Papillon vs Toy Poodle

Papillon vs Toy Poodle: full comparison

Key differences at a glance

• The Papillon is a larger dog than the Toy Poodle, which affects space, food and exercise needs.
• The Toy Poodle has noticeably higher grooming than the Papillon.
• The Papillon has noticeably higher shedding than the Toy Poodle.

Size and living space

The Papillon is a small dog that lives comfortably in a flat and asks for very little space. By comparison, the Toy Poodle is a tiny, pocket-sized dog that slots into a studio flat without trouble and travels almost anywhere with you. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Papillon needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The Toy Poodle needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Papillon wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Toy Poodle is a serious grooming commitment, with daily brushing and regular salon visits and leaves virtually no hair around the house. The Toy Poodle is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Papillon is exceptionally bright and absorbs new commands at speed, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is generally good with children when socialised and supervised. The Toy Poodle is exceptionally bright and absorbs new commands at speed, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and is generally good with children when socialised and supervised. On guarding instinct, Papillon announces visitors but stops short of guarding, whereas Toy Poodle announces visitors but stops short of guarding.

Which is better for…

• For apartment or flat living, Toy Poodle has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
• For families with young children, Papillon and Toy Poodle are an even match — either can work well.
• For first-time dog owners, Papillon and Toy Poodle are an even match — either can work well.
• For being left alone during the workday, Papillon has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
• For allergy sufferers, Toy Poodle has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Papillon if you prefer lower grooming upkeep, you want a bigger, more substantial dog, or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Toy Poodle if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat, you want less shedding around the home, or you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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