Moyen Poodles- Everything You Need To Know!
Chances are you know there are three common Poodle types; toy, miniature, and standard Poodles. But have you ever known that there is another, a rarer type: the Moyen Poodle.
What are Moyen Poodles? How do they look like? What are their temperament and characteristics? Probably these are questions running in your mind. Just read on to learn more about the Moyen Poodles.
Moyen Poodles are Poodles that are balanced between the miniature and standard Poodle sizes. “Moyen” in their name is a French word that translates to “Medium” in English. Therefore, these dogs tend to stand 15-20 inches and 20-30 pounds, which are all between the standard and miniature Poodle sizes.
Other Names of Moyen Poodles
Having attracted lots of fans around the world, Moyen Poodles have various names that people around the world have given them. They are also known as;
- Knein Poodle
- Klein Moyen Poodle
- Barbone
- Kleinpudels
- French Poodles
- Puddle
- Chien Canne
- Caniche
Moyen Poodles- Brief Origin
As stated earlier, “Moyen” is not an English name. Rather, it is a French word that can be translated to “Medium” or “means”. Poodle on the other side comes from the German word “pudelin”, which means to splash or to play in the water.
The country of origin of Moyen Poodles four hundred years is greatly debated, although it’s clear that they came from Europe. It is also believed that they were used as water retrievers or water dogs for hunters and fishermen. They provided a “means” of hunting waterfowl.
The main reason for inventing the Moyen Poodle was to have a dog that was an effective retriever but did not take up as much room as a Standard Poodle. The Moyen Poodles were also used to prove that the Poodle has a very strong hunting instinct that can be tamed through selective breeding.
Lifespan
The lifespan of the Moyen Poodle is around 12 to 15 years. Therefore, they live just as long as other common types of Poodles that we know. However, it’s always important to keep in mind that the overall lifespan of any dog depends on things like health, level of care, diet, etc.
Also, it’s important to note that Moyen Poodles are generally healthy and have a very low risk of major health issues. However, when bringing a puppy home, you might want to make sure that the parents have been cleared from any diseases they can pass down.
Moyen Poodles- Appearance
As already stated earlier, Moyen Poodle can grow to stand at 15 to 20 inches tall and weigh 20 to 30 pounds, which are all between the standard Poodle and Miniature Poodle.
Before we get to the looks, it’s important to note that American Kennel Club only recognizes the three most common Poodle types; toy, miniature, and standard. No mention of the Moyen Poodles exists on their official website.
Moyen Poodle looks vary from one dog to another, depending on their parents’ traits. However, generally speaking, they have a longer muzzle with a graceful curve and the body of a standard Poodle. Their ears are usually long and can be carried either flat or semi-erect.
Moyen Poodle- Temperament
Moyen Poodles, just like other Poodles are;
Highly intelligent
Not many dog breeds can match the intelligence of a Poodle. And as one of these types, Moyen Poodles are also extremely smart and easy to train. Training works well for puppies, although it’s still possible to train an adult Moyen Poodle.
Alert and vigilant watchdogs
With their excellent sense of alertness and hearing, Moyen Poodles are very reliable as watchdogs. They are pretty quick in alerting their owner if any suspicious activity is happening.
Happy and playful
With a very keen sense of humor, Moyen Poodles tend to display a cute and happy behavior just like the other breeds of Poodles. They are very active and playful, which makes them suitable for children.
Social and energetic
Moyen Poodles love being around people. They are very comfortable and happy living with other pets like cats or even other dogs. In addition, they also don’t mind joining their family for a walk, which will surely make them happy.
Coat Colors
The coat colors for Moyen Poodles are the same as any of the other Poodles. They can be a single color or a mix of two or more colors. Their coat color(s) may include;
- Solid black
- White
- Brown
- Silver
- Cream
- Silver beige
- Red
- Apricot
- Gray
Moyen Poodle Attributes In Summary
| Factor | Description |
| Height | 15-20 inches |
| Weight | 20-30 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | Intelligent, social, eager to please, playful, hyperalert |
| Brushing Needs | At least twice a week |
| Coat colors | black, brown, silver, cream, beige, apricot, gray, red, silver beige, white, etc |
| Allergenicity of their coats | hypoallergenic |
| Puppy Price | About $3000 |
Moyen Poodle Shedding
Talking about the shedding part, Moyen Poodles shed a bit, just like any other type of Poodle. Therefore, they have hypoallergenic coats, which makes them one of the most suitable dog breeds for people with allergies.
In addition, the curly coats of Moyen Poodles require regular brushing and grooming. Brushing your furbaby at least twice a week can go a long way to help them remain comfortable.
Moyen Poodle Breeding
The desirable size of Moyen Poodles makes them one of the most valuable dogs for breeding. You can get a Moyen Poodle by breeding two Moyen parents. Also, you can attain their desirable size by breeding standard Poodles with miniature Poodles.
However, when breeding, whether it’s a standard Poodle with a miniature Poodle or two Moyens, you must take note of the health issues. Ensure that the parents are tested healthy for the hereditary conditions.
The fact is, you should never consider breeding your Poodle unless he or she has been tested and cleared of all the health issues. Breeding can be risky if not done right. And this risk increases depending on their size, which comes in different variations.
