‘Are Toy Poodles hypoallergenic?’ You bet! These small curly-coated dogs are low shedding and won’t trigger your dog allergy symptoms.
Toy Poodle Quick Facts
Are Toy Poodles Hypoallergenic? Contents
There are many hypoallergenic dogs out there. Breeds like the Poodle, Schnauzer, and Maltese have low-shedding coats and aren’t known to trigger serious allergic reactions — but are any dogs non-shedding?
A completely allergy-free dog doesn’t exist. To understand why, you should learn what causes dog allergies in the first place.
Dog fur is not the problem!
What Causes Allergies?
Humans aren’t allergic to dog hair or fur, it’s a protein found in dander, urine, and saliva that triggers a reaction. Dander is the name given to dead skin cells — like dandruff — and this allergen is often released when a dog sheds their coat.
Even a hairless, non-shedding dog, like the Xoloitzcuintli, can’t be classified as completely allergy-free. So, while there are dogs that shed little to no fur from their coat, all dogs carry allergens in their skin, saliva, and urine.
For more information on hypoallergenic dogs, check out What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
Poodles of all sizes have a single coat made up of thick and tightly wound curls. The Toy Poodle doesn’t have fur, instead, they have hair that keeps on growing if not properly groomed.
Their human-like hair rarely sheds, which is the reason why Poodles are considered one of the most allergy-friendly breeds around. The small amount of hair your Toy Poodle does shed becomes trapped in their curls, instead of being released into the air.
Whether you have a Standard size, Miniature, or Toy Poodle, they’re going to need regular grooming. When a Poodle’s coat is left to grow, it can become matted and painfully knotted. Also, the oils in a Poodle’s hair can cause an unpleasant smell if their curls are left untamed for too long.
As they have a dense curly coat, people often wonder do poodles lose hair at all? The fact is, Poodles are an extremely low-shedding breed. These elegant dogs have a single coat and will shed minimally throughout the year.
Unlike dogs with a double coat, Poodles don’t experience periods of heavy shedding during the change of seasons. If your Poodle is shedding a lot, this is an indication that something may be wrong — more on this next.
In short.
Thanks to their tight curls, human-like hair, and single coat, Toy Poodles barely shed at all.
Shedding is an essential part of the hair growth cycle and there is no way to completely stop this process. Toy Poodles only shed a minimal amount, but these adorable and affectionate dogs may experience spells of abnormal shedding.
If your Toy Poodle is losing hair more than usual, try these tips:
Keeping on Top of Grooming
As Poodles have a low-shedding single coat, you don’t need to invest in special rakes and brushes to keep their hair loss under control. Set aside the money you save on de-shedding tools to pay for all those professional grooming appointments your pooch is going to need!
Check for Allergies
Just like us humans, our furry friends can suffer from dog allergies too. Toy Poodles can be allergic to certain ingredients in their food, as well as other allergens in their environment.
Dogs can also be allergic to dust, cigarette smoke, detergents, and cleaning products. Your Toy Poodle may also develop a grass or pollen allergy that can lead to skin irritation and excessive itching.
When your dog is scratching and itching a lot, this can lead to extreme hair loss. If you think your Toy Poodle has an allergy, take them to the vet to be professionally diagnosed and treated.
Don’t Skip Flea Treatments
Fleas are not fun for your furry friend and can cause heavy shedding. If your Toy Poodle has an infestation, they will constantly scratch, which can cause their hair to fall out.
These tiny parasites can be distressing for your dog, and you will need to treat them as soon as possible. A regular de-flea regime is essential to keep your Toy Poodle happy and healthy.
Ensure Your Toy Poodle’s Diet is Nutrient-Rich
A healthy coat starts from the inside. If you aren’t feeding your Toy Poodle a nutritious diet, they won’t have a healthy coat. Dogs need omega fatty acids to keep their skin well-moisturized and their hair follicles strong and healthy.
There are dog foods available that include Omega fatty acids in the ingredients, or you can give your pup a chew-like supplement or fish oil.
Also, provide and encourage your Poodle to drink fresh water regularly throughout the day. If your dog is dehydrated, their skin can dry out, and this can cause their fur to become brittle and drop quicker.
Heavy shedding isn’t normal for the Toy Poodle — so take a look at the quality of your dog’s diet if they’re losing a lot of hair.
Be Aware of Toy Poodle Health Issues
As we’ve said, Poodles are a low-shedding breed, and a sudden increase in hair loss is a common symptom of many different health conditions.
