these two well. But, to be sure, consider talking to your vet about the right dog food for your furry friend. They will assess their health conditions and advice on the most appropriate diet for their needs.

Exercise

Poodles are energetic and generally like to play, so they need regular exercise to stay happy and active. On this note, they need at least 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise. This could be walking, running, hiking, or backyard playtime.

Grooming

Poodles have one of the best coat types; however, it can be time-consuming to keep in excellent condition. The coat grows rapidly, requiring frequent clipping. Although it is a non-shedding coat, it needs daily brushing to keep mats and tangles at bay.

The best way to keep up with your Poodle’s grooming is by taking it to a professional groomer. If that is expensive, you can get the necessary grooming tools and do it from home. Don’t forget to bathe your dog at least once a month to keep the skin and coat clean.

Health and Life Expectancy

Both Poodle varieties are prone to the same health issues: knee dislocation, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy. They may also develop eye problems as they age and suffer from skin infections if the coat and skin are neglected.

Standard Poodles are considered large dogs, which in most cases, do not live as much as smaller breeds. The Standard Poodle can live between 11 to 13 years. On the other hand, Moyen Poodles can live between 12 to 14 years.

Cost Comparison Between Moyen Poodle and Standard Poodle

Moyen Poodles start at $600 and can go up to $2,000. Standard Poodles are a little cheaper, starting at $400 but can go up to $2,000. The cost depends on where you get your puppy, the color of the puppy, and the various health tests the breeder runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Moyen Poodles Barkers?

Moyen Poodles are moderate barkers; therefore, they are unsuitable for apartment living. But, with early training, Poodles can manage aggression and barking, and even in the event of excessive barking, they can follow commands and keep quiet if asked to.

Are Moyen Poodles High Energy?

Moyen Poodles, like other Poodle varieties, are high-energy dogs. They love to play regularly, run around, and engage in activities. This quality makes them a perfect fit for families leading an active lifestyle.

Are Moyen Poodles Hypoallergenic?

No breed is 100% hypoallergenic, but the AKC considers Poodles an excellent choice for people who suffer from pet allergies. That means you should not expect fur balls on surfaces living with a Poodle. But, regular grooming and keeping your home clean are vital to keeping allergies away.

Final Thoughts

Moyen poodles and Standard poodles have a lot of similarities and only differ in size. Both can be excellent choices for a family dog as they are known to relate well with kids, adults, and other pets. Your choice all depends on personal preference as far as the dog’s size goes.

A Standard Poodle can be a great choice if you have a spacious home. But if you live in an apartment and would like a Poodle bigger than the Toy or Miniature variety, then a Moyen Poodle is the best choice.

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