The proud and intelligent Toy Poodle is second only to its larger cousins in height. In addition, the fluffy four-legged friend has all the features that make a great family dog. He is friendly, faithful, sociable and cheerful. He has an incredible learning capacity and exceptional adaptability.
The history of the Toy Poodle coincides with the origins of its close relative, the Standard Poodle. Although the FCI identified France as the country of origin in the XNUMXs, other breeding associations and industry studies, including the Encyclopedia Britannica, list Germany or Russia as the actual countries of origin of the breed. However, there is no controversy about the origin of the Toy Poodle from the Barbet dog and the actual use of the first representatives of the breed. Poodles played the role of a retrieving hunting dog, specialized in hunting wild birds in water. They were also kept in traveling circuses, primarily due to their exceptional abilities and willingness to learn. They participated in shows, presenting tricks and tricks. However, they quickly won the hearts of people around the world and became one of the most popular family dog breeds.
At the end of the XNUMXth century, systematic breeding of poodles began, which eventually completely separated this breed from the barbet. It was particularly important for breeders to maintain a single-colored, curly coat. Over the course of the century, the breed's size options expanded from two (the large or king poodle and the small poodle) to four: the large poodle, the medium poodle, the miniature poodle, and the toy poodle. The original three permitted coat colors (black, white, brown) have been supplemented with the following color variants: silver, apricot, red, black and tan and a two-color harlequin variety.
Here are the suggested sizes for adult dogs of this breed. They were selected on the basis of many years of experience in sewing accessories and the most common choices of other dog owners of this breed. Remember, only measuring will give you 100% certainty - every dog is different.
According to the FCI classification, the toy poodle (like the other three poodle varieties) has the standard number 172 and belongs to group 9, section 2. It has a proportional, harmonious body structure, weighs 3-4 kg and reaches 24-28 cm in height at the withers. It has an elegant, proud appearance and a light and flexible way of moving. The silhouette is slightly elongated. The head, carried high, is expressive, proportional, slightly convex in profile, and the muzzle is straight and strong. The eyes are almond-shaped and set obliquely at the level of the stop. They are black or dark brown (less often dark amber). The ears are quite long and hang down along the cheeks.
The toy poodle has a well-proportioned and compact body. The tail is set relatively high, at lumbar level, and should be carried above the rump. The limbs are perfectly straight, strong and perfectly muscled.
Toy Poodles have a coat composed of dense hair with a delicate, elastic, woolly structure. The hair can form uniform curls that are resistant to hand pressure or characteristic cords that are at least 20 cm long. Dogs of this breed come in monochromatic colors, most often: black, white, brown, gray, apricot and red-fawn. Brown should be deep, quite dark, even, with a warm shade. The pattern does not allow beige shades. The eyelids, nose, lips, gums, palate, claws and paw pads should be well pigmented and match the color of the dog's coat.
The nature of the Toy Poodle is characterized by a charming, open and friendly disposition. He is a devoted companion who becomes very attached to his owner and all household members. He likes to be the center of attention and doesn't tolerate loneliness well. He exudes a warm, cheerful and energetic temperament throughout. This is a very smart, versatile dog that requires a lot of physical activity and mental challenges. He loves playing and can practice almost any dog sport. It also works great as a service dog.
The Toy Poodle is an intelligent playful person who approaches walks and training with passion and heart. He likes learning new things and wants to actively spend time with his loved ones. It will be perfect as a little sports companion. Moreover, it is a great family dog that can integrate very well with children and other pets (provided that it is carefully socialized from childhood). He is non-confrontational and balanced.
The Toy Poodle doesn't actually shed. To prevent loose hairs from getting stuck in the undercoat and curls from becoming matted, its coat should be brushed frequently (preferably 3-4 times a week). The constantly growing coat should be trimmed regularly at a dog grooming salon (every few weeks). Because very delicate, woolly and dense fur requires intensive care, it is worth accustoming your pet to these treatments from an early age. The care package should also include regular cleaning of ears, trimming of claws and keeping teeth clean (due to the tendency to form tartar).
Toy Poodles are generally very healthy and usually remain in good condition well into old age. However, there are diseases typical of this breed. Toy Poodles are prone to patellar luxation (the kneecap shifts and gait becomes uneven) and degenerative myelopathy, which causes loss of motor coordination in the hind legs. In addition, this breed is affected by hereditary eye diseases, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), leading to blindness, and corneal dystrophy, causing vision problems (clouding), tearing and even loss of vision. Please remember that regular check-ups at the vet play a huge role in health prevention. They are very important for the early detection of a disease or injury, they enable monitoring of the pet's current health condition, and they also help reduce illness.
Over the centuries, the Toy Poodle has largely lost its hunting instinct. However, his great enthusiasm for fetching and swimming remains to this day. To keep it in good condition, regular physical and mental activity is needed. Otherwise, he may come up with the idea of "playing" with furniture or clothes.
Training a Toy Poodle is usually easy and hassle-free, which is why representatives of this breed are great dogs for beginner owners. They quickly learn new commands and have great fun practicing dog sports (such as agility or dummy) or participating in obedience training. Even at an advanced age, these dogs love to learn tricks and tricks. In addition, toy poodles have an excellent sense of smell, making them very good at tracking and searching.
To sum up, the Toy Poodle is a loyal family friend, loving, playful and very devoted. Despite its small size, it is an extremely active and energetic dog. He has a great need for exercise and is easy to train. Another advantage is the ability to adapt to various environmental conditions. He adapts well to any environment, and his openness and friendly attitude make him an excellent companion for people of all ages. Properly socialized, it does very well in the company of other animals. Its care is not complicated, although it requires regular, quite frequent treatments.
Properly fitting your dog's collar is important to ensure its comfort and safety. Here are the steps to help you properly choose and then adjust the collar. Before purchasing a collar Measuring the dog's neck circumference Use a tape measure to measure the dog's neck circumference. Measure at the place where the collar will be worn, i.e. at the level of the neck, close to the ears and under the jaw. […]
Mastocytoma is a pathological growth of mast cells, most often taking the form of a tumor occurring in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. This type of tumor is one of the most common skin cancers in dogs, almost every fifth is a mast cell tumor. Although it has been proven that it occurs as a result of the destructive impact of substances released by mast cells, the cause of the disease has not yet been clearly established. However, it is known that the frequency of mastocytoma in dogs is influenced by breed predispositions and the age of the four-legged patient. The tumor usually appears on the dog's body, limbs or head. Since mastocytoma is often malignant and difficult to distinguish from other skin tumors, and the mere feeling of the lump does not provide clear information about its type, it is important to immediately consult a veterinarian to determine the nature of the lesion. It is worth remembering that detecting dangerous skin cancers at an early stage can significantly increase the chances of your pet's recovery.
Behavior that deviates from normal or is specific to the dog's breed, age or sex is called behavioral problems. The causes of such problems may be genetic, organic or due to environmental influences. When the dog's guardian is unable to cope with the pet's complicated behavioral disorders on his own. They can use the help of a dog behaviorist who, by understanding the cause and function of problematic behaviors, helps alleviate or eliminate them.
