It’s thought the breed’s name “Poodle” comes from the German word ‘pudel’ which translated means “to plash in water”. However, the actual origins of the breed remain a bit of a mystery, but some people think the breed’s ancestors originally came from the East or from Africa and that these charming dogs found their way to Europe via Portugal.

Other people think the Toy Poodle like the Standard and Miniature Poodle, originated in Eastern European countries which includes Russia and there is some thought that Poodles were taken to France by German soldiers during the war and as such France is listed as their country of origin, although it’s more likely that the breed first appeared on the scene in Germany. The breed is thought to be an ancient one, with Poodles existing 500 years ago. Toy Poodles became popular with European Royals during the 17th and 18th century when they were kept as pets and companions along with the Miniature Poodle.

There is evidence that the larger Standard Poodle was bred to work in marshlands where they were highly prized retrievers and known as excellent “duck dogs”, whereas the smaller Toy Poodle was used to find and dig up valuable and expensive truffles. In times long past, they were sometimes referred to a “Sleeve Poodles” because owners kept them as hand warmers when the weather was cold.

In France, Toy Poodles were used as circus dogs because they were easy to train, love to entertain and be the centre of attention. Being such intelligent dogs, they learn new things quickly which includes all sorts of tricks and this includes some quite complicated and challenging circus acts. Poodles have remained a popular breed throughout the centuries and for good reason. They are highly intelligent, extremely loyal and real clowns of the dog world which when all added up is why they are such a pleasure to be around. Today, the Toy Poodle is also still one of the most popular breeds in the showring.

Height at the withers: Males 24 – 28 cm, Females 24 – 28 cm at the withers

Average weight: Males 3 – 6 kg, Females 3 – 6 kg

The Toy Poodle has a proud and noble look about them, although they can be real clowns of the dog world by nature. They are elegant and move gracefully with a prancing gait. Like the Standard and Miniature, they boast having lovely even textured, curly single, non-shedding coats which makes them a good choice for people who suffer from pet related allergies. They have fine, long heads with a slight peak and moderate stop. Their forefaces are well chiseled and strong with dogs having tight lips and well-defined chins.

Their eyes are dark in colour and almond shaped being set nicely on a dog’s face with Toy Poodles always having a very keen and intelligent look about them. Their ears are set low and hang close to a dog’s face having long and wide leathers. The Toy Poodle has a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. Their necks are well proportioned in relation to the rest of their bodies, being strong and a nice length which allows dogs to carry their heads proudly.

They have well laid back, muscular and strong shoulders with their legs being well muscled and straight. Chests are deep and quite wide with dogs having well sprung, nicely rounded ribs. They have short, strong and gently hollowed backs. Their loins are muscular and broad which adds to a dog’s overall well-balanced and dainty appearance. They have strong back legs with well-developed thighs and their feet are small, oval shaped with nicely arched toes and thick, firm well cushioned pads and strong nails. Tails are thicker at the root being set high which dogs carry well away from their bodies and very straight.

When it comes to their coat, the Toy Poodle boasts having an extremely profuse single coat that consists of short, close lying, thick, dense and curly hair that covers their entire bodies. Their coats can be trimmed in various ways which is acceptable in the showring providing enough of a dog’s coat is left for judges to determine the quality and colour of a dog’s coat. The accepted breed colours for registration with the Kennel Club are as follows:

• Apricot
• Black
• Blue
• Brown
• Cream
• Red
• Silver
• White

Tails

When it comes to tails, traditionally Poodles had their tails docked, but since the law banning the procedure was passed in 2007, puppies can no longer have their tails docked unless there is a medical reason for doing so which must be authorised by a vet with the correct documentation having been provided by a breeder or owner.

Gait/movement

When Toy Poodles move, they do so freely with a light, happy gait and lots of drive, covering a lot of ground for such small dogs.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from a Poodles breed standard and would judge the seriousness of a fault on how much it affects a Toy Poodles overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.

Male Toy Poodles should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums. It is also worth noting that a Toy Poodle can be a little smaller or bigger and they can be slightly heavier or lighter than described in their Kennel Club breed standard which is to be used only as a guide.

Toy Poodles are highly versatile and intelligent little dogs that thrive on human company. They adore being the centre of attention and are quick to learn how to please their owners and families. Providing a Toy Poodle is given lots of attention, mental stimulation and daily exercise they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a house in the country with a big back garden.

