The toy poodle is the smallest variety of the poodle and, due to its hypoallergenic properties and character, is one of the most popular dog breeds in Germany.
What types of Toy Poodles are there?
Toy poodles are one of the four size varieties of poodle. The breed is known for its intelligence, elegance , and charming personality . They are the smallest variety of poodle and are very popular with dog owners due to their size and temperament. However, there are no different "types" of toy poodles in the traditional sense, as the classification of toy poodles is largely based on their size.
How big and heavy do poodles get?
They come in four size variants. The difference depends primarily on the weight.
- Toy Poodle (smallest variety) – 2.5 – 4.5 kg
- Miniature Poodle (one size larger than Toy Poodle) – 4.5 – 7 kg
- Miniature Poodle (medium size) – 7 – 17 kg
- Standard Poodle (largest variety) – 18 – 28 kg
Unofficially, people sometimes refer to so-called " teacup poodles ," which are even smaller than toy poodles. However, this size is not recognized by official dog breeding associations and can lead to health problems, as the breeding aims for extremely small dogs.
The Toy Poodle is fully grown and reaches its maximum size by 18 months at the latest . Within the Toy Poodle group, there are no officially recognized subcategories or breeds, but they can be distinguished by individual variations in coat color and texture.
What colors do Toy Poodles come in?
Toy poodles come in many different colors, such as black, white, apricot, brown, gray, silver, cream, or red. Coat color does not affect their classification as a toy poodle.
What is the coat texture of toy poodles?
All poodles, including toy poodles, have curly, dense coats that are hypoallergenic (less likely to cause allergic reactions) . However, the curliness or waveiness of the coat can vary.
How old do toy poodles get?
Toy poodles have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years . With good care, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary checkups, some toy poodles can live even longer, sometimes up to 18 years . Factors such as genetic predisposition, exercise, and overall health play an important role.
Here are some points on how to increase the life expectancy of toy poodles:
Healthy nutrition: High-quality, age-appropriate dog food and a balanced diet are important for a healthy lifestyle.
Regular exercise: Daily walks and sufficient activity promote the fitness and health of your Toy Poodle. Here you will find suitable dog leashes and collars .
Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for early detection and prevention of diseases. Vaccinations and deworming treatments should also be carried out to ensure protection against infections and parasites.
Dental care: Regular dental care is essential to prevent dental problems. Natural dental care can be achieved, for example, by using a deer antler .
Coat care: Regular brushing and grooming of the coat is important to prevent skin problems and matting.
Weight control: Pay attention to your toy poodle's weight, as this can cause heart and joint problems.
Stress reduction and sufficient sleep: A calm, stress-free environment promotes mental health. Furthermore, sufficient rest periods for recovery and regeneration should be ensured. A comfortable dog bed provides this opportunity for a relaxing sleeping place.
Play & Activities: Training, play, and mental challenges keep the dog happy and mentally fit. Therefore , play and activities are very important.
These measures help to maintain the health and quality of life of a toy poodle and to extend its life expectancy.
Character of the Toy Poodle
Toy poodles are known for their lively, intelligent, and affectionate nature. Despite their small size, they are energetic and love interacting with their owners. Here are some of the key characteristics of toy poodles:
1. Intelligent
Toy poodles are among the most intelligent dog breeds. They learn quickly and are easy to train. Their high intelligence makes them particularly good at dog sports such as agility and obedience trials.
2. Affectionate and loyal
Toy poodles are very people-oriented and develop a strong bond with their owners. They love being near their family and are often known as "shadow dogs" because they follow their people everywhere. This close bond makes them great companion dogs.
3. Playful
Toy poodles are extremely playful and curious. They love playing with toys or learning games, and they enjoy being active. Despite their small size, they have a relatively high energy level and need both mental and physical stimulation.
4. Friendly and sociable
Toy poodles are generally friendly towards other dogs, pets, and people, especially if they have been well socialized. However, they can sometimes be somewhat reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs, although their size means they pose no real threat.
5. Sensitive
Toy poodles are very sensitive dogs. They react to their owners' emotions and can easily be disturbed by loud noises or stressful situations. This makes them very empathetic companions, but also requires a gentle and patient hand during training.
