Miniature Poodles don’t get nearly as much credit as they deserve. It’s hard to get time in the spotlight when you are up against the elegant Standard Poodle and the irresistibly cute Toy Poodle. However, the seriously underrated Miniature Poodle has just as much to offer.
A Miniature Poodle is a variation of the Poodle dog breed known for its medium-sized build that falls in between the larger Standard Poodle and the tiny Toy Poodle. Mini Poodles are in a lot of ways similar to both variations of the Poodle, in terms of needs and personality.
However, Miniature Poodles have a set of traits that make them special as a variation of the Poodle. Here is more about all these unique traits as well as features that the Miniature Poodle shares with Toy and Standard variations.
First, let’s take a look at the most important of these differences which is the size and build of the Miniature Poodle.
How Big Will A Mini Poodle Get?
If you are considering getting yourself a Miniature Poodle, it is important to understand what to expect from their physical traits. This is because the slim margins in dimensions between the different varieties of Poodles can make it difficult to tell them apart.
To help you out here are some of the most important features you should look for when shopping for a Miniature Poodle to ensure you are getting the real thing.
Height
Height is probably the most reliable way to figure out whether you are dealing with a Miniature Poodle or another one of the variations of the Poodle dog breed.
On average, Miniature Poodles range from 10 to 15 inches. However, there are some breed guidelines that extend this range to 18 inches.
While the upper limit of the range is arguable, any adult Poodle shorter than the 10-inch lower limit is no longer considered a Miniature Poodle.
Weight
The weight is another feature that could give you a clue as to whether you are dealing with a real Miniature Poodle or another one of the varieties that has been wrongly categorized.
According to the American Kennel Club’s breed standards for Miniature Poodles, adult Mini Poo doggies should weigh between 10 to 15 lbs.
Build And Proportions
The Miniature Poodle is a small dog with a strong, athletic form that you can appreciate even under the thick cover of their dense coat. They are also proportionately built with stockier features than the lean and lanky Standard Poodle.
How Long Do Mini Poodles Live?
A miniature Poodle can live for 15 to 16 years. This is shorter than the 10- to 18-year lifespan that Toy Poodles have but longer than the 12 to 15 years that Standard Poodles are expected to live.
Miniature Poodles are generally healthy dogs. However, there are a few common health issues that they may face including:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a devastating condition that results in the eventual loss of vision for your Miniature Poodle. The degenerative condition affects both eyes and is unfortunately irreversible.
At first, you will notice signs that your dog is having a hard time seeing in the dark. This could include them bumping into objects or generally showing signs of anxiety in the dark. With time, these same signs will be present even with adequate lighting.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is a condition in Miniature Poodles where the patella bone in the knee joint becomes loose. This will cause instability in the joint, thereby affecting the dog’s activity levels. You may also notice your dog struggling with simple tasks like climbing stairs.
Dental Disease
Dental issues like cavities and gum inflammation are relatively common in Miniature Poodles. Fortunately, these can very easily be prevented by prioritizing dental hygiene for your dog. It could be as simple as investing in dental water additives or dental chew toys.
Allergies
Miniature Poodles are prone to developing a variety of allergies. The most common are seasonal allergies to things like pollen and dust. They may also have food intolerances in which case milk is the most common culprit.
How To Take Care Of Miniature Poodles?
Miniature Poodles are very independent dogs and require very little of your time, energy, and attention to live a happy life.
However, for the sake of their health and wellbeing, you will have to put in some work in tomes of general care.
Here are 4 things that the relatively low-maintenance Miniature Poodle needs.
Adequate Playtime
Miniature Poodles are high energy dogs and need between 1 and 2 hours of exercise every day. This is important not only for their physical health but also for their mental wellbeing.
Make sure to find fun games and activities that play to the Miniature Poodle’s strengths including their athleticism, focus, intelligence, and curiosity.
High Quality Dog Food
A healthy diet is crucial to help the active Miniature Poodle keep up with their energetic lifestyles. The quality of the dog food that you feed your Mini Poo will have both short-term and long-term effects on your dog’s physical health.
You can therefore not afford to make the wrong decision. We recommend Pet Plate whose dog food is made with high quality ingredients and frozen while fresh to eliminate the need for chemical additives.
Appropriate Portions And Proportions
In addition to the quality of the food you feed your Miniature Poodle, you have to be careful about how much you feed them and in what proportions.
