Poodles come in a variety of sizes with each having its own unique traits and needs. Most people, including a lot of Poodle enthusiasts, are only aware of the 3 size varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club. These are the Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles.
However, there is one more size variety which is the Medium Poodle. Also known as the Moyen Poodle, this Poodle variation is known for being the size mid-way point between Standard Poodles and Miniature Poodles.
The Medium Poodle is only recognized in parts of Europe like France which is why this adorable pooch is sometimes known as the French Poodle.
Size is not the only thing that makes the unique Moyen Poodle special. In the sections below, we shall take a closer look at all the distinguishing features of the Medium Poodle as well as care needs that you should prepare yourself for if you are interested in one.
How Big Is A Medium Poodle?
As the name suggests, the Medium Poodle stands out mainly due to its medium dimensions. It is somewhere between the Standard Poodle and the Miniature Poodle in terms of height and weight. This makes it ideal if you want a Poodle that is neither too large nor too small.
Let’s take a closer look at these dimensions as well as other important physical traits that will help you identify a Moyen Poodle.
Height
The Medium Poodle or the Klein Moyen Poodle can grow between 15 to 19 inches in height. With this height range, there may be some overlap with some Standard Poodles according to American Kennel Club breed standards.
However, Medium Poodles typically do not grow past 19 inches while some Standard Poodles can grow as tall as 24 inches or even more.
Weight
An adult Medium Poodle weighs between 15 to 40 lbs. The large range is due to variations in standards for Medium Poodles in different parts of the world.
However, as with any other dimensions, the best way to pick out a Moyen Poodle is by comparing them with the larger Standard Poo and the smaller Miniature Poo.
Proportions And Build
Medium Poodles are probably the most proportionally built of the Poodle varieties. They have lean and athletic bodies with their medium dimensions fitting perfectly with their long and slender legs.
However, to be fair, this is a distinction that may be a bit difficult to pick up on without experience and plenty of Poodle variations to compare against.
How Long Do Medium Sized Poodles Live?
Medium Poodles can live for 12 to 15 years on average. This range is close to that of the Standard Poodle and is to be expected given the size of the Moyen Poodle.
For the most part, Moyen Poodles are healthy dogs. However, there are a few common health issues that you may have to deal with in some of these Medium Poodles. These include:
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus is a condition that happens when the Moyen Poodle’s full stomach twists on itself. This results in a lot of pain for the pooch and can eventually lead to the dog’s death.
Poodles in general are more prone to developing volvulus due to their build and Moyen Poodles are unfortunately not exempted.
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Joint dysplasia refers to the abnormal formation of a joint socket. In the case of hip and elbow dysplasia in Moyen Poodles, it is the hip and elbow sockets that are affected resulting in instability of these two very important joints.
Without proper management and lifestyle changes to diet and activity levels, hip and elbow dysplasia can lead to joint destruction and debilitating arthritis later on in the dog’s life.
Allergies
Medium Poodles are also very prone to developing allergic reactions. The most common include food intolerances and seasonal allergies to things like dust and pollen.
These often manifest with skin irritation which if not addressed can result in skin infections and overall poor coat health.
Ear Infections
Medium Poodles, like any other Poodle variety, have long, droopy ears and thick fur that grows inside the ears. This creates a suitable environment for germs to thrive and predisposes the dogs to ear infection.
Fortunately, ear infections in Moyen Poodles can be prevented with regular ear cleaning and coat trimmings.
How To Take Care Of Medium Poodles?
For the most part, taking care of a Medium Poodle is just like taking care of any other Poodle variety.
However, there are a few differences in terms of things like food portions and exercise needs that you need to be familiar with to take the best care of your Moyen Poo.
To help you out, here are the most important needs that Medium Poodles have and how to meet them as a first time Moyen Poo parent.
Diet
A healthy diet is crucial to the health and wellbeing of a Medium Poodle. You need to invest in high quality dog food in which case we recommend Pet Plate. They use human-grade ingredients and customize meals based on your dog’s specific breed and health needs.
In terms of portions, an adult Moyen Poodle can eat between 1.5 to 2 cups of food every day.
Finally, make sure to include supplements like multivitamins as well as bone and joint supplements to have a truly well-rounded diet or your dog.
Exercise
A Medium Poodle falls between Standard and Miniature Poodles in terms of exercise needs. They are a bit more energetic than the former but less active than the agile and playful Mini Poo.
