The Toy Poodle is part of the Poodle group which is recognised by the American Kennel Club. The other members of the group are the Standard Poodle and the Miniature Poodle. Poodles are classified as the second most intelligent dog breed after the Border Collie.
Toy Poodles classified as part of the toy group by the AKC.
The Toy Poodle is lively and affectionate and has no problem getting along with children or other pets.
Origins Of Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is the small variation of the Poodle breed. The first variation to emerge was the Standard Poodle. Despite its popular association with France, the Standard Poodle is believed to have been developed in Germany. The Poodle was originally bred as a duck hunting dog and the breed still has excellent swimming ability. The miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting.
It is likely that the Toy breed was developed in England as a companion dog in the 18th century.
Poodles were one of the first breeds registered with the kennel club in Britain after its formation in the 1870s
Appearance
The Toy Poodle is a small dog which should not weigh more than 4.5 kilos. It is between 25 and 28 centimetres tall.
It has a coat of medium length which comes in a large variety of colors. Some of the most popular colours are blue, grey, brown, apricot, cream and white. The coat color starts to fade once the dog reaches 4 or 5 years old. The coat is profuse and curly.
The dog’s coat is often styled by its owner.
The Toy Poodle has a slender muzzle and long neck.
Character
The Toy Poodle has retained many of the characteristics of the Standard Poodle. For its size, it is courageous and athletic.
They make great pets. They can adapt to living in smaller homes as long as they are given plenty of exercise. They make good house dogs, barking when a strangers approach. They are generally not aggressive.
They get on well with children and other pets. However, they are small dogs and can be damaged by rough handling.
They are easy to train and are very responsive to changes in the tone of their owner’s voice. They have competed well in obedience trials.
Toy Poodle Health
All Poodle varieties suffer from the same health issues. The most reported illnesses for Poodles are Addison's disease and gastric dilatation volvulus.
Addison's disease is caused by insufficient production of glucocorticoid and mineralocortoid. These are substances which fight inflammation in the body. It is hard to diagnose, and the symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions. The symptoms include lethargy, frequent gastric upsets and an inability to tolerate stress.
Gastric dilatation volvulus occurs when a twisting of the stomach causes too much gas. Symptoms include restlessness, an inability to get comfortable and retching without bringing anything up. If you suspect your dog is suffering from this condition you should take him to the vet immediately.
Poodles are prone to eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
Grooming And Care
Poodles do not shed. They can often be tolerated by people with allergies. However, their coat does require care and needs regular combing and brushing.
Many owners find that regular visits to a groomer are needed to keep the coat in top condition. A number of different clips are used on Poodles. These clips sometimes include shaving parts of the dog’s body.
Poodles should be clipped beneath the tail for sanitary reasons. Clipping around the muzzle will prevent food from collecting there.
Toy Poodles As Pets
Poodles are highly intelligent and eager to please. They are easy to train and have the ability to get along in a family situation or as a companion dog for a single owner.
