If you are thinking of getting a Toy Poodle for a pet, there are
several things you might like to know about them. The normal traits
of the poodle breed apply to Toys that is: they are loyal, gentle,
intelligent, elegant, non-shedding, obedient and perceptive. All that is truly
different is size.
Poodles, the national dog of France, are defined by the American
Kennel Club (AKC) as toy poodles if it: "... is 10 inches or under
at the highest point of the shoulders." Further divisions are often
made within this group. A toy poodle may weigh no more than 10
pounds at maturity, while a mature 5 to 6-pound dog is considered
a tiny toy and a 2 to 4-pound dog is called a teacup poodle. Officially there is
no such thing as a Teacup Poodle. Breeders refer to a dog or puppy as a
Teacup when they will be between 2-4 pounds when an adult.
A Toy Poodle is often chosen by dog lovers because of their
non-shedding fur. They are great for people with allergies, who
wish to share their homes with a dog. But this very characteristic of
non-shedding fur necessitates an increase in the attention to grooming.
You MUST brush them often.
A Toy Poodle makes a great family dog, because it loves
companionship and does not like to be alone. If your household is
gone for the majority of each day, your Toy Poodle may not be
the happiest of pets and might benefit from a second Toy Poodle playmate!
If you are gone for much of the day, plan on exercising your poodle
well when you get home. Toy Poodles require the least exercise
of all the poodle sizes, especially when young, but they still require
a good romp in the yard once they reach maturity.
There are some words of caution that need to be mentioned regarding
a Toy Poodle while it is a pup. Their small size means that they
can run out of energy quickly. This requires vigilance for the first 6
to 9 months of their lives, as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can
occur instantly and could be fatal. Some breeders recommend
keeping your Toy Poodle in a child's playpen to avoid overexertion.
One breeder recommends letting the pup suck on a finger
covered with Karo syrup to counteract the occasional low blood
sugar incidents. You can also use Nultri-Cal, it can be found at most pet stores
or at your local vet. Another suggests giving them some high-energy
liquid food at night to carry them safely through to morning. Check
with your trusted vet for good advice.
If you have children, you might wish to choose a larger Toy Poodle, rather
than a smaller poodle. The fragility of a smaller pup might make a larger Toy
Poodle a better choice. You just need to remember how small a 4 pound
animal is: it fits in your pocket or purse! It cannot stand much tripping
over and stepping on without great injury. So treat your Poodle like
the dainty furperson it is, and all will be happy!
Toy Poodles
