He looks like a poodle to me, and a very cute one at that. DNA doesn't lie.

 

Welcome!

What's your little boy's name? He is very cute!

we were sold a toy x teacup poodle

Not to be a bubble burster but there's no poodle variety "teacup", so the breeder more correctly should have just described your pup as a toy poodle, if born of two toy poodles.

The CKC describe the size for the toy poodle variety:

Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is 10 inches (25. 4cm) or under at the highest point at
the shoulder.

The Poodle Club of Canada is a bit more lenient in this description:

Toy
The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the three varieties. Ideally not taller than 10" at the shoulders. This variety is popular with apartment owners, retired people who enjoy traveling with their pet and those who prefer a very small dog.

Weight isn't a part of the breed description so the weight should be a healthy weight for age and structure.

he’s now 12.5 lbs at 5 months

It's hard to tell under the puppy fluff if he's carrying a bit too much weight or is just a genetic "overacheiver".

This happens often enough, that a puppy will outgrow parents and expectations, due to genetics further back in their ancestry. When a pup is born of parents both of the same variety but grows over the standard set for that variety, they're called oversize, at least in the US.

Did you meet the parents? Were they under 10" at the shoulder?

My boys are a toy/miniature intervariety cross. Both have outgrown their parents although have stayed in-size for miniatures.
My bigger boy was 10.4lbs at 20 weeks, 6 days, which is smaller than your boy at a similar age.

we did a DNA test and he’s “100% miniature poodle”

Which DNA brand test was run? I ran Embark Purebred and Health and their results are described as "small" poodle, with both toy and miniature being noted in the description, but not the actual results. I've seen other members report back results of 100% and whichever variety they are, standard, miniature, or toy.

For some reason I don’t believe that he is 100% miniature poodle, I’m attaching photos. What do you guys think?

I also think he looks poodley but it can be really hard to tell purebred from crossbred just by casual photos, lovely as these are .

A side view. with him "stacked" like a show dog, being able to see his structure (again puppy fluff hides this but is expected at his age) would be more helpful, but still, the DNA test is your best source.

A shaved face would show that structure better also.

My radical example: (your boy is much better groomed than mine was allowed to be)

 

Thank you so much! So informative
Yes I used embark! They classified him as “100% small poodle” but estimated his adult weight at 19 lbs - he is also 12” from shoulder to floor currently - so I just assumed he is miniature not toy.
unfortunately did not see the parents OR litter mates… I wouldn’t even call the “breeder” we got him from a true breeder. I will attach more photos - he also has white fur patches on his feet and chest, which I’ve also never seen on a poodle before, but it may be possible? Not sure. - one of the photos is from when we first brought him home.

 

he also has white fur patches on his feet and chest, which I’ve also never seen on a poodle before, but it may be possible?

Absolutely possible. The pattern is called "abstract" or "mismark.

ABSTRACT
(otherwise know as a mismark): Less than fifty percent white, with the remaining percent any other acceptable solid color. Many breeders mistakenly call these abstracts tuxedos. They are however NOT true tuxedos.

he is also 12” from shoulder to floor currently - so I just assumed he is miniature not toy.

This is a typical growth chart for miniature poodles. He's tracking for a miniature, for sure. He's got some months yet to grow taller or could slow way down in a month or so.
It seems less likely that he comes from toy parents with that height at this age but might still be possible.
Oversize generally doesn't exceed 3" over the standard, but genetics will often have its little joke.

HEIGHT CHART FOR MINIATURE POODLES

AGE IN MONTHS	HEIGHT IN INCHES
8 WEEKS	8 - 8.5 INCHES
3 MONTHS	10 - 10.5 INCHES
4 MONTHS	11 - 11.5 INCHES
6 MONTHS	13.5 - 14 INCHES

Some miniature poodles will take up to 12 months to finish growing. Some will finish growing in height around 6-7 months but may take a bit longer to fill out.

according to body condition score for dogs, if anything he could probably gain a few,

After puppies start maturing and nearing their adult form, body con for poodles is not quite what the typical chart suggests. Poodles are intended to have a more athletic build so will be a bit leaner than those charts suggest. That's down the road for your boy .

He's a darling boy and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful life together.

I'm sure more folks will drop by later .

 

Also should say! He is not overweight by any means according to body condition score for dogs, if anything he could probably gain a few, he is turning 5 months old on Monday and is 12.3 lbs - he’s a lot of fluff for sure but he is pretty tiny underneath all the hair.

 

What an adorable pup! I kinda want to tell you we need more pictures to answer your questions--this is (probably) not true, but would let me see more of that cute face. Enjoy him, whatever size he becomes.

 

You have a very cute little one --I think pure poodle.

 

Thank you everyone! Omg yes i LOVE him so dearly, I would be happy if he became 100 lbs (impossible) ! I just thought I’d ask on the forum to see what poodle owners think. Everyone told me he had too long of ears for a poodle puppy, but he’s growing into them, maybe he’s just got a different look. Thank you all for your help

 

Relooks poodle to me and quite adorable.

 

If you want him to look like a poodle, give him more of a poodley haircut.

