Dog Breed Guide

Toy Poodle

Profile

Size

Extra Small

Country of origin

France

Origin

18th century

Bred for

Companion

Height

24 - 28cm (9 - 11in)

Weight

2 - 4kg (4 - 9lb)

Life span

12 - 15 years

The smallest of the Poodles. Its tightly curled coat sheds little and has little odor, so it is said to be relatively easy to live with for people who worry about dog allergies. However, the coat keeps growing, so grooming about once a month is a must. It comes in many colors, including red, apricot, brown, black, white and silver.

Very intelligent, it reads people's feelings well. In Canadian psychologist Stanley Coren's ranking of breeds by their ability to learn work and commands, the Poodle came second only to the Border Collie. Bright, lively and affectionate, it is happiest when it is with its family.

Small as it is, it loves exercise and play, so make walks and games that make it think part of the daily routine. Kneecap dislocation (patellar luxation) and eye diseases are concerns.

Good to know

The Poodle was originally a hunting dog that retrieved shot waterfowl from the water. The name comes from the German "Pudel," from a word meaning to splash about in water, and in French it is called the Caniche, "duck dog." The distinctive clip, leaving pompoms of hair on the hips and legs, was a clever compromise that let the dog swim freely while protecting its joints and heart from the cold water.

Later, beloved at the French court, Poodles were bred smaller and smaller, and the Toy size was born. Today the Poodle is known as the national dog of France.

The rounded "teddy bear cut," which trims the face and body into soft, round shapes, became popular in Japan, where the Toy Poodle is the most popular breed, and has since won fans among groomers around the world. In the United States, the Poodle (which the American Kennel Club counts as one breed in three sizes) regularly ranks among the most popular breeds.