Miniature Poodle vs Toy Poodle

A Poodle (Miniature)
Photo: UszkarFoto92
A Poodle (Toy)
Photo: Basile Morin

Side by side

Miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle
Adult weight
4.5–6.8 kg (10–15 lb) (breed club figure)1
1.8–2.7 kg (4–6 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 28–35 cm; females 28–35 cm3
Males 24–28 cm; females 24–28 cm3
Lifespan
Median 14 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Companion & toy3
Coat
Curly coat or corded coat3
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A modest amount
Health
Sudden-onset diarrhoea (more likely)6
Gum disease (more likely)7
Class
Companion
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Miniature Poodle is far larger: about 5.7 kg (12 lb) as an adult, against 2.3 kg (5 lb) for the Toy Poodle.
Temperament
They differ most on sensitivity (Miniature Poodle: average; Toy Poodle: needs a calm, predictable home).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Miniature Poodle
Companion & toy · Small

In temperament the Miniature is quick to learn, lively and alert, and keen to join in with its household. It can be somewhat reserved with strangers, and it carries itself with a proud, springy gait.

Toy Poodle
Companion & toy · Toy

In temperament the Toy Poodle is alert, lively and quick to learn, moving with a light, springy gait and a proud carriage.

The Miniature Poodle page →The Toy Poodle page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Suits a first-time owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Keen to work with you
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Miniature Poodle grows to the heavier adult, about 5.7 kg against the Toy Poodle's 2.3 kg.
Miniature Poodle
Toy Poodle
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More comparisons

Compare the Miniature Poodle with
Standard Poodle vs Toy PoodleMiniature Poodle vs Standard PoodleBichon Frise vs Toy PoodleCockapoo vs Miniature PoodleChihuahua vs Toy PoodleAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·