Poodles have been popular pets for generations. They were first bred to hunt and retrieve fowl, but are now typically bred as pets and show dogs. The popularity of Poodles spurred the development of Toy and Miniature Poodles so those living in cities and smaller dwellings could enjoy the company of this dog breed.

Today, all three types of Poodles are popular among pet owners and dog enthusiasts alike, especially throughout the United States. We know about the Standard Poodle, but what is the difference between the Toy Poodle and the Miniature Poodle? That’s a good question that deserves a thorough answer, so keep reading!

Visual Differences

The biggest visual difference between the Toy Poodle and the Miniature Poodle is their overall weight and size. The Miniature Poodle is typically a little larger than the Toy Poodle and stands between 11 and 15 inches and weighs about 13 pounds when fully grown.

The Toy Poodle stands no more than 10 inches and weighs only about 5 pounds once mature. Otherwise, these two dogs are extremely similar when it comes to looks and body composition.

At a Glance

Toy Poodle Overview

The Toy Poodle is an energetic and sociable dog that loves spending time with human companions and other animals. These are smart dogs that are eager to please, making them easy to manage in most social situations. Their self-confidence almost always shines through, and their agility ensures that they are never left at the back of the pack.

Toy Poodles are very intelligent and pay attention to what is going on around them. They are small dogs, but they’re active so they need to get out for walks daily, and they’d prefer to have a fenced yard to play in rather than being stuck inside all day. They happen to get along well with children, although they don’t appreciate the teasing nature of younger kids who aren’t yet trained in how to treat and manage dogs.

Training

Due to their high intelligence, Toy Poodles are easy to train if training starts early. Basic obedience training should start as soon as a Toy Poodle puppy is brought home for the first time. Once come, sit, and stay have been mastered, more extensive obedience and trick training can be incorporated.

Exercise

Just because these dogs are small doesn’t mean they don’t need exercise. While they do get more exercise indoors than larger dogs simply because they must take more steps to get anywhere, that indoor exercise just isn’t enough. Toy Poodles should get outdoors for at least 1 hour of walking and exercise each day of the week.

Suitable For:

These dogs make great pets for households with older children, single adults, and seniors. They can live in apartments but must have access outside for daily adventures. A house with a fenced yard is the perfect setting for this breed.

Miniature Poodle Overview

The Miniature Poodle has much the same personality and temperament as the Toy Poodle. They are essentially the same dog, just a different size. These dogs love spending time with humans and will do just about anything to please them. They can get along well with other pets in the household, yet they don’t mind being an “only child” at home.

Also, they don’t mind spending time alone for a few hours at a time, but they can develop separation anxiety if left alone all day, every day.

Training

Training is just as easy for these dogs as it is for Toy Poodles, although their larger size may inhibit your ability to complete training in small places like a living room. Training should start early in age and continue throughout their life to ensure optimal obedience and sociability.

Other types of training for things like agility and service can also be incorporated as this breed gets older.

Exercise

These dogs should get two 30-minute walks each day to ensure optimal health and happiness. The walks should be broken up because these little dogs can overheat and overexert themselves when their treks are too long. Take the time to play games like hide-and-seek inside when the weather does not permit outdoor walks and playtime.

Suitable For:

This type of dog can get along well in a variety of household types, although they should be supervised at all times when spending time with babies and young kids. Since they don’t walk fast nor do their walks need to be long, they should be suitable for active seniors too.

They may do well on a farm but must be watched around the larger animals.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The fact of the matter is that the Toy Poodle and Miniature Poodle are the same dog — they are just different sizes. Therefore, the type that you choose comes down to the size of the dog that you want and are able to take care of as time goes on.

Final Thoughts

Poodles are smart, easy-going, and sociable dogs that make great companions for people and other animals alike. No matter the size of the Poodle that you decide to take home, you can expect them to have the same type of temperament and personality as the Standard Poodle.

• See also: Maltipoo vs Toy Poodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Top – Julissa Helmuth, Pexels | Bottom – Vojce, Shutterstock