Toy Poodle

The Toy version of the Poodle is recognized as separate breed, despite of the fact that it shares a common ancestry with both the Standard and Miniature Poodle.

Origin: Toy Poodles are descended from working stock. With its more elaborate appearance, which may be more suggestive of a cosseted and delicate breed. In fact, Poodles were originally used to guard sheep, and being descended from the Irish Water Spaniel, would also readily enter water as retrievers.

Due to the interest in Poodles as a lap dog meant that the smaller individuals were favored, and certainly the Toy Poodle appears to have been established by the 18^th century, that’s according to contemporary Spanish portraits. Prior to that date, Toy Poodle were also portrayed by the German artist Durer in 1500.

Temperament: Happy, hardy and devoted dog. Quite frequently, Toy Poodle thinks of himself a much bigger dog.

Grooming: Poodles do not molt their hair in a similar way to other breeds, and certainly for show purposes, coat care is very time consuming. In the case of a pet dog, however, this can be carried out at a grooming parlor. Although show dogs have more elaborate clips, the simple lamb clip, which merely keeps the hair at an even length, can be recommended for a Poodle kept just as a companion. This will need to be carried out about every six weeks or so, and will add to the cost of keeping your dog unless you decide to undertake the task yourself.

Exercise: Unlike the Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle doesn’t require plenty of activities but regular walks in the park will content this tiny fellow. It is suitable for town dwellers.

Health: When purchasing a puppy of this breed, it is especially important to ensure that it is sound. Like some other smaller dogs, Toy Poodles can suffer from a problem affecting the knee-caps. Known as luxation of the patella, this problem can leas to lameness.

Physical appearance of the Toy Poodle

Head: Long and narrow.

Muzzle: Long, but not snippy, and strong, not full in cheek; teeth white, strong, and level; gums black, lips black and not showing lippies.

Eyes: Almond shaped, very dark, full of fire and intelligence.

Nose: Black and sharp.

Ears: Long and wide, hanging close to the face.

Neck: Well proportioned and strong, to admit of the head being carried high and with dignity.

Shoulders: Strong and muscular, sloping well to the back.

Chest: Deep and moderately wide. Well sprung ribs.

Back: Short, strong, and slightly hollowed, the loins broad and muscular, the ribs well sprung and braced up.

Feet: Rather small, and of good shape, the toes well arched, pads thick and hard.

Legs: Forelegs set straight from shoulder, with plenty of bone and muscle. Hind legs very muscular and well bent, with the hocks well let down.

Tail: Set on rather high, well carried at an angle to body.

Coat: Very profuse, and of good hard texture; if corded, hanging in tight, even cords; if non-corded, very thick and strong, of even length, the curls close and thick, without knots or cords.

Colors: All black, all white, all red, all blue.

• White Poodle: Dark eyes, black or very dark liver nose, lips, and toenails.
• Red Poodle: Dark amber eyes, dark liver nose, lips, and toenails.
• Blue Poodle: Even color, and have dark eyes, lips, and toenails.
• Black Poodle: All the other points of White, Red, and Blue poodles should be the same as the perfect Black Poodle.