Toy poodles, along with standard poodles and miniature poodles, are famously known for their proven excellence in dog shows. Their curly and voluminous coat in combination with a confident strut always seem to steal the show. The poodle originated in Germany but is the national dog of France.

These dogs have a hypoallergenic coat, making them great for those with allergies. They were bred to serve as companion dogs, and they’re perfect for anyone looking for a small dog (up to 10 inches tall and up to 9 pounds). To boot, the breed is intelligent, athletic, and loyal, making it a great choice for single people and families alike.

Learn about the toy poodle, from their care needs and temperament to their history and more.

Characteristics of the Toy Poodle

Toy poodles are charismatic family pets that love to be the center of attention. They are highly intelligent and take well to obedience training, but can suffer from separation anxiety due to their companionable nature.

They do well around children and other pets and are well-suited to life in smaller spaces thanks to their petite size. However, these dogs are known for barking, so they may not be suitable for those living close to their neighbors. Also, teach your kids to be gentle with these little dogs, who might be injured by rough play.

The toy poodle comes in various colors, including gray, cream, brown, blue, apricot, red, black, and cafe au lait.

What Is the Difference Between Standard Poodles, Miniature Poodles, and Toy Poodles?

The main difference between standard poodles, miniature poodles, and toy poodles is their size.

• Standard poodle: over 15 inches tall; 40 to 70 pounds
• Miniature poodle: 10 to 15 inches tall; 10 to 15 pounds
• Toy poodle: 8 to 10 inches tall; 6 to 9 pounds

History of the Toy Poodle

The poodle was bred to be a duck hunting dog in Germany over 400 years ago, where their thick curly coat came in handy to protect against the cold. Their athletic skills and eagerness to please made them perfect retrievers.

The exaggerated show cut that poodles are often recognized for today stemmed from their historic days of retrieving. Hunters would trim the dogs’ coats to ensure they had free range of movement while also having adequate protection from the elements. So, hunters would shave their poodle’s legs, neck, and tail. Their chest, hips, and leg joints would still be covered with curly hair in rounded tufts.

Poodles have three variations—standard, miniature, and toy. The standard poodle is the oldest of these varieties and the miniature and toy variations were eventually created for those who desired smaller dogs. Despite their small size, toy and miniature poodles were working dogs. Toy poodles, specifically, have historically been desired for circuses due to their high intelligence and athleticism.

The toy poodle was first bred in the early 20th century as a companion dog, especially great for those living in apartments or smaller spaces. The poodle was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886 and the Poodle Club of America was founded ten years later. Today, poodles are exceedingly popular among pet parents, especially those in France. In fact, the poodle is the national dog of France.

Toy Poodle Care

Though poodles have gained a reputation of being fancy and high-maintenance, they really are no harder to care for than the average dog. In particular, toy poodles are considered the easiest of the bunch, due to their small size—tasks like grooming and exercise will take no time at all thanks to their petite frame.

Exercise

While larger standard poodles need plenty of room and exercise to thrive, smaller toy poodles do not. However, they are still an active breed. A total of 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise may be sufficient for them.

These dogs like going for daily walks with their loved ones. They also love swimming and performing tricks to burn off energy. Because poodles were originally bred to hunt, they enjoy fetching and retrieving, so you can play those types of games with them as a way to exercise them.

Grooming

Due to the toy poodle’s thick and curly coat, pet parents need to brush their dogs daily from root to end to prevent any matting. If their coat develops mats, toy poodles may need to be shaved quite short to give their hair a chance to grow back healthily.

Fine-toothed combs with sturdy teeth are great options to keep in your toy poodle grooming kit—they get the job done well without causing a significant amount of discomfort for the dog.

Toy poodles don’t shed, making them a great pet for people with allergies. Still, some people prefer to keep their toy poodle’s coat cut short to reduce the chance of matting and make clean-up after a muddy play session a little easier. These dogs were originally groomed with the Continental clip for hunting, but many people prefer a short, sporting clip since it requires less care.  