Strangers think our 100% mini poodle is a young Goldendoodle when he's in a similar cut.
Perhaps it's all about the packaging?

 

If you want him to look like a poodle, give him more of a poodley haircut.

Strangers think our 100% mini poodle is a young Goldendoodle when he's in a similar cut.
Perhaps it's all about the packaging?

Yes everyone seems to think he is a doodle of some sort! Some say his fur isn’t curly enough for a poodle but he’s got puppy fur 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

Not all purebred poodles are show quality. One of mine, out of a show kennel, has a small white chest spot & toes along with a curled tail, just like yours. He's a fantastic dog even with his minor conformation flaws. Your guy is a charming little pup.

 

Cute puppy. Love his color. My SPoo had very straight, soft hair when he was young.

As an FYI, in Canada, dogs can't be sold as purebred unless they are registered with the CKC, and it's the breeder's responsibility to register and permanently ID (usually a microchip, but sometimes a tattoo) them.

 

yeah, I think he looks pure poodle at first glance. His coat should kink up as he gets older.

Appricot/light red Poodles can come with white patches. Puppy Basil had a little white patche on her chest (Spoo)

 

He looks wonderful. My dog is toy x miniature apparently but who knows!

 

Welcome to you both. He's adorable. Whilst growing, the limbs can, at times, be quite ungracious. Sometimes the body has a growth spurt and then the legs grow or vice versa. Same goes with the jaw, teeth ears etc.

 

Welcome to you both 🙂 as a person that now shops when it comes to dogs. I'd buy that one looks like a miniature 100% purebred poodle to me. If you've got an Embark DNA profile plus health I'm definitely sold.🤠 Considering the traits I would want genetic health and behaviors. I don't think I'm going to easily be able to come by all that anywhere else. I know I sure couldn't when I was in the market for a purebred standard poodle. Until I realized the AKC uses a DNA marker and found a breeder selling with a multi-gen pedigree and DNA plus genetic health info.

 

Your puppy is adorable and under all the hair, looks like a purebred poodle to me.

My Sammy has a "poor" adult coat. His coat is more wavy and fine than coarse and curly. Sammy's coat, at 3 1/2 yrs old, is still cottony and more like a bichon/poodle mix. His coat was even straighter than your puppy's when he was 14 weeks old. I love it though. Sammy doesn't mat terribly if I go awhile without a thorough grooming and his fur is so soft.

Sammy is a toy poodle. Both parents were akc registered as toy poodles; however, he is 12" in height (over-sized) but only 8.5 lbs.

If your Embark testing came back 100% poodle, I would be inclined to believe the pup is purebred.

Poor coat, overly long legs, weepy eyes...I wouldn't trade my Sammy for anything! He is the most amazing dog and I love him to pieces. I do know he is 100% poodle. I met both parents and they were very nice dogs, but I have learned alot since then. Maybe the parent dogs were not the "best" specimens to be bred, but I got the very BESTEST dog for me. All this to say, some purebred poodles can have differing traits but that doesn't make them any less of a wonderful companion.

 

It’s hard to tell 100% based off puppy looks anyway. Puppies can look so different than the adult version they grow into. Plus a clean shaven face would help get a better look as well. Wait a little while and as he gets older you’ll likely get a better idea of how “poodley” he looks. He’s really stinkin’ cute regardless though. But I always thought my miniature poodle looked like a little black piglet-lamb when he was a puppy and then he grew into this svelte, graceful beauty. Haha. He is considered an undersized miniature at 13 lbs, btw.

 

Your pup is super adorable and looks just like my little Copper. many people tell copper looks like golden doodle or have asked what type of doodle he is. When I tell them he’s a miniature poodle they just reply with oh 🙃 Copper is 8 months 10 pounds 10 inches high from paw to shoulder. We recently shaved him down and he looks super super skinny, our groomer warned us! 😆

 

Awwwww

 

Poodles are generally tall and athletic (skinny) looking. He looks fine!

 

Looks like a beautiful little poodle to me. The facial hair styling makes a big difference to how poodley they look. I don't think your pup's ears are too long at all. To me, I think long ears on a poodle go a long way to contributing to the poodle special looks. I only ever have my boy's ears trimmed down if they are extra matted; I much prefer them to be long even though it means they need a lot of cleaning to stop the build up of food and other 'messes' that get into the hair. Embark seem to include any toy or miniature poodles under the 'small' category. Mine is a miniature and was just classified as small. He is around 15 lbs weight and regardless of how much he eats always has the lean look of a typical poodle. Your boy is a real little cutie. Very special and I'm sure you just love him to bits. enjoy your special boy 💓

 

Your dog like mine. 6months 20lbs. Consider big for mini poodle. He is mixed Mini goldendoodle and mini poodle. So not pure breed. Not direct a mini poodle, nor a direct mini doodle. I think there are grades : F1, F1B, etc. But more poodle in him than the doodle. That's just my opinion.

 

I think that’s normal… he looks like a mini to me. I have one, too, that people question if he’s 100% mini because he’s a mix of white and chocolate.

 

He looks exactly like my Maltipoo