23/03/2021
*How big are Toy Poodles?*
Officially, a Toy Poodle is any Poodle who stands up to 10 inches at the shoulder. Weight is usually about 6-9 lbs, but many individuals are smaller, and many individuals are a little larger and are referred to as "oversize" Toys.
These larger Toy Poodles are not a problem – they make sturdy pets – but smaller Toy Poodles can definitely be a problem.
Problems with "Teacup Poodles"
Have you heard of "Teacup poodles" or "Tiny Toy poodles"? Some breeders use these cutesy, made-up phrases as "marketing terms" for smaller Toy Poodles.
But there is no such breed as a Teacup Poodle.
There is only one Toy Poodle breed. As long as a Poodle doesn't exceed 10 inches at the shoulder, it doesn't matter whether he weighs 2 pounds or 6 pounds or 12 pounds......he is called a Toy Poodle. Some individuals are simply smaller or or larger than others.
We recommend that you acquire a Toy Poodle who will weigh at least 6 pounds when mature. The 4-6 pounders can be okay if you're very, very careful with them.
But the so-called "teacup" Poodles who weigh less than 4 pounds are at great risk for health problems. They need constant protection because they are so fragile. They tend to have difficulty regulating their blood sugar and are vulnerable to hypoglycemic comas. Their internal organs are tiny and often not strong enough to survive a normal lifetime.
Responsible Toy Poodle breeders never try to produce these high-risk creatures. If a tiny one pops up in one of their litters, they seek out the best home that can keep it alive, but they try hard not to produce them in the first place.
*How can I tell how big a Poodle puppy will be?*
No one can predict this with certainty, because some bloodlines grow more quickly or more slowly, some litters grow more quickly or more slowly, and some individual puppies grow more quickly or more slowly.
But generally....whatever a puppy weighs at 4 months old, double it to estimate its mature weight. At 3 months old, multiple by 3. But the younger the puppy, the less certain these estimates will be.
*What kind of temperament and personality does the Toy Poodle have?*
We give you my honest opinions about Toy Poodle temperament and personality -- positives AND negatives -- in my dog breed review
However, other aspects of temperament and behavior are not inherited. Instead, they're based mostly on the dog's environment(how he is raised and trained, starting from birth). Some dogs are more affected by their genes, while other dogs are more affected by their environment.
*How long do Toy Poodles live, and what health problems do they have?*
Their lifespan depends on how you care for them and on any health problems they may have inherited from their parents.
*Do crossbred or mixed breed Toy Poodles make good pets?*
Many do make good pets, yes, in the right homes. But before you choose ANY purebred, crossbreed, or mixed breed, you need to know what a purebred dog really IS – and what crossbred and mixed breed dogs really are.
You might be absolutely convinced that you want a purebred dog. And on a website called yourpurebredpuppy, you would think I would be delighted with your decision.
But my 40 years experience as a Dog Breed Consultant has taught me that people who want purebred dogs are often basing their decision on the positive things about purebred dogs – without considering the negatives.
And there are definitely negatives.
I believe that if you're going to choose a purebred dog over a crossbreed or mixed breed, you should make that decision after hearing the pros AND cons of purebred dogs. Too many websites talk up the positives, but leave out the negatives.I try to be more balanced.
The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Often called a "Goldendoodle", this is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle.
The most common kind of crossbred (or crossbreed) dog is one purebred dog bred to another purebred dog of a different breed.
For example, a Golden Retriever crossed with a Standard Poodle produces crossbred offspring called "Goldendoodles."
Some people call them hybrid dogs, but that's wrong. You only get a hybrid when you cross two different species. For example, a horse bred to a donkey produces a hybrid we call a "mule".
Dog breeds are NOT different species. A dog "breed" is simply an in**ed family of dogs within the same species: canis familiaris. The inbreeding (doubling up of the same genes) is what makes a dog breed look alike.
Some people call crossbred dogs designer dogs. But that's kind of silly, because purebred dogs are just as much designed as crossbred dogs. For example, breeders designed Border Collies by choosing specific traits that would help their dogs to be expert herders. Border Collies are just as much designed as Goldendoodles.
Some crossbreeds have been given "names"
You may have seen crossbred dogs marketed with cutesy names:
Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever crossed with Poodle)Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel crossed with Poodle)Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer crossed with Poodle)Puggle (Pug crossed with Beagle)
Whether a cross has been given a name or not doesn't matter. It's still a crossbred dog.
The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
an you look at a mixed breed dog and tell me which breeds he's a mix of?"
Unfortunately the answer is "No."
