Poodles date back to the early 16th century. The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the three Poodles. The Poodle's name comes from the German word "puddeln" meaning "to splash in water". The original Poodle (the Standard) was originally a water retriever. He is believed to be related to the Portuguese Water Dog and the Irish Water Spaniel. Although he is thought to hail originally from Russia or Germany, France has been given the credit for popularizing the breed throughout Europe. 

In France, Poodles were used to sniff out truffles - a French delicacy. The Poodle's intelligence and cheery disposition led to breeding down to Miniature and Toy sizes for companion dogs for the ladies of the French Court. The poodle has historically been a water retriever and a circus performer.

The Toy Poodle stands no more than 10 inches high at the shoulder. His coat is dense and harsh and comes in a variety of solid colors including: white, gray, brown, apricot, cream, and black. A Poodle's coat needs regular brushing and professional grooming to keep it in shape and tangle-free. A godsend for people with allergies, this a clean-living breed that does not shed and has no body odor.