Toy Poodle: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

January 15, 2021

Graceful. Bold. Intelligent. The Poodle—miniature, standard, and toy breeds alike—has certainly gained an impressive reputation as a lovable family dog. Many dog lovers can attest to the magic that comes with owning a Poodle breed, no matter the size. But beyond the gorgeous hypoallergenic coat and loyal personality, the Poodle is a breed packed with many talents and adorable traits that make them irresistible. 

All Poodles are praised for their intelligence and trainability, which helps them succeed in obedience and agility competitions each year. And Toy Poodles are no exception. Although small in size, Toy Poodles are spunky yet elegant, retaining that signature regal attitude that defines the breed. 

Like all Poodle sizes, a Toy Poodle needs an owner that understands its needs and wants. Poodles love having the love and attention of their loved ones. They also require tons of exercise to be happy. If you think you’re ready to take a Toy Poodle into your home, here are a few key things you should know about this lovable breed.

Description

Poodles are known for being beautiful and regal dogs. In media and television, they’re often portrayed as the prissy companions of the elite, especially Toy Poodles. However, we promise they’re not as snobbish as their film and media counterparts. Since their creation centuries ago, the Poodle’s high intelligence has helped them become a delightful friend for both individuals and families with children of all ages. As one of the smartest dog breeds today, Poodles are easy to train and eager to please their loved ones, and they enjoy being in the spotlight.

History

Despite the common misconception, Poodles originated from Germany, and were bred to hunt waterfowl and other birds. Once the breed reached popularity in France, the Poodle breed began taking its distinctive traits. The Standard Poodle was the first Poodle breed to emerge. Around the 1400s, smaller versions of the Poodle breed were created to befriend rich Parisians. Thus the Toy Poodle was born, and for the last few centuries, this has remained the case in Paris. The first Poodle breed was registered in the Kennel Club in England during the late 1800s. Years later, Poodles arrived in America, where they were registered under the American Kennel Club in 1886.

Size

You’re probably wondering, how big do Toy Poodles get? After all, the Standard Poodle is quite tall and considered a large breed. Poodles come in three distinct sizes, the largest of which is Standard, as we just mentioned. Then there comes Miniature Poodles, which are much smaller than Standard Poodles and considered “small” themselves. Finally, the smallest of all is the Toy Poodle. In general, the Toy Poodle can reach up to 10 inches in height and weigh around 6 to 9 pounds. 

Exercise Level

Their small size can be very deceiving for many dog lovers. Toy Poodles are intelligent and energetic, requiring lots of exercise to be healthy. You’ll need to adjust your schedule to fit in play time, exercise, and to properly train your Toy Poodle. Otherwise, your cute puppy will become bored, which could lead to destructive behavior. Most Toy Poodles only need one hour a day to exercise and play. Like all dogs, the Toy Poodles health and longevity is directly impacted by daily exercise and of course lots of love and snuggles. How long do Toy Poodles live can be directly measured by the healthy lifestyle that their owners provide by way of daily exercise, playtime, and affectionate attention.

Coat and Grooming

Toy Poodles, like other Poodles, are hypoallergenic, making them the best dog breed for people with allergies. This means their coat does not shed lots of hair and dander. Fun fact, most hybrid dogs are mixed with Poodles for this reason. The Goldendoodle, Cockapoo, Aussiedoodle, and so many other designer doggies are half Poodle in order to ensure their fur is hypoallergenic so that people with dog allergies can have a furry friend! Most Toy Poodle’s coats come in a variety of colors, such as black, white, brown, cream, and many other shades. Of course, Poodles also have their signature curly or wavy coats that must be trimmed and groomed regularly to keep its lustrous beauty. We mean it when we say Poodles are high maintenance. Their coat can be susceptible to knots and mats when proper grooming every 2 or 3 weeks isn’t kept up. 

Temperament

If you’re considering bringing a Toy Poodle home, the first question on your mind is probably, what is the temperament of a Toy Poodle? After all, you don’t want to share your home for the next 12 years with a creature you won’t get along with. You won’t have anything to fear with a Toy Poodle companion! This breed is smart, loyal, affectionate, and just the right degree of mischievous, you know, to keep things interesting! Toy Poodles are beloved among the dog loving community. Toy Poodles may be small but they’re far from cowardly. Toy Poodles are bold and courageous, regardless of the situation or obstacle they face. These furry cuties make useful watchdogs, as they’ll bark at any stranger that comes near your home. Poodles tend to be wary and aloof with new people so make sure to socialize your Toy Poodle puppy as early as possible. They are also very goofy and are known to initiate playtime with their families. If you’re ever feeling down in the dumps, you can count on your Toy Poodle to intuitively pick up on your low mood and try to cheer you up with all kinds of humorous shenanigans. Toy Poodles are “people dogs”, which means they’re very fond of people. Their eagerness to please their owners also makes them highly trainable. 

Training

Due to their high intelligence, Toy Poodles can follow commands and learn new tricks quicker than most other breeds. Remember to use positive reinforcement for their training. Poodles have large egos, and their pride can become hurt if scolded. Use patience, practice, and rewards to achieve the best results with your Toy Poodle. Your Poodle puppy will bond with you through each training session.

Is the Toy Poodle your next furry friend? You may need to consider your lifestyle and personality. Poodles are high-maintenance pooches after all. They can also make wonderful companions but only to dog owners who are willing to keep up with their needs. Make sure you’re ready to match your life with your Toy Poodle. Once you take that step, we’re sure you’ll have a cute puppy you’ll forever love!

You can find Toy Poodles for sale at Petland Miami. We offer a variety of colors, and we invite you to stop in any of our Florida locations to meet our puppies!