Physical attributes
- Height: ranges from 24cm / 10 inches up to 28cm / 12 inches.
- Weight: ranges from 5kg / 10lbs up to 5kg / 10lbs.
- Typical fur colours: various solid colours.
- Eye colour: brown.
- Size category: Small.
Health attributes
- Common health problems: patellar luxation, eye problems and dental problems.
- Usual longevity: 12 to 14 years.
- Hypoallergenic? Yes.
Poodle Toy breed behavioural traits
- Character traits of a Poodle Toy: The Poodle Toy usually exhibits character traits that include intelligent, lively, alert and responsive.
- Poodle Toy obey scale: In percentage terms, the Poodle Toy typically scores around 50% on the obey scale.
- Trick repetitions required: In terms of how many times the Poodle Toy needs to learn new tricks, expect between 26 and 40 repetitions before they pick things up.
- Intelligence category: The Poodle Toy sites in the average category when it comes to intelligence.
- Suitability for children: If you have kids, it’s worth knowing that the Poodle Toy is moderately suitable for children.
Poodle Toy: A Fascinating Background and Rich History
Despite their delicate appearance, Toy Poodles carry a remarkable heritage that’s deeply rooted in French culture. These elegant little dogs, while often seen today as fashionable companions, actually descend from a long line of working dogs. Though they’re classified in the non-sporting group by major kennel clubs, their ancestors were quite the workers indeed.
The Toy Poodle’s story begins in France, where their larger relatives, the Standard Poodles, were originally bred as water retrievers. As time passed, breeders developed smaller versions, eventually creating the Toy variety we know today. These miniature versions became particularly popular among French nobility during the 18th century, where they served as cherished companions and showed off their intelligence in circus performances.
What’s particularly interesting about Toy Poodles is their exceptional intelligence and working capability, despite their diminutive size. They’ve consistently ranked among the brightest dog breeds, displaying remarkable obedience and an eagerness to learn. Their quick wit and adaptability made them perfect performers in circuses and traveling shows, where they’d demonstrate impressive tricks and entertain audiences across Europe.
The Evolution of Purpose
While their larger cousins were retrieving ducks from lakes and ponds, Toy Poodles found their niche as companion animals. They excelled at this role, offering the same intelligence and trainability as their bigger relatives but in a more apartment-friendly size. Their non-sporting classification shouldn’t fool anyone – these dogs maintain the same sharp minds and working drive that characterized their hunting ancestors.
Today’s Toy Poodles continue to prove themselves as outstanding pets and show dogs. They’re often seen competing in obedience trials, agility courses, and various dog sports, showing that their working heritage hasn’t diminished despite centuries of breeding for companionship. Their remarkable combination of intelligence, elegance, and adaptability has secured their place as one of the most beloved small dog breeds in the world.
Typical costs for buying and owning a Poodle Toy
- Typical purchase price: £2,370. (Ranges from £1,580 to £3,160).
- Expected lifetime cost: £8,485.
- Food costs per year: £216.
