Toy Poodle

Most toy poodles are very self-confident. This breed is the smallest of the poodle breeds, and it was first bred in America as a companion animal for city-dwellers. This member of the Toy Group was bred down from the standard poodle that was first bred in Germany as a retrieving water dog more than 400 years ago. Agile, intelligent, and self-confident, this poodle may be the right breed for you.

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If you want a dog that will miss you when you are gone, the toy poodle may be your perfect companion. Funny, intelligent, and cute, they are very loyal dogs that may make you the ideal pet.

9 Different Types of Toy Poodles and Toy Poodle Mixes

The American Kennel Club officially recognizes only solid colors of these poodles. The dog can be lighter in some areas and darker in others, but it cannot be a mixture of more than one color. These colors include:

• Blues – These dogs look like they have faded black coats. They must have black noses, eye-rims and lips, black or self-colored toenails, and very dark eyes. These dogs are born black and change over before their second birthday.
• Grays – These dogs may be born with a gray coat, or they may develop it by the time they are five. They must have black noses, eye rims, and lips along with black or self-colored toenails and very dark eyes.
• Silvers – These dogs look like they are diluted gray, and they have dark points like blues and grays. Once the head starts to clear at about six weeks, the face and paws will be silver. The rest of the body will become silver over the next two years. These dogs have the silver allele V gene.
• Browns – Brown toy poodles are an intense brown. They are carriers of the BB gene. Brown toy poodles will have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, dark toenails, and dark amber eyes.
• Café Au Laits – This color is a light tan. Dogs can either be born this color or develop it before they are two. They must have liver-colored noses, eye-rims and lips, dark toenails, and dark amber eyes.
• Apricots – There are different variations of this color. Some will look almost the color of hay, while others are so light that they might be confused with a Cream. Examine the skin under its coat, and it will have some black spots. Judges will give preference to dogs with dark-colored lips, toenails, and noses, but the amber color is not a disqualification.
• Creams – These dogs are carriers of the Cch gene, and they can be any shade of cream. They must have black noses, eye-rims and lips, black or self-colored toenails, and very dark eyes.
• Black – Black poodles will be black all over without a hint of another color. They must have black points.
• White – There is more variation allowed in white poodles than in other color groups as they can have an apricot or beige tint to their hair. They must have black noses, eye-rips and lips, very dark eyes, and black or self-colored toenails. One trait that is not allowed in this group are dogs with the ticking gene that makes their coat look dirty.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning Toy Poodles

Evolution and History

The toy poodle was bred to be a smaller version of the miniature poodle, which itself was developed from the standard poodle breed. It’s believed that many wanted smaller poodles as they appreciated the standard breed’s abilities but desired smaller-sized dogs. One such group was circus performers, who liked using the dogs in their acts due to their being easy to train, highly intelligent, obedient, athletic, and friendly but felt a smaller dog would make handling and transportation easier.

The standard poodle originated in the 1400s in Germany and its intelligence and gentle bite made it the perfect assistant to duck hunters. The hunters would shave the poodles’ coats to allow them greater range of movement while maintaining enough warmth and protection in their chests, hips, and legs when retrieving waterfowl, and these form the basis of the fancy clipping patterns seen on modern show dogs. The standard poodle later became popular among royalty and a favorite breed in France, being named in 1786 as France’s national dog. The miniature poodle was also originally bred for hunting, frequently used by truffle hunters.

It’s thought that toy poodles were first introduced around the 18th or 19th century. Initial efforts to create the smaller dogs met with difficulties both physical and behavioral as a result of irresponsible breeding, however once new practices were developed, the dogs became toy-sized replicas. They were originally primarily owned by royalty, who used them as lapdogs and warmers, being placed in the sleeves of clothing to provide warmth. King Louis XVI of France is known for being a huge fan of toy poodles.

The poodles in circuses performed tricks including walking tightropes, acting in comedic skits, and assisting in magic and card tricks. These days, poodles are famed as show dogs and are one of the most popular dog breeds on the planet.

Size and Weight

To be classified as a toy poodle, the dog must be under 10 inches tall at the highest point of their shoulders (standard poodles are more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder, while miniature poodles are 15 inches or under). The dog’s length from the end of the rump to the breastbone should equal the height of the dog. While the American Kennel Club sets no minimum or maximum weight limits, most dogs and bitches weigh between 3.5-and-5.5 pounds. The smallest toy poodle born weighed less than 1 ounce and easily fit in a man’s hand.

Common Health Issues

Like all dog breeds, these poodles have some common health issues. These include:

• Skin tumors
• Bladder stones
• Tracheal collapse
• Cushing’s disease

Let’s look at each in more detail.

Skin tumors often develop in dogs who are over seven years old. If they grow slowly and have a regular shape, they are usually nothing to worry about, but if they have an irregular shape and grow rapidly, then be sure to have your toy poodle checked out because it may be a cancerous growth.

The most common sign of bladder stones is blood in the urine and straining to urinate. While many stones take years to form, others form in as little as two weeks. Consult with a vet because this condition can be life-threatening and may require surgery.

