Albino Toy Poodles are an especially rare and unique subset of this already special breed.
In this post, we’ll dive into the genetics behind albinism and explore what makes Albino Toy Poodles so special.
We’ll also cover their distinctive appearance, temperament, and care requirements.
So, whether you’re a long-time admirer of this breed or just learning about them for the first time, sit back and enjoy the read!
Albino Toy Poodles Vital Stats
- Breed Group: Non-sporting
- Variety: Toy
- Origin: Germany, France
- Other Names: Caniche, Barbone, French Poodle, Teddy Poodle, Pudel
- Coat Color: Albino
- Height: Under 10 inches
- Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
- Lifespan: 12 to 18 years
- Coat: Curly, Long
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Exercise: >30 minutes
- Personality: Intelligent, Versatile, Eager to Please, Active, Energetic, Confident, Agile, Loyal, Shy, Sharp
- Traits: Intelligent, Highly Energetic, Non-Aggressive, Decent with other dogs, Good with children, Highly affectionate with family members, Low Shedding (Hypoallergenic), Require Regular Grooming, Less Likely to Drool, Highly Playful, Highly Trainable, Very Vocal, Needs a lot of Mental & Physical Stimulation, Highly Open to Meeting New People
What Are Albino Toy Poodles?
Albinism is a genetic condition that affects many species of mammals, including dogs.
There are different genes that can cause albinism, but the most common is the tyrosinase gene, also known as the “C locus”.
This gene is responsible for the absence or reduction of melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes.
In most cases, the C locus mutation results in the complete absence of pigment, leaving the dog with a pure white coat, pink skin, and blue eyes.
However, the mutation can also restrict pigment to certain areas of the body, resulting in a pattern known as “pointing”, similar to Siamese cats.
Interestingly, there is only one known C locus mutation in dogs, and so far, no pure white dogs have tested positive for albino on this locus.
This means that Albino Toy Poodles are not truly albino, but rather, they have a genetic variation that causes their white coat.
Albino Toy Poodle History
Did you know that the poodle has its roots in Germany and was once known as the “Pudelhund”? The name is a combination of “Pudel,” which means to splash around, and “hund,” which means dog.
The French are credited with creating the three different sizes of poodles we know today – standard, miniature, and toy. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle.
In the 18th century, poodles became popular among royalty, and during the Second French Empire in the 1850s and 1860s, these little dogs were the talk of the town!
However, experts still don’t agree on how breeders were able to produce these small dogs that were often seen sitting comfortably in the laps of important ladies in pictures from that time period.
One theory is that the first Toy Poodles were created by breeding small poodles with tiny Cuban breed dogs imported to France, possibly mixed with Maltese Terrier or Spaniel breeds.
It’s amazing to think about how these tiny dogs have evolved and become such a beloved breed today!
The Toy Poodle, which we know and love today, likely came from the tiny poodles popular during the Second French Empire. Poodles were originally from Germany but it was the French who made them into the dogs we recognize today.
They were used for a variety of tasks like retrieving game from water, finding arrows that missed the target, and even sniffing out truffles!
At one time, Toy Poodles were trained to perform in circuses and street shows. However, these practices have been banned because of the cruel methods used for training.
Nowadays, these little dogs are mostly kept as cherished pets.
Albino Toy Poodle Temperament
Toy Poodles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, and for good reason.
These pint-sized pups are not only cute, but they also have a delightful personality that makes them a joy to be around.
First and foremost, Toy Poodles are known for being very intelligent. They are quick learners and are eager to please their owners, making them easy to train.
This makes them great dogs for first-time dog owners or families with children.
Toy Poodles are also known for being very sociable and friendly, which means they love to be around people and other pets.
They make great companion dogs and are great for families who are looking for a friendly, loving pet.
Another great thing about Toy Poodles is that they are very active and playful.
They love to play and run around, making them great dogs for families who love to spend time outside and stay active.
They are also great for families who live in apartments or small spaces, as they don’t require a lot of room to run around in.
Despite their small size, Toy Poodles have a lot of energy and are always up for a good game of fetch, hide and seek or tug-of-war.
Toy Poodles are also known for being very affectionate and loving towards their owners. They are great dogs for people who are looking for a pet that will provide them with a lot of love and affection.
They love being the center of attention, so much that they can get resentful if you don’t include them in family activities.
If you leave a toy poodle alone for too long or don’t give the dog enough attention, it may develop stress behaviors associated with separation anxiety—including snappy barks and passive-aggressive acts like chewing up furniture.
Owners of albino toy poodles must resist the temptation to baby their tiny dogs.
