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Breed Characteristics
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Toy Poodle
| Other Names | Caniche, Barbone, Chien Canne, Teacup Poodle, French Poodle, Pudle, Teddy Poodle |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 6 - 9 lbs. (3 - 4 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | up to 10 in. (25.4 cm) The sizes of the official AKC-recognized Poodle breeds are determined by height, not by weight. The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle that is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders cannot compete in the AKC show ring as a Toy Poodle. |
| Coat | The Toy Poodle has a beautiful coat that is a single layer and completely non-shedding. It does need to be groomed every 6-8 weeks to keep the coat free of mats. They should be bath frequently and brushed a few times a week. |
| Colour | They come in all solid colours including black, blue, silver, gray, cream, apricot, red, white, brown or café-au-lait. While it does not make the written show standard, some breeders are breeding parti-coloured Poodles. |
| Litter Size | 1 - 4 puppies |
| Life Span | 10 - 15 years |
| Origin & History | Poodles are supposed to have originated in Germany, where it is known as the Pudel or Canis Familiaris. The English word Poodle comes from the German Pudel , meaning to splash in the water. However for years it has been regarded as the national dog of France, where it was commonly used as a retriever as well as a traveling-circus trick dog. In France it is known as the Caniche, or duck dog. It is known that this breed has been around for at least 400 years throughout Western Europe. Despite the controversy France has now been officially recognized as its country of origin. The Poodle's distinctive looks have made it a popular subject for paintings, dating back to the 15th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Poodle could be seen in circuses throughout Europe and America performing a variety of tricks. The French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec did a series of drawing and paintings of the breed. The Toy Poodle was breed down from the Standard and Miniature Poodle. This breed has become one of the most popular dog breeds ever. |
| Personality | The Toy Poodle is remarkably intelligent. Highly responsive, it is said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Sweet, cheerful, perky and lively, it likes to be with people. Delightful, very amusing and keen. Socialize these dogs well. They make very good watchdogs for their size. Without the proper type and amount of exercise they may be high-strung and timid. If the human is not 100% pack leader, they may snap if they are teased or surprised. Toy Poodles are generally good with other pets and dogs. Unless given rules to follow and limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do, this breed will tend to bark a lot. Do not let this small dog develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This causes varying degrees of behavior issues, including, but not limited, to snapping, growling, guarding, demanding, untrustworthiness with children and sometimes adults, sensitive, nervous, reserved with strangers and obsessive barking, as the dog tries to tell the humans what it is HE wants THEM to do. This little dog can be good with children, however is usually recommended for older children who know how to display leadership skills. The reason is that most humans treat the dog in such a way that makes it unsure just who the pack leader is in the human-dog relationship. The dog, in his mind, is convinced HE is the leader to humans. These are NOT Toy Poodle traits, but rather traits brought on by meek owners. Make sure you are your dog’s firm, consistent, confident pack leader, providing daily mental and physical exercise in order to have a trustworthy, mentally stable dog. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Some Toy Poodles may be more prone to eye diseases such as; Cataracts, Glaucoma, and retinal disease. Also more concerning problems may include, Legg Perthes disease, Gastric torsion, and Sebaceous adenitis. With many other breeds it is always good to watch out for gum disease, Ear infections, and parasites. |
| Grooming | Extensive grooming is needed if the dog is to be shown. Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The teeth need regular scaling. Since the coat does not shed it needs to be clipped. There are several different types of Poodle clips. The most common for pet owners is an easy care clip called a "pet clip," "puppy clip" or "lamb clip" where the coat is cut short all over the body. Popular show clips are the English saddle and the Continental clip where the rear half of the body is shaved, bracelets are left around the ankles, and pom-poms are left on the tails and hips. The AKC standard allows for a dog under a year old to be shown in a show style puppy clip which has special requirements such as a pom-pom on the end of the tail. Other clip styles are the modified continental clip, town and country clip, kennel or utility clip, summer clip, and the Miami of bikini clip. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers. |
| Exercise | These are active little dogs that need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. |
| Other Considerations | Toy Poodles are good for city life as well as country living. Given enough exercise, they are not active indoors. They will lie right next to you and are more sedate when indoors, although they love to play outdoors and are a highly intelligent breed, so they do like lots of thoughtful activities to stimulate their mentality. They will do okay without a yard. |
