Poodle (Toy)

The Poodle originates in Germany, where it was bred as a water retriever, used by duck hunters. The ancestors of the breed were various water dogs of Europe. The trim, which is sometimes viewed as a fashionable fancy trim for show dogs, is in fact traditional and very practical: the hindquarters being clipped to aid the dog’s propulsion in swimming and the protective bands of hair (now fancifully called pom-poms) left on the joints and tip of the tail for protection from cold.

The Kennel Club recognises three varieties, differentiated by size. All share the same standard. The Miniature and the Toy varieties are a result of scaling down and capturing the same features in a smaller mould. Earlier Standards recommended that the traditional lion trim was used in the show ring. More recently it has been acceptable to show Poodles in other types of trim.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Utility breed group

This group consists of miscellaneous breeds of dog mainly of a non-sporting origin, including the Bulldog, Dalmatian, Akita and Poodle. The name ‘Utility’ essentially means fitness for a purpose and this group consists of an extremely mixed and varied bunch, most breeds having been selectively bred to perform a specific function not included in the sporting and working categories. Some of the breeds listed in the group are the oldest documented breeds of dog in the world.

Colour Watch

Category 2: Breeds with >2 to 10% registered NBS colours

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Apricot
Black
Blue
Brown
Cream
Red
Silver
White

Non-breed-standard colours

(NBS) Sable
(NBS) Black & Cream
(NBS) Black & Tan
(NBS) Black & White
(NBS) Brown & White
(NBS) Blue & White
(NBS) Apricot & White
(NBS) Silver & White
(NBS) Red & White
(NBS) Cream & White
(NBS) Particolour

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour, it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog. Health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed-standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registration process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a Toy Poodle puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. That's why we've teamed up with Weatherbys Scientific, a leading DNA testing lab, to create our breed specific packages.

To support your health testing journey, we provide our tailored Poodle (Toy) Breed-Specific Package. Giving you the information you need about potential health risks, this package includes test for Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), essential for this breed just for £80, saving you time and providing vital health information.

More about health

We advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)
DNA test - prcd-PRA - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs of find a list of dogs tested with the prcd-PRA linkage test that is no longer available)

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Check inbreeding calculators

*The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Health (The Kennel Club)

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.