A Brief description of Toy Poodles

Poodles are known as one of the smartest dog breeds out there. They come in various sizes from Teacup to Toy to Miniature to Standard sizes. A show stopper for decades in dog shows, poodles have been a very popular breed for dog owners.

Toy Poodles stand no more than 10 inches tall (from shoulder to paw when they are standing up straight). Toy Poodles can weigh from 6 pounds to 10 pounds (or 3 kgs to 5 kgs).  

They come in a variety of colours from apricot, beige, black, white, chocolate, and grey.  They can also come in various markings with grey and black patches. Some of them come with a white hair around the eyebrows and around the chest and paws with black or grey hair on other areas. This marking is called the phantom poodle look. They have tight curly hair that can grow long and fluffy. They are non shedding types of dogs.

Origins of Toy Poodles

Origins of Poodles go back to Germans and French - although later on Germans conceded the origins to France. Germans had Standard Poodles as hunting dogs as their tight curly hair worked well in water. The French aristocrats used to have small Poodles as companion animals as well. That’s why sometimes poodles are referred to as French Poodles.

Maintenance for Poodles

Maintenance of Poodles requires some work, but not too complicated. They will require regular grooming sessions with the groomer. It is recommended to take your poodle for grooming at least every 8 weeks. Other than that, they don’t emit any odours so a simple wash and dry every couple of weeks will be sufficient to keep your poodle smelling fresh. 

Of course, this all depends on what your poodle would do all day. Will they be out and about on hiking trails with you? Then they will need a wash (and a tick check) after every outdoor session.  If they are more companion pets and will spend most of their time indoors, then daily washing is not necessary. Poodles are known to have sensitive skin. So be sure to use a mild dog hair shampoo preferably gentle on the skin. 

Pet allergies come from three sources: hair, urine, and tears. Poodles are considered the most hypoallergenic dogs. They have one single layer of fur or hair. They don’t shed, and they also don’t emit dander. Their urine or tears (or residue of it) are amongst the most non allergenic of all dogs. This feature makes them a great household pet for families with children and for those who are sensitive and allergic to external elements and animals.

Health of Poodles

Poodles live an average of 16-18 years. So they will be with you a long time, and you need to plan for the different stages of their lives including their senior years. Smaller breeds are more prone to hip dysplasia - a condition of their hip joints constantly dislocating and relocating. 

Poodles are also prone to Addisons’ Disease (a hormonal imbalance related issue), and some do have some digestive issues. 

Most reputable poodle breeders will let you know of the genetic dispositions of some conditions of the parents of the puppy you are adopting. They are generally very healthy dogs if you take good care of them. Here is a good resource for pet care, you can follow them.

Always get your puppies from a reputable certified breeder. You should be able to check their facilities and get references to make sure you are not inadvertently supporting the puppy mill business - where dogs are kept in poor conditions to produce as many babies as they can for resale.

A key to keeping your poodle healthy is to offer them a balanced healthy nutrition, regular vet checks, and adequate exercise and playtime.

Ask your vets for a recommendation if you struggle to find a good Poodle breeder. Always ask for vet certification and consult your vet for any health-related inquiries and questions. 

Temperament of Poodles

Temperament of Poodles are one of the key features of this breed. They are extremely loyal dogs, and sometimes they are too loyal to a fault - where they would be overly protective of their humans. They are very playful, retain their puppyhood sense of adventure and wonderment well into their adult lives. They are very intelligent - almost to a fault sometimes. They will learn tricks, habits, and patterns of behaviours easily. Their intelligence will also give them a strong will which may become an issue when trying to get them to let go of some bad habits.  

They can be barky, but that can be trained. They are great entertainers and have acquired their circus poodle title for a reason. They will amuse you with their play and their tricks. They are happy go lucky, but also weary of strangers and other strange dogs. They will come off as standoffish to outsiders as in their worlds all they are content with is their humans and their packs. So beware if your poodle earns the reputation of being snobbish.  Perhaps they are still channeling the air of the french aristocrats? 

Beware of snappy behaviour as some aggression is common from being overprotective of their owners and their families. So again, proper training is very important for this breed to teach them the good habits and keep away from the bad habits.

Train them early and fast to become really obedient and well mannered dogs. Have fun with them.

Are Poodles a good fit for you?

Poodles are a great fit for pretty much any segment of the population. From professionals, couples, seniors, some families, and city dwellers. They make for a great family dog. 

However, be careful in selecting the size of poodles. If you have small children, it is recommended you pick medium sized poodles as opposed to toy cups or Standards. You should also be very diligent in training the poodles early on so they can adapt well with small children around.

Because of their hypoallergenic nature, and low exercise requirements, toy and miniature poodles are especially well suited for seniors, the less active, and differently abled. They can also be very well suited to be trained for service dogs.

Poodles are great for single detached homes with backyards as well as apartment living. So they are great for country, urban, or suburban settings alike. 

Whether you choose a Poodle, Maltese, or a Chihuahua, be sure to do your research about each breed, and also keep the mixed breeds in mind too - they can be great choices as well. Small breed dogs have an added advantage of being portable with your lifestyle and you can bring them to most places you go to - including travel. You may also like Teddy Bear Dog.