You may opt to do the trimming yourself with a pair of clippers or head to a pro every six weeks for a cut, bath, and nail trim. Luckily, it’s easy to train a toy poodle to behave at the groomer. 

In addition to caring for their coat, check your toy poodle's ears regularly to look for signs of infection, and clean the ears when needed. Also, clean their eye area gently to remove tear stains.  

Training

Toy poodles are an intelligent breed and absolutely love to please. As active and graceful dogs, they excel at sporting activities. Examples include obedience, agility, dock diving, and tracking. This may come as a shock to those who believe poodles are prissy or feminine—a common misconception. Toy poodles are great at learning and performing tricks.

Common Health Problems

Purebred toy poodles are generally healthy, with a lifespan up to 17 years. But, as with any pet, there are health risks. Always make sure to get your toy poodle from a reputable breeder who tests their puppies for common health problems and can provide you with medical paperwork before you commit.

Some health problems to watch out for in toy poodles include:

• Addison’s disease: This condition causes low adrenal hormones. Symptoms include slow heart rate, weakness, lethargy, unexplained weight loss, and more.  
• Hypothyroidism: This condition causes underactive thyroid. The thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, affecting a dog’s metabolism and causing symptoms like weight gain, cold intolerance, lethargy, and more.
• Progressive retinal atrophy: This condition affects the rods and cones inside the eye, eventually leading to blindness.
• Patellar luxation: This causes the dog’s kneecap to slip out of place. It can cause limping, and a dog might lick their knee a lot.
• Dental disease: Dental problems such as excessive tartar and gum disease are common in dogs. Brushing your pet’s teeth at home and having a vet examine your dog’s mouth regularly can help keep serious problems at bay.
• Cataracts: This eye condition causes clouding of the lens. It can impair a dog’s vision.

Diet and Nutrition

The best food for your dog will depend on their size and activity level. Because toy poodles are small in size, they don’t require a large number of calories each day. If they are fed above their ideal caloric level, they may become overweight or even obese without proper exercise to burn it off. It’s important to work with your vet to find the right food for your pet and the portion control required to keep them healthy.

Whether you choose wet, dry, or raw food, you should go for something relatively high in protein and fiber, but without too many fillers like corn bran or oat hulls. The ideal dog food should contain mostly whole foods and quality sources of protein, including things like real meat and vegetables.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Toy Poodle

Toy poodles from breeders might cost $1,000 to $3,000 on average. If you decide to purchase your toy poodle from a breeder, make sure that they are reputable. Top-notch breeders may have certifications or awards and they are always honest about health concerns and can provide their customers with health information for their puppies.

Toy poodle rescues often cannot provide that level of information on their puppies. However, the heartwarming thing about adopting is that you know you are giving a dog a happier and healthier life than they had before. To buy or adopt a toy poodle puppy, check out:

• AKC Marketplace
• The Poodle Club of America
• Toy Poodle Rescue
• Adopt a Pet

Be sure to check out options local to you, too. There are reputable breeders across the country and local rescues, even if they aren’t breed-specific, often have toy poodles up for adoption.

Toy Poodle Overview

The toy poodle makes a great dog for individuals and families. They are small and a lot of fun, but they are higher maintenance when it comes to grooming. Plus, they are hypoallergenic for those with allergies.

Pros of Toy Poodles

• Suitable for small spaces
• Smart and eager to please
• Low shedding
  

Cons of Toy Poodles

• High grooming needs
• Can bark loudly
• Prone to dental issues
  

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

When deciding whether a toy poodle is the right fit for your family, more research is always better. Talk to fellow poodle owners, your vet, and local breeders to ensure you have a good grasp on what it takes to be a toy poodle owner.

If you're interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Standard Poodle
• Pomeranian
• Bichon Frise
• Shih-Poo
• Poochon

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home.

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