all about Poodles

Origin: The Toy Poodle is the smallest descendant of the Poodle brigade that began as a breed of continental water dogs known in Germany and Russia since the 16th century. Though there are references to tiny Poodles in the breed literature, no attempt was made to develop a true Toy until after the Miniature had been given separate breed status in England in 1910. With the success of the Miniature, breeders couldn't resist the challenge to reduce this popular breed even more. Presumably it was done by mating the smallest Miniatures though it has been suggested that some other Toy breeds may have been used to hasten the progress. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, the breed had become so well established that it was granted separate breed status. The Toy Poodle is identical to both the Standard and Miniature except for size.

Temperament: Toy Poodles are loyal, sociable, happy and good tempered. Getting along with every one is no problem for the poodle. They are highly intelligent, so they are very easy to train. Poodles are lively, quick to mimic and learn. The Poodle has a history as a performer, like appearing in a circus, for hundreds of years. They are friendly and affectionate, and are slightly more sensitive than their Standard siblings. Toys have a spring in their step and are well-mannered dogs. They are peppy and easier to train than their counterparts, responsive and alert.

Poodles are very sensitive as to what tone of voice you use with them. When you talk gently with your poodle while training, you get more out of him. Many poodle owners, having used gentle and consistent training methods, have seen their poodles excel in almost everything. They are quick to learn and very affectionate, loyal pets that prefer humans, even to their own kind.

Watch-dog: Very High. These dogs are highly alert and will let you know if something unusual is happening.

Lifespan: 15-17 years normally. If healthy, this is a long lived breed, living between 15 and 17 years if taken care of well.

Activity level: Apartment living is fine, the Toy Poodle is adaptable to the city or suburbs. The tiniest of the Poodles is an active dog that fits well into the smallest of accommodations and enjoys being pampered. Its exercise needs are minimal. Though it may be called a Toy, it is not robust enough to be a small child's pet.

Height/Weight: Toy Poodles must be under 10 in (25 cm) in height and under 10 pounds.

Special Needs: Attention, grooming, protection from predators and rough play, socialization, some exercise and training.

Coat: The coat is curly and dense and medium/long. It will need to be clipped every 6 to 8 weeks, as poodles coats grow constantly. Poodles do not shed and are therefore very much tolerated by allergic people.

Color: All solid colors are acceptable. They come in a variety of colors such as blacks, silver, blue, red, apricot, white, coffee-au-lait and crème. The color can vary also with darker feathering, for example around the ears. The color fades on most poodles as they age.

Grooming: The coat requires frequent brushing and combing as well as clipping and scissoring to maintain one of the traditional Poodle clips. The saving grace is that there's less dog and coat to work on with a Toy. Left un-groomed, the Poodle coat will cord. Poodles may be shown corded, but few are exhibited that way. The poodle's ears need frequent cleaning, or they will become infected especially in the smaller poodles. Once or better twice a week the Poodle needs a good brush.

Litter Size: 2 - 4 puppies.

Toy Poodle Weight Guide Estimator

Predicting a puppy's adult size and weight is not easy. Experienced long-time poodle breeders and Experts developed this chart, it is a helpful tool at predicting your puppies future weight. ( If your 8 week old puppy weighs 27 oz., it's projected adult weight would be 5 pounds)

Age	Weight in Ounces (oz.)
Birth	2½	2¾	3	3½	4	4¼	4½	5	5½	6	6½
1 week	3¾	4	5	5½	6½	7	8	9	9½	10¼	11
2 week	5	5½	6½	7	9	10	11	12½	13½	14 ½	16
3 week	6	7	8	9	11	13	14	16	17½	18½	20
4 week	7	8	9½	11	13	15	17	19	21	23	24
5 week	8	9	11	13	15	17	19½	22	24	24	29
6 week	9	11	12½	15	17½	20	22	26	27	30	32
7 week	10	12	14½	17	19½	22	24½	27	30	33	35
8 week	11	13	16	19	21½	24	27	29	33	36	39
9 week	12	15	17½	20	23	26	29	32	35	39	42
10 week	13	16	19	22	25	28	31	34	38	41	45
11 week	14	17	21	24	27	31	34	37	40	45	49
12 week	15	19	22	26	30	33	37	41	45	49	53
13 week	16	20	24	28	32	36	40	44	49	53	57
14 week	17	22	26	30	34	39	43	47	52	56	60
15 week	19	23	28	32	37	41	46	51	56	61	65
16 week	20	25	30	34	39	44	49	54	59	65	70
17 week	21	26	31	36	41	46	51	57	62	67	72
18 week	22	28	33	37	43	48	54	60	65	71	76
19 week	23	29	34	39	44	50	56	62	67	72	77
20 week	24	30	35	41	46	52	58	64	70	76	81
21 week	24	31	36	42	48	54	60	66	72	78	84
22 week	25	32	37	43	49	56	62	68	74	80	86
23 week	26	33	38	44	50	57	64	70	76	82	88
24 week	23	33	39	45	51	58	65	71	78	84	90
25 week	27	34	40	46	52	59	66	72	79	86	93
26 week	27	34	40	47	53	60	67	73	80	87	94

Age	Weight in Pounds (lbs.)
18 months	2	2½	3	3½	4	4½	5	5½	6	6½	7

Teacup Tiny Toy Toy

Rule of thump, not a guarantee: Weight at 8 weeks times 3

Source: Carnmoney's poodles

Weight converter

Age in Human Years

Age	0-20pounds dog	20-50pounds dog	50-90pounds dog	grt.90pounds dog
1 Year	7	7	8	9
2 Years	13	14	16	18
3 Years	20	21	24	26
4 Years	26	27	31	34
5 Years	33	34	38	41
6 Years	40	42	45	49
7 Years	44	47	50	56
8 Years	48	51	55	64
9 Years	52	56	61	71
10 Years	56	60	66	78
11 Years	60	65	72	86
12 Years	64	69	77	93
13 Years	68	74	82	101
14 Years	72	78	88	108
15 Years	76	83	93	115
16 Years	80	87	99	123
17 Years	84	92	104	131
18 Years	88	96	109	139
19 Years	92	101	115
20 Years	96	105	120

Source: http://www.metzgeranimal.com/sr1.htm

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All images on these pages were collected in public domain. I have tried to find all owners, but sometimes I don't succeed. If you find any are your creations, inform me and I will follow your wishes.