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.
