What Kinds of Poodles Are There?

Poodles are distinguished by their size, and three types of poodle sizes are recognized by the American Kennel Club: the standard, miniature and toy poodle. Poodles tend to have the same type of temperament, regardless of their size, and poodles of all sizes have a variety of coat colors, including blue, gray, silver, brown, apricot and cream.

  1. Standard Poodles

    • Standard poodles are the largest of the three sizes of poodles. To be classified as a standard poodle, the animal must be more than 15 inches in height at the highest point of the shoulders. Standard poodles generally weigh from 45 to 70 pounds, and, while they are protective of their family and home, they also are known for their genial and affable nature.

      Standard poodles do have increased risks for health conditions that include hip dysplasia, cataracts, a bleeding disorder known as Von Willebrand's disease, atrial septal defects in the heart, sebaceous adenitis (a skin disorder) and bloat (a serious condition that affects the digestive track).

    Miniature Poodles

    • Miniature poodles are classified according to their shoulder height, as well. To be classified as a miniature poodle, the dog must have a shoulder height (measured at the highest point of the shoulder) above 10 inches but not more than 15 inches. Miniature poodles generally weigh from 15 to 17 pounds.

      Miniature poodles have increased risks for health conditions, including Cushing's disease, epilepsy, patellar luxation (dislocation of the kneecap) and eye disorders such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH).

    Toy Poodles

    • Toy poodles are the smallest officially recognized size of poodles. To be classified as a toy poodle, the animal must stand 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Toy poodles generally weigh from 6 to 9 pounds.

      Toy Poodles have increased risks for health conditions tha tend to affect miniature poodles as well, particularly patellar luxation and epilepsy. Because toy poodles are so tiny, they should be handled with care; children need to be taught how to safely pick up and carry a toy poodle. Yards also need to be spot-checked regularly to make sure the toy poodle cannot escape from any small holes or breaks in fence lines.

    Considerations for Adopting a Poodle

    • Potential pet owners can ensure that they are adopting a healthy poodle with minimal risks for health conditions by adopting their poodle from a private breeder or poodle rescue facility. Size considerations for poodles should be taken into account before adopting; all poodles require plenty of exercise and activity, but standard poodles have larger space requirements than miniature or toy poodles.

      All poodles, regardless of size, need regular grooming, ear cleaning and eye maintenance (cleaning and regular check-ups) for optimum health.