Moyen Poodle: Deep Dive into the Medium Poodle Breed

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Ready to add a Moyen Poodle to the family but want to know the ins and outs? Here’s where you can find everything you need to know before choosing a French poodle as your next pup. 

gray medium size moyen poodle sitting on the ground next to sticks

This breed is considered to be a “medium” sized poodle that fits in between a miniature and standard poodle. Poodles are known for being intelligent, friendly, fun-loving, and capable of being trained. They are also particularly good companion dogs for individuals, couples, and families with children.

Although poodles may have a reputation for being a “fancy” dog, Moyens–like all poodles–have a hardy physical temperament. They enjoy outdoor activities such as going on runs, hikes–and especially playing in the water. Moyens can be energetic, but since they do not require a lot of physical space, they can make excellent dogs for apartments or smaller homes.

Why People Love the Moyen Poodle Breed 

  • Intelligent temperament
  • Beautiful poodle appearance
  • Fun and friendly personality
  •  Not too big not too small when it comes to size
  • Excellent training aptitude
  •  Good with children
  • Capable of living in apartments or smaller houses without issue

Breed History

The poodle breed has been around for at least four centuries. They have long been known and prized for their intelligence, hunting capabilities, and ability to perform all sorts of tasks with the right training. Over their long history, poodles have acted as companion dogs, hunting dogs, and even circus performers. Today, poodles are beloved for their iconic pleasant appearance as well as their intelligence.

Moyen poodles are a poodle breed formally recognized in Europe under the breed name Moyen, which is French for “medium.” They are sometimes also called “Kleins,” which is a reference to the German word for “small.” This breed is considered ‘shoulder standard poodles’ according to the American Kennel Club guidelines and classifications.

Facts about the Moyen Poodle (aka the Medium Sized Poodle)

  • Size: 15-19 inches
  • Weight: 20-30 lbs
  • Temperament/Personality: Intelligent; fun; loving; loyal; pleasant
  • Lifespan: 11 – 15 years
  • Unique Qualities: Extremely intelligent and capable of being trained in water hunting, service work, dog show work or other types of service and entertainment
  • Do they shed: Minimally
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Health Issues: Yes
  • Classification: Non-Sporting

What Is The Difference Between A Standard Poodle And A Moyen Poodle?

The only significant difference between a Moyen poodle and a Standard poodle is size. Moyen poodles are smaller than most Standard poodles by several inches; they also have a lower weight, even when the puppies have grown into adulthood. Regarding AKC registration, Moyens would be considered “standard” poodles as they are typically too large to fit within the miniature size group.

Are Moyen Poodles Good Family Dogs?

Yes! Moyen poodles are considered to be excellent family dogs. They have a fun, friendly personality; they are also known to be calm around children, even young children, although children should always be supervised and taught how to behave around any family dog.

Moyen poodles love companionship and socialization with both other dogs and humans, which also adds to their compatibility as a family pet.

white moyen french poodle close up

Are Moyen Poodles Barkers?

Yes. Poodles in general are known to bark, and French poodles are not an exception to this rule. It is important to train them in order to teach proper barking etiquette. They are also susceptible to excessive barking if they do not have regular socialization and companionship with humans or another dog, as isolation can increase their anxiety levels.

What Does A Moyen Poodle Look Like?

The exact appearance of a Klein poodle will depend on the specific dog and pedigree. As a general rule, they look similar to other poodles. They have a long and straight muzzle; brown or black eyes; ears that are long, flat, and relatively close to the head.

Moyen poodles can come in a variety of colors, including black, grey, white, brown, and red. Some Moyen poodles have multi-colors, but this is not as common with the Moyen breed as regular standard solid color poodles.

Caring for A Poodle’s Coat

Whether or not a poodle is hypoallergenic is somewhat controversial. Most people with dog allergies are actually allergic to the dander of a canine. A poodle’s hair is unique because it’s non-shedding but continues to grow if they aren’t groomed. Because their coat is coarse and curly, the dander stays in the hair unless it’s brushed out. Most experts do consider purebred poodles non-shedding and hypoallergenic.

How Big Is A Medium Size Poodle?

Klein poodles can vary in size, but most are going to be between 15 and 19 inches. This places them squarely between the Miniature poodle size and the Standard poodle size. Adult Moyen poodles will weigh between 20 and 30 lbs, although male Moyens will sometimes weigh a few pounds more.

Moyen puppies will typically reach their “adult height” by the time they are 7 months old, though they may still grow for up to a year after that.

Are French Poodles aggressive?

No, this breed is not known for being aggressive.

Common Health Issues in Poodles

Moyen poodles are susceptible to allergies and skin conditions. They may also develop cataracts, which can lead to blindness. Moyens are also prone to ear infections and hip dysplasia. 

Like other breeds, there are more known illnesses, but The Poodle Club of America has put together a checklist for breeders for DNA testing to catch these issues ahead of time.

black groomed moyen poodle posing outside

Are Moyen Poodles Pure Bred?

Yes! Even though they fall into the standard poodle breed according to the American Kennel Club, both parents are still full-bred poodles.

Is a Moyen Poodle Easily Trainable?

Yes! Moyen poodles are highly intelligent and easy to train. They can be trained to perform many different tasks, ranging from practical service dog tasks to tricks designed for entertainment.

Klein Poodle Rescues and Adoptions

There are no active rescues dedicated solely to Moyen poodles. However, there are poodle-specific rescues that you should consider.

Best Place to Find Puppies

There are two primary ways to look for these puppies: a rescue or a breeder. 

Finding a Moyen poodle at a breeder might be difficult, as they are not officially registered by the AKC; you may have to simply make an educated guess as to whether or not a specific poodle is a Moyen or not.

Breeders are the best option if you are interested in a French poodle, as a breeder will be able to provide a pedigree; when choosing make sure they are an ethical breeder who can provide authentic registration papers that verify the dog’s parentage.

If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 for a Moyen poodle.

In Other Words

Moyen poodles are slightly smaller than the Standard poodle. Not only are they smart, but they also make great family dogs. The only real downside is their tendency to bark and the fact they are not hypoallergenic. 

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