Miniature poodle

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

We currently have a poodle cross breed. Brilliant dog but he is a little older now.

We are thinking of a second dog and my daughter loves poodles. She wants a toy poodle but I think a miniature poodle would better suit our lifestyle as we are active.

Anyone have any experience? We are an active family, three young-ish kids, able to provide a good life for a dog.

I’m assuming miniatures are bright, mischievous, affectionate, need enough exercise and grooming every couple of months?

[Lucisky]

I have a toy poodle and she can walk for miles, and loves to do so. Temperament is as you describe;they are great fun. Grooming though - mine is kept fairly short all over, but I brush her with a slicker type brush at least every other day because it does tend to mat very easily, and it grows at an amazing rate.

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Thanks. The toys look adorable.... can she walk quickly?

I worry the kids will treat a toy poodle as a little cat and that won’t be good for him/her (our current dog is huge!)

[Lucisky]

Yes, she trots along or zooms about just like any other dog and also loves water/muddy puddles, rabbit and horse poo (so just like all the other dogs I've had!). They are small and light (about 5 kilos fully grown), and I have noticed that visitors, especially my nieces, do like picking her up and nursing her (she doesn't object), so possibly a miniature may be more suitable for you. The toys are also tiny as puppies - you have to be very aware of where your feet are.

[MyKingdomForBrie]

We have a standard and you will definitely need to brush very regularly. I have met some very yappy toys and miniatures and was told it’s a breed thing but maybe it’s a training thing..

[Lucisky]

I think yappiness is a training thing, because ours only barks when you would expect a dog to bark - doorbell etc. However, I have always discouraged barking for no reason, and none of my dogs have been yappy, and that has included several Yorkies, who also have a bad reputation for noise.
OP, I meant to add, our toy gets 2 walks a day, of about 1 hour mornings, and half an hour late afternoon, so yes, they can cope with plenty of exercise - plus of course indoor and garden games (now the weather is better). I think the trouble with a lot of toy breeds is that people think they don't need much exercise, so they get frustrated and yap. I know its been a good day when she spends the evening crashed out on the sofa.

[Greyhorses]

MIL has 3 toy poodles and they are very happy and have not toilet trained very well at all.

Very active happy little dogs though!

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Thanks everyone

If you know of any recommends breeders let me know!

[FoxesAreFabulous]

Miniature poodle owner here and they are great dogs! Ours is coming up to 2 now and is a bundle of energy - loves long walks but does ok with shorter ones if the weather is bad. We have our boy clipped every 6-8 weeks - as someone else had said, their fur does seem to grow very fast and ours currently looks like a mobile mop as his next groomers' appointment is tomorrow! Minis can come in on the big or small side - our boy is 9kg fully grown but has a mini friend who is much daintier. They are a talkative breed but ours only gets really barky when the doorbell goes or when he spots a cat out of the window; he has a wide range of noises to convey different things though, including very stern woofing to tell us off!

[StandardPoodle]

I've had toys and a miniature - we currently have a standard.
Even the toys need more exercise than you might think and can be quite vocal. They are loyal, sensitive, lively, happy dogs.
Be aware though that it's not just a case of taking to a groomer's every 6 weeks - the coat would be full of matts by then. Regular (preferably daily) grooming is needed too - the coat is labour intensive.

[Wolfiefan]

Do contact the breed club and see if they can point you to breeders. Do your research about what health tests poodle parents should have before breeding. I can't remember!!

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Thanks....

The coat is a good call actually. Our cross is a dream that way as his coat needs little maintenance. Realistically it will be me doing the care!!

standard going by your name, are standards your favourite? I’m veering towards a miniature just now as hopefully can keep up with us on walks. I love standards but two big dogs are maybe too much!