Poodle (Miniature) vs Poodle (Toy)
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Poodle (Miniature) | Poodle (Toy) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Small | Toy |
| Adult weight | 4.5 to 6.8 kg | 1.8 to 2.7 kg |
| In pounds | 10 to 15 lb | 4 to 6 lb |
| Adult height | 25 to 38 cm | Up to 25 cm |
| Energy | High | High |
| Grooming | High | High |
| Coat | Long curly | Long curly |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| Lifespan | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 18 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | France | France |
The main differences
- The Poodle (Miniature) is the bigger dog: 4.5 to 6.8 kg against 1.8 to 2.7 kg for the Poodle (Toy).
- Both have high energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is high for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 10 to 18 years for the Poodle (Miniature) and 10 to 18 years for the Poodle (Toy).
Temperament
Poodle (Miniature): Gay-spirited and good-tempered, a glamorous and intelligent companion breed.
Poodle (Toy): Gay-spirited and good-tempered, the smallest of the three Poodle varieties, standing under 28 cm at the shoulder. The coat does not moult and needs regular clipping.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Poodle (Miniature)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Osteochondrodysplasia (OC), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Poodle (Toy)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test
- Inherited eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Patellar luxation, diagnosed by physical examination of the stifle, with imaging if needed
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, diagnosed by physical examination and x-ray of the hip
- von Willebrand disease, detected by measuring blood levels of von Willebrand factor
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Poodle (Miniature) or the Poodle (Toy)?
The Poodle (Miniature). Adults weigh 4.5 to 6.8 kg, against 1.8 to 2.7 kg for the Poodle (Toy), going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Poodle (Miniature) or the Poodle (Toy)?
The published life expectancy is 10 to 18 years for the Poodle (Miniature) and 10 to 18 years for the Poodle (Toy). These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Poodle (Miniature) or the Poodle (Toy) better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Next
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin