Miniature or Toy Poodle?

[Memom]

We have decided after years of discussion that we are ready for a new dog. Sadly lost my beloved terrier 8 years ago. We have decided on a poodle but are unsure if it would be best to go for a toy or miniature. Have read lots but info is very conflicting. Some say size is the only difference, others say miniature is a little more laid back. Any suggestions of info sites or breeders most welcome.

I have a standard cross and when we did our research it seemed the bigger the poodle the less neurotic, in general. My husband had a toy when a child and he said it was ac"psycho" and was pts. I'm sure others will say different!

I've got a toy poodle. I have had dogs all my life but I've never met one like her. She is a real live wire, and likes to be involved in everything. She has been easy to train and is a joy to have around. She has the sweetest temperament and frequently has the zoomies, despite long walks (which she loves). It is just the bottomless well of energy she seems to have which amazes me. No moulting of course, but the coat needs a lot of care and attention. She is certainly not neurotic, just a loving but rather hyperactive bundle of fun.

I have a miniature and a (oversized) toy poodle.

My mini is 2 1/2 years old and we've had her since she was a pup. The toy is 1 1/2 years old and we've had her 2 months. The toy has a lot more energy than the mini but she was crated for most her life, and has had no training at all. Plus my mini is the laziest dog alive so any dog seems energetic compared to her!

I would say that a poodle is a poodle regardless of size although there does seem to be differences in energy levels depending on their breeding (some breeders breed for agility so the dogs require higher energy levels). One thing to be aware of is how delicate a toy poodle is. My toy is the same height as my mini but weighs 3kg less!

Poodleforum.com is a good place to look.

I've had 2 toys and a miniature (actually an overgrown toy). The first toy was the calmest - the other toy and miniature were livelier and more "into everything".
We have a standard now - very fast and also very high energy levels. They're all gorgeous though.
Make sure the relevant health checks have been done and you're ok with the grooming and clipping needs.

We have a miniature boy, who will be 2 in May, and he is a bundle of energy and mischief! Minis are a bit more solid than toys and supposedly less vocal - not sure anyone told our boy that! Poodles generally have a lot of energy but with the minis and the toys, you can get away with one walk on days when the weather is awful or you're unwell, as long as they have a playtime indoors. We have friends with a standard girl and she needs at least 2 hours walking a day. We have also been told that black poodles - of any size - are the most laid-back and the red ones are the nuttiest (guess which colour we have - but we only found out after we'd got him!). They're a fabulous breed generally, highly intelligent so pick things up quickly, very bonded to their owners. I'm so happy whenever I come across people looking for a proper poodle rather than a poodle mix! You can't improve on the original

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. It's a massive decision/commitment and we so want to get it right.

We did want a red but maybe black would be better

I read some odd poodle stuff on the internet in the night (as you do!) and one article said poodles don't have a doggy smell, is this true? So no smell of wet dog?

Could you make it to a poodle show? Contact the breed club or visit Discover Dogs at Crufts? Meet lots of owners and a few breeders and ask questions.
And of course don't buy over the Internet. Go through the breed club. (If you're not rescuing.)

I have a miniature poodle puppy (now 5 months old).
She is extremely lively, but equally hates the rain so is happy to lounge around indoors if necessary. She has been easy to train (to a basic level). She is always in the centre of any action- she hardly ever sneaks off to find a quiet corner and we are a very busy household with three young children. On the flip side though she doesn’t like being left alone (although I have sneaked back and she doesn’t cry for long).
Oh, and I’m afraid she definitely has the doggy smell!

I have never had another dog so cannot compare her to anything though!

My mini definitely smells doggy.Doesn't moult though.

My standard cross doesn't smell.

My toy doesn't smell at all!

My standard smells of wet wool when wet!

Thank you all. The pondering continues, we just want it to be right. We have to be 100% sure that adding to our family is right and that we can make a dog happy and meets its needs.

My mini doesn’t smell at all until wet. Then he smells of digestive biscuit and it’s lovely 😊.

He is nine months and is into everything and follows me around all day, but is calming down a lot too. He is really easy to train, both with general training and tricks. He is funny, cute and not neurotic at all. Big dogs don’t bother him, he is fine with the hoover, hairdryer etc.

My DM also had a rather ‘psycho’ mini poo dog when she was a girl, but I would imagine this may have been due to bad breeding or not enough emphasis on socialisation.

I doubt there is any real difference between the two, but I imagine a mini may be slightly more robust, which may be good if you have young children.