Tracheal collapse occurs when the rings of cartilage that make up the tracheal collapse. Usually, doctors have a hard time determining the reason it starts. You may notice that the dog has a harsh dry cough. This condition typically occurs in middle-aged dogs and can make it hard to breathe and lead to respiratory issues.

Cushing’s disease, which is also called hyperadrenocorticism, is a malfunction of the adrenal glands. It usually develops very slowly. You may notice that the toy poodle drinks and urinates more than usual and eats more. Early treatment is usually an oral medication, but it can lead to hair loss, thin skin, and a potbelly if left untreated.

Temperament

Many people are surprised by the poodle’s agility if they conform to the breed standard of being only as long as they are tall. This ability allows owners to train them for use in agility obstacle course competitions. This behavior often makes them fun to watch.

These poodles can be very protective. They tend to attach themselves to one person and want to be with them all the time. This trait can result in separation anxiety when that person is at work or does not take their dog with them. It can also lead to a toy poodle developing jealousy towards other dogs or people.

This breed thrives on routine. They are smart, and they like to know what is going to happen and when. If a pattern gets broken, one of their personality traits is that they become a little jittery, so if your home is not ordinarily quiet, this may not be the best breed for you. They tend to bark and can snap when they are startled.

How to Take Care of Toy Poodles

There are many factors to consider when taking care of a toy poodle, especially puppies. You need to be prepared to take care of your pet in the best way possible, so consider these various factors.

The Best Dog Food for Poodles

It is vital to consider the nutritional needs of your dog.

• Puppy food: During the first three months of a toy poodle puppy’s life, they should have food available whenever they want it. Be sure that you wash and dry their feeding bowl frequently. Beginning at three months, your toy poodle should be fed three times a day with healthy snacks in between meals. Puppies need about 45 calories per pound that they weigh daily.
• Adult food: Adult toy poodles should be fed at least two meals a day. Adult toy poodles need about 35 calories per pound that they weigh daily. You should feed them dry food because it is better for their gums.

This breed has unique health conditions, and you want the best for your poodle. So mindfully select a quality dog food that provides the nutrients they need to live a long, healthy life.

At A-Z Animals, we believe the best dog food for poodles is Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food.

Poodles and their owners can breathe a sigh of relief that Royal Canin makes a breed-specific dog food just for poodles and their individual needs, including their skin. Though joint issues in this breed aren’t prevalent, we’re glad this food includes calcium and glucosamine for improved cartilage that may help prevent tracheal collapse. There are only high-quality ingredients, so you may minimize your Poodle’s risk of adrenal problems.

Here’s where to find Royal Canin Poodle Dog Food on Chewy and Amazon.

Best Overall

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Poodle Adult Dry Dog Food

• Contains EPA and DHA fatty acids
• Specially formulated for Poodles
• Shape of kibble makes it easy to pick up
• Antioxidants support healthy aging

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

The great news is that toy poodles shed very little, but you will still need to brush the dog daily and groom it every eight weeks. Showers select a variation of the lion trim for show arenas, but many people choose to clip their toy poodle’s hair short all over if they are not showing them. When showing, the only artificial product that can be left on the dogs is an elastic band for their top cap. The first toy poodles were shown with corded coats, but this stopped being in vogue by the early 1930s.

Training

Toy poodles are brilliant dogs, so it usually does not take them long to learn something new. Most experts list poodles and border collies and German shepherd dogs as the smartest in the world.

Exercise

A toy poodle needs 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. It requires a brisk walk. It also needs some form of exercise that is mentally stimulating. Generally, the walk should last about 20 minutes and cover about 0.75 miles. Many poodles love to go swimming.

Puppies

Toy poodle puppies need good quality dog food three times a day. You need to groom puppies of this breed daily to get used to how it feels while they are young. Most toy poodles potty train very quickly. Make sure that you give them something to do, or they may chew up things you value.

Toy Poodles And Children

Toy poodles can live with well-behaved children, but they generally prefer a quiet environment. They thrive on routine, so try to keep things the same every day. If you have children who come to visit occasionally, spend time interacting with them and your dog so that both know your boundaries. It is often easier to introduce a puppy to children than a full-grown dog.

Dogs Similar to Toy Poodles

Other dog breeds similar to the toy poodle include the cockapoo, Maltipoo, and peekapoo.

• Cockapoos – This is a cross between a toy poodle and a cocker spaniel. While staying about the toy poodle’s size when fully grown, most have a very gentle spirit, which may make them better family dogs.
• Maltipoo – This is a cross between a toy poodle and a Maltese. They tend to be up to five pounds heavier and five inches taller. They need to be brushed daily because of their wavy hair that curls.
• Peekapoo – This is a mix between a toy poodle and a Pekingese. They tend to be about an inch shorter, but they are stockier.

The price that you pay is often higher for a puppy than for a full-grown dog. Additionally, the price for designer dogs is often higher.

Popular Names for Toy Poodles

Popular names for these poodles often include:

• Teddy
• Ivan
• Curly
• Molly
• Porter
• Red