A mixed breed dog has inherited a jumble of genes (and thus a jumble of traits) from ALL of the breeds in his heritage.
Simply by looking at him, there's no way to tell which of those genes and traits might have come from which breeds. There could be half a dozen breeds in his ancestry.
Let's consider a dog named Spot.If both of Spot's parents are purebred and the same breed, Spot is a purebreddog. Dalmatian + Dalmatian = Dalmatian.If both of Spot's parents are purebred but different breeds, Spot is a crossbred dog. Dalmatian + Boxer = Dalmatian/Boxer cross.If one of Spot's parents is purebred and the other is crossbred.... well, now it starts to get tricky. Dalmatian + Dalmatian/Boxer is still considered a crossbred dog because there are still only two breeds there. Even Dalmatian/Boxer + Dalmatian/Boxer is considered a crossbred dog since there are just two breeds contributing all of Spot's genes.But once you introduce a third or fourth breed, such as Dalmatian + Boxer/Poodle.... or Dalmatian/Collie + Boxer/Poodle.... well, now Spot is a mixed breed dog. Multiple breeds are contributing genes and traits, and there is no way to sort out which genes (and traits) might have come from which breed. And often there are more than three or four breeds.
People who look at a mixed breed dog, and then based on appearance or "how the dog acts", declare which breed's genes are inside that dog, are simply guessing. There are too many possible breed- and gene-combinations.
Mixed breed dogs are sometimes called mutts or mongrels. Their uniqueness makes them truly special!
There is one way to know which breeds make up your mixed breed dog.
You can have his DNA tested.
There's a veterinary company called Embark that will test your dog's DNA and tell you which breed(s) are in his ancestry.
Can you help me decide whether the Toy Poodle is the best breed for me?
When you order my Dog Breed Consulting Service, you'll fill out a comprehensive questionnaire that asks you about yourself, your family and lifestyle, and the characteristics you're looking for in a dog. You can write as much as you want.I will read and evaluate your questionnaire personally. You'll be working exclusively with me.I will email you a detailed report with my recommendations of which breeds I think are the best matches for you – and why. And if you're already considering certain breeds, I'll tell you whether or not they seem like good matches for you – and why.
This is not a simple list of breeds churned out by a computer program. I spend a full hour personally evaluating your questionnaire and writing a detailed report.
*Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets?*
Ah, let the debate begin! Lol
Honestly, male Toy Poodles have pros and cons, and female Toy Poodles have pros and cons all depends on what you might want the dogs for or the kind of future you want for your family and dogs. Eg if.you would want your dog having more babies in your house or you want the babies for your own business like some customers would say and all that honey.
*If I just want a dog for a pet, not for showing or breeding, does it matter whether he has AKC registration papers?*
AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
At some point, if you're talking to an unknowledgeable breeder, you're likely to hear something like this: "My puppies come with AKC papers and a pedigree!"
They expect you to respond with an awed whistle.
Here's a better response: O yay.
Now, you might be surprised to hear this, because you probably thought "AKC registered puppies" meant good quality. That's what the AKC would like you to believe. But it's not true.
AKC registration is simply a chain of numbers
The truth about "AKC registered puppies" is this:
The AKC will register any puppy whose parents are registered.The AKC registered those parents because their parents were registered.And so on.
AKC registration is a mechanical process, a chain of numbers.
You send the AKC money. If the owners of your puppy's parents and grandparents were all good doobies who kept the chain intact by sending in their own money, the AKC will add your puppy to the chain, sending you a piece of paper with a number on it. Voila.... your puppy is registered.
As Dr. Herm David, Ph.D. says, "The AKC has an infinite supply of numbers. It's a good business to be in."
What about a pedigree? Doesn't a pedigree mean good quality?"
Fraid not. Send more money, and the AKC will access their database again and spit out the names of your puppy's parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, as many generations as you're willing to pay for. Voila . . . your puppy's pedigree.
A pedigree is a bunch of names.
Registration papers and pedigrees don't tell you anything about a dog, other than its place in the chain of names.
To get registration papers or a pedigree, a dog doesn't need to meet any qualifications of health, temperament, behavior, or structure.
None whatsoever. A dog can be sickly, vicious, knees pointing every which way, EVEN PURPLE – and the AKC will issue the exact same kind of registration number they gave to the Best of Breed winner at the Westminster Kennel Club show.
Good grief! I thought AKC registered meant good quality!"
Don't be fooled. Registration papers don't suggest quality in a dog any more than they suggest quality in a car. Does buying a car with registration papers mean it won't be a clunker? Of course not.
