Toy Poodles come in a variety of solid colours. Some breeders now breed part-coloured poodles; however these do not meet showing standards.
Origin of the Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle was bred down from larger poodles, today known as the ‘Standard Poodle’. This was because in the 18th century, the smaller size poodle was deemed desirable by royalty, as having a lap dog was a signifier of wealth. All poodles have a love of water: in fact, it is believed that their name came from the German ‘Pudel’ which means ‘one who plays in water’.
Sizes of Typical Male and Female Toy Poodles
The Toy Poodle is classed as a small, or toy, dog. They weigh between 3kg and 4kg. For a poodle to be classed as a Toy Poodle, they must measure no higher than 25.4cm at the highest point of the shoulders. This classification applies to both males and females.
Toy Poodle Temperament
The Toy Poodle is recognised as a very intelligent dog, with a lovely temperament as long as they are properly socialised. As with all small dogs, owners must be firm when training to avoid the development of ‘small dog syndrome’ – where the dog believes he or she is the ‘pack leader’ of the household. This can lead to behaviour such as snapping, growling and attempting to control the ‘pack’ by obsessive barking. The Toy Poodle is recommended for households with children old enough to assert their dominance over the dog.
Toy Poodle Coats
As these dogs do not shed, it is important to groom the Toy Poodle regularly. This includes clipping the coat every six to eight weeks, bathing and brushing. Allergy sufferers may also like to consider owning a Toy Poodle as their coats do not tend to provoke a reaction, unlike most breeds of dog.
Exercise Your Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are playful little dogs and benefit from off-lead activities in large enclosed areas, such as fetching tennis balls and even swimming. However, it is also important to satisfy their primal urge to walk, and so they should be walked at least once a day.
What Health Problems can Toy Poodles Suffer From?
Toy Poodles are subject to many genetic diseases, such as IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), diabetes, epilepsy, heart disorders, runny eyes, ear infections and digestive tract problems, as well as several separate eye conditions which can eventually lead to blindness. Allergies are also common, often to shampoo, so it is recommended that owners buy hypo-allergenic dog shampoo from a vet or specialist pet store, if skin irritation occurs after bathing.
The Life expectancy of a Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is a fairly long lived breed for a small dog, with the average being between 12 and 15 years, although some have been known to live to up to 20 years.
The cost of a Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are popular dogs, with puppies costing between £550 and £600 on average.
Toy Poodle Puppies
Toy Poodle puppies are creatures of routine, so it is best to stick to the routine the breeder has been working on and gradually implement your own across a period of two weeks to a month. They should be introduced to their own sleeping area as soon as being brought home so they feel they have a secure retreat – this prevents the puppy becoming stressed, which can trigger nervous behaviours. Puppies also require a lot of attention and gentle early training can benefit both the owner and the puppy greatly.
Dog Groups Related to Toy Poodles
Toy Group; Gun Dog Group (for larger poodles)
Similar dog breed(s) to the Toy Poodle
Miniature Poodle, Chihuahua