Poodles come in three officially recognized sizes — Toy, Miniature, and Standard. There is also a fourth size called the Moyen, widely recognized in Europe but not by the AKC in the United States.
Poodle Sizes at a Glance
The three AKC-recognized Poodle sizes are:
Toy Poodle — 10 inches and under at the shoulder. Weighs between 4 and 6 pounds fully grown.
Miniature Poodle — over 10 inches, up to 15 inches at the shoulder. Weighs between 10 and 15 pounds fully grown.
Standard Poodle — over 15 inches at the shoulder. Most stand between 22 and 27 inches. Males weigh 60 to 70 pounds. Females weigh 40 to 50 pounds.
All three sizes share the same breed standard — same temperament, same intelligence, same proud and elegant build. The only real difference is size.
| Variety | Height | Male Weight | Female Weight | AKC Recognized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Poodle | 10 inches and under | 4 to 6 lbs | 4 to 6 lbs | Yes |
| Miniature Poodle | Over 10 to 15 inches | 10 to 15 lbs | 10 to 15 lbs | Yes |
| Moyen Poodle | 15 to 20 inches | 20 to 35 lbs | 15 to 25 lbs | No (FCI only) |
| Standard Poodle | Over 15 inches, typically 22 to 27 inches | 60 to 70 lbs | 40 to 50 lbs | Yes |
Important: All height measurements are taken from the floor to the highest point of the withers (shoulders), not the head. This is the official AKC and Poodle Club of America measurement standard.
Male Standard Poodles run 15 to 20 pounds heavier than females on average.
The Moyen Poodle
Moyen is a French word meaning “medium.” In Europe and through the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) — the world canine authority recognized in 94 countries — the Moyen is an official, distinct Poodle size.
A Moyen Poodle measures between 15 and 20 inches at the shoulder. It sits directly between the Miniature and the Standard in size.
In the United States, the AKC does not recognize the Moyen as a separate variety. American breeders typically classify a Moyen-sized dog as a “small Standard Poodle” or a “Klein Poodle” — Klein being the German equivalent of Moyen.
Mixing Poodle sizes in breeding is not recommended. Different sizes carry different health risks.
Which Poodle size fits your lifestyle?
If you live in an apartment — Toy or Miniature Poodle.
If you have a house with a yard — Miniature or Standard Poodle. If you want a hiking or outdoor adventure companion — Standard Poodle.
If you want a small lap dog with full Poodle personality — Toy Poodle.
Exercise needs also scale with size. Toy Poodles need around 20 to 30 minutes of activity daily. Miniatures need 30 to 45 minutes. Standard Poodles need at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day to stay mentally and physically healthy.
Poodle Size vs. Similar Breeds
Standard Poodle vs. Goldendoodle and Labradoodle: A standard Goldendoodle typically weighs 50 to 90 pounds. A Labradoodle runs 50 to 65 pounds. The Standard Poodle at 60 to 70 pounds for males sits right in the same range — but as a purebred, it carries a more predictable size and low-shedding hypoallergenic coat.
Miniature Poodle vs. Cockapoo and Cavapoo: Cockapoos weigh 12 to 24 pounds. Cavapoos weigh 9 to 25 pounds. A Miniature Poodle at 10 to 15 pounds is generally the lightest of this group, making it the most compact option with full Poodle intelligence.
Toy Poodle vs. Maltipoo and Shih Tzu: Maltipoos weigh 5 to 20 pounds depending on the mix. Shih Tzus typically run 9 to 16 pounds. The Toy Poodle at 4 to 6 pounds is consistently the smallest of this group — and the most portable.
wrap up
The Poodle is the only purebred dog breed in the world that is officially recognized in three distinct size varieties under a single breed standard by the AKC. No other breed offers this range. Whether you want a 5-pound lap dog or a 70-pound athletic companion, you can have the exact same breed — just in a different size.That makes the Poodle genuinely unique in the entire dog world.