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Poodle (Toy) breed guide
American Kennel Club (AKC) says that despite a diminutive size, the Toy Poodle stands proudly among dogdom's true aristocrats, with the same build and proportions as the larger Poodles.
Beneath a curly coat is an elegant athlete and companion for all reasons and seasons.
- Height
- No more than 10 inches
- Weight
- 4 to 6 pounds
- AKC group
- Toy Group
Poodle (Toy) temperament
Toy Poodles are intelligent, agile and self-confident, easily trained and graceful as well as smart. AKC says Toy Poodles do well in agility, obedience and tracking events.
They are excellent water-retrievers and also compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests.
Poodle (Toy) lifespan
Toy Poodles live 10 to 18 years. AKC says most live long, happy, healthy lives thanks to responsible breeders who routinely test breeding dogs, though hip dysplasia and several eye disorders occur.
Idiopathic epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, von Willebrand's disease and immune-mediated disorders also appear occasionally and Legg-Calve-Perthes and luxating patellas are more likely in Toy Poodles than in Standard Poodles.
Poodle (Toy) care
Unless a Toy stays in a short trim, learn to brush it daily so the coat does not mat, brushing and combing a full coat completely to the skin. Poodles of any size need good exercise every day for a high energy level.
A Toy's retrieving impulse makes tossing a toy a good way to exercise it and swimming is great exercise too.
Poodle (Toy) history
The Poodle is the national dog of France, where it is known as the Caniche or duck dog, though the breed originated as a duck hunter in Germany.
The Toy descends from the Standard Poodle, which began as a retrieving water dog more than 400 years ago.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 5 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 1 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 4 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |
More Toy Group guides
Sources
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Poodle (Toy) by Silperez86, CC BY-SA 4.0