On average, you should set aside 1 to 2 hours of the day for exercise to keep your Medium Poodle happy and healthy.
Healthcare
As far as healthcare needs go for a Medium Poodle, how often you visit the vet will depend on how healthy or sickly your Poo is. If you have a relatively healthy dog, then all you need to do is schedule routine vet visits every 3 to 4 months or so.
For sickly Moyen Poodles, your vet will advise you on the interval of visits that are ideal for adequate care of your doggy.
Are Medium Poodles As Smart As Standard Poodles? Temperaments Of Medium Poodles
For the most part, Medium Poodles take the best features of all Poodle variations. They are some of the most adaptable dogs and can fit in anywhere from single person homes to family settings.
Here are some of the personality traits that make Moyen Poodles so awesome.
Intelligent
Moyen Poodles are very smart which makes them easy to train whether it is obedience training, potty training, or teaching them cool tricks. The fact that they are obedient and eager to please also makes training and living with these doggies very easy.
These traits make Medium Poodles awesome dogs for first-time dog owners as they are relatively easy to manage.
Loyal
Moyen Poodles are very loyal dogs. It is in their instincts to be very close to their human companions and also protective in case they feel that their human families are in any way threatened.
The loyalty of Medium Poodles combined with their general mistrust for strangers makes them great for use as guard dogs.
Reserved
One trait that the Medium and Standard Poodle varieties share is the fact that they are both very reserved dogs. They can actually be snobby towards strangers and much prefer the company of people that they are familiar with.
However, this is a trait that you can very easily get rid of if you want a more outgoing dog. Just expose the Moyen Poo to strangers and other pets at an early age to get them properly socialized.
Independent
Another reason why Medium Poodles fit so well in different settings is the fact that they are very confident and independent dogs. As long as they feel safe and are well fed, they will likely keep to themselves and find ways to keep themselves entertained.
This means that Moyen Poodles are some of the best dogs to keep if you have a busy schedule that will require you to leave them alone for some time.
Do Medium Poodles Shed Hair? Grooming Tips For Medium Poodles
One of the best things about Poodles in general is the fact that they are hypoallergenic. Medium Poodles also have the same hypoallergenic, dense and tightly coiled fur.
This coat trait not only makes them easy to live with in homes with people with dog allergies but also makes Moyen Poodles easy to take care of in terms of grooming.
While the Moyen Poodle coat sheds rarely and minimally, you still have to have a good grooming schedule to keep the coat healthy and beautiful. Here are two of the most important coat grooming needs you need to regularly take care of as a Moyen Poo parent.
Deshedding And Detangling
Many people assume the fact that Medium Poodles shed very little means that they do not need brushing. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
You actually need to brush your Moyen Poodle’s coat at least 3 times a week to detangle it and get rid of the little shed fur.
We recommend that you invest in a high quality grooming comb like the Furminator Undercoat Tool. It has strong bristles that will work on the very dense Moyen Poodle’s coat to detangle and deshed without damaging the top coat.
Washing
Medium Poodles rarely get stinky unless they have skin issues related to their many allergies. You can schedule a washing schedule with an interval of 4 to 8 weeks depending on your dog’s coat health status. Moyen Poodles with problematic skin may need more frequent washes.
Your choice of shampoo is also very important. We recommend Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner. It includes oatmeal proteins that have a soothing and restorative effect. This will come in very handy for Moyen Poos with skin irritation.
Related Questions
How Much Do Medium Sized Poodles Cost? A Medium Poodle, or Moyen Poodle, will cost between $2,000 and $2,500. This price range falls between the Standard Poodle that can go for as much as $5,000 and the Miniature Poodle that on average costs $1,500. The fact that Moyen Poodles are often misclassified in countries where they are not recognized means their prices vary greatly depending on the breeder. So you may end up paying way more or less than the quoted estimate.
What Size Poodle Should I Get? The size Poodle that you should get depends on your specific needs and preferences. As a first-time dog owner, Medium and Miniature Poodles are the best options as they are relatively low maintenance. For a home with children, you may want to go with the friendlier and more gentle Miniature and Toy Poodles.
What Is The Difference Between A Moyen Poodle And A Standard Poodle? The difference between a Moyen and Standard Poodle is the size. Moyen or Medium Poodles are smaller than the Standard Poodle. Moyen Poodles typically measure 15 to 19 inches in height and weigh between 15 and 40 lbs in weight. Standard Poodles, on the other hand, can grow up to 24 inches and 70 lbs as adults.
