The Poodle (Toy) Community

The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the three internationally recognised Poodle varieties - the Standard, the Miniature and the Toy - and shares with its larger counterparts the remarkable intelligence, the distinctive dense and curly low-shedding coat, and the lively, affectionate character that have made Poodles one of the most popular and beloved dog breeds in the world across several centuries. The Poodle originated in Germany as a water retriever and duck hunting dog - the name derives from the German word Pudel, meaning one who splashes in water - and was subsequently refined in France as a companion and performing dog, a role to which the breed's exceptional trainability and desire to engage with humans made it supremely suited. The KC registers all three Poodle varieties separately, with the Toy Poodle placed in the Utility Group. The Toy Poodle is a small, square-proportioned and elegantly built dog with the distinctive dense, curly or corded low-shedding coat of the Poodle family. The coat comes in a wide range of solid colours including black, white, brown, apricot, cream, red, silver and blue. The expression is alert and intelligent. Adults stand up to 28 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 2 to 3 kilograms. The character is fully Poodle in every dimension despite the compact size - alert, highly intelligent, affectionate, playful and deeply engaged with its family and handler. The Toy Poodle is one of the most trainable of all small breeds, capable of advanced obedience, agility and trick training that would challenge breeds twice its size. This intelligence is a joy to engage with but also means the breed requires genuine mental stimulation - an under-stimulated Toy Poodle becomes restless, invents its own entertainment and sometimes develops behaviours that are less welcome. The low-shedding coat is a genuine practical advantage for households where shedding is a concern, but the non-shedding quality comes at the cost of continuous growth that requires regular professional clipping every 6 to 8 weeks. Without consistent professional grooming the coat mats and cords rapidly. The grooming commitment is real and ongoing. Health considerations are important. Progressive Retinal Atrophy DNA testing of both parents is essential. Patellar Luxation, Epilepsy and Addison's Disease are documented. Purchase prices from KC-registered, health-tested breeders range from £1,000 to £2,500. Monthly running costs, including grooming, average £80 to £140. The Poodle Club is the primary resource for breed information, health testing requirements, responsible breeders and rescue contact.