Toy Poodle

History

• Although the standard poodle is the original version of the poodle, it wasn't long before smaller versions appeared as well.
• The first good evidence of toy poodles in Europe dates from about 1700, although it almost certainly predates that time.
• The toy poodle was originally used as a lap dog, circus performer, and gypsy trick dog.
• The French aristocracy became enamored with the poodle and adopted it as its own. It eventually became the national dog of France.
• The French upper class enjoyed styling and even dying its hair in a variety of fashions.
• The first evidence of toy poodles in America dates from 1846.
• The AKC recognized the poodle in 1887. Only later did they split the breed into three varieties according to size.
• After a period in the 1920s during which they almost vanished from the American scene, poodles staged a comeback in the 1930s.
• Poodles were the most popular breed in America from 1960 to 1982, the longest continuous run of any breed.

Toy Poodle Behavior Concerns

• Makes a biddable and affectionate companion.
• Playful and very good with children, although very young or unruly children may hurt it with rough play.
• Friendly to strangers, other dogs and other pets.
• Does best with reward-based training involving food, games or praise.
• Eager to please, bright and responsive, poodles are among the easiest of dogs to train.
• Loves to learn tricks.
• Excels at obedience and agility competitions, as well as therapy dog work.
• Some may bark a lot, but can be easily trained not to.

Toy Poodle Suggested Exercises

• Makes a well-mannered and alert housedog.
• A daily walk around the block, coupled with several play sessions, will meet its exercise needs.
• Enjoys retrieving small objects.
• Does well in dog parks as long as large dogs are segregated.
• Games and tricks provide needed mental exercise.
• Its thick coat provides some protection against cold weather, but its small body size makes it vulnerable to chilling.

Toy Poodle Grooming

• Coat is curly, harsh and dense.
• Brushing and combing every other day is necessary to prevent matting.
• Most people have their dogs professionally clipped every six weeks.
• Most people opt for a pet clip where the hair is fairly short all over.
• Shedding is below average.
• The eyes should be checked regularly for hair or lashes that may irritate their surface.
• No breed is actually non-allergenic, but poodles may cause allergies in fewer people compared to other breeds.
• Hair growing inside the ears may need to be plucked out or clipped.

Suggested Toy Poodle Nutritional Needs

• Poodles tend to stay in good weight or to be a little overweight. The thick coat can sometimes obscure weight problems, so be sure to use your hands to feel.
• Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
• Small snacks can cause weight problems in tiny dogs.
• Toy poodle puppies should be fed often to prevent hypoglycemia, a serious condition to which very small puppies are prone. Frequent small meals of high protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates may help guard against this condition.

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