There are moments when the noise of the world fades away and something clearer, finer, rises to the surface. For me, one of those moments came today at the Poodle Club of America. It wasn’t while watching the obedience or rally competitions, nor during applause. It came during the quiet intensity of the judge’s seminar—a setting where the only goal was to learn, to see, and to become a better student of the breed.

The Poodle is no ordinary breed, and to approach it with ordinary eyes does it a disservice. It requires trained observation, disciplined thought, and a reverence for its history. Today’s seminar served as a sharpening stone for that vision. We examined profiles, dissected outlines, critiqued movement, and studied bone lengths and proportions. What may look like elegance to the casual observer is, in truth, the result of precise structure—each line functional, each angle purposeful.

There is a danger in being seduced by charisma. The flashy dog, animated and draped in coat, can deceive. Its posture and poise may catch the eye, but true evaluation goes deeper. When the hair is stripped away in your mind’s eye, what remains? A strong front? A sound rear? Or a dog built more for spectacle than purpose? The seminar brought that into focus.

Movement as a Window to Construction

We spoke at length about side gait—not just as performance, but as a diagnostic. It reveals the relationship between front and rear angulation, the steadiness of the topline, the strength of the back, and the rhythm of function. The dog that moves cleanly, with reach and drive, shows how its parts fit. That movement answers a simple question: Can this dog do what it was bred to do?

And what was it bred to do?

The Poodle is a sporting breed. A water retriever. One of the originals. That heritage must inform how we look at the dog. Deep chest, rib spring, powerful hindquarters. Balance that isn’t just about beauty—it’s about utility. This is not an ornamental breed, even if it carries itself with distinction. A weak rear, a sloping topline, or a shallow chest are not mere faults—they are threats to function.

On Breed Type and the Illusion of Style

The standard is explicit: the Poodle must be square. From breastbone to point of buttock, and from the top of the withers to the ground. Anything else is incorrect. A long body, a sloping croup, a dog that drops itself when it moves—these are not acceptable variations. They are deviations.

And yet, we are often tempted. The ultra-necky silhouette. The exaggerated rear. The sharp stack that creates the illusion of greatness. These are dangerous seductions. A dog can appear taller and more commanding due to incorrect angles and showy movement, but it cannot sustain that illusion when judged by function.

This is where our eye must be trained—not to be impressed, but to be precise. The correct Poodle is not always the flashiest. It is the one that reveals its excellence in proportion, in movement, and in purpose.

The Seminar: A Living Textbook

What made today so rewarding wasn’t just the theory, but the environment of honest mentorship. We studied Poodles of various styles and sizes. We asked questions freely, discussed faults humbly, and honored virtues carefully. The tone in the room was reverent. Because we weren’t just learning to judge—we were learning to protect.

It became clear that this breed is not something you dabble in. You dive in. You study the skeleton. You study the coat. You study the movement, the proportion, the temperament, and the subtle expression that makes a Poodle a Poodle. It isn’t just about knowing the standard—it’s about embodying it when you look at the dog.

Versatility and Purpose

Today also reminded me that this breed is deeply versatile. Poodles are not just show dogs. They are field dogs, therapy dogs, obedience champions, and companions. Each variety brings something unique. Toys enchant. Miniatures challenge. Standards command. But all must reflect the same type. The same mind. The same purpose.

There is something for everyone in the Poodle—but that does not mean the standard bends to accommodate. Quite the opposite. The standard exists to preserve the soul of the breed across its many expressions. It is not a suggestion. It is a blueprint.

The Beauty That Comes from Work

It is easy to look at a dog in the ring and admire the surface. But behind that surface are thousands of hours. No great Poodle arrives by accident. Behind every standout is a breeder who studied lines, made hard decisions, and shaped the dog from the whelping box to the ring. There is a groomer who understood structure. A trainer who nurtured confidence. A handler who brought it all together.

And still—after all that—it is the dog who must carry it with joy, with rhythm, with that peculiar air of dignity. This is not about pageantry. It is about pride. True Poodles are works of art, but not static ones. They live, breathe, work, and play. They are balanced from the inside out.

The Call to Keep Learning

If today taught me anything, it is that the future of this breed depends on the humility of its stewards. To become excellent in this breed is not to arrive, but to return—to the standard, to the anatomy textbook, to the quiet ringside chat, to the mentors willing to teach. This is a breed that rewards devotion, and it demands protection.

We must resist the dilution of type. Resist the tendency to chase extremes. We must remember that every point on the standard is there for a reason. Because this is not just about now—it’s about what the next generation inherits.

Tomorrow, the breed rings begin. The energy will shift. The applause will grow louder. The coats will gleam brighter. But I will return with a different lens. One that looks beneath the coat. One sharpened by today.

Because this breed deserves it.

And so, I leave you with the poem that captures the soul of what PCA is—not just a show, but a ceremony.

“Christmas in June”
by Anne Rogers Clark

What is the Poodle Club of America?
To me it is the gathering of the clan –
The spectacle of the breed
The glamour of the new crop
The nerves of the tyro
The presentation of the talented
The pathos of the old timers
The heartache of those who are gone
The annoyances of the shallow
The wonder of the mind that encompasses all
The curiosity to see how last year’s crop has prospered and produced
It is the opportunity to sit and watch and wonder
To lend a hand at the crates or in the ring
To try your best to show the youngster
that you are hooked on to its best
To compare with friends and to compete with them
To do the same with the not-so-friendly
To learn
To teach
To reach up and out
To mend fences – and, perhaps, burn bridges
To remember 50 years of involvement,
The advances,
The pitfalls.
It is to live it all –
To grasp the brass ring –
And, once grasped, realize there is much more to the sport of dogs and our life than simple grasping
It is a belief, a commitment,
to doing something you love and believe in.
It is Christmas in June!

And tomorrow, it continues.
With pen in hand.
Eyes sharpened.
Heart wide open.
Because the Poodle deserves no less.
❤️🐩❤️