Toy Poodle

“Poodles are one of the few breeds that have what is considered hair rather than fur,” says Carolyn Holmes, president of the Orlando Poodle Club and breeder at Carmine Poodles. “That is to say, it grows continuously, like human hair.”

To keep a Toy Poodle’s coat in tip-top shape, you’ll need to plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to the groomer for a haircut.

“All poodles should be groomed on a four- to six-week schedule,” Dean says. Think of a trip to the groomer as a trip to the doggy salon—they’ll be bathed, brushed, and get a haircut.

Don’t overlook your dog’s ears, eyes, teeth, and nails—they need upkeep, too.

• Bathing: Bathe your Toy Poodle once a month using a dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner.
• Brushing: Brush your dog’s hair regularly; whether you need to do this weekly or daily depends on your Toy Poodle’s haircut. (“The shorter the haircut, the less brushing it will need,” Holmes says.) Use a slicker brush to remove loose hair and a pin brush to gently work through tangles.
• Clipping: Popular Toy Poodle haircuts range from a traditional look (with a shaved face, feet, and base of tail accented by a blanket of hair on the body and ears), to a more natural look with no shaving at all, with many choices of styles in between.
• Dental care: It’s important to brush your dog’s teeth every day. Toy Poodles are highly prone to dental disease, and brushing is the best way to prevent the painful condition.
• Ear care: Stay alert for signs your dog has an ear infection, and ask your vet if ear-cleaning should be part of your grooming regimen.
• Eye care: Toy Poodles, especially those with lighter coats, can develop tear stains. Gently clean the areas around the eyes with a tear stain remover.
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails every few weeks. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long.

Toy Poodles, along with their Standard and Mini Poodle relatives, are known for being one of the smartest dog breeds.

Their smarts, along with their eagerness to please, streamline the training process and make it fun to work with your Toy Poodle on essential obedience cues (like sit, stay, and come) and entertaining tricks. Toy Poodles are also people-pleasers, Dean says, so they can be a good fit for first-time pet parents who might have trouble training a more independent dog breed. 

Despite their trainability, sometimes Toy Poodles are a challenge to potty train because of their small bladder. But consistent effort—and patience—will make housetraining successful.

Socializing your Toy Poodle puppy is important, too. While the breed has a reputation for being social, all dogs are individuals with unique personalities. Socialization helps your pup grow confident and reach their full, friendly potential.

Full-grown Toy Poodles benefit from two measured meals a day. But Toy Poodle puppies, because they are just so small, often need to eat more frequently to avoid low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), Dean says. Until your pup is 1 year old, make sure they eat three to four meals every day.

Talk to your vet to find the best dog food for your Toy Poodle. The food must be AAFCO-compliant, suitable for little mouths, and formulated for your pup’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some brands, like Royal Canin, even make dog food just for Poodles.

Using puzzle feeders, slow feeders, or snuffle mats can make mealtime more fun for your Toy Poodle.

Most Toy Poodles need about an hour of exercise every day. This might be surprising given the breed’s small stature, but it’s important to remember that Toy Poodles are still dogs—not teddy bears or accessories—and have an impressive amount of energy.

But instead of running marathons or hiking in the mountains, a Toy Poodle’s exercise needs can be easily met from home. Walks around the block, games of fetch (in a backyard or even in the living room), and trick training are some favorite pastimes. Your Toy Poodle might also be a standout in dog sports like agility.

It’s important to exercise this brainy pup’s mind, too. Toy Poodles will have fun playing with puzzle games or interactive toys, especially when you’re busy or away from home.

A Toy Poodle’s small size, low-shedding coat, and eager-to-please attitude make these pups ideal apartment or condo companions. But they also thrive in suburban houses or life in the country.

The most important thing to remember is that a tiny Toy Poodle can be vulnerable.

“As with all toy dogs, they must be protected from predators such as owls, eagles, and raccoons when outdoors, especially in country settings,” Holmes says. “So keep in mind that while the Miniature and Standard Poodles love duck-retrieving in ponds and tracking work in the woods, the Toy Poodle is definitely a house pet.”

This breed thrives on connection and companionship; they may develop separation anxiety if left alone for long amounts of time. Homebodies—or people looking to take their dog everywhere with them—make the best Toy Poodle parents.

“They need people around all the time,” Dean says. “They truly are a person in a fuzzy suit.”