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Miniature Poodles Are Cute Bundles Of Fun, But There's So Much More To This Breed –are You Ready For The Challenge?

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Miniature poodle overview

Miniature poodle laying on grass

Life expectancy: 10–18 years

Size: 10–15 inches (male); 10–15-inches (female)

Coat: Curly

Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, playful

Exercise needs: 45–60 minutes daily

Origin/native country: Germany

Originally bred as water retrievers for duck hunters in Germany, poodles in general are known to be hard workers and their capacity to learn has ensured they've become very popular pets. The miniature poodle variety emerged when owners began to prize the poodles' many qualities but wanted them in a much smaller-sized dog. With their fluffy fur, they could also be easily mistaken for a cuddly toy.

But, of course, owning a dog is a serious undertaking and, as you'll discover, miniature poodles are not without their challenges. With the help of expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan we take a look at the pros and cons of owning these lovely little dogs – will it become clear why this breed ranks in the 10 most popular dogs in the US.

Do miniature poodles need a lot of exercise?

This active breed is bursting with energy and they will certainly keep your on your toes.

"Miniature poodles are fairly lively and require around 45–60 minutes of exercise each day," says Dr MacMillan.

The important thing is to burn off as much of that energy as possible.

"Exercise can consist of a mixture of walking, play sessions, and dog classes, like agility," Dr MacMillan adds.

Indeed, this is a breed which will be more than happy accompanying you on a lengthy walk, hike or leisurely run.

You should also invest in the best dog puzzle toys, to keep this breed mentally stimulated – in fact, it's worth checking out dog enrichment ideas to keep your dog entertained. And since this is one of the dog breeds that are made for swimming courtesy of their webbed paws and warm coats, it would also be helpful if you live near a stretch of water.

Are miniature poodles easy to train?

Poodles in general are clever little things – so much so that canine psychologist Stanley Coren ranks them the second brightest breed after Border Collies in his book, The Intelligence of Dogs.

"Miniature poodles will therefore be quick learners with the right consistent training approach," Dr MacMillan says.

What makes them particularly easy is their willingness to want to learn new things and, as people pleasers, they'll go out of their way to do what you want, so long as you're being consistent.

Training also keeps their mind active and steers them away from destructive behavior so get stuck in with agility work, give them obstacles to negotiate, and teach them tricks. They can be mightily impressive.

Do miniature poodles make good family pets?

You're going to have very few problems bedding in a miniature poodle, not least because they're such a gentle, patient breed and, more to the point, as energetic as any child is likely to be. The main thing is to ensure young, curious children don't engage in rough play – these are small dogs and they can easily become injured.

"Miniature poodles are known for their friendly and outgoing nature and they are also affectionate and loyal," says Dr MacMillan. "They make great family pets if they have been properly socialized but, as with any dog breed, children must be supervised at all times."

Credit: Alamy

Do miniature poodles need a lot of grooming?

Miniature poodles are a low–shedding breed but they are still high-maintenance dogs and, as well as plenty of exercise, you're going to have to keep on top of their coat.

"As with all poodle types, miniatures have a thick curly coat that needs regular clipping to keep it in good order," Dr MacMillan says. "A trip to the groomer approximately every six weeks is advised, with regular brushing at home in between."

Miniature poodles also need good oral care and their nails needed to be regularly trimmed. If they're going swimming regularly, you should take care of their ears as well to prevent trapped moisture causing an ear infection.

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Common health problems in miniature poodles

Miniature poodles can be affected by several inherited health complaints. These include eye issues such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts that can cause loss of vision and progress to blindness.

"These little dogs are also prone to distichiasis, which are extra hairs that rub on the surface of the eye causing irritation and corneal ulceration," says Dr MacMillan. But that is not all.

A painful condition known as Leg Calves Perthes Disease can be seen in miniature poodles.

"It is thought to be caused by reduced blood flow to the head of the femur, which causes problems to the ball part of the ball and socket joint," Dr MacMillan says. "The bone here becomes brittle and can easily fracture. It is often first diagnosed at around six to mine months of age."

Miniature poodles can also develop conditions that many small dog breeds are prone to including dental disease.

"These dogs are prone to excessive tartar build-up, gum inflammation, and tooth loss. I advise owners to implement teeth brushing from an early age, ideally daily, to help prevent dental issues from occurring," Dr MacMillan adds.

Patella luxation is another common issue found in small dogs like the miniature poodle.

"The kneecap on one or both hind legs slides out of position in affected dogs causing lameness, discomfort, and arthritic change," says Dr MacMillan. "Mildly affected dogs can be managed conservatively, but more severe cases will need surgery.

Should I get a miniature poodle?

Miniature poodles make for some of the best family dogs and they're also ideal for anyone who is active and anyone who wants a dog that can be taught an abundance of tricks.

Trouble is, you will also have to spend a lot of time ensuring they are in tip-top shape and that means many trips to the groomers.

You may also find that your adorable pet needs a number of visits to the vet. The costs can certainly add up – at the very least, you should be getting the best pet insurance.

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Read next: Facts about poodles

Edited by Georgia Guerin.

'Intelligent, Playful And Will Enjoy Your Company': Toy Poodles Are Seriously Clever Dogs That Are Up For Anything

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Toy Poodle overview

Toy poodle close up of head

Life expectancy: 12–18 years

Size: 9.4–11 inches (male); 9.4–11 inches (female)

Coat: Dense, curly

Temperament: Intelligent, agile, playful

Exercise needs: Up to an hour daily

Origin/native country: Germany

Toy poodles are the smallest of the poodle breeds (which also includes standard poodles and miniature poodles) but they're huge characters. Possessing incredible intelligence, they're always up for a trick or two and you can encourage them to do practically anything you wish. They're also very playful and fun – and they'll capture many hearts in the show ring.

