A little bit about Poodles in Japan

Here are some short notes about Poodles in Japan.

Poodle Sizes - updated

We used to have three varieties in poodles, Toy, Miniature, and Standard. In April 2004, the Japan Kennel Club has added 'Medium Poodle' and now we have four varieties in poodles. In 2004 change, JKC has set the height limitation in Standard Poodles too.

In 2007 JKC has announced changing the size of Miniature and Medium poodles. With this change, JKC has completely adopted the variety and size from FCI breed standard for poodles.

Now the size of each variety is as below.

Toy Poodles: Over 24cm (9.5") up to 28cm (11"), ideal size is 25cm.(10")
Miniature Poodles: Over 28cm up to 35cm (slightly under 14")
Medium Poodles: Over 35cm up to 45cm.(18")
Standard Poodles:Over 45cm up to 60cm (slightly under 24") with an allowance of 2cm. (3/4")

I've been watching Standards in Japan over 15 years. As far as I know, most of our SPs' ancestors were from USA, where they have no height limitation in SP. I've seen many of them standing over 62cm. (about 24"+)

Are judges going to scale SPs in the ring? What if one is over 62cm at the shoulder? Major fault? Disqualified?
These are my simple questions.
Since both of my girls stands about 58cm (slightly under 23"), I don't care much about the height limitation now.
But I think this size may be difficult for boys.

Short Note: I haven't seen any judge scaling Standards in the ring yet. (09-2007)

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Poodle registration numbers at JKC
This is very interesting.

As you can see, Toys have been always the most favorite variey in Japan and their registration number used to be very stable.
Please notice that from 2000, the number of Toys started increasing and in 2003, it has become double. The number of Standards is also increasing.

What does this mean?
A "Poodle Boom" comes.
Now having a Poodle is a kind of fashion.

This kind of boom often ruins the breed. People are talking about 'Tea Cup' Poodles and I see many 'strange' looking Poodles at 'Auction' site. (heck!)

I do hope this boom will be ended soon!

I'll continue to report the registration numbers in the future too.
Year
 Standard Miniature Toy Medium Total
1990 38 21 12,175 - 12,234
1991 33 33 12,134 - 12,200
1992 141 26 12,045 - 12,212
1993 82 34 11,601 - 11,717
1994 99 71 11,512 - 11,682
1995 117 47 11,833 - 11,997
1996 146 51 12,032 - 12,229
1997 130 72 12,267 - 12,469
1998 175 42 11,971 - 12,188
1999 177 59 12,237 - 12,473
2000 210 61 12,913 - 13,154
2001 183 58 14,270 - 14,511
2002 306 79 18,867 - 19,252
2003 423 66 29,138 2 29,629

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Poodle Boom still continues......
Year
Standard
Medium
Mniature
Toy
Total
2004
456
3
104
42,313
42,876
2005
600
-
80
56,996
57,686
2006
836
3
99
69,871
70,769
It seems that 'Poodle Boom' still continues.

Toys and Standards are increasing year by year and I'm afraid Standards may be becoming over population.

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2007 Registration number of poodles at JKC

To my surprise, the number of each variety still increases.
In 2007, from January to December 79,981 poodles were registered at JKC and the number of each variety is as follows.

Standard: 1,143
Medium: 17
Miniature: 96
Toy: 78,725

I think many of the miniatures are over sized Toys and most of the Mediums are also over sized Miniatures.

Anyway, what surprised me most is the registered number of Standard Poodles. I never could imagine this 10 years ago. As its number increases, the genetic problems in Standard Poodles also increases; SA affected, died of bloat, hip dysplasia, etc. It is sad.

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