Toy Poodle - the smallest of the poodles

The toy poodle is the smallest variant of the poodle and is one of the most popular dog breeds in Germany due to its hypoallergenic properties and character. 

What types of toy poodles are there? 

Toy Poodles are one of the four size variations of the Poodle. The breed is known for its intelligence, elegance , and charming personality . They are the smallest variation of the Poodle and are very popular with dog owners due to their size and temperament. However, there are no different "types" of Toy Poodle in the traditional sense, as the classification of Toy Poodles is largely based on their size. 

How big and heavy do poodles get? 

There are four different sizes, with the difference mainly depending on the weight. 

1. Toy Poodle (smallest variant) – 2.5 – 4.5 kg
2. Miniature Poodle (one size larger than Toy Poodle) – 4.5 – 7 kg 
3. Miniature Poodle (medium size) – 7 – 17 kg 
4. Standard Poodle (largest variant) – 18 – 28 kg 

Unofficially, people sometimes talk about so-called " teacup poodles ", which are even smaller than toy poodles. However, this size is not recognized by official dog breeding associations and can cause health problems, as the breeding is aimed at extremely small dogs.

The Toy Poodle is fully grown at 18 months at the latest and has then reached its maximum size. There are no officially recognized further subcategories or species within the Toy Poodle group, but they can be distinguished by individual differences in coat color and texture. 

What colors do toy poodles have?  

Toy Poodles can come in many different colors, such as black, white, apricot, brown, gray, silver, cream, or red. Coat color does not play a role in their classification as a Toy Poodle. 

What is the coat structure of toy poodles? 

All poodles, including toy poodles, have curly, dense coats that are hypoallergenic (less likely to cause allergies) . However, the coat can be curly or wavy to varying degrees. 

How old do toy poodles get? 

Toy Poodles have an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years . With good care, a healthy diet and regular veterinary attention, some Toy Poodles can live longer, sometimes up to 18 years . Factors such as genetics, exercise and general health play an important role. 

Here are some points on how to increase the life expectancy of toy poodles: 

Healthy nutrition: High-quality, age-appropriate dog food and a balanced diet are important for a healthy lifestyle. 

Regular exercise: Daily walks and sufficient activity promote the fitness and health of your toy poodle. You can find suitable dog leashes and collars here. 

Regular veterinary check-ups: early detection of diseases and prevention. Vaccinations and deworming should also be carried out to ensure protection against infections and parasites. 

Dental care: Regular dental care to avoid dental problems. Natural dental care can be achieved, for example, with a deer antler . 

Coat care: Regular brushing and care of the coat is important to prevent skin problems and matting. 

Weight control: Be careful with your Toy Poodle’s weight as it can cause heart and joint problems. 

Stress reduction & enough sleep: A quiet, stress-free environment promotes mental health. In addition, sufficient rest breaks should be ensured for recovery and regeneration. A relaxed place to sleep in a comfortable dog bed ensures this.

Play & Activity: Training, play and mental challenges keep the dog happy and mentally fit. Play and activity are therefore very important.

These measures help maintain the health and quality of life of a toy poodle and extend its life expectancy. 

character of the toy poodle 

Toy Poodles are known for their lively, intelligent and affectionate nature. Despite their small size, they are energetic and love to interact with their owners. Here are some of the most important character traits of Toy Poodles: 

1. Intelligent 

Toy poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They learn quickly and are easy to train. Their high intelligence makes them particularly good at dog sports such as agility and obedience tests. 

2. Affectionate and loyal 

Toy Poodles are very people-oriented and develop a strong bond with their owners. They love being close to their family and are often known as "shadow dogs" as they follow their humans everywhere. This close bond makes them great companion dogs. 

3. Playful 

Toy poodles are extremely playful and curious. They love playing with toys or learning games, and they enjoy being active. Despite their small size, they have a relatively high need for exercise and need mental and physical stimulation. 

4. Friendly and social 

Toy Poodles are generally friendly towards other dogs, pets and people, especially if they have been well socialized. However, they can sometimes be a little reserved around strangers, which makes them good watchdogs, although they do not pose a threat due to their size. 

5. Sensitive 

Toy poodles are very sensitive dogs. They react to their owners' emotions and can easily be upset by loud noises or stressful situations. This makes them very sensitive companions, but they also require a gentle and patient hand in training. 