The cute size and silky hair of these little guys is a magnet for people who want to coddle them, but that’s not how they were bred to be.
Albino toy poodles who are carried on their owners’ shoulders or in handbags will develop a habit of wanting to be carried all the time.
To make the most of their albino toy poodle’s intelligence and willingness to please, every poodle parent should begin obedience training as soon as possible.
Are Albino Toy Poodles Rare?
In order to understand how rare albino toy poodles are, it’s important to first understand melanin.
Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes.
There are two main types of melanin: eumelanin and phaeomelanin.
Eumelanin is responsible for black and brown colors, while phaeomelanin is responsible for red and yellow colors.
Both types of melanin depend on an enzyme called tyrosinase.
If there is a deficiency in this enzyme, it can result in a lack of melanin-based pigments – this is what is known as true albinism.
Dogs that are true albinos (cc) are homozygous for a recessive mutant allele.
This means that they have inherited two copies of the gene that causes albinism, one from each parent. Dogs that are CC or Cc have full color, as determined by the other genes they carry.
Albino dogs are incredibly rare because of the genetics involved. Both parents must carry the recessive gene for albinism, and even then, there is only a 25% chance that their offspring will be true albinos.
If a toy poodle is truly albino, they will have no pigment in their nose, eyes, hair, or skin. Their eyes will be a pale blue or pink color, and their skin will be very sensitive to sunlight.
Because of this, albino dogs are often more susceptible to skin damage and certain health issues.
In conclusion, true albino dogs are very rare and result from a deficiency in the enzyme tyrosinase.
Dogs that are homozygous for a recessive mutant allele (cc) will lack all melanin-based pigments, resulting in no pigment in the nose, eyes, hair, or skin.
If you do come across an albino dog, it’s important to take extra care of their skin and eyes due to their sensitivity to sunlight.
Are Albino Toy Poodles Hypoallergenic?
If you’re allergic to dogs, but you want to add a furry friend to your family, you’ve probably got an albino toy poodle on your mind.
But are albino toy poodles really hypoallergenic?
No, they are not!
Let me explain.
According to a study conducted by the researchers at Henry Ford Hospital, there were no findings that could support the claim that households with hypoallergenic dogs had fewer allergens as compared to homes with non-hypoallergenic dogs.
So why is it a widely accepted ‘fact’ that albino toy poodles are hypoallergenic dogs and they don’t trigger any allergies?
Here are a few theories as to why that may be.
Toy poodles have hair instead of fur.
The main difference between dogs that have fur and dogs such as toy poodles that have hair is the fact that fur is denser, grows quickly, and sheds often.
Whereas a poodle’s hair grows out very slowly, which means they shed far less than dogs with fur.
Unlike breeds that have fur instead of hair, such as Huskies and German Shepherds who are known for shedding a lot – toy poodles don’t shed nearly as much.
Notice I said ‘don’t shed nearly as much‘ instead of ‘poodle don’t shed at all‘ – this is exactly the part that breeders fail to mention.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies.
In fact, allergies are one of the top six chronic illnesses causing conditions in America.
Given how popular toy poodles are, some breeders see it as an opportunity to cash in by stretching the truth to sell more puppies.
Like saying Toy Poodles don’t shed a single hair or are totally hypoallergenic when that just isn’t fair to anyone who’s thinking about adding a Toy Poodle to their family.
While albino toy poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic dogs, there are no previous allergy studies that could confirm this claim.
So, if you or someone you live with suffers from an allergy, I highly recommend talking to a qualified medical professional to get their opinions before welcoming your new furry friend to your family.
How Big Do Albino Toy Poodles Get?
You can tell a toy poodle from their larger relative, the miniature poodle, by size.
Albino toy poodles are less than 10 inches tall and weigh between 6 to 9 pounds.
Toy poodles are the perfect size for apartment living because they don’t require a lot of space.
Here’s a chart to show you how big an albino toy poodle will get and how fast it will grow.
| Toy Poodle Age | Height |
|---|---|
| At birth | few inches |
| 1 month | 4 to 5 inches |
| 2 to 2.5 months | 7-9 |
| 6 months | under 10 inches |
| 12 months | under 10 inches |
It’s important to remember that according to AKC’s standard for toy poodles, there are no restrictions on the weight of these dogs.
