Toy Poodle

Temperament

The Toy Poodle is a breed renowned for its intelligence — it consistently ranks among the top positions in canine intelligence rankings — and for its balanced temperament. It is cheerful, active and extraordinarily receptive to training, with a learning ability that makes it the ideal companion for first-time dog owners. It bonds strongly with its family and does not cope well with prolonged solitude. It displays a sociable character with people and other animals when socialised from puppyhood. It is a breed well suited to families with children, seniors and urban living, thanks to its combination of small size, low-shedding coat and intense emotional bond.

Care

The Toy Poodle has curly, continuously growing hair with no visible seasonal shedding, which means it requires professional grooming every six to eight weeks to maintain the length and prevent mats. At home it should be brushed two to three times a week with a long-pin brush and metal comb, paying special attention to the ears, armpits and groin — the areas most prone to matting. Bathing is done every three to four weeks with a shampoo formulated for curly hair. The ears, with their drooping pinna and hair in the ear canal, should be checked weekly. Nails are trimmed every three to four weeks. At our kennel in Dénia we accustom puppies to brushing, the grooming table and the sound of the dryer from five weeks of age, which reduces stress during their first visits to the professional groomer.

Adult size

The FCI recognises four Poodle varieties (Caniche, Group 9) classified by size: standard, medium, miniature and toy. The Toy Poodle is the smallest variety, with a height at the withers of between 24 and 28 cm and an approximate adult weight of 2 to 4 kg. It is distinguished from the miniature by its shorter height and lighter build, while always maintaining the correct breed proportions (never a forced miniaturisation). Recognised colours are black, white, brown, grey and fawn; the standard requires a uniform coat without patches.

Family life

It fits very well with families with children, provided they are taught not to pick it up roughly. It coexists without issue with other dogs and cats, especially if socialised from puppyhood. It is an ideal breed for flat living due to its size, low shedding and moderate activity level, although it needs two to three daily walks combined with mental stimulation (scent games, basic obedience, tricks) to maintain its balance. We serve families in Dénia, Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm and Murcia, many of them in flats or urban townhouses. It is advisable to work on alone-time tolerance from puppyhood to prevent separation anxiety, to which the breed is especially prone.

History and origin

The Poodle's origin lies in central Europe, probably Germany (from the German Pudel, "to splash"), as a water retriever. France adopted and refined the breed, making it the national breed from the 17th century onwards, and since then the French FCI maintains the official standard. The toy variety was established in the 20th century through selection from the miniature variety, preserving proportions and character. The FCI classifies it in Group 9 — Companion dogs, section 2 — Poodle. It is one of the most widespread breeds in the world thanks to its combination of intelligence, sociability and adaptability to urban life.

Nutrition

A high-quality kibble formulated for toy breeds is recommended, with animal protein as the first ingredient and small kibble size. Puppies eat three to four times daily until six months of age; adults eat twice a day. The Toy Poodle is prone to hypoglycaemia as a puppy and to obesity as an adult, so portions are weighed and treats are limited. Table scraps and bones that could splinter should be avoided. Fresh water should always be available, with special attention in summer in the Mediterranean climate.

Breed-specific health

The conditions most commonly associated with the breed are progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and dental problems. To reduce risks we work with parent lines that have been genetically tested for PRA, schedule annual ophthalmological and orthopaedic check-ups, and recommend dental brushing from puppyhood. Each puppy is delivered with an official veterinary booklet, microchip, vaccinations and deworming up to date, and a breed-specific initial assessment of patellae and eyes. Full details of our health protocol and guarantees can be found on the relevant page of this site.