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Toy Poodle

 Toy Poodle Stats & Information

toy Poodles with flowers

Stat Information

Pronounced: Toi Poo-duhl 
Alternative name: French Poodle
Original name: Pudelhund; meaning "to splash about" and "dog"
Size class: Toy 
Average Weight: 6-9 pounds (2.72 to 4.08 kg)
Max Life Span: 12-15 Years
Litter size: 4 on average
Origin: Germany | Developed in France
Personality Traits: Proud, active, intelligent
Bred for: Water retriever

AKC Info:
Group: Non-sporting
Recognition: 1887
Height: 10 inches or under (25.4 - cm)

FCI Info: 
Alternative name: Caniche
Name origination: comes from the french word 'cane' which means 'duck'. 
Utilization: Companion Dog
Size: Between 24 to 28 cm (9.44 to 11.02 inches) with 25 cm (9.84 inches) being ideal. 

KC info:
Group:Utility 
Size: Under 28 cm (11.02 inches)

CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) info: 
Group: Sporting
Size: Under 10 inches (25 cm) in height.

Appearance

The Toy Poodle is a very elegant dog that is squarely built and well proportioned. This breed walks with an air of confidence and is said to walk proudly and with purpose. 

The eyes are very dark (black or a very dark brown) and are oval shaped. Brown, silver beige, and cafe au laits colored Poodles can have amber colored eyes. 

The muzzle is medium to long with a slight chiseling under the eyes. The ears of this dog are never cropped and hang down close to the face. 

The tail is customarily docked (in countries in which it is legal, including the United States). 

The coat of the toy Poodle is one of this dog's most famous features. A Poodle has hair as opposed to fur and it is naturally curly and very thick. The coat can be corded if an owner chooses, this is achieved by not clipping the coat and allowing the hair to grow. The cords will then begin to develop when the dog is between 9 and 18 months old. Learn more about coat issues.
Candy, 4 months old
Photo courtesy of Irene Skyes
Toy Poodles are much rounder than mini's or standards; snout length will vary from dog to dog, though toys generally have shorter snout-to-body comparisons to their larger counterparts. 

Colors

Toy Poodles can be solid or parti colored (a mix of colors). Poodle colors are: Apricot, Black, Blue, Brown, Cafe Au lait, Cream, Gray, Red, Silver, Silver beige and White. Learn much more about Poodle colors.

Care Information

One of the most important aspects of taking care of a toy Poodle is to always understand that the size of the dog will dictate its care. 

Young puppies are susceptible to Hypoglycemia. Any toy dog is considered an "under-the-foot" dog, meaning that they are very small and can easily be injured by being accidentally stepped on, jumping from too high of a height or when being played with too roughly.

Dental care is very important as is the crucial care, grooming and clipping of the coat. Proper feeding will help to ensure a happy and healthy dog and prolong the toy Poodle's life span.

Temperament

The toy Poodle is certainly not known for being shy! This is an outgoing dog who is generally calm and happy but can also be energetic. While its size limits the length of walks, daily walks should be given to ensure good health. When a dog is not given enough exercise, behavioral issues can develop.

Toy Poodles generally get along very well with children, however due to their size small children must be taught how to play with and handle the puppy or dog with care.

Health Issues

Even though the toy, miniature and standard Poodles are considered the same dog breed, they do have different health issues. The toy is more prone to Epilepsy, hypothyroidism, hip dsyplasia, Sebaceous Adenitis, Legg-Calve Perthes, luxating patella and PRA. Learn about health issues.

Related Article:

Comparison of Toy Poodle vs Miniature vs Standard Poodle: A helpful summary comparing the 3 sizes of Poodles (AKC recognized) including temperament and health. And a summary of what the three sizes have in common.

Helpful Articles:

Poodle Feeding Guidelines: This extensive article covers all important aspects including scheduling, wet vs dry, grain vs grain-free, homemade food vs kibble, meals, snacks and treats, and more. This is for Poodles of all sizes and ages.

The Best Toys for a Poodle: From chew toys for rambunctious teething puppies to toys to help Poodles with separation anxiety, we have an great list for Poodles of all sizes and ages. 

Poodle Car Sickness: If your Poodle has trouble being comfortable in the car or you're not sure of the safest way to transport your Poodle, this article is for you. This covers both car sickness, along with treatments, and the best car seats and seatbelt restraints. 

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