Here’s a table to help you get an idea about how much an albino toy poodle weighs as they grow up.
| Toy Poodle Age | Male Toy Poodle Weight Range | Female Toy Poodle Weight Range |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 2 to 4.5 pounds | 1.8 to 4 pounds |
| 4 months | 2.5 to 6 pounds | 2.3 to 4.8 pounds |
| 6 months | 3.5 to 8 pounds | 3.3 to 7.4 pounds |
| 8 months | 4 to 9.4 pounds | 3.8 to 8.6 pounds |
| 12 months | 4.5 to 10.6 pounds | 4.4 to 10 pounds |
| 24 months | 5.4 to 11.5 pounds | 4.8 to 9.6 pounds |
You can use this information to make sure your albino toy poodle stays in the weight range and does not get overweight.
How Long Do Albino Toy Poodles Live?
If you’re thinking about getting an albino toy poodle, you might be wondering how long they can live.
A albino toy poodle lives about twelve to eighteen years on average.
That’s quite a long time for a dog.
Toy poodles are among the three different varieties of poodles, and they tend to have longer lifespans than their other two counterparts—the standard poodle and the miniature poodle.
According to a study done on 74 different dog breeds in North America, “large dogs die young mainly because they age quickly”.
However, there are some factors that play into how long your toy poodle will live.
For example, you’ll want to make sure they get regular exercise and are given plenty of opportunities to run around and play outside.
You should also ensure that they’re eating well-balanced meals full of nutrients like vitamins A and C, as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
And remember that even though these dogs are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, they still need plenty of love from you!
If you follow these guidelines along with providing your dog with stable living conditions, then there’s no reason why your pet won’t enjoy a long life filled with happiness and fun.
Are Albino Toy Poodles Healthy?
If you’re an albino toy poodle owner, you want your furry friend to be healthy and happy!
They have an average lifespan of 12-18 years, which is pretty long for a dog.
To make sure your poodle stays healthy, there are a few things you can do:
- Visit the vet regularly – Two times a year is recommended. This way, your vet can keep an eye on your poodle’s health and catch any issues early on.
- Consider health insurance – If your poodle gets sick or injured, it’s helpful to have insurance so it’s not a financial burden. Some insurance plans even cover routine vet visits, which is a bonus.
- Stay on top of vaccinations – There are core vaccines that all poodles need, like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. Then there are non-core vaccines that may be needed depending on where you live and the threats to your dog. Talk to your vet to figure out what’s best for your poodle.
- Give your poodle a check-up – Regularly check your poodle’s body, legs, paw pads, ears, eyes, and so on. This way, you can spot any issues and get them treated early on.
It might seem like a lot, but once you get into the routine, it’s not so bad. And the peace of mind knowing your poodle is healthy is worth it!
Albino Toy Health Issues
Albino toy poodles are adorable, but even the best looking ones aren’t perfect – health wise, that is.
Every dog breed has their own set of health concerns and the albino toy poodle is no different.
Here are all the major health issues toy poodles are prone to:
- Hypothyroidism
- Legg-Calve-Perthes
- Hydrocephalus
- Patellar Luxation
- Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)
- Bloating (GDV)
- Epilepsy
- Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
Apart from these health conditions, an albino toy poodle can also develop other health issues such as ear infections, skin irritation, allergies, and gastrointestinal issues.
These are all the major and common health conditions that can affect an albino toy poodle but it does not mean your individual poodle will suffer from one or more of these ailments is not guaranteed.
Albino toy poodles are generally considered healthy and are one of the longest living dogs.
Related: Are Toy Poodles Healthy? [Poodle Experts Answer]
How Much Exercise Do Albino Toy Poodles Need?
Albino toy poodles are just one of those dogs that are more of a companion than a working dog.
That’s not to say they don’t need exercise, though!
Albino toy poodles are very energetic and do best with at least 30 to 40 minutes of exercise per day.
They love to play fetch and run around in the backyard with their human companions, but they also make great indoor pets if you don’t have space for long walks or runs outside.
If you have a fenced yard where your albino toy poodles can play, that’s even better. If your poodle is getting short on exercise, letting them run around in your backyard can give them the workout they need.
A well-balanced exercise regimen considers both physical activity and mental stimulation—if you do lots of fun training with your dog, they probably won’t need as much long walks to wear themselves out.
If most play takes place indoors, however, give them more time outside exploring new spaces and smelling interesting things.
Toy poodles love to exercise, but they are also fragile and may get hurt if you push them too hard. So make sure that when exercising your poodle you don’t overdo it.
If you take your toy poodle to a park where there are a lot of dogs, it is important to be careful.
Many toy poodle owners that I see at my local park never let their toy poodle off-leash when they are outdoors.
The reason being bigger dogs, which are pretty much all the dogs at the park, may end up hurting your toy poodle even if they don’t mean to.
