Toy Poodle General Breed Profile
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inches
WEIGHT: 2 to 5 pounds
COAT: Curly and dense
COAT COLOR: Apricot, black, blue, brown, cafe au lait, cream, gray, red
LIFE SPAN: 14 to 17 years
TEMPERAMENT: Confident, loyal, intelligent, lively, alert
HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes
ORIGIN: France, Germany
Characteristics of the Toy Poodle
Toy poodles are charismatic family pets that love to be the center of attention. They are highly intelligent and take well to obedience training, but can suffer from separation anxiety due to their companionable nature. They do well around children and other pets and are well-suited to life in smaller spaces thanks to their petite size.
Affection Level | High |
Friendliness | High |
Kid-Friendly | Medium |
Pet-Friendly | Medium |
Exercise Needs | Low |
Playfulness | Medium |
Energy Level | Medium |
Trainability | High |
Intelligence | High |
Tendency to Bark | Medium |
Amount of Shedding | Low |
Teacup Toy Poodle History
The teacup toy poodle dog breed originated from the standard poodle dogs. These dogs were initially found in Germany and are one of the oldest purebred dogs in the world. The French poodle may be a lot more popular but it is just another subsidiary of the hunting dogs found in Germany.
Over the last two decades, poodles have been bred to become smaller dogs to fit into small spaces. The miniature teacup poodle is a companion dog that is a descendant of the purebred dog breed registered in Germany. In fact, the name poodle originated from the German word, ‘pudelin.’
The perfect hunting dog that originated in Germany is now a little dog that can essentially fit inside a teacup. Toy poodles are now prevalent in America and even a few European countries. Other poodle mix dogs are also popular pets today given that poodles are the national dog of France.
Teacups are now prevalent after years of selectively bred dogs thrived in various settings. Today they can be found in almost every country after the official breed standards were met.
Some poodles are bred to be lap dogs while the others like the teacup dog is a companion dog. The popularity of this breed continues to increase as time passes!
What does a Teacup Poodle Look Like?
A teacup toy poodle looks just like the standard poodle except it is a lot smaller in size. Dogs that weigh under six pounds and aren’t taller than 9 inches are generally considered teacup poodles by breeders. A teacup toy poodle full grown will not be taller than 9 inches either.
These dogs have fluffy ears and their body is covered with a hypoallergenic coat. They have deep-set dark eyes and an extended long muzzle. The teacup toy poodle is an adorable breed of dog that is also very easy to take care of.
This little dog has an overall squared-out body shape but its legs are just the perfect length for its body. These dogs are also very agile and have no trouble running around and frolicking. Teacup poodle dogs are often compared to teddy bears because of their appearance.
Many people like to accessorize their dogs with a poodle clip. Once you adorn your poodle with this clip, you will be surprised to see how much you have elevated their cuteness.
Teacup Toy Poodle Health, Living Needs & Care
The teacup toy poodle was originally bred from large hunting dogs. Its ancestors belong to a tough breed of animals that had a ton of responsibilities in Germany. This could be the reason why this breed rarely ever has any health issues and problems.
These dogs commonly suffer from a few ailments that affect poodles. Here’s what they are:
- Dysplasia (Affects their joints.)
- PRA or Progressive retinal atrophy (Affects their sight and dogs eventually go blind.)
Apart from this, smaller dogs often have patella luxation, which affects the positioning of their patella in their legs. You must pay special attention to this and look after your dog’s health. A little bit of exercise and proper nutrition should help prevent these problems.
Your pet’s medical costs are not going to be too high either. This breed may look small but it is very tough. Apart from this, many affordable pet health care options are also available today.
These dogs do not have many requirements either. They love spending time indoors, and the size of your house does not affect them. You can take them out for walks to keep them engaged but these tiny pets do not need to be exerted physically daily.
If you want to keep your teacups happy, make sure you spend time with them and give them affection. Additionally, regular grooming will also help keep your pet healthy and satisfied!
Teacup Poodles Grooming
The teacup toy poodle is among the smallest breeds of dogs in the world. While the American kennel club has recognized the toy category, there is no natural classification for the teacup toy poodle breed. These dogs can easily be groomed like the poodle too. Their thick and luscious coat makes it very easy to manipulate hairdos and try different hair cuts on them.
You can cut their hair in any way you like and make it look attractive. One of the best features of the teacup poodle is that it does not shed. These dogs have thick fur that needs to be brushed so that there are no knots in their coat.
Apart from this, the teacup toy poodle does not require much. As long as you comb through their curly fur, clip their nails, and brush their teeth regularly, they are good to go.
Training for a Teacup Poodle
Unlike the purebred poodle, the teacup toy poodle is not as active and does not venture out on hunts. However, your teacup toy poodle also requires adequate exercise regularly. They might be small in size but they are very energetic and need an outlet too.
While you may not need to take your toy breed out on long walks, it is advised that you take them along for short walks during the day. You can take your dog out on short, 15-minute walks for exercise and mental stimulation.
Dog training is a very crucial part of being a pet parent. Teacup poodles are extremely intelligent and can be trained as quickly as you would train large dogs. You can conduct training sessions at home for short spans every couple of days.
Since these dogs are very small, they can also suffer from separation anxiety. You must train them to socialize and get accustomed to their surroundings efficiently from a young age.
What does a Teacup Poodle Eat?
Nourishment is an essential part of raising and training a teacup toy poodle. Small dogs may seem like they don’t eat much and do not require a variety of different food but this is merely a misconception.
It is important to remember that the dietary requirements of a teacup toy poodle are not the same as a bigger dog. This breed only requires about 250 calories a day and you must limit this intake so that your beloved pet does not develop hypoglycemia.
Two hundred fifty calories are equal to a single cup of high-quality dry kibble. You can either feed them generic dog food or even prepare special meals containing all the required nutrients. Make sure you monitor their diets so that they remain healthy.
Teacup Toy Poodle Lifespan
Although toy poodle teacup dog breeds look dainty and delicate, they descended from strong standard-sized ancestors after selective breeding. They have working and gun dog blood running through their veins which explains their reasonably long lifespan.
The average lifespan of a teacup toy poodle is anywhere between 12 to 14 years. If you look after them and take care of their needs they are sure to live long and healthy lives with you. The life expectancy of these dogs also varies depending on their lifestyle, diet, and overall surroundings.