Toy, Tiny Toy, Teacup and Miniature Poodle Information

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Lifespan
15-20 years normally. If healthy, this is a long lived breed, living between 15 and 20 years if taken care of well.

Susceptibility to Illness
Low

History
This size of poodle was known to exist at least 500 years ago. During the 17th and 18th centuries the poodle became a favorite with the nobility. They wanted dogs smaller than the Miniature variety, and so the Toy Poodle was developed. Today the Toy Poodle is exclusively a companion and lap dog.

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Intelligence
The Poodle is an extremely intelligent and eager to please dog, thus he/she is inordinately easy to train. As a result, the Poodle has a history of performance, appearing in circus and street acts for hundreds of years. Poodles are unusually sensitive to vocal intonation, probably one of the reasons they are so easy to train. Many pet owners, using gentle and consistent training methods, have seen their poodles excel in obedience trials, flyball, and agility.
 

 

Energy Level
Medium

 

 

Overall Exercise Needed
It is a good idea to include a poodle in some sort of activity so that the mind is stimulated along with the body. Poodles can do well in obedience, agility, and most dog sports.

 

 

Stress Caused if Left Alone
This breed does need the companionship of people; in fact they prefer it over other poodles or other animals in general. They do get very lonely when left alone a lot or for really long periods of time. If your poodle will be left alone more than he is with you, then consider getting another poodle for him/her to grow up with and spend time with; besides you, this is the next best thing.
 

 

Ease of Transportation
High, they love to ride in cars and can be taken on planes in carry on bags.

 

 

Level of Aggression
Low, poodles are very easy going and are non-aggressive.

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Gets Along with Other Animals
High, they love all animals though they prefer your company to anything else.

 

 

Suitable for Children
High, they love kids but children need to respect them and learn to care for them well.

 

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General Character and Temperament
Getting along with the kids, the cat, and the guinea pig is no problem for the poodle. Lively and affectionate, they make wonderful companion dogs. The poodle will adapt to life in more confined quarters. They can be good guard dogs, announcing visitors but never being aggressive. Children should be trained to handle these small, delicate dogs carefully, though.

Coat Length
Medium/Long. It will need to be clipped every 8 weeks at least as poodles coats grow constantly.

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Grooming Requirement
Brushing once a week or more is really needed.

Trimming
Occasional, every 2-3 months.

Requires Professional Groomer
True, unless you're experienced, you could really cause stress to both your poodles and yourself. Grooming is not the easiest thing to do, but it is learnable.

Grooming
Poodles do not shed and are therefore often tolerated by allergic people. Their coats do take a great deal of care, though, generally requiring professional grooming as well as combing and brushing at home. The poodle should be taken to a groomer about every 8 weeks for a clip of your choice. The poodle's ears need frequent cleaning, or they will become infected especially in the smaller poodles.

 

 

 

Color
They come in a variety of colors such as ice white, blacks, blues, grays, silvers, browns, apricots, café-au-laits, and merles. The colors can be varying shades within the coat, for example, darker feathering on the ears and tipping on the ruff. The color will fade on most all

 

 

Non-Allergic
Yes, poodles are non-shedding. They have fit well into families with persons who have had pet allergies prior to owning a poodle.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Owning a Poodle

• Highly intelligent and adaptable.
• Delightful, clever temperament. Highly personable.
• People-oriented. Gentle and cuddly.
• Non-shedding, no hair on clothes or furniture. 
• Virtually odor free.
• Breed of choice for many allergy sufferers.
• Many colors from which to choose.
• Less space is needed for exercise because of their small size.
• Poodles are considered the best therapy dogs for elderly, infirmed, or handicapped. 
• Great lap dogs.
• Less potty to clean up than most dogs.

Disadvantages to Owning a Poodle
• Demands grooming on regular basis; every 8 weeks it is necessary.
• Teacups can be fragile and may not be suitable in homes with very small children.