Poodle (Miniature) — breed guide
All the Poodle brains in an apartment-sized package. Thrives on games, tricks and being your shadow.
At a glance
- Group
- non-sporting
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5–9 kg (11–20 lb)
- Life span
- 13–16 years
- Coat
- Dense, curly, low-shedding coat
Living with a Poodle (Miniature)
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Daily grooming — this coat is a commitment.
- Barely sheds.
- Exceptionally trainable — among the easiest to teach.
- Vocal when there is a reason.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Typically lives happily with a cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Smart · Lively · Affectionate · Agile
Health to watch
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Luxating patella
- Epilepsy
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
Poodles have taken Best in Show at Westminster ten times — more than nearly any other breed.
Questions people ask
Is a Poodle (Miniature) good with kids?
Generally yes. Poodle (Miniature)s are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Poodle (Miniature) good with cats?
Usually yes. Poodle (Miniature)s typically settle well with a resident cat — introduce them slowly and give the cat a high perch and a way out of the room.
How much exercise does a Poodle (Miniature) need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Poodle (Miniature) handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Poodle (Miniature)'s day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.