Poodle (Small)
Illustration courtesy of the Swedish Kennel Club
A highly intelligent and playful dog, Miniature and Toy Poodles make for great lap dogs and companions.
Fun Fact
Although Toy Poodles are the most popular dog breed in Japan, Poodles as a group are the eight most popular breed in the US, with miniature poodles being the most common variety.
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About the Poodle (Small)
Miniature and toy poodles are varieties of the poodle breed which originated in Germany in the 15th century. Unlike the larger standard poodle (>15 inches tall), these small poodles were not developed for hunting---except for truffles!---and were generally used as lap dogs and companions. Small poodles are frequently used to create designer dogs like Schnoodles and Maltipoos with low-shedding, hypoallergenic coats. All poodles are highly intelligent and energetic, and need daily exercise and stimulation. They are overall healthy dogs, although heritable eye disease, epilepsy and allergies are relatively common, and toy poodles also have a heightened risk of accidents/trauma due to their small size.
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Physical characteristics
The Miniature Poodle is right in the middle of the Toy and Standard Poodle; the lifespan of these pups is around 15 years, their height is 11 to 14 inches, and their weight ranges from 12 to 20 pounds.The Toy Poodle has a similar coat to the Standard Poodle and normally stands at about 10 inches. Their weight can range between 4-10 pounds. -
Grooming
According to Vetstreet.com, Poodles can be easy to maintain, but be sure to give particular attention to their coat. These pups require grooming every 4 to 6 weeks. Some Poodle owners learn to use clippers and do the job themselves, but most rely on professionals. Either way, this aspect of their grooming is essential. Without regular clipping, it could become matted and cause painful skin infections at the roots.Your pup's nails will also require regular trimming if they are not worn down naturally through outside play and regular activity.
An Embark Dog DNA Test looks at the following health conditions in Poodles (Small):
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Health Conditions
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