Toy Poodles are high-spirited, intelligent little dogs that boast having a happy outlook on life. They thrive in a home environment, loving nothing more than to be involved in everything that goes on around them which makes them the ideal companion. They are real clowns and love to entertain and be entertained becoming totally devoted to their owners. They are best suited to households where at least one person stays at home when everyone else is out of the house so they always have company. They are a good choice for first time owners providing they have the time needed to dedicate to their canine companion and their specific grooming needs.

Because they are so smart they are just as quick to pick up bad habits and behaviours which is why a puppy’s training must begin as soon as they arrive in their new home by teaching them the “basics” and boundaries. Their training can start in earnest once they’ve been fully vaccinated. They form extremely strong ties with their owners which although endearing can turn into a bit of a problem if a dog is left on their own for any length of time. Toy Poodles often suffer from separation anxiety if they find themselves alone and if not kept occupied and given enough exercise and things to do, they can become neurotic and destructive around the home.

It’s very important for these dogs to be well socialised from a young age so they grow up to be confident, outgoing mature dogs and not timid and withdrawn. Their socialisation must include introducing them to lots of new situations, noises, people, other animals and dogs once they have been fully vaccinated. It’s also crucial for their training to start early too and it must be consistent throughout a dog’s life so they understand what is expected of them. A Toy Poodle is never happier than when they know their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance. If they don’t know who is the alpha dog in a household, they may quickly take on the role of dominant dog which can make them harder to live with and handle.

Because they are so charming and small, it’s all too easy to let a Toy Poodle get away with things that larger dogs would never be allowed to do. This can lead to dogs developing a condition known as “Small Dog Syndrome” which can make it challenging to live with them. As such, it’s best to always treat a Toy Poodle with a firm, yet gentle and fair hand making sure they are not allowed to do anything that could lead to them becoming spoilt and unruly.

Although affectionate and loyal to their owners, the Toy Poodle can be a little aloof around people they have never met before, but rarely would they show any sort of aggression towards strangers, preferring to keep their distance and bark until they get to know someone. They are better suited to households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they never have to spend too much time on their own.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Toy Poodles are a great choice for first time dog owners because they are so adaptable, versatile, happy and highly trainable little dogs that just love to please and they thrive on being in a home environment and involved in everything that goes on around them.

What about prey drive?

Toy Poodles are feisty by nature and will happily chase a smaller animal if they get the chance which is why care should be taken when they are anywhere near livestock or wild animals when out on a walk. Because they have such a tremendous sense of smell, if a Toy Poodle picks up an interesting scent, they would quite easily take off to investigate what’s at the other end turning a deaf ear to any commands they are given.

What about playfulness?

Toy Poodles are playful by nature and thrive on not only being entertained, but on entertaining their owners and families. They adore being at the centre of attention and quickly learn how to please which is just one of the reasons they have consistently remained at the top of the list of most popular dogs throughout the world. Toy Poodles can often be seen competing at high levels in competitions and more especially in agility which they truly excel at.

What about adaptability?

Toy Poodles are highly versatile and adaptable little dogs being just as happy living in a house in the country as they would be living in an apartment in town providing they are given loads of mental stimulation and daily exercise together with lots of attention.

What about excessive barking?

If not gently curbed when young, a Toy Poodle can quickly learn that by barking they get all the attention they thrive on. This can lead to a dog barking incessantly for very little reason. The key to preventing a dog from developing this kind of behaviour is to nip things in the bud firmly, yet gently right from the word go. However, it’s important not to scare a Toy Poodle into not barking at all or to bark even more in the process. With this said, any dog including Toy Poodles when left on their own for longer periods of time could well start barking excessively as a way of showing how unhappy and stressed out they are.

Do Toy Poodles like water?

Toy Poodles are real “water dogs” and will happily play in it and go for a swim to cool off which is why care should always be taken when walking a pet anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case they decide to leap in. Dogs should not be allowed to go in swimming pools because of the chemicals used to keep a pool clean can be harmful to them and more especially their ultra-sensitive eyes, noses and ears.

Are Toy Poodles good watchdogs?

Toy Poodles may not be big, but they are effective watchdogs being quick to let an owner know when something they don’t like is going on in their environment and when there are strangers about. However, because of their small size anyone wanting a more impressive watchdog would do better to share their homes with a larger dog.

