How big does a Toy Poodle get full grown?

A full grown Toy Poodle stands 10 inches or under at the shoulder, which is the line the AKC breed standard draws, and AKC lists the variety at 4 to 6 pounds. Where breeders have given the parents' adult weights, the mothers weigh 7 to 8 pounds and the fathers weigh 5 to 6 pounds.

The Toy is one of three Poodle varieties in the same breed standard, and the standard sorts them by height.

How does the standard separate Toy, Miniature and Standard?

The AKC Poodle standard measures each dog at the highest point of the shoulders. A Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under. A Miniature is over 10 inches and no more than 15. A Standard is over 15 inches. A Poodle that grows past 10 inches is disqualified from competing as a Toy, and within each variety the standard says smaller size decides between two dogs when all other points are equal.

AKC lists the Miniature at 10 to 15 pounds, so a dog near the top of the Toy height may weigh more than the 4 to 6 pounds AKC gives for the Toy.

What about teacup and tiny Toy Poodles?

The standard has no teacup size. It sets a top height for a Toy and no minimum, so a very small Poodle is still a Toy, and the word teacup is the breeder's own description. When you see it, ask what the parents weigh as adults and how tall they stand, since those are figures you can compare across breeders.

How can you estimate a Toy Poodle puppy's adult size?

Look at the parents first, and ask the breeder how tall and heavy both adult parents are, and confirm neither is still a youngster. If both parents measure comfortably under 10 inches, a puppy from them is likely to finish as a Toy. If one parent is near or over the line, or is a Miniature, the puppy could finish taller than 10 inches.

Earlier litters from the same pair are a useful guide too, so ask what those puppies weigh and measure now.

When does a Toy Poodle stop growing?

VCA Animal Hospitals gives 6 to 12 months for small breeds to reach adult size and notes that very small dogs may be there by 6 to 8 months.

Does a Toy Poodle's size bring any health concerns?

The smaller Poodle varieties carry more risk of two joint problems, according to AKC, a hip disorder called Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and kneecaps that slip out of place. For a Toy Poodle used in breeding, the national breed club recommends a knee check, an eye exam from a veterinary ophthalmologist and the PRA-prcd DNA test. Both parents' results are worth seeing.

See Toy Poodle puppies

Toy Poodle puppies on Puppy Connection are listed by their breeders. Open one and contact the breeder to ask how tall and how heavy the parents are as adults.