The Toy Poodle is the smallest version of the Poodle breed, stand no more than 10 inches. They have the same general temperament and physical characteristics as its Standard and Miniature counterparts. Despite it’s diminutive size, the Toy Poodle stands proudly among dogdom’s true aristocrats. Beneath the curly, low-allergen coat is an elegant athlete and companion for all reasons and seasons.
Toy Poodles are bred for companionships! This breed is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, good in the family, and enjoys being surrounded by children. They are a healthy breed, but they have certain health issues that can be monitored with your vet regularly.
The Toy Poodle History
The first appearance of the Toy Poodle is back in 20th century. Breeding Smaller Poodles to each other created this breed. This is different than other breeds like the Toy Australian Shepherd. This dog breed is small, portable and easier to manage than their standard sized parents.
Where did it Come From?
Breeders developed Poodles in England more than 400 years ago but the Toy poodle was first bred in the united states in the 20th century.
What Were They Bred For?
Breeders created this dog to complete in companionship and show! Breeders created the Standard and Miniature Poodle Variety to be hunting and working dogs so they carry these traits as well.
This dog is a great companion especially for those who are living alone in apartments or smaller spaces.
Are They a Pure Breed?
Yes. These dogs are bred for shows and championships!
Toy Poodles at a Glance
[table “Toy_Poodle” not found /]The Toy Poodle Physical Traits
They are a small dog with a refined build. its head is triangular with a long muzzle and wide ears that drop. This dog is most commonly seen in white, apricot, black, blue, cream, silver or gray. Like the Standard Poodle, the coat of This dog is curly and dense.
Breed Standard
The Toy Poodle Size
These dogs are 10 inches tall at the withers.
Height measurements are always from the ground to the highest point of a dog’s shoulder blades. The highest point on a dogs shoulder-blades are known as the withers.
Weight
These dogs weigh 4 – 10 pounds which makes this one of the smallest dogs!
Grooming
Fill In!
Do They Drool?
All dogs drool some if they are hot because they pant when they need to cool down. This dog does not drool or drools infrequently!
Best Climate for the Toy Poodle
This dog prefers average to warm weather conditions due to their small size and single coat of hair. They can tolerate being in climates that get cool but if you live in climates with deep snow or frigid temperatures that remain under freezing for long periods of time then keep this dog indoors.
The Toy Poodle Temperament
These dogs are very dedicated to its family. These dogs can be shy in front of strangers will sometimes bark however they are energetic and friendly. This breed is active, faithful, intelligent, alert, instinctual, trainable.
Do They Tolerate Other Pets?
They are both friendly to cats and other dogs.
Are They Good for Families?
Do They Have a Strong Prey Drive?
They have a low to average prey drive. They don’t typically chase and training always helps.
Are They Social With Other People?
They love being surrounded by people or other animals. The Toy Poodle doesn’t like to be left alone.
Is They Good for New Owners?
No. Novice Owners should not get this dog. They can be stubborn and it adds another challenge to training them.
The Toy Poodle Health
Toy Poodles live long, happy, healthy lives and they can live 10-18 years. However, their are some health issues that you should check with you vet regularly.
Lifespan
10 to 18 years
Health Issues
According to Animal Health Center Toy Poodles heart failure is the leading cause of death in their golden years.
Some genetic health issues that can be passed down from ancestors like the standard poodle are:
- Eye Problems – Toy Poodles can experience eye problems such as Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Distichiasis.
- Fanconi syndrome – This is a Kidney Disorder that allows vital blood nutrients to escape into the urine. Dogs with this disorder can experience symptoms like excessive urination and thirst, weight loss, and weakness from abnormal electrolyte levels. Symptoms usually appear between two and six years of age. The severity and course of the disease varies from dog to dog, with some remaining stable for years and others falling into fatal kidney failure. A simple urine test can help monitor your dogs kidneys.
- Sebaceous Adenitis – a hereditary skin disease in which the sebaceous glands become inflamed, often leading to progressive loss of hair.
- Skin Tumors – They appear as lumps that don’t go away or keep growing excessively. Your vet can biopsy this tumor to get an idea of what it is. Once your vet knows what the tumor is they can better guide you on how to treat it. There are many different types of tumors. Some tumors are dangerous and some are not!
- Bladder Stones – High levels of minerals can cause bladder stones. These are clumps of minerals in the urine that form into stones. Symptoms of this are excessive urination, unable to urinate, or has blood in it’s urine contact your veterinarian immediately. These are all signs that your pet may be suffering from bladder stones or another urinary tract problem.
- Tracheal Collapse – This occurs as a result of a weakness in the cartilage rings of a dog’s windpipe. Symptoms of this are wheezing, having trouble breathing, or coughing a lot have your vet see him right away.
- Cushing’s Disease – This very serious condition occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol (a hormone produced by the body). A dog suffering from this problem will drink more, eat more, and urinate more than usual. You may also notice that your dog is losing his hair. Be on the watch for a swollen abdomen—it’s an early warning sign of Cushing’s Disease.
Exercise
These are active dogs that require good exercise every day. Daily walk should be on schedule. They are eager for all kinds of activities and they enjoy being busy, Swimming is great exercise for them because Poodles love water.
Toy Poodle Rescues
Some great places to look for Rescue groups are the following:
https://www.toypoodlerescue.net/
https://carolinapoodlerescue.org/available-dogs/