The average life expectancy of a Toy Poodle is between 14 and 15 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

The Toy Poodle is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these small, energetic and intelligent dogs although in general they are a healthy breed. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Distichiasis
• Hyperadrenocorticism
• In-growing eye lashes
• Epilepsy
• Legge Perthes disease
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – Breeders should have stud dogs DNA tested
• Von Willebrands Disease (vWD) Type 1 – test available
• Ear problems
• Skin tumours
• Cataracts
• Cushing’s disease
• Bladder stones

More about ear infections

Poodles are predisposed to suffering from ear infections which is why it is so important to keep their ears free of hair and to keep them as clean as possible. Because Toy Poodles benefit from being professionally groomed every few weeks, it’s the best time to have hair in a dog’s ears carefully and gently removed by an expert.

More about PRA testing

Fortunately, there is a DNA test available for Toy Poodles which all responsible breeders use to ensure their breeding stock is free of Progressive Retinal Atrophy and all potential owners should ask to see that parent dogs have been tested clear before buying a Toy Poodle puppy from them.

What about vaccinations?

Toy Poodle puppies would have had their first vaccinations, but it’s essential for them to have their follow-up jabs at the right time with the vaccination schedule being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such, it’s best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a Toy Poodle should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A male Toy Poodle can safely be neutered when they are 6 months old and females can be spayed when they are 6 months old too.

What about obesity problems?

Some Toy Poodles gain weight after they have been neutered or spayed and it’s important to keep a close eye on their calorie intake and the amount of daily exercise they get to prevent obesity. An obese Toy Poodle would be put at risk of developing certain health issues which could end up shortening their lives by several years.

What about allergies?

Toy Poodles are prone to developing skin allergies which if left untreated can prove notoriously hard to clear up. With this said, allergies can be triggered by several things which includes the following:

• Environment
• A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
• Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
• Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
• Tick and flea bites
• Dust mites
• Mould

Participating in health schemes

All reputable Toy Poodle breeders would have their stud dogs tested for specific conditions to ensure any puppies they breed are less at risk of inheriting certain disorders known to affect the breed. It is also worth noting that when breeders say that parent dogs and puppies have been “vet checked”, that it is not the same thing as them having been “health tested”.

The scheme available for Toy Poodles is as follows:

• BVA Eye Scheme
• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme

The Kennel Club also recommends that all breeders including Assured Breeders have their dogs tested under the following schemes:

• Breed Club test – Sebaceous adenitis
• DNA test – vWD

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Currently there are not extra breed specific breed restrictions in place for Toy Poodles under the Kennel Club rules.

What about Assured Breeder requirements?

It is mandatory for all Assured Breeders to have their stud dogs tested using the following schemes and the Kennel Club strongly advises other breeders to do the same:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Eye testing

The Kennel Club also recommends that all breeders use the following schemes to test their dogs before using them for breeding purposes:

• Breed Club test – Sebaceous adenitis
• DNA test – vWD

As with any other breed, Toy Poodles need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition, bearing in mind that Toy Poodles benefit from having their coats professionally groomed every several weeks or so. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this, dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Toy Poodle puppy

A Toy Poodle puppy would have been wormed before being sold and the documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you’ll need for your puppy

There are items needed to care for a puppy which should be purchased well in advance of their arrival. The items needed include the following:

• Feed and water bowls making sure they are not too deep and ideally, they should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A good quality dog collar, harness and lead
• A dog crate that’s not too small or too big that a puppy would feel lost in it
• A well-made dog bed bearing in mind that a puppy could well chew on it
• Baby and/or dog blankets to use in the puppy’s crate and dog bed
• Dog specific toothpaste and tooth brush
• A selection of good quality toys and chews for a puppy to gnaw on
• Shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for use on dogs
• Grooming equipment

Keeping vet appointments

Reputable breeders would always ensure their puppies vaccinated before they are sold, but as previously mentioned, it is up to their new owners to make sure they are given their follow-up shots at the right time which should be as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it’s best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever needed to go into kennels, their vaccinations would need to be

What about Toy Poodles when they reach their golden years?

