Toy Poodle Appearance
Toy Poodles are dainty, agile and alert. They move with the agility of circus performers and should appear to dance rather than plod. Toy Poodles, just as Poodles of other sizes, can be any solid color including apricot, cafe-au-lait, cream, brown, blue, gray, silver, black, or white. Their tightly curled hair can be styled lavishly or trimmed in a puppy cut close to the body. Toy Poodles have long ears that hang close to the head but may seem invisible under the curly coat. The eyes are dark and oval, and they do not protrude like the eyes of some of the smaller dog breeds. The Toy Poodle’s nose is medium length rather than flat, and it tapers slightly. The feet are small and the overall appearance is one of lightness. Even though the Toy Poodle is small, its body proportions are similar to those of a Standard Poodle.
Toy Poodle Behavior
Toy Poodles are active, cheerful pets that are smart and learn quickly. Like all Poodles, the tiny Toys are truly loving, devoted pets; however they are capable of becoming spoiled unless they receive kind, consistent discipline. By nature, Toy Poodles are a sensitive breed, and harsh or inconsistent discipline is counterproductive and may encourage anxiety rather than obedience. Because Toy Poodles have light, lithe bodies, they often jump and move quickly and may get underfoot without meaning to.
Toy Poodle Health (dog breed health problems)
Toy Poodle Tracheal collapse
Tracheal collapse is common in Toy Poodles because the cartilage rings that hold open the airway are fragile. To protect your pet’s throat and keep pressure off the airway, use a harness rather than a collar. If your pet develops a collapsing trachea, it may develop a cough. Supplements with glucosamine help keep the lining of the airway healthy, moist, and smooth, just as they help keep joints normal.
Toy Poodle Bone and joint diseases
Bone and joint diseases such as arthritis occur and cause limping even though the Toy Poodle is very tiny. For example, arthritis occurs in the knees because many have knee caps that slip out of place (luxating patella). Over 75% of Toy Poodles with luxating patellas have an inherited problem that causes the patella to slip medially (to the inside). Toy Poodles can also have bone disease in the hip (Legg-Perthes disease). Providing a natural, holistic diet helps maintain healthy weight and healthy joints. Use Dasuquin or 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer if your Toy Poodle has arthritis or painful joints.
Toy Poodle Neck pain from disc disease
Toy Poodles are prone to ruptured discs in the spine, especially in the neck or “cervical” spine. If disc disease develops, your dog may suddenly have severe neck pain and may snap if you reach to pet its head or slip a collar around its neck. Immediate veterinary treatment will help your pet. Discourage all activity and keep your pet from running or jumping. Give NSAIDs, such as Rimadyl (Rx) or Deramaxx (Rx) as prescribed. To lower the amount of prescription NSAID medication, which may cause ulcers, use the homeopathic, Traumeel, or a joint protecting medication with MSM, such as 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer.
Toy Poodle Obesity
Toy Poodles are so adorable that we tend to over-feed them. Unfortunately, obesity shortens their lives and predisposes them to diabetes and other disease. Prevent obesity with diet and exercise. Limit treats and feed Taste Of The Wild to help keep your Toy Poodle at a healthy weight.
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Toy Poodle Heart conditions
Poodles are prone to several forms of heart disease, so if your Toy Poodle coughs—coughing is one sign of heart disease—visit your veterinarian. One of the common Toy Poodle cardiac problems is heart valve disease (endocardiosis). Valve disease is made worse if your pet has dental disease because bacteria in the mouth circulate through the blood and grow on the heart valves. It’s important to brush your pet’s teeth and provide good oral care. Toy Poodles can also have an inherited heart disease called PDA (patent ductus arteriosus). The gums of dogs with PDA can be bluish rather than pink because blood doesn’t follow the normal route through the heart and lungs, thus the blood and contains more carbon dioxide than normal.
Toy Poodle Bald areas
Small areas of hair loss can occur in sites that have been injected with corticosteroids and other medications. These can develop several weeks—or months—after injection.
Toy Poodle Grooming
Poodles require professional grooming every 4-8 weeks to keep the hair from their eyes. It’s also important to have the hair around the bottom clipped so that it doesn’t become matted or collect feces. Poodles can be cut in elaborate styles such as the English saddle, continental clip, or sporting clip, but many Toy Poodles are equally attractive with a simple puppy cut. With a puppy cut, the hair can be brushed easily.
Toy Poodles have two types of coats: soft and curly or dense and springy. The soft, curly coat can fall into ringlets if left long, but the dense and springy coat does not form ringlets. At one time, Toy Poodles with the soft, curly coats were shown with their coats corded, but now corded coats are used only for Komondor and Puli breeds.
Toy Poodles’ outer ear canals are usually thickly haired. This hair growth holds moisture and predisposes them to having damp ears and chronic ear infections. To prevent infection, keep the ear canals dry and bacteria-free by using ear cleansers once a week. In the past, some recommended plucking hair from the ear canals to help the canal stay dry, but plucking is no longer recommended by most veterinarians. Instead, use an ear cleanser, such as 1-800-PetMeds Ear Cleansing Solution to promote dryness without damaging the ear canal. Toy Poodles spending most of their time indoors can develop very long nails. If you hear your pet’s nails clacking on the floor, they are too long and should be trimmed. Cutting nails every 4-6 weeks is best.
Brush
2-3 times a week if the coat is trimmed short
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Trim
Every 4-8 weeks
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Nails
House pets need nail trimming every 4-6 weeks
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Eyes, Ears, & Face
Wash tear-stained areas around eyes and clean the facial hair that gets into food bowls. Check ears weekly and use ear cleansers frequently. Brush teeth daily to prevent gum and dental disease that is common in breeds with tiny mouths.
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Anal Sacs
Anal sac problems are common. Visit your veterinarian to have them expressed. Ensure the groomer doesn’t irritate the area with clippers or perfumes.
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