What Is a Moyen Poodle – Complete Owners Guide

Moyen poodles or Klein poodles are the sizes of poodle between a miniature and a standard poodle.

This fourth size of the poodle isn’t recognized as a distinct size with the UKC or the AKC. But Europe does recognize this fourth size of a poodle.

 

What Are Their History and Origins?

The Moyen Poodle was founded four hundred years ago in western Europe. Moyen is the French word for the fourth size of the Poodle dog.

The Moyen poodle was used as a water retriever and was standardized in France. The poodle comes from the German word Poodel means puddle or to splash. These poodles are also known as Klein Poodles.

Before the poodle was brought to England, the breed was known throughout the European mainland. The poodle was used as a gundog, a waterfowl retriever, and to sniff out truffles in the woods.

What Size and Weight Are They?

Your Moyen Poodle is between 14 to 18 inches and 20-30 pounds.

 

What is the difference between a Standard Poodle and a Moyen poodle?

A standard poodle is the larger of the poodles and stands at least 15 inches at the shoulder. The average height is between 20-23 inches, and they weigh between 45 and 80 pounds.

 Moyen Poodle is similar to small standard poodles and are between 15-20 inches tall and weigh between 40 to 50 pounds.

 

Miniature vs Moyen Poodles

A miniature poodle is a mid-sized poodle that is usually 11 to 15 inches tall and weighs about 14 to 18 pounds. Compared to the 15-20-inch-tall and 40 to 50 pounds of your Mayen, the miniature is much smaller.

Do Moyen Poodles shed?

All poodles shed, but they are known as a low-shedding breed. It’s because the poodle has a single coat, not a double coat. A double-coated dog sheds more than a single coated dog. Plus, a double-coated dog will shed their undercoats.

When a double-coated dog sheds their coats, it is called “blowing the coat.” Since poodles are low shedders because of their single coats, they don’t blow their coats when the weather changes. So, yes, your Moyen Poodle will shed, but he is considered a low shedder.

 

Are Moyen Poodles hypoallergenic?

There isn’t any dog breed that is 100% hypoallergenic. Poodles are light shedders and don’t produce the amount of dander that other breeds do. Because of this, it makes people who have allergies more tolerant who have pet allergies.

If you are an unlucky person who have allergies to dog dander, then expose yourself to a Moyen poodle in their environment to make sure you don’t have an issue. Adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment. Many dogs were placed in a shelter or a rescue because people found out they were allergic to the dog after the fact.

If your Moyen poodle is shedding a lot, it could be a sign of a health problem. Make sure to take your dog to the vet for a checkup if you see a lot of shedding.

 

What is Their Temperament Like?

Your Moyen poodle will make an excellent family dog even if you have young children.

Because they are small, you can cuddle them on your lap, but he’s still large enough to enjoy the great outdoors. Moyen poodles love to hike, run, play in the water, and other outdoor activities.

Your Moyen poodle is willing and happy to please you. He can be trained to perform tricks as well as standard obedience training.  Your pup needs to be part of the family, so he can’t live outside in a kennel.

If your Moyen poodle isn’t given the correct amount of exercise, he can become high-strung. Plus, you can’t let your dog develop the Small Dog Syndrome, where he thinks he’s the Alpha over you.

If this develops, your dog can become nervous, not trustworthy, and sensitive to children and strangers.

 

What colors do they come in?

These poodles come in an array of colors. The colors are grey, silver, blue, café-au-lait, brown, apricot, or cream. Every color mentioned can be a different shade of that color.

 

Appearance

The Moyen poodle has a single coat that is thick and soft. The coat can be a variety of colors, with each color having its own array of shades.

The head is rectilinear, distinguished, and proportioned to your dog’s body. The head is well chiseled and isn’t too heavy or too delicate.

The neck is slightly arched at the nape and strong. It’s of medium length and well proportioned. It’s oval cross-sectioned without a dewlap. The length of the neck is slightly less than that of the head.

Your poodle’s tail can be either left natural or docked. If docked, it will be 1/3 closest to the body or ½ by the length. In some countries, tail docking is illegal.

The skin is supple but not loose and is pigmented brown, black, orange fawn, gray, or red fawn. The skin pigmentation should match the color of their coat.

 

Are They Smart?

The Moyen Poodle is considered one of the smartest and most obedient of dogs. Poodles need be the center of attention and are a natural-born clown. But because they are so smart, a Moyen poodle can be stubborn.

 

Good Guard or Watch Dogs

Your dog isn’t so much a good guard dog, as he will be a good watchdog. Your dog will seldom become aggressive if he’s well socialized.

If not, he will bark a lot. Your dog needs rules to follow and limits, so he knows what he can and can’t do.

 

Good Family Dogs

Your dog is a family dog and will love spending time with his family. If you show love and affection to your Moyen poodle, he will show it back.

These dogs love to lounge around with the family and be a full-fledged member of the family. These dogs are joyful, intelligent companion dogs who love their owners.

Exercise Requirements

Your dog will need to be walked daily. Make sure that when you do walk your poodle that your dog heels beside you or behind you.

Don’t ever let your dog walk in front of you because then your poodle will think he’s the leader.

As with all dogs, just playing with him won’t fulfill his exercise needs. If you don’t take your dog on a daily walk, then behavior problems may develop.

