Written by Silvia Capelli
September 7, 2023
The Poodle is undoubtedly one of the most loved breeds among companion dogs: it is beautiful, cheerful, intelligent, and easily trained.
But that's not all: it is available in various sizes to meet not only tastes but also the needs of any family in terms of space and ease of transport.
The two most common varieties are, but which to choose? Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle? Are there differences between the larger and smaller size, and if so, what are they?
Let's start with something that differentiates these Poodles: it's true that all sizes originate from a common ancestor, the French breed Barbet, but the various sizes spread in different centuries.
The Standard Poodle, which most closely resembles the French Barbet dog, was already present in the 15th century, while the Miniature Poodle made its first appearance in the 18th century.
As for the Toy, which is a variant created exclusively for aesthetic reasons, it didn't emerge until the 20th century.
The Toy Poodle ranks second in the scale of the 5 sizes of Poodles (yes, there's a smaller one called the Minitoy Poodle or Teacup Poodle, which, however, is not recognized), while the Miniature Poodle is third.
Even though many breeds are incorrectly referred to with the same terminology, the Toy Poodle is the only Toy breed recognized by the FCI and ENCI.
Toy Poodle weight 3-5 kg, height at the withers 24-28 cm.
Miniature Poodle weight 7-8 kg, height at the withers 28-35 cm.
The indicated weight is ideal and not defined in the breed standards; it is valid for the adult Toy Poodle and adult Miniature Poodle.
There is no difference in appearance between the two sizes. Both Poodles are graceful, have very balanced proportions, curly and dense fur, a slender body, and an elegant posture.
The Toy Poodle may appear more delicate (being so small it's a bit more fragile), but there isn't much difference.
In reality, all 5 varieties are identical: Standard Poodles have a more robust appearance, but essentially, they all look similar.
The Poodle comes in a wide array of colors, both solid and bi- or multi-colored. The variants recognized in Europe are only the solid colors, namely:
Black, brown, gray, fawn (a tone ranging from red to apricot), silver, and white.
There are also very beautiful coat shades not recognized by the FCI and ENCI, such as blue (a variation of black), café-au-lait, and silver beige.
And then there are many multi-colored variants: Classic Particolor, Brindle (or sand, or sable), Mismark, Tuxedo, Phantom (or Black and Tan, or focato).
Some of these variants are recognized in some European countries and other continents, so no need to worry if your Fido is not one of the colors approved in Italy… his color will still be officially recognized somewhere else in the world, if that matters to you!
The most common colors in the Toy Poodle variant are:
Black Toy Poodle, Brown Toy Poodle, Champagne Toy Poodle, White Toy Poodle.
While Apricot Toy Poodle and Blue Toy Poodle are the rarest.
The most common colors in the Miniature Poodle variant are:
Black Miniature Poodle, Brown Miniature Poodle, Champagne Miniature Poodle, White Miniature Poodle.
Gray Miniature Poodle (or Pearl Gray Miniature Poodle) and Red Miniature Poodle (or Red Miniature Poodle) are the least common.
In this case, too, there are no substantial differences; this breed has all the qualities a pet owner could desire in a dog for apartment living or companionship.
Who is the Toy and Miniature Poodle suitable for?
It is well-known that the Poodle is marked by great intelligence and is the quintessential apartment dog, a characteristic that makes it the ideal companion for families with children as well as for the elderly.
There's a common misconception that the Toy Poodle is more capricious than the Miniature Poodle: this is absolutely not true, owners who have had both breeds can confirm!
Outdoor Activities
Another common belief is that it is a less active dog, while in reality, the opposite is true: although they love being at home and on the sofa, these animals enjoy walks and have excellent stamina.
Energy Level
These animals love swimming and outdoor life and have a good level of energy. Since the Toy and Miniature Poodles are small dogs, the standard variant is probably more suited for dedicated athletes, but the smaller ones should not be underestimated either.
Other Characteristics
Neither variant is aggressive, both have a tendency to bark and can become extremely protective towards their owner if not trained to socialize (often also due to fear of strangers). They do not have a tendency to run away.
Both Toy and Miniature Poodles are very long-lived, with a life expectancy of about 15-16 years. But I can say from direct experience that this number is quite low, as many live past 20 years.
Among them, the Miniature Poodle has a slightly longer life expectancy.
Both sizes are very easily trained: this small companion dog learns quickly, which is why it was a popular breed for circus performances. Minimal effort is required for excellent results.
The two breeds share some health issues, mainly due to the continuous selection over the centuries for size reduction. Among the most common diseases are:
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Heart problems
Patellar luxation
Eye problems
Hip dysplasia
Cardiovascular diseases
Both sizes share the same coat, which has continuously growing hair and requires frequent maintenance.
Poodles do not shed, making them hypoallergenic dogs.
Prices vary, as this breed is so widespread that it's easily available even from private breeders.
However, as with all purebred dogs, which have often been victims of inaccurate breeding, buying a non-tested puppy from a private seller could result in owning an animal with serious genetic diseases.
Indicative price for a Toy Poodle from a breeder: Euro 1300/1500
Indicative price for a Miniature Poodle from a breeder: Euro 1100/1300
Given the breed's popularity in Italy, many specimens are also found in shelters and through associations, so if you want to adopt a Poodle without a family, it probably won’t be difficult to find one.
Be cautious about size: the Tea Cup size, often offered at very high prices, is not recognized and there are no breed standards, so be careful not to buy a puppy with dwarfism or growth problems.
As mentioned, there are five:
Mini Toy Poodle, or TeaCup, 2 kg
Toy Poodle, 3/5 kg
Miniature Poodle, 7/8 kg
Medium Poodle, 12/14 kg
Standard Poodle, 22/30 kg
Considering the little difference in terms of character and appearance, probably the only considerations to be made are regarding weight (the Toy is better if you travel a lot) and the amount of physical activity (the Miniature is better if you do a lot of outdoor walking).
In this post, the standards set by FCI and ENCI and thus valid for Europe are described. Standards for size, color, or coat that are different may be accepted by the AKC and other federations. For more information, check the standards of the country that interests you.
The photos on this site may represent both FCI standards and those of the AKC and other federations.
Even if this is your favorite breed, there are many other dogs on khani.co.uk to discover, come and meet them with us!
Disclaimer
The information provided on our site is of a general nature and does not replace the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. Information about temperament is general and does not pertain to the individual: each dog is unique and has its own character.