But that's not what they were originally bred for. Developed in Germany, poodles were bred as hunting dogs, specifically to be water retrievers for duck hunters, yet their cuteness saw them become popular pets. King Louis XVI of France loved them and many celebrities have taken them into their homes. But should you do the same? We take a look at this toy breed, with the help of expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan.

Does a toy poodle need a lot of exercise?

Toy poodles are active and they need to burn off energy each day but their small size means it won't take long.

"Toy poodles need 30–60 minutes of exercise per day to keep them happy," says Dr MacMillan. You should, however, seek to make the sessions varied.

Buying the best dog toys will help keep this breed physically and mentally stimulated – a must because these canines can become destructive if they're bored. Toy poodles will enjoy a game of fetch or hide-and-seek with some tasty treats so try some fun games to play with dogs and, if you have a safe stretch of water available, be aware that this one's among the dog breeds that are made for swimming.

Credit: Alamy

Are toy poodles easy to train?

Toy poodles are super-intelligent – poodles actually rank second when it comes to the smartest dog breeds. This means they will need fewer than five repetitions to understand a new command and they'll obey a first command 95% of the time or better.

To that end, they are really easy to train and you'll find the task is thoroughly enjoyable because you'll see results in what feels like record time. This is a dog that'll take well to agility and obedience training, which is why they are popular show breed dogs.

"Toy poodles are very intelligent and responsive, which makes training relatively straightforward," Dr MacMillan affirms. "You should start training them from an early age, and regular short sessions will help to keep them mentally stimulated and prevent boredom."

Do toy poodles make good family pets?

Toy poodles are affectionate, gentle and patient, which makes them perfect playmates for children. Their small size means they are among the best dog breeds if you're short on space and they will quickly adapt to your family's lifestyle.

"Toy poodles make lovely family dogs because they are intelligent, playful and enjoy company," says Dr MacMillan.

But there's a caveat: you will need to ensure that young children are careful when playing because these small dogs can be easily injured. You should also be wary of introducing a toy poodle in a household with a larger dog for much the same reason.

"Toy poodles are a good choice for a home with small children if they are properly looked after," Dr MacMillan says. "Children should be taught to handle them carefully and, as with any dog breed, they must be always supervised."

Credit: Getty Images

Are toy poodles aggressive?

Not inherently, no. But you should be aware of a study, published in Nature, by researchers from the University of Helsinki in 2021 that found toy poodles were among the breeds with the highest odds of aggressive behavior.

Aggression was found to be affected by behavior, demography and environment, which is why good training is important. Don't fall into the trap of not correcting aggressive behavior just because you think small dogs should be less threatening.

Do toy poodles need a lot of grooming?

Toy poodles are very high maintenance in terms of grooming. "Their thick, curly coat needs a lot of care to prevent it getting matted and most owners will take their dog to a groomer to be professionally clipped," says Dr MacMillan. "This needs to be done approximately every six weeks, with regular brushing at home in between."

Thankfully, poodles are among small dog breeds that don't shed (much!). "That means they are considered hypoallergenic compared to other breeds," Dr MacMillan says. "But the protein that triggers reactions is found in the dander, saliva and urine of dogs, so sensitive people could still react."

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Toy poodle health problems

Toy poodles are prone to several health conditions. Some of these can affect any small breed of dog and that includes dental disease.

"Toy poodles can suffer with excessive tartar build up, gum inflammation and tooth loosening," Dr MacMillan says. "I've certainly had to extract many teeth from various toy poodles over the years. I always advise dog owners to implement oral care from a very young age, to try and prevent periodontal disease from developing."

Toy poodles are also very susceptible to bladder stones.

"These can cause blood in the urine and discomfort when passing urine. Some dogs may require surgery to have them removed," Dr MacMillan adds.

Like many pedigrees, this breed can suffer from inherited eye issues, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

"These can affect your dog's vision, and lead to blindness. They can also suffer with problems like distichiasis [extra hairs rubbing on the surface of the eye] and entropion, rolling inwards of the eyelids," Dr MacMillan continues.

Leg Calves Perthes Disease can be seen in toy poodles as well and it is often first diagnosed at around six to nine months of age.

"It is thought to be caused by reduced blood flow to the head of the femur, thereby affecting the ball part of the ball and socket joint," Dr MacMillan says. "The bone then becomes brittle and can easily fracture. This condition is extremely painful."

Should I get a toy poodle?

Toy poodles can be a real joy to be around and, given their ability to learn tricks, you can find them to be richly rewarding and fun companions. Despite their small size, you'll be amazed at how intelligent and confident these dogs are and you will also be pleased that they get on amazingly well with children. They are also one of the longest living dog breeds, so you'll be able to enjoy your friend for many years.

All of that said, there are some downsides. Toy poodles aren't particularly ideal if you lead an active lifestyle and they can be prone to separation anxiety so they're better within households that have someone around for much of the time. And while they don't shed much, they do require a fair bit of grooming – although this may encourage you to enter your pet into a show.

The Complete Guide To PoodlesAmazon

Using interviews with nine top poodle breeders, this guide takes an in-depth look at what it really takes to successfully live with, raise, and train a poodle.View Deal

Read next: Poodle facts and more reasons to love poodles

Edited by Georgia Guerin.

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