You Moyen poodle will also enjoy running around in a fenced-in yard off the lead.

These dogs also enjoy playing in the water, so your pup would love to retrieve things from the water. Plus, they’re excellent dock diving dogs. These dogs excel at agility, obedience, conformation showing, and rally.

If you are sure to give your dog enough exercise, he won’t be overactive indoors. He’ll be happy to lie beside you and be petted.

 

Are They High Maintenance?

Although Moyen poodles aren’t heavy shedders, they do require a lot of grooming.

A poodle’s coat is curly and dense, involves a lot of daily brushing and combing, so it doesn’t mat. Maintaining its coat takes time and attention.

If you keep your poodle’s full coat, then you’ll need to go to the skin with your grooming tools, so he won’t become matted.

There are several  grooming tools that you’ll need if you decide to home groom. These tools are:

  • steel combs
  • pin or slicker brushes
  • electric clippers
  • scissors

It’s time consuming and difficult to groom your dog at home. Most owners prefer to take their dog to a professional groomer to avoid the hassle.

You can set up a once a month appointment at a groomer to bathe and clip your pup.

There are various cuts for your pooch to choose from, ranging from practical to classy to fancy. How you want to groom your Moyen is entirely up to you.

Some of the most common poodle clips are:

  • The puppy cut: this cut is used on poodles that are under one year of age. A lot of poodles owners like it on their adult poodles as well. The hair on the body of your poodle is trimmed with scissors. The hair on the paws, tail, and head is shaved.
  • The sporting clip: this cut is very similar to the puppy clip. The trimmed and shaved areas are pretty alike, but there’s a puff on the top of the head. There is also a pompom on your dog’s tail in the sporting clip.
  • The continental clip: Certain areas of the dog’s body are shaved closely, but other body areas are left long and fluffy. Pompoms are on the tail tip, hips, and legs.
  • The English saddle clip: This cut is similar to the continental clip, but there is less close shaving. More of your dog’s area of the body is trimmed and sculpted.
  • The Asian style: This is an increasingly popular cut. The cut is designed to make your dog look like a teddy bear or an anime character. It’s done mostly on miniature and toy poodle breeds.

 

How Long do Moyen Poodles live?

The life span of your Moyen poodle is 12-15 years.

 

Health Issues

Poodles can be subjected to ear infections if their ears aren’t adequately taken care of. The hair inside your dog’s ears needs to be plucked to avoid this.

Check inside your dog’s ears for swelling or redness, unhealthy odor, or brown waxy debris, which can be the signs of an ear infection.

Eyes are another issue if there is fur in the eyes. If there is fur in the eyes, you need to remove it so it doesn’t cause an infection or discharge. Your dog’s eyes should be white with little discharge.

As with all dog breeds, the Moyen Poodle is prone to certain health conditions such as Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Sebaceous Adenitis, Addison’s Disease, von Willebrand’s Disease, Cushing’s disease, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus.

Genetic disorders such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy could cause blindness, which can also be a concern.

 

Pros of Owning Moyen Poodles

There are pros to owning a Moyen poodle or any poodle, actually.

These pros are:

  • The poodle is intelligent, so training is enjoyable and easy.
  • Because poodles aren’t overly active, they don’t have to be exercised several times a day.
  • They only need a medium-size yard to play in or no yard at all if they are exercised daily.
  • Poodles shed very little, so they are good dogs for people who are allergic.
  • Poodles are patient with small children and are agreeable to sharing their home with other pets.
  • The is a wide selection of colors to choose from. Plus, what is called a Party Poodle, which is a combination of more than one color.
  • The Moyen poodle has an excellent temperament.
  • Poodles are loving and affectionate and loved to please his owner.

 

These cons are:

  • Poodles need to be groomed at least every six to eight weeks. Your dog also need to be bathed regularly and brushed daily. If not, the fur can become matted.
  • Poodles nails grow quickly and need to be trimmed every two to three weeks. If you can’t do it, then you’ll have to have it done by a groomer.
  • The grooming is an extra expense that has to be done and should be considered essential and necessary.
  • Poodles need to be exercised daily. You need to provide this or have a family member who wouldn’t mind if you’re at work.
  • Poodles are susceptible to health problems.

 

CONCLUSION

The Moyen Poodle is a perfect dog for apartment dwellers as well as homeowners. This breed does need a daily walk but doesn’t require excessive exercise.

The Moyen is a family dog that loves its owners, children, and family. The breed doesn’t do well if left alone in a backyard; he needs to be with his family.

The Moyen Poodle will try to become the Alpha in the family. You must make him understand that you are and not let him become a little terror. This breed takes to obedience classes or any classes whole heartily. Moyen Poodles are very intelligent and can be taught tricks easily.

If you’d like to know more about Moyen Poodle, click the link below:

https://www.k9ofmine.com/types-of-poodles/

 

References

https://www.dogmal.com/moyen-poodle/

http://www.moyen-poodle.com/dogblog/Entries/2017/4/what-is-a-moyen-poodle.html

https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/k/kleinpoodle.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6OmctspMYE

https://thehappypuppysite.com/do-poodles-shed/

https://petssync.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-poodle/

http://petfoodtalk.com/dog-care/2011/05/06/pros-and-cons-of-poodle-dog-breed/

https://www.k9ofmine.com/types-of-poodles/