Key Traits of Toy Poodles

Personality of Toy Poodles

IntelligentToy Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. Their high degree of intelligence allows them to learn things in a flash. This can be a good and bad thing — they’re easy to train, but they can also pick up bad habits quickly!Loving and loyalPoodles are loving and loyal, making them ideal as a family pet. They’re affectionate and enjoy cuddling with you! Plus, they’re protective and likely to bark at strangers who are approaching your home.

How to Care for a Toy Poodle in Singapore

Staying in a HDB Flat

Toy Poodles are small dog breeds that’ll grow up to a height of 30 - 38cm. This is well within the size requirements set by HDB, thus they’re HDB approved.

Grooming Needs of a Toy Poodle

Toy Poodles are hypoallergenic and they don’t shed. This means that it’s crucial to go for grooming sessions every 3 - 6 weeks to get their coat professionally trimmed. Here are the frequencies of each grooming activity if you wish to DIY:

Exercise Needs of a Toy Poodle

Regardless of the size and age of your poodle, it’s best to have 1 hour of exercise per day! The only difference is the pace and level of exertion, depending on your pet’s fitness level.Split each day’s session to 2 x 30 minutes or 3 x 20 minutes. This gives your Toy Poodle the exercise he needs, while still providing breaks in between.If you’re a working adult, you can do 1 session in the morning before work, 1 session after you return home from work. A third session can be done 2 hours before bedtime, so that your pup has enough time to cool down before bed.Exercise can be incorporated via a game of fetch plus a 20 - 25 minutes walk around the neighbourhood. You can also consider other low impact exercises such as swimming to avoid stressing their joints. Toy Poodles are active breeds that enjoy a variety of activities! Keep them active to improve blood circulation, promote digestion and prevent diabetes and cancers.For a weekend of fun, you can also try visting a dog park or dog café in Singapore. This would give your pup the opportunity to socialise with other doggos.

Diet of a Toy Poodle

Toy Poodles should have 2 - 3 meals a day with high-quality fresh foods including carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables and healthy fats and oils. As their teeth are prone to overcrowding, it’s best to feed them a hard food diet.Their diets should contain a healthy mix of The amount of total calories required should be calculated based on your Poodle’s weight, exercise routine and health condition.

How to Train a Toy Poodle

Use treats to encourage your dogLike all dogs, Toy Poodles benefit from the use of positive reinforcement and treats during training. Some tips for reward-based training areBe consistentDogs thrive in consistency and routine and this is especially true for an intelligent breed like the Toy Poodle. Importance of crate trainingToy Poodles are affectionate, sociable breeds that crave human interaction. Thus, they may develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.To prevent this, Skye Parker (Dog Trainer) from My Doodle Maltipoos encourages pet parents to to crate train their Toy Poodles so they have a safe space to settle down while you’re away. Here’s how to crate train your dog:This provides a positive association to going in the crate, and tells your dog that you’ll return no matter how many times or how long you’re away.

How to Socialise a Toy Poodle

Ensure vaccinations are completeBefore allowing your Toy Poodle to socialise with other dogs, ensure that their vaccinations are complete! This will prevent them from contracting any conditions.Start earlyIt’s important to start socialising your Toy Poodle from 1 - 3 months of age. Expose him to other dogs as well as humans. When he’s comfortable to be around others, he can be taken anywhere and this improves his quality of life!Start with friends’ dogsIf an aggressive dog hurts your pet at a dog park, there’s a possibility that your pet may become aggressive or fearful. Thus, a good tip would be to start socialising with your friends’ dogs. This way, you can check that their dogs are gentle-natured.

Common Health Conditions Found in a Toy Poodle

According to Dr. Linda Simon (MVB MRCVS) from FiveBarks, Toy Poodles are predisposed to hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s disease and Addison’s disease. Additionally, here are some common health conditions that they’re prone to:

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting senior dogs, especially Toy Poodles. It happens when your dog produces insufficient insulin, stops producing it altogether or has an abnormal response to insulin.Signs and symptoms:Treatment:If you’re able to administer insulin to your dog, there’s a lower chance of diabetes affecting his life expectancy.

Pancreatitis

The pancreas of Toy Poodles can become inflamed, causing intense abdominal pain and nausea. In severe cases, they may require hospitalisation and intensive care.Causes:Signs and symptoms:During a pancreatitis attack, the dog may have his rear end up and his front legs and head lowered to the ground.Treatment:

Patella Luxation

Another condition that the Toy Poodle is prone to is patella luxation, which refers to the kneecap shifting out of alignment. This is usually caused by old age or genetic predisposition. Signs and symptoms:Treatment:

Price of Owning a Toy Poodle in Singapore

One-Off Costs

The cost of buying a Toy Poodle in Singapore is around $8,000 - $9,000 at the moment. If you’re planning to adopt, it can range from $0 - $400.

Licensing

The Animals and Birds (Dog Licensing and Control) Rules state that all dogs have to be licensed. This allows dogs to be easily traced and examined in the event of a disease outbreak.You can apply for a dog license and renew a current one via the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS).

Sterilisation

Spaying and neutering your dog may minimise or eliminate health problems. This procedure costs between $100 - $350, depending on the gender and clinic you go to.

Microchipping

Though not compulsory, microchipping is highly recommended for dogs as it increases the likelihood of locating your pet if he goes missing. This procedure is painless and costs $50 - $90.

Recurring Costs

Other costs to take into account would be pet insurance, accessories and toys.

Frequently Asked Questions About Owning a Toy Poodle in Singapore

Is a Toy Poodle easy to take care of?

This small breed is smart and willing to learn. They pick up skills and habits quickly and are one of the most intelligent breeds in the world. Like all dogs, they will need high-quality food, house training, grooming and daily exercise. One thing to note is that they do require frequent grooming to keep their coats in good condition. Do consider the cost and effort required!

Can Toy Poodles be left alone?

The Toy Poodle shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time as they can develop separation anxiety. However, if they need to be left alone, pet parents are advised to train their Toy Poodles.Here are some tips:

Are Toy Poodles easy to potty train?

Toy Poodles are one of the smartest and easiest breeds to train. Here are some useful tips for successful potty training: