Poodles come in three sizes, and height is what separates them. The breed standard sorts every Poodle by shoulder height: a Toy stands 10 inches or under, a Miniature stands over 10 and up to 15 inches, and a Standard stands over 15 inches. All three are the same breed with the same coat, the same build and the same quick mind. Weight follows height, so a Toy weighs 4 to 6 pounds and a Standard weighs 40 to 70.
Poodle size chart: Toy vs Miniature vs Standard
| Variety | Height at shoulder | Typical weight | Life expectancy | AKC group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Poodle | 10 inches or under | 4 to 6 lb | 10 to 18 years | Toy |
| Miniature Poodle | Over 10, up to 15 inches | 10 to 15 lb | 10 to 18 years | Non-Sporting |
| Standard Poodle | Over 15 inches | 60 to 70 lb (males), 40 to 50 lb (females) | 10 to 18 years | Non-Sporting |
Heights come from the AKC breed standard as published by the Poodle Club of America. Weights, life expectancy and groups come from the American Kennel Club’s breed pages for the Toy, Miniature and Standard. The standard sets height only; weight is the range most healthy adults of that height fall into.
How Poodle sizes are measured
Height is measured at the highest point of the shoulders, as the breed standard specifies. Head height does not count, which is why a Standard can look far taller than its official number. A dog that measures exactly 15 inches is a Miniature; a dog at 15 and a quarter is a Standard. In the show ring, a dog outside its variety’s height limit is disqualified, so these lines are firm.
You will see other labels in rescue listings: “teacup”, “tiny toy”, “moyen” or “klein”. None of them is an AKC variety. A “teacup” Poodle is a very small Toy, and “moyen” is a European term for a mid-sized Poodle that the AKC does not recognize. When a rescue lists a dog by one of these names, ask for its height and weight, which tell you far more.
Toy Poodle: size, daily life and care
A Toy Poodle fits on a lap and in a carrier, and at 4 to 6 pounds many weigh less than a house cat. It has the same build, coat and quick mind as the larger sizes. The small frame does bring practical limits: a jump or fall that a Standard shrugs off can injure a Toy, so stairs, sofas and children’s arms need care.
- Exercise: the AKC calls Poodles of every size “very active dogs who require good exercise every day.” For a Toy, that means short daily walks plus indoor play and training games, which suits a city apartment or a less mobile owner.
- Grooming: the same curly coat as the larger sizes, so daily brushing and a professional trim every four to six weeks, the schedule many owners follow according to the AKC. A smaller dog usually means a lower grooming bill.
- Health to watch: the AKC notes that luxating patellas (kneecaps that slip out of place) and Legg-Calve-Perthes, a hip condition, are more likely in Toy and Miniature Poodles than in Standards. VCA Animal Hospitals explains how luxating patellas are graded and treated.
- Suits: adults, seniors and households with older children who handle a small dog gently.
Miniature Poodle: size, daily life and care
The Miniature is the middle option and often the easiest to live with. At 10 to 15 pounds it is sturdy enough for hiking, agility and play with children, and still small enough to carry. Miniatures keep the Poodle’s hunting-dog energy in a compact frame, so they enjoy a job: trick training, retrieving games or a long walk with new smells.
- Exercise: a brisk walk or two each day plus play. The AKC says Poodles bred as hunting dogs have an impulse to retrieve, so fetch works both mind and body.
- Grooming: daily brushing and a trim every four to six weeks. Our Poodle coat care guide explains why the curly coat mats if it is skipped.
- Health to watch: luxating patellas and Legg-Calve-Perthes, as with Toys, plus the eye disorders the AKC lists for the breed; the national breed club recommends an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
- Suits: first-time owners, apartments or houses, families with children of any age, and people who want a small dog that can keep up outdoors.
Thinking about a Miniature from a rescue? Our guide to adopting a Miniature Poodle from a rescue covers what to expect.
Standard Poodle: size, daily life and care
The Standard is the largest and most athletic Poodle. The French still call the breed the Caniche, or “duck dog,” and the AKC calls the Standard “the best all-around athlete of the family” and an excellent water retriever. It is not a decorative dog; under the coat is a retriever that wants to swim, run and work.
