Description of the appearance, size, temperament, health concerns, and other important facts about toy poodles.
Toy Poodles are the smallest variety of the Poodle class. They are lively little dogs with thick, curly coats. These dogs have long ears that lay close to their heads and are flat and long. Their heads are long, their skulls are rounded, and their almond shaped eyes show an alert expression. Toy Poodles have sharp teeth that close in a scissors bite. Male and female dogs have an average height of up to 11 inches or 28 centimeters and an average weight of 6 to 9 pounds or 3 to 4 kilograms.
This breed is highly intelligent, sensitive, and very responsive. As a result, they are considered to be one of the most easily trained breeds. Toy Poodles have happy, fun-loving, and spunky personalities but may be reserved around people they don't know. Efforts should be made by the owners of these dogs to socialize and train them at an early age with an emphasis on refraining from unnecessary barking. Some of these dogs may be high-strung or timid and they may even try to snap or bite at times. These dogs are not well suited for families with small children but these dogs do fine with older children who are careful and considerate with them. They do well with other pets as well.
Toy Poodles must be groomed and bathed frequently and clipped every six to eight weeks. Daily combing or brushing sessions are recommend. Since their hair continues to grow and typically does not shed it is not a good choice of pet for someone with allergies. Their coats come in several solid colors including white, cream, brown, red, apricot, black, blue, and silver. Traditional clipping styles were designed to reduce the weight of the dogs' coats for swimming and to protect their joints and major organs. Many owners now prefer to have simple clipping styles that leave the hair in an even length all over the dogs' bodies. Cleaning and checking the ears on this dog breed is recommended frequently to avoid was buildup, to remove hair that may be growing in the ear canal, and to prevent any possible infections. Teeth scaling should be done on a regular basis as well.
Health problems that may be common among Toy Poodles include epilepsy, diabetes, ear infections, digestive problems, heart disorders, skin problems, and dislocated knees. Some genetic eye disorders that may be seen include cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Regular exercise is recommended for these dogs to keep them happy and fit. Toy Poodles like to walk but also enjoy opportunities to run free, romp, and play at will. These dogs are well suited for living in urban and rural settings and are very active indoors. Their average life expectancy is approximately 12 to 15 years.
Toy Poodles were thought to have originated in France, Germany or Denmark as retrievers of waterfowl. They were also used to hunt truffles that could be found underground in the woods. Later, they were popular attractions as circus performers that could be easily trained to do a number of tricks. Today, these dogs are primarily kept as show dogs, companions, and family pets.
