Toy Poodles are meant to be cuddled. Sounds inviting? Want to grab one? But first, learn all you need about the toy Poodle dog breed. They’re tiny, toy-sized purebred dogs that look elegant with their slender muzzle and long neck. Poodles are among the oldest breeds and have a great history; they are just a smaller version of the Standard Poodle. The Poodle originated in France and Germany.
The Poodles are in three sizes – The standard, the miniature, and the toy. Initially, Poodles were water retrieving dogs and were bred as working dogs. The toy and miniature version of the Poodles were created when the owners didn’t want large-size Poodles. Instead, they wanted all the traits of the Poodles except their large size. Therefore, toy Poodles were created by breeding smaller dogs of the same breed and not with another breed. Until 1907, the toy and mini Poodles were called toy Poodles; later, a smaller version of the breed became popular due to selective breeding. Poodles under 11 inches were called toy Poodles, and those over 11 inches but under 15 inches were called miniature Poodles.
Interestingly, the Poodle is the national dog of France. The name “Poodle” was derived from the German word “Pudel,” meaning “splash in the water.” Poodles have a natural tendency to love water, hence the name. The French term “Caniche” means “duck dog,” as the Poodle dogs were used for duck hunting. The name helped to identify the Poodles back in the Middle Ages. So, in French or German, Poodles were named perfectly to fit their natural characteristics.
The Toy Poodles are the smaller and smallest version of the Poodle breed. They are intelligent, social, active, friendly, and aristocratic dogs. They are affectionate and loving and make the perfect family pet. They are friendly with children but need supervision as they may get hurt while playing due to their tiny size. Toy Poodle is that cute and curly pooch friend one will love to have in their family.
Toy Poodle Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Smart and intelligent
High maintenance
Friendly and fun-loving
Vulnerable to injury
Easy to train
Separation anxiety
Toy Poodle Highlights
If toy Poodles are not trained well, they consider themselves to be the Alpha male of the family. Hence they need to be taught to obey and learn manners.
Obedience training is essential to keep the dog active mentally and physically.
The Poodle coat needs high maintenance. Professional grooming is essential to keep the coat healthy and beautiful.
Poodles have weepy eyes, and their face has to be wiped daily with pet-friendly wipes.
Toy Poodle Personality
Among the three Poodles, the toy Poodle is the smallest and stands up to 10 inches tall, weighing about 5 pounds. They have square-shaped bodies with an array of coat colors and a curly coat and shed low. Their heads are held high with dark-colored eyes. The nose is often black, and the tail is docked to prevent injury. They have floppy ears with the same color as the body.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
High
Dog-friendly
Medium to high
Stranger-friendly
Medium to high
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
High
Sensitivity level
Medium to high
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
Medium to high
Heat tolerance
Medium to high
Toy Poodle Physical Features
Head: The head is held high and has a proud bearing. They have long muzzles and floppy ears, and the skull is moderately rounded. The muscles and cheekbones are flat, while their eyes are oval and dark and have an intelligent expression. They have scissors-like solid teeth.
Neck: The neck is long and elegant, allowing the body to carry itself elegantly. The shoulders are smooth and strongly muscled.
Topline: The topline is level with no sloping, except for a slight hollow behind the shoulder.
Body: They have a small body with a deep and broad chest. They have a long, muscular loin.
Tail: The tail is high and straight and docked of sufficient length.
Forequarters: The shoulders are strong, smooth, and muscled. The shoulder is well-laid back and the same as the length of the upper foreleg. The elbow lies directly below the highest point of the shoulder.
Hindquarters: The hind legs are straight and parallel. The stifles are well bent and muscular. The femur and tibia are of equal length.
Feet: The feet are small and oval. The toes are well arched and have thick, firm pads. The nails are short in size.
Coat: The coat is curly and dense. The fur is longer on the head and ears and shorter on puffs, bracelets, and pompoms.
Color: The coat colors come in apricot, black, brown, blue, cream, gray, red, silver, silver beige, white.
Gait: The head and tail carried up. They have a strong hindquarters drive and short trot with springy action.
Toy Poodle Temperament
Toy Poodles are intelligent, loving, affectionate, playful, obedient, easy to train dogs, and are not aggressive but have watchdog tendencies. They bark at noises or any movements to alert you. They may be shy or friendly to strangers, and this varies. They are energetic and athletic. Originally, Poodles were used for hunting ducks and birds. They are very affectionate towards their owners and love to please them. They are very friendly with kids and love to play, jump and be around people. They get stressed and anxious when left alone for a long time. Toy Poodles love to play and romp around puppies and young dogs.
Toy Poodle Training
Toy Poodles are easy to train and very obedient. They are clever, active and energetic, and quick learners. Socializing is essential along with training and must be started at eight weeks. Ensure to include other animals and dogs to minimize aggression. Toy Poodles are sensitive dogs and should be trained using positive reinforcement methods. They can be engaged in many canine hobbies and taught numerous tricks and games. This keeps them active, happy, and motivated and increases the bond between the owner and the dog.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey drive
Low
Mouthiness tendencies
High
Barking and Howling tendencies
Low
Wanderlust tendencies
Medium
Toy Poodle Exercise Needs
Toy Poodles are energetic and athletic dogs. Regular exercise keeps them fit and happy. They love to swim, walk, jog, run and play fetch with their humans. They like outdoor activities, and well-exercised Poodles will be more pleased, relaxed, and fit. Unfortunately, obesity is one of the health concerns in toy Poodles, and exercise is essential to keep them at a healthy weight.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
Medium to low
Playfulness
High
Toy Poodle Grooming
Toy Poodles have lush, curly coats and are high-maintenance dogs. Grooming plays an essential part in the Poodles’ fluffy and healthy look. If their coat is neglected, Poodles are prone to skin infections. The fur is softer than most dogs and grows consistently. You must professionally groom every 3-6 weeks. Brush daily to keep the coat healthy and tangle-free. Always use dog-friendly and hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner to keep off the mats and tangles. You can clip the hair, and various clips are available for your Poodle friend. With the right tools, grooming a Poodle is no less than a walk on a cake. Clean your dog’s ear, trim your dog’s nails and brush your dog’s teeth regularly.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom
Low
Drooling tendencies
Low
Amount of shedding
Low
Toy Poodle Health
Toy Poodles live 12-15 years and are generally healthy dogs. But these Poodles are pedigree dogs and are prone to certain inherited diseases.