Nutritional Needs
Like Poodles and other dogs, your Moyen Poodle needs proper nutrition. Make sure they eat the right amounts of food and receive enough nutrients for their age, lifestyle, and activity level.
For small-breed dogs like a Moyen Poodle, it is recommended that you feed them twice or thrice per day with high-quality food. Also, make sure they always have access to clean water.
Their food needs to contain at least 18% protein and 12% fat, without added sugars. Other essential nutrients include calcium, phosphorus, and several vitamins.
However, don’t just feed your Moyen Poodle anything without checking the labels first. Some foods may contain harmful ingredients that can cause them to harm or even result in death.
Moyen Poodles- Health Issues
Similar to other types of dogs, Moyens can suffer from different kinds of diseases including;
- Hip Dysplasia: This is an abnormal formation of the hip joint, which may lead to severe lameness.
- Allergies: Allergens can cause uncontrollable itching or skin rashes and Moyen Poodles are highly susceptible to that.
- Eye Problems: As a pup, Moyen Poodle may suffer from some eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts.
- Gastric Torsion: Also called bloat, this is a condition that can happen when the stomach twists on itself and blocks off the normal passage of blood flow.
- Liver Shunt: Liver shunt happens when there is an abnormal communication between the blood vessels going to your Moyen Poodle’s liver and those coming back from the liver.
- Urinary Stones: This is when minerals in urine form stones that can block off the normal flow of urine. It can be life-threatening if not treated on time.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): This disorder involves poorly formed cartilage, which may lead to small flaps of cartilage breaking off and getting embedded in the joints.
Training Moyen Poodles
Since they are intelligent, eager to please, social, and quite energetic, training Moyen Poodles should not be a problem. Just like any other dog breed, you must show them who’s the boss from time to time.
Also, keep in mind that they can easily get bored when doing repetitive actions for too long. Hence, try to change things up once in a while and make training more interesting and challenging.
As with any other dog, you must teach them at least the basic manners. Basic commands like sit, stay, and come are essential for their safety as well as yours.
The best way to ensure they follow your orders is by associating them with rewards. For instance, you can get some small treats or even play with them when they do what you tell them to do.
Avoid using negative reinforcement because your Moyen Poodle will not understand why you’re being so mean to them. Also, avoid doing things that involve yelling or physical contact.
You must also socialize your Moyen Poodle with adults, children, and other pets while they are still a puppy. This way, they’ll get used to how humans and other animals behave and be happy around them.
Aside from that, you can also keep them mentally active by teaching them tricks or giving them a chance to explore new things.
Training sessions should not last more than 15 minutes at a time and some short playtime is recommended afterward.
Can Moyen Poodles Live In Apartments?
Yes, they can. However, this is only when you are willing to put in a considerable amount of time and effort for them.
You may have an easier time training your Moyen Poodle if he or she has sufficient space to play around in. But at the same time, it’s not healthy for a dog to be cooped up all day in a tiny place.
If you do decide to get an apartment for your dog, make sure that it’ll have enough space for him/her to run around and stay healthy. You should also put some effort into training them to be well-behaved creatures of the house.
Can Moyen Poodles Live In Cold Climates?
Moyen Poodles are believed to have originated from France and are thus adapted for living in cold climates. But if you decide to transfer them to warmer weather, they may experience problems such as overheating and generally being uncomfortable due to hair loss.
Their coats are not made up of typical dog fur, but instead, it’s thick and human-like. This is why they shed very little, but also means that they aren’t suited for living in a cold habitat.
Therefore, whether you are living in a cold or hot climate, always ensure that you create a comfortable home for your Moyen Poodle. This includes providing them with adequate living space, good ventilation and heating systems (if necessary), access to clean water at all times, and more.
Moyen Poodle Price
Poodles are generally very expensive dogs, however, Moyens are considered to be even more costly due to their desirability.
The price of a Moyen Poodle is about $3000 when you buy it from a breeder. Therefore, if you ever decide to get a Moyen Poodle, make sure to be ready for the expenses.
However, if you choose to adopt one from an animal shelter or rescue, only expect to part with a fraction of that much.
And other than the initial cost of buying the Poodle itself, you will also incur costs such as food, training, vaccinations, grooming, and dog accessories.
All in all, Moyen Poodles are considered more suitable for families that have the financial capability to take good care of their pets.
Advantages of Moyen Poodles:
Wondering why you should buy a Moyen Poodle and not just any other breed. Well, here are some of the advantages you get from this type of Poodles;
- Desirable size
- Intelligent
- Trainable
- Social
- Protection
- Soft and non-shedding coat.
Disadvantages of Moyen Poodles:
At the same time, here are some of the disadvantages you might encounter with your Moyen Poodle;
- Size can be a problem in small houses or apartments
- The coat is not suitable for cold climates
- Needs constant grooming
- Can be expensive to own
- High maintenance (as with all dogs)
Final Verdict
Moyen Poodles are intelligent, hardworking, and a joy to have around. They don’t differ much from other Poodle types. Actually, they share lots of similarities with other Poodles in terms of behavior and temperament.
However, they are more preferred than others due to their “convenient” size and desirability. If you’re looking for a furry companion and are tired of the giant breeds that have been around, perhaps it is time to pick out that Moyen Poodle.