6. Lively and active 

Despite their small size, Toy Poodles have relatively high energy levels . They require regular exercise and mental stimulation , whether through walks, games or training sessions. Without adequate exercise, they may develop undesirable behavior, such as excessive barking or destructiveness. 

Toy Poodles love learning new tricks and commands. Their intelligence and eagerness to please their owner make them easy to train. They enjoy being mentally challenged and should be given new challenges on a regular basis to avoid boredom. 

7. Adaptable 

Toy poodles adapt easily to different living conditions, whether in a small apartment or in a large house. As long as they get enough attention and exercise, they feel comfortable almost anywhere. 

Overall, Toy Poodles are intelligent, active, and affectionate dogs that can make great companions for both individuals and families. However, they require regular grooming and exercise to stay balanced both mentally and physically. 

Grooming of Toy Poodles 

Grooming a Toy Poodle requires regular attention as their curly coat tends to mat and form knots quickly. Here are the most important aspects of grooming: 

• Regular brushing with a soft brush  
• Cutting hair , as hair grows steadily 
• Bathe to keep the fur clean and healthy. Sensitive shampoo specifically for dogs is suitable for this. The fur should then be dried. 
• Regular paw & claw care to avoid dirt accumulation and injuries 
• ear care to prevent infections 
• Thorough eye care to avoid inflammation 

Regular grooming not only keeps the toy poodle's coat clean and healthy, but also helps prevent skin problems and matting that could cause discomfort to the dog. 

Is the toy poodle a dog that is prone to allergies? 

Toy poodles are usually suitable for allergy sufferers. This is because the toy poodle has hair rather than fur and rarely loses hair. This means that fewer dead skin cells are produced, which means fewer allergens are produced. Toy poodles also lose less saliva, which also makes them suitable for allergy sufferers. To make sure that you as an allergy sufferer really do not develop an allergy, you should visit the dog several times before you buy the dog. This way you can be sure that there is no allergy. 

Toy Poodle vs. Miniature Poodle 

As already mentioned, the miniature poodle is the second smallest variant of the poodle. We have listed some differences for you. 

feature	toy poodle	miniature poodle
Size	24 – 28 cm shoulder height	28 – 35 cm shoulder height
Weight	2.5 – 4.5 kg	4.5 – 7 kg
character	Friendly, affectionate, calm	Playful, energetic, curious
Movement	Daily walks, but less intensive	More exercise and mental stimulation required
Who is it suitable for	companion dog for people who are active	companion dog for extremely active families or individuals

Which Toy Poodle Mixes Are the Most Popular?

There are many popular Toy Poodle mixes, as Toy Poodles are often crossed with other breeds due to their friendly nature and hypoallergenic properties. Here are some of the most common Toy Poodle mixes: 

1. Malti-Poo (Maltese + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small (similar to toy poodle) 
• Character: Loving, playful, friendly 
• Special features: Hypoallergenic fur, well suited for small apartments 

2. Yorkie-Poo (Yorkshire Terrier + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small 
• Character: Energetic, courageous, intelligent 
• Special features: Low hair loss, easy-care coat, fits well in city apartments 

3. Peekapoo (Pekingese + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small 
• Character: Loyal, brave, playful 
• Special features: Affectionate, can sometimes be reserved towards strangers 

4. Toy Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small to medium 
• Character: Happy, intelligent, social 
• Special features: Needs regular exercise and care, very friendly 

5. Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small to medium 
• Character: Intelligent, energetic, playful 
• Special features: Good watchdogs, robust, curly coat 

6. Poochon (Toy Poodle + Bichon Frisé)

• Size: Small 
• Character: Friendly, active, playful 
• Special features: Hypoallergenic fur, affectionate and family-friendly 

7. Doxiepoo (Dachshund + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small 
• Character: Clever, curious, playful 
• Special features: Very different in appearance, spirited and lovable 

8. Toy Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Toy Poodle)

• Size: Small to medium 
• Character: Lovable, intelligent, social 
• Special features: Perfect family dog, hypoallergenic coat 

These hybrids combine the intelligence and hypoallergenic qualities of the Toy Poodle with the unique personality traits of the other breeds, making them popular pets for a variety of lifestyles.