The Toy Poodle – Brief History, Facts, Size and Temperament

One of the most miniature Poodle breeds is the Toy Poodle. Despite its small size, it possesses the same temperament and physical characteristics as the standard and miniature Poodle dogs.

They are intelligent, active, and social dogs. Also, they require frequent grooming and exercise.

Suppose you are already contemplating buying a toy poodle, or you have reservations about the breed because many people call them divas. Do not fret; we have all the Toy Poodle facts you need for this intelligent and surprising breed.

These are some of the facts you will want to know about this breed before adopting one.

Toy Poodle Overview

Why you should own a Toy Poodle

Benefits of owning a Toy Poodle

1. They are easy to train.
2. They are friendly and have a good temperament.
3. Toy poodles are intelligent dog breeds.
4. They are very athletic and agile.
5. You would not worry about them shedding as they shed minimal fur.

Demerits

1. Toy poodles can bark a lot.
2. They seek constant attention as they suffer from separation anxiety.
3. More often than not, when left alone, these breeds can cause a lot of damage to your property.
4. Due to their small stature, these dog breeds are not suitable for young children as they may end up hurting the dogs.
5. Toy poodles are prone to some health issues such as patellar luxation, epilepsy, and von Willebrand disease.

The Poodle Dogs

Poodles often come in three sizes: the standard, the miniature, and the Toy poodles. The standard Poodle is typically more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder, while the Miniature Poodles are less than 15 inches.

The Toy Poodles are no taller than 10 inches. Interestingly, all three Poodles have the exact proportions and conformities.

Despite the stereotypes that regard Poodles as sissy dogs, most are eager, athletic, and incredibly smart, with remarkable versatility. They also possess great character and cleverness.

The Miniature Poodle has a human-like personality and expects you to treat it like one.

Toy Poodle Weight

Consider the optimum weight of a Toy Poodle. What should the average Toy Poodle weigh?

On average, a healthy Toy Poodle should weigh between 4 – 6 pounds, less than a Miniature Poodle, which weighs between 10 – 15 pounds.

In addition to their weight, your Toy Poodle should have a square and well-proportioned look.

Grooming Your Toy Poodle

They require frequent grooming to prevent their coat from becoming knotted or tangled. However, you can keep your pet in a low cut; this will ensure that your pet’s coat will not become dull.

Suppose you do not brush or comb your pets’ coats thoroughly. The fur closest to the skin will become entangled or knotted. Your pet will require shaving and correct grooming to allow it to grow smoother fur. It is no wonder why several pet owners prefer to keep their Poodle’s coat shorter.

Grooming your pet is dependent on your personal preference. While some owners prefer to groom their pets themselves, others employ the services of a professional groomer frequently to groom and cater to their pets correctly.

This breed is suitable for people with allergies as it sheds little to no fur.

Recognized Coat Colors of the Toy Poodle

According to the AKC, it recognizes the following ten Poodle colors:

1. Black
2. Apricot
3. Brown
4. Blue
5. Grey
6. Cream
7. Red
8. White
9. silver beige
10. Silver

How To Care For Your Toy Poodle

One vital part of caring for your pet is to ensure you provide it with the best dog food available.

You can also consult your veterinarian or breeder to help determine the food suitable for your dog, considering its size, age, and activity level.

However, you must feed your dog food that is low in carbs. Suppose your pet has any allergies or digestive issues; a low-carb diet will ensure it can consume and digest its food easily.

You mustn’t feed a dog with your leftover food; you must ascertain which human foods your dog can consume safely and which foods are harmful to them.

Obesity is a severe issue in some as they tend to become overweight. It will help if you watch what your dog eats, its calorie consumption, and weight.

If you decide to treat your pet, do so in moderation. Although treats are essential to training, too many can cause obesity in your pet.

You must consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.

Exercise Requirements Of This Breed

Since Toy Poodles are very active dogs, they need good exercise daily to keep up with their high energy levels. Poodles are eager for all activities and like to keep themselves busy.

Swimming is an excellent exercise for them; most Poodles love getting in the water. Initially, their owners bred them as hunting dogs because of their skill.

Games such as chewing toys and throwing sticks or balls are good for them, and these exercises help stimulate their minds and bodies. Also, Toy Poodles enjoy going for jogs or long walks with their owners.

Training your Pet

Toy Poodles are exceptionally intelligent and easy-to-train dog breeds, and they are agile, graceful, and smart. Also, this breed enjoys and excels at dog sports such as agility games, fetch, and obedience.

Your pet is an excellent water retriever and can participate in dock diving and retriever hunting tests.

Poodles are very people-oriented; make your training routines fun and engaging, and your pet will become quickly attached to you. However, it is vital to ensure consistency with your requirements.

Toy Poodle Health Issues

This breed can live long, happy, healthy lives thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders. These responsible breeders test all breeding stock consistently.

However, as with all dogs, some health problems are more prevalent among Toy Poodles, including hip dysplasia and eye diseases.

Occasionally, the breed also suffers from idiopathic epilepsy and skin diseases. Furthermore, it is common to see this breed suffer from von Willebrand’s and immune-mediated diseases.

Two orthopedic problems, Legg-Calve-Perthes, and luxating patellas, are more common in Toy and Miniature Poodles than in Standard breeds.