Toy Poodle

Smart and loving, the Toy Poodle is the consummate companion dog. They were originally made smaller to become companion dogs and circus performers. Their distinctive curly coats are high-maintenance, although it’s worth it for a dog that is witty, clever, and bouncing with enthusiasm. These dogs love to be with their owners and are eager to please.

Toy Poodle Breed Overview

Outgoing, funny, and elegant, Poodles were beloved by the French aristocracy. They are highly social dogs that love interacting with their owners. Poodles bond very closely with them and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too long. Thankfully, though, because they only weigh 4 to 6 pounds, Toy Poodles can be by your side often. While they were doted on by the French upper classes, the Toy Poodle is derived from the water-retrieving, hardworking Standard Poodle. The Standard was bred down to a Miniature Poodle size, and from there, in the 20th century in America, the Miniature was bred down to the Toy size.  

Toy Poodle Facts

• The Toy Poodle is derived from the Standard and Miniature Poodle sizes.
• The first Toy Poodle was bred in America in the 20th century.
• They are wonderful swimmers.
• These are intelligent dogs that were once used as circus performers.
• They are very bonded to their owners.
• The Poodle is the national dog of France.  

How to Care for Your Toy Poodle

Here’s what you need to know about Toy Poodles, including nutrition and feeding, health and wellness, grooming and hygiene, and living with the breed.  

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed a Toy Poodle

Because these dogs are so small, it’s important they get the right balance of nutrients. Feed them food with a high-quality protein listed as the first ingredient, with easy-to-digest carbs and healthy fats. A formula like Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Breed can help you get them the nutrition they need. By choosing size-specific food, you can make sure that the kibble size is appropriate for their small mouths, too.

How Much to Feed a Toy Poodle

Toy Poodles only weigh between 4 and 6 pounds, so their diets must be carefully managed. Because they have calorie needs that need to be met, but their stomachs are small, you might talk to your vet about feeding them smaller meals more often. Toy breeds do best when they are fed like this, preferably on a schedule, to help maintain their energy and sustain themselves. To get the most accurate amount of food your Toy Poodle will require, try the Purina Feeding Calculator. There, you can enter your dog’s exact weight, activity level, age, and more information to get specific results.

Treats & Supplements 

A Toy Poodle’s weight must be managed carefully, as obesity is a risk factor. They can enjoy low-calorie, high-protein treats in conjunction with positive reinforcement training or trick training. Calories from treats should not exceed 10% of their overall daily calories. Check in with your vet before offering them supplements. They may or may not suggest things like glucosamine for joint health or probiotics for digestive health.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Regular vet checkups are part of being a good pet parent. At these appointments, your vet can discuss preventive care, such as vaccine schedules and parasite prevention. They can also talk to you about spaying or neutering your dog. Toy Poodles can have some health issues, such as epilepsy, bladder stones, and eye problems. Obesity is a significant risk for this breed as well. Because of their small mouths and teeth crowding that can lead to dental disease, dental care is super important. These are all things that can be discussed and managed with your vet.

Toy Poodle Enrichment & Exercise Needs

Despite their small size, Toy Poodles are highly energetic dogs. They will adore doing anything physical with their owners, such as short leash walks, playing hide-and-seek, or training sessions. They are very smart and receptive to training, and trick training can help mentally stimulate them (and is fun for both of you!). Poodles are water retrievers, so don’t be surprised if yours loves to swim. Because of their size, they can be over-exercised easily, so watch them carefully for injuries and don’t overdo it.

Understanding Your Toy Poodle’s Behavior

Toy Poodles are highly intelligent, which also means they can be stubborn. Consistent training can help with their selective hearing and independent streaks. Small dogs can also be prone to barking excessively. This can be worked on with training and socialization. Additionally, these dogs were bred to be companions, and they are highly bonded to their owners. They will want to be where their owners are at all times and don’t do well on their own. They can have separation anxiety if they are left for long periods or are left without proper mental or physical exercise. This can lead to destructive behavior, such as excessive barking, chewing, or digging. If you need to leave them, be sure to wear them out first.

What to Expect as Your Toy Poodle Ages

A healthy Toy Poodle can live 12 to 15 years if properly cared for. Talk to your vet about when to switch them to a senior dog food to help with things like mental sharpness and joint health. Keep in touch with your vet about any signs of aging, and manage their weight carefully as obesity can really put pressure on their joints.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

Toy Poodle coats are curly and dense, more akin to fur than hair. They require frequent grooming, including brushing, to prevent painful matting. Many Poodle owners find it helpful for their dogs to get professionally groomed every 6 to 8 weeks. This breed is considered low-shedding.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

A small mouth means more teeth crowding, which can lead to dental disease. Be sure to establish a regular dental care routine for your Toy Poodle and brush their teeth frequently or offer size-appropriate dental chews. Clean their ears regularly with a vet-approved cleaning regimen, and check their paw pads for signs of infection. Trim their nails regularly to prevent painful splitting and cracking.

Anal Gland Care

Small dog breeds can be more prone to anal gland problems. Your dog may or may not be able to express their anal glands naturally. If they cannot, a blockage can form, causing an impaction, and if not fixed, this can lead to an abscess, which will require veterinary care. You’ll know they’re struggling if they are scooting, licking excessively, emitting a foul-smelling odor, or having trouble going to the bathroom.

Living With a Toy Poodle

Living Space

The compactness of the Toy Poodle is what draws a lot of owners to them in the first place. They are highly adaptable and can live just about anywhere, so long as they have plenty of access to the outdoors for potty time and play time.

Socialization

It’s important to socialize a Toy Poodle early and often to make sure they can build up confidence around unfamiliar people and places. Toy dogs tend to bark a lot to alert their owners. Early and frequent socialization can help them become better behaved in public. They are very bonded to their entire families, but sometimes will single out one person as their number one. Other family members should participate in their care and well-being so that they feel relaxed around them. Families with no children or older children who really understand how small the dog is are best.

Climate Considerations

Because of their small bodies, Toy Poodles can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Take care with them in super cold or super hot temperatures. In colder climates, they could use sweaters to retain more body heat. In warmer ones, make sure you are exercising them during the coolest parts of the day and watching them for signs of overheating.

Potential Challenges

Adorable, fun-loving, and spirited, Toy Poodles are a joy. They need their weight carefully managed to prevent obesity, and their dental routine needs extra care to ensure that they don’t get debilitating gum disease. Owners will need to invest time or money in their grooming needs as well.

Explore All Dog Breeds or find a Toy Poodle to adopt with our partner, Petfinder!