Toy Poodle Dog Breed

The Toy Poodle dog breed has a well-deserved reputation for high intelligence. In other words, he's very smart and can be easily trained - in fact some owners claim poodles just about train themselves!

White Toy Poodle lying down in leafy surroundings

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Poodles like to be talked to, actively listen, and seem to understand words better than other breeds which is a distinct advantage when teaching them new commands.

If you're into competition, this breed does well in obedience and agility. In fact, it would be a shame not to develop these natural abilities.

Poodle dogs are sensitive, very loyal and loving pets who really enjoy being in close contact with their families. They also are quite protective, though not aggressive and have strong instincts for being a watchdog.

Clever, entertaining and quick to mimic, this breed has been well known over several centuries for its role performing in circuses.

Over time, the toy poodle dog has been bred down to an even smaller size, often referred to as the teacup. However, health problems have been noted in these wee ones so that is something to consider if you're interested in having one.

Toy Poodle Dog Breed History

The Toy Poodle dog was originally developed as a sporting dog that could be useful in both water and in hunting over land. Throughout the breed's history they have been one of the most popular dogs around the world.

Although the poodle is considered the national dog of France, its development, according to reliable sources, originated in Germany where it was known as Pudel and was involved in water sports and as a serious working dog.

At that time it was a much larger dog. Interestingly, both the toy and miniature poodles have some background as truffle hunting dogs in England.

It wasn't until its appearance in France that it was bred down to the toy-sized and miniature poodles we see today. During the 18th century the breed became a favored companion pet among the aristocracy.

Delving even further back into this breed's origins, evidence shows that the poodle, or a very similar dog, was around during the 13th century. To back this up, their likeness has been found in portraits and artifacts of that time period.

This toy dog breed is very dainty and elegant in its appearance. The curly coat is most often seen in the "lion clip" which originated to facilitate swimming and subsequently became the most popular look. Another interesting fact is that the Toy Poodle dog has webbed feet - a physical characteristic that no doubt contributes to its natural swimming ability.

Toy Poodle Appearance

Height: Less than 10 inches.
Coat Colors: Solid - black, white, cream, brown, gray, silver or apricot.

Miniature poodles and Standard poodles are both larger than the toy and are classified under the non-sporting group of dogs.

Grooming

The single curly coat of the toy poodle is inherited from its larger ancestors who were protected by it when retrieving water fowl.

It is understandably quite full and grows quickly. A coat such as this is a magnet for mats and tangles. See our guest article on how to undo your dog's tangles for tips on this snarly problem.

Daily brushing and combing will help smooth out any tangled spots before they become more serious matters and need cutting out! You can easily do this while brushing out the loose hair which tends to build up in this type of coat.

I personally have a dog with a similar coat and find the slicker brush works well along with a comb and some brushing spray for handling individual sections. Tip; Avoid the cheap slicker brushes as the pins will irritate your dog's skin. The best ones have smooth bendable pins that are much more effective and kinder to your pet. A good comb to use daily and after a bath is this one.

In addition to home care, regular and fairly frequent professional clipping would be needed if you want to maintain a traditional look. For non-show dogs, an easier care short clip may be preferred. While shedding is little to almost none, and is helpful for allergy sufferers, it does mean that the build up of loose hair does need to be brushed out as previously mentioned.

Poodles, like most small dogs, tend to have more dental issues. This makes it important to Brush your pet’s teeth frequently (daily is ideal) and having them inspected by your vet annually. Also, check your Poodle's ears for any signs of trouble and gently clean if needed. Trim nails about once a month, or when you hear them clicking.

For more coat care information, following is a poodle grooming video guide by a world renowned professional groomer.

Health Issues

Toy Poodles from reputable breeders generally live healthy lives. That said, as with any purebred dog, there are some health issues to be aware of that may affect him during his lifespan of up to 18 years.

The most common issues include:

Luxating patella: As the name implies, this involves a dislocation of the kneecap to varying degrees and is usually an inherited defect and more common in toy or smaller breeds. Responsible breeders will screen more than one generation of parents for this condition, before breeding, as well as the resulting puppies, before they are offered for purchase. An early sign of Patella Luxation is limping.

Collapsed trachea: This disease mainly affects toy breeds such as Poms and Yorkies, usually when they are middle-aged. It occurs when the cartilage rings around the trachea become weaker, resulting in respiratory impairment. When this happens, it is characterized by a type of coughing often described as honking. Dogs will be more susceptible to the condition if they become overweight or develop a bad case of bronchitis.

Hypothyroidism: A disease resulting from thyroid hormone deficiency. Typical signs include weight gain, absence of heat cycles, hair loss and lethargy. It is generally treated with replacement hormones.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is linked to a recessive gene mutation and is identified by a failing of the rods and cones of the retina. Sadly it leads to vision loss, but fortunately, a DNA test is now available to detect one form of its presence in affected dogs, providing valuable information to breeders.

Hip dysplasia: A genetic joint disease that results from the malformation of the hips and is characterized by joint weakness, stiffness, and pain caused. Depending on the severity of the condition, a veterinarian may advise pain medication or surgery.

Toy Poodles also have a predisposition toward other disc problems.

Some of these issues are inherited disorders, while others are connected with their fragility.

The National Breed Club Recommends These Health Tests:

Patella Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test

Activity Level

The Toy Poodle dog breed is much like other active dogs which means that they do need to be taken out for walks on a regular basis, but it doesn't need to be an extreme amount of exercise.

Since the Toy Poodle dog breed is quite energetic and playful, if you have a fenced outdoor area, they will enjoy being able to run off a lot of their natural energy.

On the other hand, because the toy poodle is quite intelligent, he needs both mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy.

Getting out fulfills a large amount of this important need as does training and socialization.

Ideal Living Space

Apartments, condos or houses will suit the toy poodle dog breed equally well.

While poodles do well as indoor companions, a fenced yard or other safe outdoor area is a real plus especially if regular walks aren't always possible.

The Toy Poodle With Children?

The Toy Poodle dog does best in families with older children who are considerate and careful with pets - particularly pets that are fragile - such as this one.

Like many very small dogs, the poodle is rather skittish around little children and tends to avoid them if they can.

Whichever breed you choose for your family, please make sure an adult always supervises activities involving children and pets because even the most reliable breeds can be unpredictable.

With Seniors?

The Toy Poodle dog breed, because of its strong affection for family and close bonding, makes an excellent companion for the elderly or more sedentary family.

The low exercise demand is also a favorable consideration.

Buy or Rescue A Toy Poodle

The first step is to locating a reputable breeder because they are concerned with the quality and health of their puppies. You can tell a lot about a reliable breeder by how willingly the parents health history is provided and if they encourage you to meet the parents.

Avoid casual breeders, along with pet shops and puppy mills, because they are generally focused on making sales - rather than meeting any standard.

To begin your search: The American Kennel Club maintains a list of breeders pledged to uphold AKC-endorsed responsible breeding practices: https://www.marketplace.akc.org/

Available puppies can also be found through the AKC Marketplace

Poodle Club of America for National and Local breeder referrals

Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation for Rescue contacts by state

Local breed clubs and sometimes local animal shelters are other sources to check for rescues and adoptable dogs.

The cost to purchase an Toy Poodle puppy is between $1,000 to $5,000. The reputation of the breeder, champion lineage, coat color, and health testing can have an affect on the price.

Other expenses to calculate include: required dog license, vaccinations, routine vet visits - especially during the first year, food, crate, toys, grooming tools and pet health insurance.

If you purchase insurance when your Poodle is a puppy, the premiums will be less. This is a cost effective approach to hedge against rising veterinary costs.

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