Poodle (Toy)

Dog Breed Profile

Stats:
• High energy level
• Low exercise needs
• Very playful
• Very affectionate
• Friendly towards other dogs
• Friendly around other pets
• Very friendly around strangers
• Difficult to train
• Great watchdogs
• Not very protective
• High grooming requirements
• Medium tolerance to heat
• Low tolerance to cold

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Overview:

The Toy Poodle is a playful dog breed, eager to please and good with children, dogs and other family pets. He’s lively and smart, one of the easiest to train, he is obedient. His personality and ability to live in almost any sized living environment has made him a popular choice for families for many years.

For those with allergies, his hypoallergenic coat makes him a perfect pet, but he will still require regular grooming by a professional. The Toy Poodle is an active dog and like most dogs, he requires daily exercise to suit his high energy level, but this can be achieved with play or walks. He has a light and elegant stride, and has an athletic background.

Not suited to living outdoors
Health conditions that need to be tested for include eyes, knees and hips
Grooming needs include daily brushing and regular professional grooming
The Toy Poodle is a very affectionate and friendly, loving animal that is trainable
Has a great relationship with family members, young and old, not very protective but do make great watchdogs
The average size of a male is 4 to 8lbs and less than 10 inches tall
The average size of a female is 4 to 8lbs and less than 10 inches tall

Care & Health:

The Toy Poodle is a social breed and thrives on plenty of human contact. Extremely energetic, they require daily walks or indoor play. They are not a breed to live outdoors, and they are well-suited to apartment living.

The Toy Poodle’s coat will do best with daily brushing and he will require regular trips to the salon to keep his coat trimmed and free of any matting. When he sheds, brush often as his fur will not fall out on its own.

Major Health Concerns:

– PRA, patellar luxation, Legg – Perthes, epilepsy

Minor Health Concerns:

– trichiasis, entropion, lacrimal duct atresia, cataracts and occasionally urolithiasis, intervertebral disc degeneration

Test for:

– eyes, knees and hip

Life Span:

– 12 to 14 years

Breed History:

The Toy Poodle’s haircut was designed in Germany when he was prized as a water retriever, with any hair left specifically to protect organs from the cold. There are three varieties, and the toy is the smallest and of the breed.

In addition to his water dog history he has also worked as a circus performer, guard dog, guide dog and even military dog. Fashion-conscious women prized this dog as an accessory, and he was eventually was chosen as France’s national dog.

In the late 1800s the poodle became a popular show dog, and in the 1900s the still-popular bouffant design replaced the earlier corded look. Although their popularity declined drastically in the late 20s, they made an amazing comeback that saw him rated as the most popular pet in the US.