Health Overview
Basic health
Low to medium
Weight gain possibilities
High
Size
Medium
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is outwardly a painful disease that occurs when the bones of the back legs do not fit properly in the joints. While some dogs will exhibit symptoms, the majority of canines will not. Hip dysplasia is primarily genetic, although other causes such as accidents, excessive weight gain, and inappropriate training can also cause it. Even though this disease is fatal, therapies range from medicine to hip replacement surgery. To avoid this problem, avoid breeding dogs with hip dysplasia parentage and get annual examinations.
Addison’s Disease: This highly severe disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by the adrenal gland’s inadequate synthesis of adrenal hormones. Most dogs with Addison’s illness vomit, have a low appetite and are sluggish. Because these symptoms are nonspecific and can be confused for other diseases, it’s easy to overlook this condition as a diagnosis until it’s too late. More severe symptoms appear when a dog is agitated or when potassium level increases to the point where they interfere with cardiac function, resulting in severe shock and death. If Addison’s disease is suspected, your veterinarian may run a battery of tests to make a diagnosis.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a degenerative eye disease affecting the retinal cells. Due to the degradation of the retinal cell, the afflicted dog will eventually go blind.
Epilepsy: Idiopathic epilepsy is a common hereditary disorder. It frequently causes seizures, ranging from mild to severe. Unusual behaviors may indicate a stroke, such as frantically fleeing as threatened, stumbling, or hiding. Seizures frighten, but dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have a relatively good long-term outlook. Other than unexplained epilepsy, seizures can be induced by metabolic disorders, respiratory illnesses of the brain, malignancies, toxin poisoning, and severe traumatic injury.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: This genetic blood disorder impairs the blood’s ability to clot. The primary symptom is excessive bleeding after surgery. Nosebleeds, bleeding jaws, and intestinal or bowel bleeding are some of the signs and consequences. There is still no cure; the only option is a transfusion from healthy canines. New treatments, including medicine, are being investigated. Most dogs with Von Willebrand’s syndrome can lead everyday lives. You must take your dog to the vet for diagnosis.
Corneal Dystrophy: Corneal Dystrophy is another inherited illness that affects the tissues of the cornea of the eyes. Although some Poodles exhibit signs of forming an opaque coating, it is not an unpleasant illness.
Sebaceous Adenitis: Toy Poodles are more susceptible to the disease, and it’s estimated that half of all toy Poodles are transmitters or afflicted. Sebaceous adenitis is a challenging genetic disease misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism, asthma, or other ailments. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous gland, which protects the coat. The sebaceous gland becomes inflamed in sebaceous adenitis, resulting in the dog’s death. Baldness and rough, scaly skin on the dog’s head, neck, and back are all signs of this disease. Secondary skin infections and skin swelling might occur in severe instances.
Bloat: A common issue in large breed dogs occurs when the stomach is filled with gas and thus bloats.
Toy Poodle Diet and Nutrition
Poodles are individuals like humans. How much a dog eats depends on size, weight, height, and metabolism. A toy Poodle must be fed 1.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food daily, divided into two meals. They develop obesity and are prone to joint problems and other health woes when overfed.
Toy Poodle Living Condition
Toy Poodles are stylish and athletic dogs and require high maintenance. They are suited in apartments as well as larger houses. Toy loves to play and be around humans and suffers separation anxiety when left alone. They are sensitive dogs and are stressed by loud noises and rough handling. They cannot tolerate cold weather conditions and can thrive in hot temperatures.
Did You Know?
Poodles first originated in Germany, even though they are the national dog of France.
Poodles are looked at as aristocratic showcase dogs. But they were initially bred as hunting dogs.
Poodle cuts are done for efficient functioning, not as a fashion statement. The Less hair, the more efficiently they swim.
Toy Poodle, Standard Poodle, and Miniature Poodle all belong to one Poodle breed and have the same characteristics except the size.
Irrespective of the size, all Poodles are high-energy dogs.
Poodles have hair like humans and not fur. Fur grows and sheds. Hair does not grow after a particular stage.
Elvis Persley was fond of Poodles. Celebrities who love Poodles include Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn, and Walt Disney.
Toy Poodle Club Recognition
AKC-Recognized Toy Poodle Breed in 1887
United Kennel Club in 1914
Adding a Toy Poodle to Your Family
Things To Remember Before Buying A Toy Poodle
Need to provide enough exercise and mental stimulation
Provide enough socialization
Sensitive dogs should be adequately taken care of.
Grooming is an essential part of living with a Toy Poodle.
They are watchdogs and bark at noises, movements, and visitors to alert the owner.
Cost of a Toy Poodle Puppy
A toy Poodle puppy may cost anywhere between $1500 to $3000 per puppy.
