Today was Bitch Day at PCA.
And if you were watching closely, you saw something deeper than ribbons and applause. You saw definition. You saw type made visible. You saw the standard—walking, moving, alive.

Because the Poodle bitch isn’t just a contender.
She is the compass. The continuity. The foundation of the breed.

So today, in her honor, let’s teach. Let’s slow down the phrases we hear in ringside whispers and judge’s critiques, and understand what the AKC standard truly asks of a correct bitch.

SQUARE

“A squarely built, well-proportioned dog…”

This is the first commandment of Poodle type.
A bitch should be as long from the point of shoulder to the point of rump as she is tall at the withers. This creates the square outline that defines the breed. Too long, and she loses lift and balance. Too short, and she appears boxy and restricted. Square isn’t a number—it’s a silhouette.

WELL-PROPORTIONED

“…well-proportioned…”

Proportion means balance in every dimension.
Her head fits her neck, her neck flows into her shoulder, her body is deep enough to reach the elbows, her ribcage is well-sprung, and her legs match her depth of body. Nothing overpowers. Nothing is underdone. Her structure is the pose.

PROUD CARRIAGE

“Carriage should be proud.”

This is alignment and confidence.
She carries her head high, her topline level, and her tail set and held with purpose. Whether fully docked, moderately docked, or natural, the tail should emerge from a high set and be carried—not flat on the back, not low, and not limp. Proud carriage is a reflection of sound structure and mental steadiness.

AIR OF DISTINCTION

“…an air of distinction…”

You see her and you know.
She has presence without exaggeration, elegance without fragility. This air comes from clean head planes, well-arched neck, refined limbs, and an expression that says: I am a Poodle. She doesn’t ask for attention. She commands it.

MODERATE BONE & ANGULATION

Implied throughout the standard

Correct bitches are never overdone.
Their bone is moderate, matching their substance and elegance. Angulation is balanced—well-laid back in front, well-bent in rear—never straight, never extreme. They are the picture of natural athleticism, not sculpted exaggeration.

SPRINGY GAIT

“Moves with a light, springy action.”

Elastic. Effortless. Efficient.
Springy is not silly—it is the result of proper angulation, correct musculature, and balanced structure. Her rear pushes forward from under her body, her front reaches smoothly, and her head and tail carriage remain steady. She moves with purpose, not performance.

UP-ON-LEG

A term used in judges’ education to define lifted outline

She doesn’t sink. She stands up on leg—a visual trait created by square structure and long enough legs to lift the silhouette. This gives the breed its elegance, clarity, and airiness. It’s not about size—it’s about proportion.

BALANCE

“…showing balance in every part.”

Balance isn’t just motion—it’s the sum of all parts working together.
Front to rear, head to tail, mental to physical. Nothing outpaces the rest. A well-balanced bitch feels inevitable—she belongs to the outline and carries it without strain.

TIGHT, OVAL FEET

“…toes well-arched and cushioned on thick, firm pads.”

Her feet matter.
They are tight, oval, well-arched, and sit under the body—not splayed, flat, or weak. These are the shock absorbers of movement. They anchor the silhouette, preserve endurance, and reflect breed quality all the way to the ground.

STRONG UNDERJAW & PARALLEL PLANES

“Muzzle with strong underjaw… skull and muzzle on parallel planes…”

The Poodle head is not ornamental—it’s functional art.
The strong underjaw supports a scissor bite and gives strength to the expression. The parallel planes of the skull and muzzle define type and elegance. No down-faced profiles. No weak muzzles. A correct head balances power and refinement.

SLIGHT BUT DEFINITE STOP

Also part of correct head structure

The stop isn’t sharp—but it’s there.
This subtle detail separates the Poodle from a sighthound. It provides depth to the eye, clarity to the profile, and elegance to the headpiece. Without it, the expression is off.

WELL-LAID SHOULDERS & CLOSE ELBOWS

Implied in front construction

Correct shoulder layback (about 45°) allows reach and fluidity.
The elbows lie close to the ribs, not jutting or turning out. This is not just a visual point—it’s functional. Poor shoulders ruin gait. Correct shoulders make you forget about them.

DEEP CHEST TO ELBOW & WELL-SPRUNG RIBS

“…deep chest, ribs well-sprung and heart-shaped…”

The chest reaches the elbow—not shallow, not slab-sided.
Her ribs are sprung, not barrelled or flat, and taper cleanly to a defined tuck-up. This allows for lung capacity, stamina, and a feminine, athletic underline.

LEVEL TOPLINE & SHORT, STRONG HOCKS

“…level topline… hocks short and straight when viewed from rear…”

She holds her topline standing and moving. No dips. No sway. The hocks are short and strong, giving power to her drive and economy to her movement. Long hocks steal type and weaken action.

MUSCULAR LOIN

Implied in topline integrity

The loin is short, broad, and well-muscled, connecting front to rear. It’s a power center, not a sag point. When you run your hand over her back, it should feel solid—not hollow.

HIGH TAIL SET

“…tail set on high and carried up…”

Tail carriage comes from structure—not training.
A correct pelvic angle and croup create the high tail set. The tail is carried proudly, but naturally—not forced, not flagging. This supports the outline and reflects the “air of distinction.”

CONFIDENCE & TEMPERAMENT

“Gay-spirited, good-tempered, very adaptable…”

She is happy to be here.
She welcomes the ring. She welcomes the judge. She doesn’t flinch, fade, or falter. This is a bitch with mental resilience, who is affectionate, eager, steady—and utterly Poodle in every expression.

ALERT & INTELLIGENT

“…expression alert and intelligent.”

She sees everything.
Her dark, oval eyes hold clarity and curiosity. She engages. She reacts. She processes. This is a breed born to learn—and you can see it in the way she looks back at you.

PREPOTENCY

“She produces herself.” – AKC Breeder Education

She doesn’t just perform. She produces.
Her qualities show up again and again. Her daughters walk like her. Her sons carry her expression. She creates type—not by luck, but by genetic strength. This is the bitch you build on.

SOUNDNESS

“Sound, active, and showing balance in every part.”

She is not fragile. She is not flashy. She is function made visible.
Soundness is a product of all the above—structure, temperament, strength, and purpose. It’s what keeps her in the ring and in the whelping box, year after year. Soundness is her signature.

The Standard Lives Through Her

At PCA, we celebrate beauty.
But we protect the breed through structure, knowledge, and fidelity to the blueprint. And the ones we build from are not always the most popular—but they are always the most correct.

So today, on Bitch Day, we honor her:

The one who holds her shape.
The one who moves like purpose in motion.
The one who stands square, flows balanced, and breathes the standard.
The one who doesn’t just win the standard—
She is the standard.

The Secret Language of the Fancy 👇🖨️

https://1drv.ms/w/c/7346ff88c2ccfe62/EXgumryclOtMgVEuG8QuqL8B5k8q0rXg4GKMMvcgU8oxQg