An adult Miniature Poodle should have about 1 to 1.5 cups of food every day. The content of this dog food should be mainly proteins and healthy fats as well as carbohydrates and micronutrients.
Multivitamin Supplements
Healthy dog food is not always enough to raise a happy and healthy Miniature Poodle. Supplements will ensure that micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are in adequate amounts for a truly balanced diet.
Are Miniature Poodles Good Pets? Temperaments Of Miniature Poodles
In addition to the size, the Miniature Poodle is different from varieties like the Standard and Toy Poodles when it comes to personality traits. They are great dogs for dog lovers who want a lively and active companion.
Miniature Poodles are also really ideal for family setups, especially with adequate socialization. Here is a bit more on what you can expect from these doggies in terms of personality.
Aloof
Miniature Poodles can be very standoffish and withdrawn, especially when interacting with strangers. While they are not as aloof as Standard Poodles, they definitely need early socialization to teach them how to be friendly and comfortable around strangers.
Energetic
Miniature Poodles are arguably the most active of the Poodle dog breeds. Their size makes them more agile than Standard Poodles while their high energy levels makes them more active than Toy Poodles.
This makes Miniature Poodles awesome companions for outdoorsy dog owners.
Gentle
Mini Poodles may be aloof but at least they are not aggressive to strangers despite their mistrust. In contrast, these dogs are very gentle especially with children which is what makes them worth considering as family pets.
Confident And Independent
One of the main differences between a Miniature Poodle and a Toy Poodle is the fact that Miniature Poodles are very confident. They are also a lot more independent and can comfortably entertain themselves, thereby requiring less or no supervision if you have to be away from your home for a while.
Intelligent
Finally, you have the intelligence of the Miniature Poodle to look forward especially when it comes to training. However, they can sometimes turn stubborn and get distracted especially if your training session is very long.
Are Miniature Poodles High Maintenance? Grooming Tips For Miniature Poodles
A Miniature Poodle is hypoallergenic which is without a doubt one of their best qualities. This hypoallergenic nature is as a result of a combination of the rate of their fur growth and the curly fur that prevents excessive shedding.
Despite enjoying the hypoallergenic title, Miniature Poodles still shed and do need meticulous coat grooming to keep them beautiful and healthy. To help you take the best care of your dog, here are a few coat grooming tips.
Brush Your Miniature Poodle 3 Times A Week
Brushing your Miniature Poodle regularly helps prevent matting which is something that they are prone to with their dense coats and coarse, curly furs strands.
The Furminator Undercoat Tool is perfect for the job. It’s thick, metallic bristles should be strong enough to work through the thick coat on your Mini Poodle with ease.
Invest In High Quality Grooming Products
Miniature Poodles, fortunately, do not tend to get stinky. Therefore, you can get away with washing them every month or two. It is your choice of grooming products that will determine how healthy and beautiful your dog’s coat is.
The Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner is arguably one of the best options you have. In addition to the convenience of the 2-in-1 formula, this shampoo has oatmeal that helps soothe irritated skin.
Trim Miniature Poodle’s Coat Regularly
If the Miniature Poodle’s curly fur grows into their ears, it predisposes the dog to ear infections. This can all be prevented through regular trimming. Trimming also helps keep the coat generally manageable and aesthetically pleasing.
A trimming interval of 3 to 4 months should suffice.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Mini Poodle? A Miniature Poodle will cost you anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500 but can cost you as high as $2,500. As with most other aspects of the Miniature Poodle, the price range falls between the pricy Standard Poodle and the more affordable Toy Poodle. However, some of the price ranges will overlap especially in places where Poodles are readily available.
Can Miniature Poodles Swim? Miniature Poodles can swim. Their ancestors were used widely as waterfowl retrieval dogs. Modern day Miniature Poodles may not be used for the same purpose but they definitely still have the same swimmer instincts that makes them very comfortable in water. Their dense coat and foot structure also makes swimming easy for Miniature Poodles.
What Is The Difference Between A Miniature Poodle And A Toy Poodle? The main difference between a Miniature Poodle and a Toy Poodle is the size. Miniature Poodles, despite their name, are actually larger than Toy Poodles. The Miniature variety ranges from 10 to 15 inches while Toy Poodles measure less than 10 inches. Miniature Poodles also tend to be calmer and more athletic than Toy Poodles.
