Toy Poodles are considered very low shedders thanks to their hair-like coat.

Breeds / Toy Poodle

Breed guide

Toy Poodle

Q: How big do Toy Poodles get?

Most Toy Poodles stand under 10 inches tall and weigh between 4 and 6 pounds when fully grown.

Q: Are Toy Poodles easy to train?

Yes — Toy Poodles are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them excellent for training.

Q: How long do Toy Poodles live?

Toy Poodles typically live 12–18 years, one of the longer lifespans among companion breeds.

Q: Are Toy Poodles good with children?

Yes, generally — supervision is recommended given their small size, but they enjoy family activities.

The Toy Poodle is one of the most intelligent and beloved companion breeds in the world. Known for their remarkable trainability, affectionate personalities, and low-shedding coats, Toy Poodles combine elegance, intelligence, and devotion in a compact package. At Family Affair Puppies, we love Toy Poodles because they bring endless joy, companionship, and intelligence into the homes they join.

At a glance

Breed overview

The smallest member of the Poodle family — confident, athletic, and remarkably smart, all in a lap-sized package.

Breed groupNon-Sporting Group

Size4–6 pounds

HeightUnder 10 inches

Lifespan12–18 years

TemperamentIntelligent, confident, affectionate

Energy levelModerate

Good with kidsVery Good

Good with other petsExcellent

Honest fit check

Is a Toy Poodle right for you?

A great fit if you want…

A highly intelligent, trainable companion

A low-shedding breed

First-time dog owners, families, and seniors alike

A companion that travels easily

Personality

Temperament

The temperament is the biggest reason this breed is so loved.

Highly intelligent

Remarkable trainability and a strong desire to please.

Confident

Despite their small stature, Toy Poodles possess tremendous confidence and athletic ability.

Affectionate & devoted

Loyal and affectionate personalities make them lifelong best friends.

Adaptable

Thrives in apartments, suburban homes, and rural settings alike.

Appearance

Distinctive by design

Small, elegant, athletic build

Dense, curly, low-shedding coat

Coat continues growing throughout life

Easy to travel with due to small size

Recognized coat colors

Apricot

Warm apricot-gold

Cream

Soft, pale cream

Black

Solid black

Silver

Cool-toned silver-grey

Grooming & care

Keeping a Toy Poodle healthy

Regular brushing

The dense curly coat needs regular maintenance to stay healthy and beautiful.

Professional grooming

A variety of grooming styles are possible with routine trims.

Ear care

Regular ear cleaning is part of care.

Nails & dental

Routine nail trimming and dental care round out the routine.

Training

Trainability

Exceptional trainability

One of the most trainable toy breeds thanks to their Poodle intelligence.

Excels at sports & tasks

Excels as a companion, therapy dog, and performance dog.

Stays active

Enjoys daily walks, puzzle toys, and trick training.

Health considerations

Why responsible breeding matters

Every breed carries its own strengths and its own things to watch, and no honest breeder will tell you otherwise. A family deserves the whole picture before they choose a puppy — not a sales pitch.

We would rather you ask us hard questions than wonder later. Here are the ones worth asking any breeder, including us. You can see each puppy’s parents, and their health testing, on the puppy’s own page.

What health testing do you do on the parents?

Every breeder should be able to answer this plainly and without hesitating. Ask what’s been done, and ask what hasn’t — some evaluations can only be done once a dog is fully grown, and a straight answer about that tells you more than a perfect one.

Can I see the results?

Testing means little if nobody can look at it. A breeder who publishes results, or hands them over when asked, is a breeder who expects you to check.

Can I meet the parents?

The parents show you the temperament and condition your puppy is growing into. Meeting them in the home where the litter is raised tells you things no document can.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask what’s guaranteed, for how long, and who picks up the phone in a year. The answer to this question is where good breeders and quick sales part ways.

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