6. Lively and active
Despite their small size, Toy Poodles have a relatively high energy level . They need regular exercise and mental stimulation , whether through walks, games, or training sessions. Without sufficient activity, they can develop undesirable behaviors, such as excessive barking or destructiveness.
Toy poodles love learning new tricks and commands. Due to their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners, they are easy to train. They enjoy mental stimulation and should be given regular new challenges to prevent boredom.
7. Adaptable
Toy poodles adapt easily to different living situations, whether in a small apartment or a large house. As long as they get enough attention and exercise, they feel comfortable almost anywhere.
Overall, Toy Poodles are intelligent, active, and affectionate dogs that can be great companions for both individuals and families. However, they require regular grooming and training to remain both mentally and physically balanced.
Grooming of Toy Poodles
Grooming a toy poodle requires regular attention, as its curly coat tends to mat and knot easily. Here are the most important aspects of coat care:
- Regular brushing with a soft brush
- Cut your hair , because hair grows continuously.
- Bathing is essential to keep the coat clean and healthy. Use a sensitive shampoo specifically formulated for dogs. The coat should be dried afterwards.
- Regular paw and claw care to prevent dirt buildup and injuries.
- Ear care to prevent infections
- Thorough eye care to avoid inflammation
Regular grooming not only keeps the Toy Poodle's coat clean and healthy, but also helps prevent skin problems and matting that could cause the dog discomfort.
Is the Toy Poodle a hypoallergenic dog?
Toy poodles are often suitable for allergy sufferers. This is because toy poodles have hair , not fur , and they shed very little. This results in fewer dead skin cells, which in turn reduces the number of allergens . Furthermore, toy poodles produce less saliva, which also contributes to their suitability for allergy sufferers. To be absolutely sure that you, as an allergy sufferer, won't develop an allergic reaction, you should visit the dog several times before acquiring one. This way, you can be certain that no allergy is present.
Toy Poodle vs. Miniature Poodle
As mentioned previously, the miniature poodle is the second smallest variety of poodle. We have listed some of the differences for you.
|
feature |
Toy Poodle |
Miniature Poodle |
|
Size |
24 – 28 cm shoulder height |
28 – 35 cm shoulder height |
|
Weight |
2.5 – 4.5 kg |
4.5 – 7 kg |
|
character |
Friendly, affectionate, calm |
Playful, energetic, curious |
|
Movement |
Daily walks, but less intense |
More exercise and mental stimulation are needed. |
|
Who is it suitable for? |
Companion dog for active people |
Companion dog for extremely active families or individuals |
Which toy poodle mixes are the most popular?
There are many popular Toy Poodle mixes, as Toy Poodles are often crossed with other breeds due to their friendly nature and hypoallergenic qualities. Here are some of the most common Toy Poodle mixes:
- Malti-Poo (Maltese + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small (similar to a Toy Poodle)
- Character: Loving, playful, friendly
- Special features: Hypoallergenic fur, well-suited for small apartments
- Yorkie-Poo (Yorkshire Terrier + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small
- Character: Energetic, courageous, intelligent
- Special features: Low shedding, easy-care coat, well-suited to city apartments
- Peekapoo (Pekingese + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small
- Character: Loyal, brave, playful
- Special characteristics: Affectionate, can sometimes be reserved towards strangers
- Toy Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small to medium
- Character: Cheerful, intelligent, sociable
- Special features: Requires regular exercise and care, very friendly
- Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small to medium
- Character: Intelligent, energetic, playful
- Special features: Good guard dogs, robust, curly coat
- Poochon (Toy Poodle + Bichon Frisé)
- Size: Small
- Character: Friendly, active, playful
- Special features: Hypoallergenic fur, affectionate and family-friendly
- Doxiepoo (Dachshund + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small
- Character: Clever, curious, playful
- Special features: Very diverse in appearance, spirited and lovable
- Toy Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Toy Poodle)
- Size: Small to medium
- Character: Lovable, intelligent, sociable
- Special features: Perfect family dog, hypoallergenic coat
These mixed breeds combine the intelligence and hypoallergenic qualities of the Toy Poodle with the unique characteristics of the other breeds, making them popular pets for various lifestyles.