Toy Poodle - Top 10 Facts

Cute and lovable, toy poodles are the smallest dogs that belong to the poodle family. Known for their superior intelligence and exceptional learning ability, these small poodles are one of the smartest furry companions for your family. These guys are active, squarely built, and well-proportioned, because of which they look elegant and independent. The breed's glamorous looks and trainability make them good-looking and smart pets. Now, without further ado, let's dive right into the list of Top 10 Interesting Facts About The Toy Poodle. 1. Their History Poodles appeared as a retrieving water dog in Germany more than 400 years ago. These dogs got their name from the German word Pudelin, which means splashing in the water, and the word toy describing their miniature size. Toy poodles were developed from the poodles of standard sizes which were bred down to the size of a toy so that they would be perfect circus dogs. In the early 20th century, these pooches were first bred as city-dwelling companions in America. Today, the toy poodles are the most popular poodles among the three sizes that are standard, miniature, and toy. These three varieties together are ranked 9th in the most popular breed of dogs as registered by the American Kennel Club. 2. They are the National Dog of France Despite originating from Germany, poodles are the most lovable dogs in France. King Louis XVI was so obsessed with toy poodles that he declared them as the national dog of France. It was in France that the breed gained their status as companions and they still enjoy that status today. Not only the King Louis of France, but Queen Anne of Great Britain was also a huge fan of these curly-coated dogs. Even today, toy poodles are loved around the world and consistently ranked among the most popular breeds worldwide. 3. Their Clownish Personality Toy poodles are extremely happy and fun-loving dogs. These dogs have a terrific sense of humor and they are natural-born clowns. Their tiny, miniature size adds more humor to their clownish nature. They have an astonishing capacity for showing behaviors and performing tricks that involve both their minds and their physical agility and are aptly known as the tricksters of the dog world. 4. They Love Swimming Bred for hunting ducks, toy poodles are natural-born swimmers and they love to dive into the water whenever they find a pool or a pond. With their crisp, curly coat that is best suited for underwater movements, these dogs look majestic while they swim. Toy poodles have a strong sense of smell which is equally worthy underwater too. Because of this, they can quickly sense any danger that approaches them even while underwater which makes them even cautious swimmers. 5. They Need Daily Exercise These dogs need to be active and they gotta jump around to be healthy. Toy poodles are eager for all kinds of activities and they enjoy being busy most of the time. Bred is hunting ducks, their special ability is to retrieve, so tossing toys, sticks, or balls will exercise both their mind and body. Additionally, swimming is a great exercise for them. And as we said before, poodles love to get in the water. Well, overall, for toy poodles to be active dogs, they need consistent training, exercise, and walking on the ground instead of being carried around constantly. 6. They Are Very Intelligent Toy poodles are extremely intelligent and are easily trained. They are agile, grateful, and smart as well. This is why they are known as canine scholars. They enjoy and excel in a variety of canine sports including agility, obedience, and tracking. They are also excellent water retrievers and they compete in duck diving and retriever hunt tests. If your training routines are fun and positive, they'll not hesitate to please you with their quick learning ability. 7. They Don't Make Good Watchdogs Most standard poodles make great watchdogs, but the toy poodles don't because of their miniature size. They may bark to inform you about strangers in your house, but their barks do not scare away strangers at all. Their attitude toward people varies from friendly to shy depending upon individual toy poodles. But there are high chances of your toy poodle getting along with strangers too. These guys are peaceful and accepting, meaning that they'll get along with any dogs or even cats. 8. They Are Sensitive Dogs Toy poodles are soft and sensitive dogs and sometimes even hypersensitive. If you touch them unexpectedly or startle them with a sudden loud sound, they tend to flinch. Sensitive toy poodles are not very good for small children as they may mishandle and startle these little dogs. So, it's highly recommended that you do not introduce a toy poodle to your family if you have children below 10 years old in your house. 9. They're Grooming The breed's relatively non-shedding coat makes them a good choice for people with allergies. If you plan to keep your poodle clipped in a short trim, you might want to learn how to brush them daily to keep their coat from matting. If you do not brush and comb a full-coated poodle completely to the skin, the hair will mat near the roots and will have to be shaved off to start all over with new growth. And this is why most pet owners prefer to keep the poodle in a shorter trim than full furry coats. Some owners even learn clipping and trimming themselves, while others choose to take their pooches to a professional dog groomer for bathing, grooming, and trimming their nails every six weeks. 10. They're Prone to Orthopedic Problems Most toy poodles live long, happy, healthy lives thanks to the efforts of dedicated, responsible, and certified breeders who routinely test all the breeding stock. However, some health issues can still occur, including hip dysplasia and several eye disorders. Two orthopedic problems, leg calprits and luxating patellas, are most likely to occur in toy poodles. But with early bone checkups and regular vet visits, there won't be any big problems with your toy poodle's orthopedic health. Alright guys, that's the end of our list of top 10 interesting facts about the toy poodles. Thank you so much for watching the video. If you already own one of these athletic, charming, and cute-looking dogs, then let us know how they are in the comments below. Please give it a thumbs up and share the video if you liked it. For more interesting facts on different dog breeds, click on our channel, and don't forget to subscribe.