How to Breed Miniature or Toy Poodle Puppies

Both toy and miniature poodles are intelligent, loyal and low-shedding breeds. These attributes create a high demand for them and for reputable poodle breeders. Breeding toy and miniature poodles is a time-consuming yet rewarding experience.

  1. Deciding to Breed

    • Ensure that you will have the time, money and resources to breed toy or miniature poodles. Dog breeding is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Poodles need to be professionally groomed monthly and are predisposed to ear infections, runny eyes and genetic heart disorders. It is possible that the female may require a cesarean section to give birth due to their small size. You will also have to provide a private, safe place for the female to have her puppies that is inside the house and spend countless hours caring for and socializing the puppies.

    Obtaining a Mating Pair

    • Obtain a mating toy or miniature poodle breeding pair. Ensure that the dogs are healthy, have been screened for all genetic disorders and have registered papers. If you do not want to purchase a male poodle, find a reputable breeder that offers stud services.

    Breeding Process

    • The female poodle is ready to breed 10 days after she begins her estrus cycle, or going into heat. Female dogs have only one to two estrus cycles annually; however, it is not recommended to breed a female on her first estrus cycle. Introduce the male to the female and supervise to ensure that neither dog becomes aggressive. At the end of mating, the male will appear to be stuck inside the female poodle for two to fifteen minutes. This phenomenon is called a tie and is natural part of the dog mating process. Do not attempt to pull the dogs apart as this could harm both the male and female.

    Gestation and Birth

    • The gestation period will be nine weeks. Create a whelping box for the female poodle in a quiet secure area. Have a veterinarian on call in case a cesarean section is necessary. Miniature and toy poodles have an average of one to four puppies per litter. During the first week after birth, ensure the mother is not suffering from mastitis, an infection of the milk glands. If mastitis develops, massage and drain the gland and have a veterinarian prescribe antibiotics.

    Early Puppy Care

    • After three weeks the puppies will need to be relocated to a larger living area other than their whelping box. Begin the basics of housebreaking and socializing. After 12 weeks, the puppies will be old enough to sell. Talk to each prospective owner and make sure they are aware of the amount of time, money and resources that a miniature or toy poodle puppy requires.