Our Puppies
Our Puppies
Breeds  /  Miniature Poodle
Breed guide

Miniature Poodle

Bright, elegant and famously trainable, the Miniature Poodle is one of the most capable small companions there is — and one of the lowest-shedding. Ours are raised inside our home on our dairy farm in Kinzers, Pennsylvania, from parents who are health and DNA tested.

Stella - Miniature Poodle puppy
At a glance

Breed overview

A small dog with a serious mind. Miniature Poodles are quick to learn, closely attached to their people, and light shedders, which makes them a practical choice for many households. They are lively without being nervous, and they do best with an owner who gives them something to think about.

Breed groupToy / non-sporting group
Size12–20 pounds
Height10–15 inches
Lifespan14–17 years
TemperamentIntelligent, lively, devoted
Energy levelModerate
Good with kidsYes
Good with other petsYes
Honest fit check

Is a Miniature Poodle right for you?

A great fit if you want…
A very trainable small dog with a quick mind
A low-shedding coat for a household sensitive to dog hair
A devoted companion that stays close to its people
An owner able to keep up with regular clipping and brushing
Personality

Temperament

The temperament is the biggest reason this breed is so loved.

Exceptionally intelligent

Among the brightest of all breeds — they learn quickly and enjoy having something to work on.

Devoted

They attach closely to their family and prefer to be in the room with you.

Lively and cheerful

Playful and animated, but far steadier and less nervy than small dogs are given credit for.

Adaptable

Their size and manners suit apartments and houses alike, provided they get company and mental activity.

Appearance

Distinctive by design

Dense, curly low-shedding coat
Fine, alert expression
Square, well-balanced outline
Carried tail and long neck
Recognized coat colors
White
Clear white
Black
Solid black
Apricot
Warm golden-tan
Silver
Pale grey
Grooming & care

Keeping a Miniature Poodle healthy

Clipping
The curly coat keeps growing and needs professional clipping roughly every 4–6 weeks — the breed's biggest ongoing commitment.
Brushing
Brushing several times a week prevents the coat from matting between grooms.
Ear care
Poodles grow hair in the ear canal, so ears need regular cleaning and checking.
Exercise
A daily walk and some play is plenty — but they need mental work as much as physical.
Training

Trainability

Highly trainable
One of the easiest breeds to teach. They pick up commands, routines and tricks readily.
Reward-based methods
Praise and food work well. They are sensitive dogs and respond badly to harsh handling.
Give them a job
Puzzle toys and training games matter for this breed — a bored Poodle invents its own entertainment.
Health considerations

Why responsible breeding matters

Miniature Poodles are a long-lived breed, and the conditions worth knowing about are well understood and testable — which is exactly why parent testing matters.

Our parent dogs are health-checked and DNA tested before breeding, and we talk openly with families about temperament, grooming commitment and care expectations before a puppy goes home.

Eyes
Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts occur in the breed; both are addressed through parent testing.
Knees and hips
Patellar luxation and hip issues are screened for in breeding dogs.
Endocrine and blood
Addison's disease and von Willebrand's are known in the breed and are part of responsible parent screening.
Ears and skin
Ear hair and a dense coat mean routine ear cleaning and grooming prevent most everyday problems.
Modern lifestyles

A breed that fits the way we live now

Apartments and smaller homes

One of the better small breeds for limited space — quiet-mannered indoors and light shedding.

Families

Good with children who have been taught to handle a small dog gently.

Companionship

Attentive, affectionate company for anyone who wants a dog close by and engaged.

Our story

Why the Miniature Poodle is more dog than people expect

The Poodle's show haircut has done the breed no favours. Underneath it is a genuinely clever, athletic working dog in a small frame — the sort of dog that learns a routine in a week and then waits for the next thing. Families who enjoy teaching a dog usually find the Miniature Poodle the most rewarding small breed they have owned. Families who want a dog that asks nothing of them usually find it too busy.

Clever
They learn fast and need something to occupy their mind.
Low-shedding
Practical for households sensitive to dog hair.
Devoted
Closely bonded to their people and happiest in company.
Long-lived
Commonly 14 to 17 years, among the longer-lived breeds.

Our puppies are raised inside our home alongside our family, not in a kennel, with regular human interaction and exposure to normal household and farm sounds. Every puppy goes home vet-checked, up to date on vaccinations and deworming, microchipped, and with lifelong support from us.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about Miniature Poodles

Barely. The curly coat holds loose hair rather than dropping it, which is why Poodles suit households sensitive to dog hair. The trade-off is clipping every 4 to 6 weeks.

Think a Miniature Poodle is your match?

See who's available now, or join the waitlist for an upcoming litter.

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