Guide: toy Poodle vs miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle: Size and Other Differences
Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle is a difference of size, not of breed. The American Kennel Club treats them as varieties of one breed with the same build and temperament. A Toy stands no more than 10 inches and weighs 4 to 6 pounds, while a Miniature stands 10 to 15 inches and weighs 10 to 15 pounds.
Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle at a glance
| Toy Poodle | Miniature Poodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | No more than 10 in | 10 to 15 in |
| Weight | 4 to 6 lb | 10 to 15 lb |
| Life expectancy | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 18 years |
| Energy | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Trainability | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Shedding | 1 out of 5 | 1 out of 5 |
Figures come from the American Kennel Club (AKC) pages for the Toy and the Miniature. The trait scores are identical. Only the tape measure and the scale differ.
Temperament: the same dog in two sizes
The AKC describes all Poodles as eager, athletic and extremely smart. Both small varieties are people-oriented and easy to train, and both need daily exercise and plenty of mental work.
In practice, the smaller dog is carried more and walked less. As a result, Toy Poodles sometimes get away with habits that a bigger dog would be trained out of. That is an owner difference, not a breed difference.
Health notes for both sizes
According to the AKC, two orthopedic problems are more likely in Toy and Miniature Poodles than in Standards: loose kneecaps and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip. Eye disorders and epilepsy also occur in the breed.
In addition, very small puppies need frequent meals, because tiny dogs can run low on blood sugar. Our puppy feeding schedule explains why.
Grooming is the same
Both sizes have the same curly coat. It sheds very little, but it must be brushed to the skin or kept in a short trim. The AKC suggests a professional groom every four to six weeks. A Toy simply takes less time on the table.
Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle as a parent in mixes
In a Poodle mix, the size of the Poodle parent largely sets the size of the puppies.
- Havapoos. A Toy Poodle parent gives smaller puppies than a Miniature Poodle parent. See how big Havapoos get.
- Goldendoodles. Petite and mini Goldendoodles come from pairing a small Goldendoodle with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. See Goldendoodle sizes and generations.
Therefore, when a breeder says a puppy is toy or mini, ask what each parent actually weighs.
Toy Poodle vs Miniature Poodle: which is right for you?
- Choose the Toy size if you want the smallest dog and your home is calm, with adults or older children.
- Choose the Miniature size if you want a sturdier dog for a busier family, or a companion for longer walks.
The same reasoning applies to their mixes. Either way, meet the parents and ask for health results. See how we health test.
Ready to meet your puppy?
Our puppies are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now, or ask us a question.