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What is the difference between a Teddy Bear face Toy Poodle and a standard faced Toy Poodle?

I have been breeding and showing Poodles for over 30 yrs and just lately I have noticed a lot of people becoming more interested in my Teddy Bear Face Teacup, Tiny Toy and Toy Poodles.

This article will describe the difference and show pictures of two Poodles. I have shaved the face like a poodle on both of them even though one of them is a Teddy Bear Poodle. The best way to see the difference is when they have their face’s shaved. I have taken similar photos of the two dogs in the same position so you can make a comparison.

1.      The Teddy Bear face Poodle has a short and broad muzzle.

2.      The scull is round instead of long and narrow. And often shorter than the standard head, from the occiput to the stop. The occiput being the back of the scull and the stop being the spot between the eyes.

3.      The eyes are usually round instead of almond or oval shaped.

 A standard/regular Poodle head looks like the pictures below. The AKC standard says:

Head and Expression
(a) Eyes-- very dark, oval in shape and set far enough apart and positioned to create an alert intelligent expression. Major fault: eyes round, protruding, large or very light.

(b) Ears-- hanging close to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. The ear leather is long, wide and thickly feathered; however, the ear fringe should not be of excessive length.

(c) Skull-- moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle. (The occiput is the back of the scull the stop is the spot between the eyes.)

(d) Muzzle-- long, straight and fine, with slight chiseling under the eyes. Strong without lippiness. The chin definite enough to preclude snipiness. Major fault: lack of chin. Teeth-- white, strong and with a scissors bite. Major fault: undershot, overshot, wry mouth.

I hope this helps you understand the different Poodle head shapes. The two dogs pictured here are both AKC registered Toy Poodles but have very different looks. Most people who have a Teddy Bear face Poodle prefer to have their groomer leave the hair on the face and not shave the  face as I have done here. For the Teddy bear clip the groomer leaves hair on the top of the head and on the muzzle. She will scissor it round to give it the teddy bear look. You can make a poodle with a standard head look more like a teddy bear by not shaving the muzzle, have your groomer leave hair on the muzzle and top of the head and scissor it rounded. There are several pictures of adult poodles on my website groomed in both the teddy bear clip and in the poodle clip.