Miniature Poodle vs Toy Poodle: What’s The Difference?
Today we are going to break down the differences between the Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle. Looking at what sets them apart, and what they have in common. We will help you to decide which version of the gorgeous Poodle is the right pet for you, your family and your lifestyle.
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We’ll look at whether their differences go beyond just size. Investigating their history, temperaments and health conditions. Poodles after all, are smart, cute, and dignified, and they tend to shed less than other breeds. But they come in three rather different forms. What’s the difference? Welcome to our guide that’ll explain it all.
Toy Poodle vs. Mini Poodle Appearance
- Standard Poodles are generally considered to be more than 15 inches at the shoulder. They set the size standard for Poodles in general, in that the other types of Poodle are compared to the Standard to determine which variety they are.
- Miniature Poodles should generally be between 11-15 inches at the shoulder. Toy poodles are even smaller than that, at 10 inches tops! Size is really the only difference in appearance between these dogs. All three breeds carry the same official breed standard. They have curly, dense hair and are usually of solid colors. Blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-au-lait, apricot and creams, sometimes in varying shades. Poodles carry themselves proudly, look alert, and are elegantly well-proportioned.
Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle History
As you might imagine, the history of the Miniature and Toy Poodles are mixed with the history of the regular sized, or Standard, Poodle. The Standard Poodle is an old European breed, used for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. Eventually, these dogs became the canine companion of choice for French nobility, and thus the national dog of France.
Standard Poodles have been around since the 15th century, at least. By the 18th century they were the main companion dog in Spain. Starting in the 18th century, smaller Miniature Poodles started becoming popular as companions in French royal houses. In the 20th century, Toy Poodles started being bred in the U.S. as a good companion for people who lived in cities.
All three sizes of Poodle are recognized by the American Kennel Club and the British Kennel Club. Both the Miniature and Toy are simply considered smaller varieties of the Standard, and are bred to the same standards. However, some studies show that Miniature Poodles from North America may be a distinct breed compared to Standard Poodles!
Toy Poodle vs Mini Poodle Training
- Poodles are eager to please and quick to learn, which makes them very trainable. You may think that, as these are smaller dogs, they don’t need as much training or socialization. But with Poodles, that’s not necessarily the case.
- Poodles have a tendency toward excessive bonding with their owner, and don’t do well alone for long periods of time. Socialization can be super important to stave off separation anxiety. Additionally, some lines of Poodles can be high strung or shy. Socialization can be important in helping to overcome these personality quirks.
- Poodles are agile and graceful and benefit from training in agility, obedience, and tracking activities. You should be consistent and positive with them since Poodles can be sensitive as well. This goes for all varieties of Poodle size, toy and miniature.
Toy Poodle vs. Miniature Poodle Temperament
- All poodles are active, intelligent dogs. They are known for their steady and calm nerves and hardy constitutions. They make wonderful companions and do well if treated as part of the family. Poodles are very people-oriented and may suffer from separation anxiety. You should know that as working dogs, they have stronger marking and hunting drives than many companion breeds.
- Poodles are generally not aggressive and thus are fine with other animals and children. But the smaller the poodle, the more careful you must be to teach kids proper handling and playing. So, for small children, Miniature Poodles might be your best bet. You might expect the smaller dogs to be more likely to bark, but this isn’t necessarily true. All poodles can become habitual barkers without training or enough attention.
