Toy poodles are among the most popular breeds of dogs on the planet.
They are also brilliant and energetic dog breeds with very good temporary.
Although toy poodles are considered French dogs, they originated in Germany as Retriever or water dogs.
The fame the poodle dog has acquired over the years may partly result from its three different sizes: the standard, miniature, and toy sizes.
All breeds of poodles are considered the same and are held to the same standards.
Many people like poodles because they can be very affectionate dogs and make wonderful companions.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: Standard poodle: over 15 inches; miniature poodle: 10 to 15 inches; toy poodle: 10 inches and under
- Weight: Standard poodle: 45 to 70 pounds; miniature poodle: 15 to 18 pounds; toy poodle: 5 to 9 pounds
- Coat: Curly, dense single coats
- Coat color: One of several solid colors, including but not limited to black, white, grey, brown, and apricot. Some registries also accept particolored poodles.
- Life expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Characteristics of the Poodle
- Friendliness: High
- Intelligence: High
- Pet-Friendly: High
- Affection Level: High
- Playfulness: High
- Exercise Needs: High
- Amount of Shedding: Low
- Kid-Friendly: High
- Energy Level: Medium
- A tendency to Bark: Low
- Trainability: High
History of the Poodle
According to the history of poodles, they originated in Germany, but many people have believed them to be French dogs for many decades.
These dogs’ names were derived from the German word pudel, which means to Splash in water. Of the three sizes of poodles, the standard Poodles are believed to be the oldest of this breed.
They have a history of use as water and retriever dogs, leading to the popular poodle haircut, specially created to shield their joints from cold temperatures.
When they were used as retriever dogs, poodles would retrieve different fowls for hunters as the miniatures and toy poodles were great swimmers and hunters themselves.
With time, French aristocrats began to adopt miniature and toy-sized poodles as pamper dogs, but they also found their way into the circus as performance dogs.
In 1874, the poodle was recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club of England, and in 1886, they were recognized by the American Kennel Club.
While the products have become one of the top 10 most famous dog breeds for several decades, they did not become popular in the United States of America until after the Second World War.
Caring for your toy poodle
Poodles have beautiful, unique fur coats. Because their coarse, curly hair is continuously growing, attention must be paid to proper grooming, including frequent haircuts and brushing.
Their fur is just one layer retained in the coat instead of being shed. If you do not brush your poodle regularly, this can lead to matting.
They are also prone to having tear stains under the eyes. Toy poodles have beautiful, unique hair coats.
The poodle is considered one of many hypoallergenic breeds of dogs due to its coat and shedding pattern.
While these dogs still have allergens in their saliva and dander, they shed less into the air.
These dogs may be suitable for people who are moderately or mildly allergic to dogs. However, sensitive people should spend time around a toy poodle to see whether or not their allergies are triggered.
Your toy poodle will need to get its nails trimmed every few weeks. Maintaining excellent dental hygiene by brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice or thrice a week is also good.
Also, check your toy poodle dog’s ears, as dog breeds with drop ears are more likely to get ear infections.
Like all other breeds of dogs, the toy poodle requires the right training and socialization to be happy and well-adjusted.
Because toys and other poodles are brilliant dogs, they can be trained easily to perform various tricks and commands.
These dogs will also quickly learn bad habits if you are inconsistent in your training. Ensure your toy poodle accepts you like the big dog and is not spoiled into assuming it has that position in your household.
The toy poodle has a moderate to high standard and needs daily exercise regarding energy levels. Ensure that you establish a routine that entails fun activities and walks.
Activities like games are great for keeping your toy poodle physically and mentally stimulated.
A bored toy poodle may exhibit destructive habits. Ensure you train your toy poodle to walk on a leash and freely socialize with your pet so that it is welcome at any dog park.
When properly raised, toy poodles can do great in families with kids. Note that toys and miniature poodles are fabulous for adults but might get injured by a baby or child who doesn’t treat a dog gently.
They may also hurt your child as they get defensive if roughly handled. Older kids who love and respect a dog can find a toy poodle as a fantastic play companion.
Toy poodles can be fabulous in multi-pet families, mostly if raised with other pets.
Common Health Problems of Toy Poodles
Routine vet checks will help your toy poodle maintain a healthy lifestyle for years. Toy poodles are sometimes noticed to have a longer lifespan than the average dog.
Responsible dog breeders strive to retain the highest breed standards according to those established by kennel clubs like the AKC.
All dogs bred by these standards have less likelihood of inheriting medical problems.
However, this dog breed has a recorded occurrence of hereditary health problems. Some conditions to have include;
- Addison’s Disease
- (Hypoadrenocorticism): A hormonal disorder triggered by insufficient production of aldosterone and cortisol.
- Cushing’s Disease
- (Hyperadrenocorticism): This is an overproduction of the cortisol hormone
- Patellar Luxation: This is a dislocation of the dog’s kneecap
Diet and Nutrition
The amount of food you feed your poodle will significantly depend on age, size, activity level, and many other factors.
Giving your toy poodle at most two meals a day is advisable. Toy poodles must be fed up to 1/4 cup of dog food per serving.
You will need to resist the temptation to give your dog human food, regardless of how much they give you puppy eyes, beg, or try to teach you a few tricks to get a treat.
Such can cause them to adopt a finicky eating habit and cause them to gain excess weight.
Monitor how your pet gains weight, as obesity may lead to more illnesses and shorten your toy poodle’s lifespan.
Discuss your toy poodle’s nutritional needs with your vet.
Pros
- Does well with kids
- It has a lifespan that is longer than that of many other breeds of dogs
- It does not shed much and can also be considered hypoallergenic
Cons
- Require a large amount of grooming
- Need plenty of exercise and entertaining
- Requires training to avoid adopting bad habits
Where to Adopt or Buy a Poodle
You can check local rescue groups or animal shelters to see if toy poodles are available for adoption.
You can try the Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation, Inc., a national organization dedicated to rescuing all types of poodles from abandonment, abuse, and neglect.
Also, The Poodle Club of America offers a list of breeders and local clubs nationwide but doesn’t endorse or guarantee any person or organization.
Talk to others who own poodles to know what they think about you adopting one.