In fact, registration papers suggest quality in cars more than in dogs, because in most states a car can only be registered if it has at least passed a smog/pollution or mechanical safety check.
The AKC registers dogs with no health or safety checks at all.
So now you know that the existence of AKC papers or a pedigree doesn't mean a dog is good quality. AKC registered puppies with pedigrees is just not a big selling point, no matter how loudly a breeder trumpets it in his classified ad.
*There's an adorable Toy Poodle puppy at the pet shop. The store manager assures me they only buy from responsible breeders. Could this be true?*
Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Every pet shop will assure you, solemnly, that their puppies are different. Theirpuppies don't come from puppy mills, but from wonderful local breeders.
Pillars of the community, in fact.
It's not true. It is, in fact, a big fat lie, told right to your face.
No responsible breeder – none, zero, nada – would place one of their puppies in a pet shop.
Why?
Because those breeders are condemning their puppies to cramped cages.Because those breeders are exposing their puppies to illnesses from the other puppies.Because those breeders don't care what kind of home their puppies end up in. A responsible breeder wouldn't be able to sleep at night worrying that their beloved puppies could be sold to unsuitable homes by sales clerks who know nothing about dogs.
*WHY BUY FROM POODLE PLAZA ?*
PoodlePlaza are USDA licensed breeders.
USDA stands for the United States Department of Agriculture, which deals with farming and livestock.
The USDA knows nothing about proper care of dogs. As long as a breeder's paperwork is in order, the facilities are disinfected, cages are a (very, very) minimum size, and no infectious diseases are immediately obvious, the kennel passes.
The USDA has no interest in....
whether the breeder knows anything about his breedwhether the dogs used for breeding actually look like their breedwhether the dogs used for breeding actually act like their breedwhether the dogs used for breeding are free of serious inherited health problems such as hip dysplasia, eye diseases, or heart defects – all of which show up long after you buy the puppy
A USDA license is not something that should reassure you. On the contrary, a USDA license is a warning sign that a breeder may be cranking out far too many puppies.
"Our puppies' health is guaranteed!"
Ah, yes. The "wonderful" pet store guarantee. Pet shops offer to REPLACE unhealthy puppies – instead of trying to prevent those health problems in the first place.
*Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations: Needed or Not?*
True or False?
Dry kibble is good for your dog's teeth.You should feed your dog a premium-quality, dry or canned dog food.Rawhide bones, cornstarch bones, and pig's ears are safe chew toys that keep your dog's teeth clean.
How did you do? Did you answer "True" to any of those questions? I hope not, because
All 3 are false.
Okay, let's go on. Have you been told that...
Your puppy needs a series of vaccinations.... that is, he needs to be vaccinated 3 or 4 times against distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus, leptospirosis, and kennel cough?Your adult dog needs booster shots every year?Your dog needs to be wormed regularly?
Darn it, all of those are wrong, too.
One more set.... you may have been told that you should...
Use a choke collar for walking or training your dog.Spay or neuter your dog at six months old.Choose a vet based on how happy your dog is to see him.
All of this is incorrect.
Don't worry, it's not your fault! When it comes to raising and caring for your dog,
A vaccine is a "diluted disease", such as distemper or parvovirus. Each "disease" is injected into your dog to show his immune system what that disease looks like. His immune system then makes antibodies against it. Antibodies are the warriors that fight disease.
Now here's the bad news.... here's what happens when you raise your dog based on outdated misinformation:
The wrong food can cause chronic health problems all through your dog's life. Itching, hot spots, dry hair, oily hair, excessive shedding, ear infections, loose stools, gassiness that can clear a room.... you might never think to connect those health issues with feeding the wrong food.
The wrong vaccinations can make your dog terribly sick and too many vaccinations can weaken his immune system, which leaves him more vulnerable to illness.
The wrong flea products can be toxic – yes, even "natural" flea products.
Neutering and spaying at the wrong age can result in bladder control issues (incontinence) later in life.
The wrong chew toys can cause vomiting, diarrhea, choking, intestinal blockages, even death.
Taking your dog to the wrong vet means an unhappy lifetime of drugs, chemicals, and medications, with their high costs and all of their side effects.
Puppy owners beware...
Those of you with a new puppy might be thinking, "OK, I understand that extra shots aren't needed and can undermine long term health. But my new puppy needs a full battery of shots so he'll be immune in the first place, right? You're not going to tell me to skip vaccinations altogether, are you?"
No, you shouldn't skip all puppy shots!
