Poodle: Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is a smart, loving, and low-shedding small dog perfect for US apartment living, families, and owners looking for an intelligent, easy-to-train companion.
Origin
Germany / France
Size
Small (Toy-sized variant of the Poodle)
Popularity
United States
Low
Medium
High
The Toy Poodle is the smallest and most portable version of the Poodle family, which also includes the Miniature and Standard Poodle. Known for intelligence, elegance, and a low-shedding curly coat, the Toy Poodle is highly adaptable to American lifestyles—from apartment living to active families. This breed enjoys mental enrichment, training, and close companionship with its owner.
Under 10 in
Under 24 cm
White, black, apricot, brown, red, gray
4–6 lbs
2–3 kg
Beginners, families, apartment owners, seniors
12–15 years
Smart, affectionate, playful, alert
History
The Toy Poodle was developed as a smaller companion version of the original water-retrieving Poodle from Germany and later France. Bred for companionship and performance, the Toy Poodle gained popularity for its intelligence and charming personality. In the US, Toy Poodles quickly became beloved for their trainability, hypoallergenic coat, and suitability for small living spaces.
Temperament
Lively, affectionate, and highly intelligent. Toy Poodles love being close to their owners and thrive with mental stimulation and daily interaction.
Training
Learns quickly; excels with positive reinforcement and mental challenges.
Care & Grooming
Regular brushing and professional grooming needed to maintain curly coat.
Coat Looks
Dense, curly coat with a soft, fluffy appearance requiring routine care.
Health & Nutriton
Feed balanced diet for skin, coat, and dental health; monitor weight.
Apartment
Very friendly
Good
Before Buying
Toy Poodles require grooming, mental stimulation, and close companionship. Their small size means they’re delicate around rough play. Vet bills for dental care and allergies can be high in the US. Ideal for dedicated owners who want an affectionate indoor companion.
Activity Level
3 – Moderate Energy