Toy poodle

[Villanelle17]

Can I ask owners of toy poodles how much exercise your dog needs? I have ehlers danlos syndrome which causes problems with my joints. I can walk fine but need a small breed incase they pull etc. I will do training as soon as I'm able.
I'm home most of the day so have plenty if time to give to a dog, but I do get fatigue. I'm wanting to make sure I can meet their exercise requirements.
I had wanted a king charles cavalier, but read they are prone to many health conditions, so I started looking into toy poodles. Would appreciate any advice/experiences.

Of time *

Hi,
They need around 20-25 minutes exercise a day

Poodles will need brain games as well as physical exercise, they're clever little dogs. Are you on your own? Do you have someone else who can help with playtime/walking when you're fatigued?

Here's one winning agility at Crufts back in 2013, speedy little thing living it's best life lol!

Thank you for your replies. I live 5 minutes walk from my mum who is happy to help out if needed. I will definitely be playing games too as I've read they are very intelligent dogs and need a lot of mental stimulation.
Aww, that dog is loving life.

I have a toy poodle. She is honestly not bothered whether the walk is short or long. We can go for 20 minutes or 2 hours, she is just happy to be doing something with you. I find her favourite thing is being off the lead though as she loves having a hooley, chasing crows and seagulls (unsucessfully) and sniffing around. She would far rather a shorter walk where she can do her own thing than an on the lead route march. They are brilliant company and so easy and rewarding to train. Big bonus...no moulting.

Honestly, 20-25 minutes isn't enough for any dog on a regular basis. They need to get out, sniff and explore, even if they don't want to run about like a loon.

I would say to plan to give any dog a minimum of one hour a day - but you could split that into 3x20 minutes or pay a dog walker to come at lunchtime instead of doing it yourself.

We have a toy poodle/Maltese cross. He is not at all a keen walker, especially on lead. He enjoys off lead much more, but we don't have a save off leash area for him (coyotes). I normally take him out 4 times a day for about 15 minutes each time. I let him sniff a lot.

We also play at home. He likes to chase and retrieve a stuffed toy and then pretend to keep it from you with play growling etc. He also likes to shake his toys and will start up if I sing a silly song about shaking them.

I have bought him some dog puzzles but he figures them out too quickly!

He hates rain or snow so does his business quickly then turns around for home.

Poodles are fantastic dogs.

Safe not save.

I'm really pleased you are looking at a full poodle. They are brilliant dogs. Very clever and the brain training can be loads of fun - and will tire them out. Most of the things you can do with you sitting down.

Do you have a garden? Will walks be on or off lead? As PP said off lead (once you've got good recall) is ideal. Do you have a park nearby?

How much time could do you realistically a day? If it's too little then what can your mum or a dog walker pick up?

If your has a strong chase instinct then you might think about a flirt pole - your dog will enjoy it and you don't have to move much. Fun and tiring for the dog.

Thank you for all the replies. They are very helpful. I have a big garden that the dog will be able to play in and I live in a countryside village, so once I have got the recall, I can do offll lead as there's plenty of places near me that are suitable.
I was going to get a cavapoo, but then I read that it's hard to find a good breeder and you can't be sure which traits it will get.

So I looked into both the toy poodle and Cavalier and decided on the toy poodle. Although they seem like both to be brilliant dogs.
I've found a kc registered breeder who I'm going to talk to on the phone this week as she wants to know more about me and I'll get the chance to ask any questions too.

Have you gone via the breed club? Have you checked out what health tests parents should have?
Could you use a Walker or are you eligible for Cinnamon Trust help if you need it?

Dogs don't just need physical exercise , infact many people over exercise them and do not provide enough "enrichment activities" - mental stimulation!

You could give them 20 mins twice a day plus a couple of easy , low effort from you games at home ...

Things like - ruffle snuffle , search games , puzzles etc all on the market now ! Although lots you can cheaply make.

We have a miniature poodle (who is on the small side anyway) and I do an hour walk a day in one hit but you could split that easily. We also have puzzle games for her to use but her absolute favourite thing is ball playing - so she would happily retrieve a ball thrown up our garden for hours if you let her. So you could use part of your exercise chucking a ball up the garden. Poodles are very fast little things and she sprints like a rocket!

20 minutes is no where near enough. And they don’t just sit around all day like some breeds, they need mental stimulation.

Dogs don't just need physical exercise , infact many people over exercise them and do not provide enough "enrichment activities" - mental stimulation!

I agree that dogs need enrichment too but the 20 minutes exercise a day a PP recommended is nowhere near enough.

Poodles used to be working dogs (and still are in some places) and they're going to need more than one twenty minute walk a day - even two x 20 minutes is ridiculously low for a healthy adult dog.

Walks aren't just exercise, they're about increasing confidence, socialisation, sniffing and exploring the environment - scent marking and toileting and meeting other dogs, people etc.

Getting a dog and only walking it for 20 minutes a day seems very very wrong to me - they need, and deserve, so much more than that.

@Howaboutnow

Hi, They need around 20-25 minutes exercise a day

What's that based on? They're derived from a working breed and are active little dogs. Whilst overall stimulation/companionship is important, 20 mins of exercise a day is not enough for any dog

I love toy poodles - mine is 14 now so has slowed down a lot and mostly spends his day sleeping on the sofa. He’s not really into walks anymore so I tend to do two sniffy walks a day on lead and one longer off lead walk at the weekend.

When he was younger he used to get a 45min walk in the morning and then the same at night plus training in the day to tire him out - they are bright little things and pick up the training quickly :)

A bichon might be a good option for you - the ones I know are not keen walkers...

I have a miniature poodle a friend has toys. I think you’re assuming small size= less walking this is not true. Poodles are active lively happy little dogs mine and my friends love a good walk contrary to what many assume weather is not an issue for them. The are adaptable sometimes mine only gets 30 mins a day and he’s fine but on a day to day basis he probably averages 1 1/2 hours a day and will happily walk 3 + hours over quite challenging terrain. I personally don’t think 30 mins a day especially for a young poodle is enough.
I’ve never done brain training enrichment with mine he’s such an easy dog they are devoted to their owners, easy to train, happy go lucky little dogs and very healthy somewhere I once read that they are one of the healthiest pedigree dogs toys will often live to 18yrs.