But too many shots are just as bad for a puppy as they are for an adult dog. And "too many" doesn't just mean how many times the vet sticks the needle into your little bundle of joy.
"Too many" can also mean one shot that contains several diseases – 5 or 6 or 7, such as distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and more.... all jammed into one syringe.... to be repeated in two weeks.... and then again two weeks after that.
Giving a puppy too many shots, or too many diseases in one shot, can make him sick.
Sometimes he will have a bad reaction immediately, or within a few days.
Or sometimes he will seem fine, but in reality he may not be. Too many shots can overwhelm his immune system and begin a long-term disease process that you won't see until months or years later.
Our advice is based on the latest research by veterinary immunologists, and it's the same advice given by most licensed veterinarians who belong to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. If this advice sounds different from what your own veterinarian is telling you, it's a good bet that he or she does not belong to the AHVMA.
*Good reasons to spay your female dog*
You can call it spaying or neutering or de-sexing. All three terms refer to a hysterectomy – removing the ovaries and uterus so your female no longer comes into heat and cannot have puppies.
A dog who is NOT spayed is also called intact.
Spaying prevents the nuisance of heat periods. Heat periods can be messy and embarrassing. Your dog's ge****ls swell. She will have a bloody discharge, which can stain your carpets and furniture. She may spend a lot of time licking her private parts. She may flirt with other dogs (male or female), presenting her rump and encouraging other dogs to mount her. She may mount other dogs herself or hump pillows or stuffed toys. Even when Grandma is visiting...Heat periods require vigilance and confinement. A female in heat can be smelled from a long distance away and fences mean nothing to a lust-crazed male. You shouldn't leave her alone in the yard for a single minute. Indeed, you may have to stop walking her completely.Heat periods can upset your own plans.Vacations and trips may have to wait. Friends and relatives won't appreciate a visit when your dog is bleeding or will leave tempting scents in their yard. And leaving an unspayed female with a pet sitter or boarding kennel is risky.Spaying prevents deadly infections of the uterus.
Nearly 1 in 4 intact females will develop an infection called pyometra. The uterus swells with toxic pus and the only cure is an emergency spay. The surgery is dangerous when a middle-aged or elderly dog is already sick from the infection.
Many beloved dogs die from pyometra, which can be completely prevented by spaying while your dog is still young and healthy.
Spaying offers partial protection against breast cancer.
If your dog is spayed before 2-1/2 years old, she is less likely to develop mammary tumors (about half are malignant).
*What's the best dog food for Toy Poodles?*
Homemade dog food, i.e. real food. If you can't make your own homemade meals, a company called NomNomNow will make them and deliver them to your house. Homemade (cooked or raw). You combine meat, veggies, bone (or bone meal), and other yummies and supplements.Here's
why we don't recommend Kibble and Canned Dog Food
Most of us start out feeding kibble or canned. I certainly did. Thirty years ago, I fed kibble to my German Shepherds.
I couldn't put my finger on why it made me so uneasy to do so, but it did. It just didn't seem to make sense that the food they depended on for their health and vitality consisted of heavily processed, crunchy, boring brown pebbles that clattered and clunked into their food bowls.
It felt like I was feeding a hamster.
I tried adding water and canned food to make it look better. But when I read the ingredients on the can, there was precious little meat and lots of weird stuff I had never seen on a grocery shelf anywhere: beet pulp? corn gluten? That's what dogs should eat?
Made no sense.
My dogs also produced a lot of waste, as though much of the food was going right through them. That wasn't much fun to clean up.
I even wondered if their food might be a contributing factor to their itchy allergies, flaky skin, gunky ears, and softish stools. So I dug into the research.... and discovered that there were much better ways to feed my dogs.
Most importantly, I discovered, to my dismay:
... that all dry and canned dog foods are heavily cooked/processed, which damages natural nutrients such as vitamins and enzymes. The manufacturer tries to fix that by spraying on synthetic nutrients, but those are harder for a dog to absorb.
... that most dry and canned foods include poor quality meat and dog-inappropriate ingredients such as corn, soybeans, chickpeas, or potatoes.
... that far from being "good for a dog's teeth", dry food bits become wedged between the teeth and underthe gumline. Those bits are convenient landing spots for bacteria, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
.. that dry and canned foods are terribly deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids, putting dogs at high risk for developing allergies and other chronic diseases
... that because of messy mass production processes, dry and canned diets are prone to contamination, resulting in numerous dog food recalls and the deaths of many beloved dogs.
I do feed kibble and canned dog food once in a while. For example, when I travel with my dogs and need to stay in a motel.