When you take your albino toy poodle out for walks in icy cold winters or hot summers, make sure they are wearing boots that will protect their feet from hot sidewalks in summer or icy cold ones in winter.
Here’s one that I recommend: Dog Shoes for Small Dogs
Albino Toy Poodle Nutritional Requirements
Toy poodles are an energetic breed, and as such, they need proper nutrition.
To provide these cute dogs the energy they need, an albino toy poodle needs a balanced diet that includes high-quality protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
In addition to these essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals — such as B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid), vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and iron — are needed to make the food balanced.
When buying food for your albino toy poodle, always make it a point to read the food label so that you’ll know what’s in there.
The first five ingredients listed on a dog food label are the most important and are typically listed according to the quantity present, from most to least.
Meat protein should be among those first five ingredients, preferably as the first ingredient.
Feeding your albino toy poodle a protein-rich diet can help keep their body functioning properly, promote healthy hair and nails, boost muscle development, and tissue repair.
Next on the label is food filler which typically is corn, wheat and soy, or rice.
Each filler has its own pros and cons, here are some quick facts.
- Corn is widely used in dog food because it is inexpensive.
- Wheat and soy are also commonly used but are known to cause allergies among some dogs.
- Due to its health benefits and lack of allergens, rice is becoming one of the most commonly used fillers in dog foods.
To choose a good dog food for your toy poodle, consider a few things:
- How active is your dog?
- Is he overweight?
- Does he have any allergies?
As a general rule, the more active an albino toy poodle is, the more protein he needs to keep his body functioning properly.
As for the amount of fat present, lower fat levels are recommended for overweight poodles.
Grooming an Albino Toy Poodle
When it comes to toy poodle grooming, there’s no one-solution-fits-all answer!
The frequency of your toy poodle’s grooming will depend on a number of factors — including the type of cut they have and the color they are.
If you’ve got a show clip, you’re going to want to groom them every 4 weeks or so.
If you’ve got a pet clip, you can probably get away with grooming them every 6 or 8 weeks.
But what about their color? Does that make a difference?
Well, this is where things get interesting.
Darker-colored poodles need less frequent attention than lighter ones—because they don’t get as dirty!
Light-colored poodles will need more frequent baths and brushes, but even then that depends on how much time they spend outside running around on the beach or in the park.
So how often should you groom your albino toy poodle?
Here’s a common grooming schedule you can follow for your toy poodle.
- Brushing: Brush your toy albino poodle’s coat three to four times a week to keep tangle free. If your toy poodle’s trim is very short, brushing them every two to three days should do the trick.
- Bathing: If your poodle is staying clean and doesn’t have any poop incidents, then you can probably get away with bathing them once every 7 to 10 days. But if they do get dirty or have a poop incident, then you’ll want to bathe them more often.
- Clipping: If you clip your poodle’s hair at home, clipping their hair once every 4 weeks or so should be enough. 8 weeks is the maximum amount of time that an albino toy poodle’s hair should go without being clipped.
- Eyes: Check your albino toy poodle’s eye every week to make sure there are no visible issues. You may also need to wipe the area underneath their eye to keep it free of tear stains.
- Ears: Check your albino toy poodle’s ears once a week. Remove excess hair and check for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or discharge. Earflaps keep air out of the ear canal, making yeast infections more likely than in other breeds.
- Teeth: Brush your albino toy poodle’s teeth daily for a sparkling smile. Twice or three times weekly will also do the trick. Once a week brushing is alright too.
- Nails: Each toy poodle’s nails grow at different rates, but it is a good idea to trim them once a week.
Conclusion
- Albinism is a genetic condition that affects many mammals, including dogs. The tyrosinase gene, also known as the “C locus”, is the most common gene responsible for albinism.
- This gene is responsible for the absence or reduction of melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes.
- Although there is only one known C locus mutation in dogs, which has not been found in pure white dogs, Albino Toy Poodles are not truly albino, but rather have a genetic variation that causes their white coat.
- Melanin is a pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. There are two types of melanin: eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Both types of melanin depend on the enzyme tyrosinase.
- A deficiency in tyrosinase can lead to true albinism, a condition where there is a lack of melanin-based pigments. True albino dogs (cc) are homozygous for a recessive mutant allele.
- Both parents must carry the recessive gene for albinism for their offspring to have a chance of being albino.
- Albino dogs have no pigment in their nose, eyes, hair, or skin, and their skin is sensitive to sunlight. Albino dogs are more susceptible to skin damage and certain health issues. Taking extra care of their skin and eyes is crucial if you come across an albino dog.