When Toy Poodles reach their golden years they slow down in many ways and they might start showing their age with more grey hairs appearing on their faces and more especially around their muzzles. Apart from a change in their appearance an Toy Poodle’s personality might change too and this includes on how quick they are to respond to a command or when their names are called. The reason for this is that many older dog’s hearing is not as good as it once was. Other changes to watch out for in a Toy Poodle when they reach their senior years include the following:

• Their vision might be impaired and their eyes seem cloudy
• Their teeth might not be as in good condition which means they may need dental work
• Older dogs tend to sleep more during the day and they get up more frequently at night which is often because their cognitive function is not as sharp as it was when they were young which means older dogs are more easily confused
• They tend to be less tolerant of loud noises and sounds
• Dogs when they are older can be a little fussier about their food so it’s important to rethink their diet and to make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy
• An older dog’s immune system often does not offer them the same protection against illness and infection which puts them more at risk of catching something and why they should see the vet more routinely
• An older Toy Poodle might not be so keen to go out for a walk and more especially longer ones
• They muscle tone and body condition is not as good as when they were young
• Older dogs often suffer from joint problems which can then lead to arthritis so it’s well worth investing in a comfy dog bed and ideally one that a Toy Poodle finds easier to get out of

If you get a Toy Poodle puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it’s important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy’s diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don’t develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it’s best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy eaters, but this does not mean they can be given a lower quality diet. It’s best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it’s good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It’s also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog’s life by several years so it’s important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Feeding guide for a Toy Poodle puppy

Once a puppy is settled into their new homes, it is safe to change their diets, but as previously touched upon, it needs to be done gradually and carefully to avoid any tummy upsets. As a rough guide, Toy Poodle puppies can be fed the following amounts every day to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly:

• 2 months old – 48g to 102g depending on a puppy’s build
• 3 months old – 54g to 118g depending on a puppy’s build
• 4 months old – 55g to 124g depending on a puppy’s build
• 5 months old – 55g to 125g depending on a puppy’s build
• 6 months old – 47g to 124g depending on a puppy’s build
• 7 months old – 40g to 112g depending on a puppy’s build
• 8 months old – 39g to 100g depending on a puppy’s build
• 9 months old – 39g to 89g depending on a puppy’s build
• 10 months old – 39g to 88g depending on a puppy’s build

Once a puppy is 11 months old, they can be fed adult dog food.

Feeding guide for an adult Toy Poodle

As a rough guide, an adult fully grown Toy Poodle can be fed the following amounts every day to ensure they stay fit and healthy:

• Dogs weighing 3 kg can be fed 60g to 70g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 4 kg can be fed 66g to 76g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 5 kg can be fed 83g to 98g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 6 kg can be fed 89g to 104g depending on activity

Toy Poodles boast having a profuse, thick and dense single coat that consists of masses of curls that cover their entire bodies. They shed very little, but this does not mean they are easy maintenance because just the opposite is true. Toy Poodles are high maintenance on the grooming front because their coats need to be brushed every day to prevent any tangles and matts from forming. Their coats also need to be professionally clipped every six to eight weeks to keep things tidy and nicely shaped depending on the type of clip they have with the most popular cut being the “Lamb Trim”.

Their ears also need to be plucked on a regular basis which is best left up to a professional groomer. Toy Poodles often have tear stains under their eyes which need to be gently wiped with soft, damp and clean cloth. It’s also important to check a dog’s ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax builds up, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure with ear infections.

They shed very little throughout the year which makes these charming dogs a good choice for people who suffer from pet related allergies, although it is also a dog’s dander that could trigger an attack.

Grooming tools needed for a Toy Poodle

Having the right grooming tools helps keep a Toy Poodle’s coat and skin in top condition. The tools needed to keep a dog’s coat looking good are as follows:

• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush
• A bristle brush
• A fine toothed comb
• Nail clippers
• A pair of round ended scissors
• Dog specific shampoo and conditioner

Toy Poodles are normally good around children although due to their small size, they are best suited to households where the children are older and who therefore know how to behave around small dogs and more especially know how to handle them and play with them.

When dogs have been well socialised from a young enough age, they generally get on well with other dogs they meet and if they have grown up with a family cat in a household, they usually get on well together. However, a Toy Poodle would think nothing of chasing off any other cats they encounter because they would see them as fair game. They are usually good around other smaller pets in a household especially if they have grown up with them around. However, care must be taken when they are around smaller animals they don’t already know just to be on the safe side.