Very often I receive enquiries about “teacup size” puppies. People ask about weight, colour, and sometimes health testing. But behind all these numbers and checklists (and let’s be honest — none of them can ever be predicted with 100% certainty), one important thing is often forgotten: the dog itself.

So what do I, as a breeder, actually prioritise? Two things above all else — health and temperament. Everything else comes after.

Health is not the same as being “DNA clear on everything”. Health is about how the dog lives — how it breathes, how it moves, how it eats and digests food, its energy levels, and its ability to live a full and comfortable life. There is very little joy in a tiny puppy that cannot eat properly due to poor structure, or one that reacts to every protein source, even if it is the trendiest colour.

This is also why I show my dogs. Not for ribbons, but to compare them to other dogs and to the breed standard — because the standard is, first and foremost, about health and functionality. Correct movement, correct coat, correct dentition and overall structure are not just “show points”, they are indicators of a well-built, healthy dog.

Health is beautiful. A well-constructed dog is beautiful. The way a dog moves, carries itself, breathes and interacts with the world matters far more than any single visual trait.

Dog shows also give me a very honest look at temperament. Toy Poodles are small, and many things we consider normal can be overwhelming for them — noise, crowds, new environments, constant handling. What I value are dogs who can take in that information, adapt, and recover without shutting down. Not perfectly, not instantly, but with resilience. That ability matters far more in real life than any specific colour or size.

Size is another topic that comes up in almost every conversation. The breed standard defines height, not weight, and I do not aim for “weightless” dogs. Extremely small does not mean better, and it certainly does not mean healthier. My ideal is a Toy Poodle around 25–26 cm at the shoulder, with a solid, well-balanced build — refined, but never fragile or coarse. In fact, my best dogs from a show perspective typically fall in the 3–4 kg range, because that structure allows them to move correctly and live actively.

My goal is not to produce the smallest possible dog. It is to produce a dog that is physically sound, mentally stable, and able to live a long, full life — not just look cute in photos.

And finally, colour. Colour is one of the most common requests, especially when it comes to reds and apricots, but the honest answer is that colour in these lines changes over time. Some puppies lighten significantly, some hold deeper tones, and some go through several stages before settling.

If you are looking for complete colour stability, a black poodle will give you far fewer surprises. Red is for those who appreciate the journey — the subtle shifts, the warmth, the individuality that develops over time. Because in the end, colour is just one layer, and it’s never the one that truly defines the dog.

Colour may change, but quality shouldn’t.