- Exercise: real activity every day, such as jogging, long walks, fetch or swimming, which the AKC says most Poodles love.
- Grooming: daily brushing and a trim every four to six weeks. Expect the largest grooming bill of the three sizes; our Standard Poodle grooming guide breaks down the routine.
- Health to watch: as a large, deep-chested breed, Standards are at risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening stomach emergency. VCA Animal Hospitals lists the Standard Poodle among the breeds predisposed to it, and the AKC names bloat and sebaceous adenitis as the Standard’s particular risks. Some rescues require a preventive gastropexy for Standards. NorCal Poodle Rescue explains why on its adoption page: “bloat and torsion are fairly common in Standards,” emergency treatment costs $5,000 to $10,000, and the preventive surgery is “safe, effective and reasonably priced.” See Standard Poodle health for Addison’s disease, sebaceous adenitis and hip dysplasia.
- Suits: active households with room for a large dog, people who want a running or hiking partner, and families wanting a big dog that rarely sheds.
Poodle temperament and energy: does size change it?
No. The AKC sums up all three sizes the same way: active, proud and very smart. It calls Poodles people-oriented and quick to please when training is fun and positive, and that holds at every size. What size changes is logistics: how much room the dog needs, how far it can walk and how easily it is hurt. A bored Poodle of any size will find its own entertainment, usually noisy. Our page on whether Poodles can live in apartments goes deeper on space and noise.
Which Poodle size suits a rescue adopter?
Start with your home and your week rather than with a size you like the look of.
- Small apartment, limited walking: a Toy or a calm adult Miniature.
- Young children: a Miniature or a Standard. Toys are easily hurt by a dropped hold.
- Active, outdoorsy household: a Standard, or a fit Miniature if you want a dog that rides in the car easily.
- Allergies in the home: all three have the same low-shedding coat. Size matters only in that a smaller dog leaves less dander overall. Read are Poodles hypoallergenic before you commit.
- Budget: food, grooming and medication doses scale with weight, so a Standard costs the most to keep.
Rescue dogs are often adults, which is an advantage here: their size is final, and the foster home can tell you how the dog behaves day to day. Many rescue Poodles are also mixes, and a Poodle mix can land anywhere between the varieties. Find breed rescues by state on our Poodle rescue hub, and see Doodle rescue if a Poodle mix fits your home.
Poodle size FAQ
What are the three sizes of Poodle?
Toy (10 inches or under at the shoulder), Miniature (over 10 and up to 15 inches) and Standard (over 15 inches). They are one breed in three height varieties.
How big does a Standard Poodle get?
Any Poodle over 15 inches at the shoulder is a Standard, and most stand well above that line. The AKC lists 60 to 70 pounds for males and 40 to 50 pounds for females.
How much does a Miniature Poodle weigh?
The AKC lists 10 to 15 pounds for an adult Miniature Poodle.
Which Poodle size lives longest?
The AKC gives all three sizes the same life expectancy of 10 to 18 years. Where an individual dog lands in that range depends on its health history, which is why rescues share vet records before adoption.
Are Poodles high-energy dogs?
Yes, at every size. The AKC describes Poodles of any size as very active dogs that need good exercise every day. A Standard needs runs, swims or long walks; a Toy gets most of its exercise from short walks and indoor play.
Do Poodles have a high prey drive?
Moderate. The AKC says Poodles were bred as hunting dogs whose impulse is to retrieve, so many chase birds, squirrels and balls with real enthusiasm. They were bred to bring game back rather than to hunt it down. If you have a cat, look for a rescue listing that says the dog has already lived with one.
Is a teacup Poodle a real size?
No. “Teacup” is a sales label for a very small Toy Poodle, not an AKC variety. Very tiny dogs are easily injured, so be wary of anyone charging extra for the name.
Sizes, weights, lifespans and health notes on this page come from the AKC, the Poodle Club of America and VCA Animal Hospitals, checked October 20, 2026. An individual dog can fall outside these ranges, so a rescue’s measured height and weight for a specific dog is the number to plan around.