Poodles are some of America's favorite dogs. Their name comes from the German word for “puddle” — they were originally bred as water retrievers. That traditional puffy styling was meant to keep their joints warmer while they were fetching their prey from the water. The original Toy Poodles had cushier and more glamorous gigs than their their standard-sized cousins, however — they were circus performers, lap dogs, and buskers! These days, most Poodles are more likely to be companions than anything else.
Because they don't produce much dander and shed infrequently, Poodles have been crossbred to create more kinds of dogs that are less aggravating to allergy sufferers. These include the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Poodle), the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle), and the Whoodle (Wheaten Terrier + Poodle).
Originally from Central Europe and Germany, this small-sized and medium-energy breed can grow to between 4-6 pounds and lives an average of 10-18 years. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club and classified as a member of the Non-Sporting group.
| AKC Recognized | Y |
| Breed's original pastime | Companion |
| Origin | Germany |
| Breed group | Toy |
| Average lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Size | Tiny |
| Bark factor | I love to talk! |
| AKC Ranking | 8 |
| Family | Southern (pariah) |
| Date of origin | 1500s |
| Original function | Ceremonial |
| Today's function | Companion |
| Average size of male | Height: <10 Weight: 4-8 |
| Average size of female | Height: <10 Weight: 4-8 |
| Other name | Caniche |
| Energy level | High energy |
| Exercise needs | Low |
| Playfullness | Very playful |
| Affection level | Very affectionate |
| Friendliness toward other dogs | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward other pets | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward strangers | Friendly |
| Ease of training | Moderately easy to train |
| Watchdog ability | High |
| Protection ability | Very protective |
| Grooming needs | High maintenance |
| Cold tolerance | Low tolerance |
| Heat tolerance | Medium tolerance |
BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
WHAT IS A TOY POODLE'S PERSONALITY LIKE?
Toy Poodles are playful and love to romp with kids, but be sure to supervise your little ones (furry or otherwise). Their small size means Toy Poodles aren't built for rough play and can be fragile. This breed is loving and eager to please. They're generally happy to meet strangers and get along well with other pets, including dogs, but (like many small dogs) the Toy variety likes to be in charge.
WHAT IS TOY POODLE BEHAVIOR LIKE?
This is a very active breed. Poodles love to run, walk, or swim — preferably with you by their side. These dogs want to be on the go.
HOW EASY IS IT TO TRAIN A TOY POODLE?
This breed is very amenable to training. Poodles are extremely intelligent and eager to please. Their smarts and amenability make them ideal candidates for social therapy, seeing eye, and service work. These dogs excel in obedience, agility, hunting, and tracking. They can be a bit barky, but their obedience means it shouldn't be hard to discourage nuisance noisemaking.
CARE & HEALTH
HOW MUCH DO TOY POODLES SHED AND WHAT ARE THEIR GROOMING NEEDS?
A Toy Poodle's hair doesn't shed much. If you bring a Poodle home though, you're going to be very good friends with your dog groomer. This breed requires clipping at least every other month. You'll also spend a lot of time brushing her hair to prevent mats and tangles.
WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO TOY POODLES HAVE?
As a breed, Poodles are generally healthy. Some are prone to eye ailments, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, skin disease, blood clotting disorders, and thyroid or adrenal gland issues.
Miniature and Toy Poodles are also susceptible to orthopedic problems, including slipping kneecaps and circulation disorders.