Poodles are known to suffer from:
Excessive shedding is associated with all of these illnesses.
Many diseases can be hereditary, so you must take your Toy Poodle to the vet if you notice any change in their shedding or overall health.
As well as being totally adorable, Toy Poodles are intelligent and extremely easy to train. These small and cuddly dogs are affectionate and will get on well with all members of the family.
The Toy Poodle may be low shedding, but they aren’t low on energy! Whatever size you choose, they love to run around, swim, and also enjoy playing fetch. These active dogs also adore their humans and are partial to a cuddle — once they’ve burnt off all their energy that is.
So, as you can see, these tiny toy group dogs have several desirable personality traits — plus they’re hypoallergenic. Yet, if the Toy Poodle isn’t quite the breed for you, here are three canines that share many similar qualities.
The Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Poodle are size comparable and equal when it comes to being around children.
Unlike Poodles, Yorkies have a silky, straight coat, but they’re grooming needs are just as demanding, whether that’s done at home or by a professional. However, with this high-maintenance coat also comes infrequent shedding, which is ideal for those suffering from allergies.
The Yorkie is highly energetic and also loves to ‘talk,’ like the Toy. And, given their tiny stature, they’re the perfect lap-sized dog.
Affenpinschers are confident and funny little dogs. They can weigh slightly more than the Toy Poodle but only by a few pounds. These dogs do require supervision around young children, so if you’re after a family Fido, they may not be the best choice.
A huge plus for the Affenpinscher is that they have short coats and only require brushing 2-3 times a week. But they do shed seasonally, unlike the Toy Poodle.
They’re also a little less active than the Poodle. And, as they aren’t quite so yappy as the Toy — if disturbing your neighbors is a concern of yours, it may be something to consider.
The Chinese Crested isn’t a breed that everyone is going to fall in love with, but they’re affectionate and lively pups.
Easy to train, yet the Crested does require supervision around both children and other dogs. And, if you’re concerned with the level of grooming the Toy Poodle requires, the Chinese may be a good choice. Their short, silky coat only requires a weekly brush to keep it in tip-top condition. Plus, they can be hairless too.
This breed is slightly lower on energy levels, and they’re also not quite as vocal as the Toy. But with a life expectancy of up to 18 years, they’ll be part of your family as long as the Poodle.
Conclusion
These little dogs have the signature curls and won’t trigger an allergic reaction. If you want a tiny hypoallergenic dog, the Toy Poodle may be the breed for you.
However, small hypoallergenic breeds similar to the Toy Poodle include the Yorkie, Affenpinscher and Chinese Crested. And, if you want a larger allergy-friendly dog, the Miniature and Standard Poodle are also low-shedding and have an almost identical personality to the Toy.
So, are Toy Poodles hypoallergenic? We have good news for you — indeed they are! These adorable little dogs have a curly coat and shed minimally all year round.
Are Teacup Poodles Hypoallergenic?
Do teacup Poodles shed? If you’re wondering if these super-tiny Poodles are hypoallergenic, the answer is yes. Poodles of all sizes are low shedding and don’t release enough hair to be a problem for people with allergies.
Is a Toy Poodle a Good Dog?
Yes, Toy Poodles are lovely dogs and make wonderful family pets. These small dogs are intelligent and easy to train and get on well with people of all ages. Toy Poodles are low shedding, but their coat is very high maintenance and will need to be groomed regularly.
What Are the Cons of Having a Toy Poodle?
There are many advantages to owning a Toy Poodle, but no breed is perfect. Disadvantages include:
- High maintenance grooming needs.
- Small size — makes them prone to injury.
- Bark more than average.
- Come with a high price tag.
What Kind of Coat Does a Toy Poodle Have?
Toy Poodles have a dense coat made up of tight curls. These small Poodles are hypoallergenic and have a low-shedding single coat. Also, Poodles have hair rather than fur and will need to be groomed regularly to stop it from getting tangled up and matted.
How Do I Make My Toy Poodle Hair Fluffy?
Poodles are well known for their pom poms and show-stopping hairstyles. If you want to make your Toy Poodle’s hair fluffy, you’ll need to use a dog blow dryer. You won’t be able to recreate this look through drying naturally.
Are Toy Poodles Good for People With Allergies?
As we’ve said, no dog is 100% allergy free. But the Toy Poodle:
- Has hair rather than fur.
- Sheds very little.
- Doesn’t drool.
Hence, this breed may be the ideal dog for those suffering from allergies.
