A Toy Poodle is a Poodle in miniature form. These tiny toy-sized dogs have all the looks and characteristics of a full-sized poodle, but they are just a fraction of the height and weight!
Toy Poodles are the perfect companion dogs. Standing just 10 inches tall, this mini Poodle will happily sit on your lap all day, and they are wonderful pets to keep in small apartments. They don’t need any space to be happy, but they do need grooming to look the best they can.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the defining features and characteristics of a Toy Poodle, how they stack up against other types of poodles, and what you need to know to raise Toy Poodle puppies!
What is a Toy Poodle?
The Toy Poodle is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. The best way to describe these tiny pups is simply as a shrunken-down version of larger poodles.
The Toy Poodle is a specific type of Poodle. It has to be a specific height and weight in order to class as ‘Toy.’ While they are small in stature, they have the same character and temperament that you would expect of a full-sized Poodle because they have simply been bred down over generations to be a smaller size – not for any other specific personality traits.
Smaller versions of the Toy Poodle are more commonly known as the Teacup Poodle. These tiny pups are even shorter and lighter, but the Teacup Poodle isn’t an official breed – rather, it’s officially a small Toy Poodle!
Toy Poodle Features
Height: 10 inches or less (required height in order to be classified as a ‘Toy’ Poodle, rather than larger varieties of Poodle).
Weight: cannot weigh any more than 6 pounds.
Temperament: Intelligent, independent, loyal, affectionate, loving, proud.
Appearance: Literally a tiny poodle. Toy Poodles have thick fur coats, which can be a range of colors or mixes (you can find a black toy poodle, a red toy poodle, a black and red toy poodle, and so on). Floppy Poodle-like ears, distinctive dark facial features, and curly hypoallergenic fur.
Known health problems: eye and patella problems. A Toy Poodle puppy is fragile, given its small size, but robust once fully grown.
Lifespan: wide-ranging lifespan that can fall anywhere between 10 and 18 years. Toy Poodles have the potential to live very long lives if well cared for and free of health issues!
