Adopted Toy Poodle

Question
Hi! I just adopted a toy poodle who is 7 years old. This is my first dog, and I want to do the right things. The previous owner fed him 1X per day, but the dog seems a little on the heavy side (he weighs 8.5 lbs and is 17 inches long from tail to nose). Isn't it better to feed smaller quantities 2Xday so to avoid hypoglycemia? Any feeding recommendations? He also has some skin problems. Any supplements you recommend?  He is the sweetest dog ever and I just want to give him the right nutrition.

Answer
Well first 8 1/2 lbs isnt to heavy for a toy poodle.  But to know for sure I would have to know his measurements.  You do not go by weight in poodles.  You also do not measure from head to tail.  To properly measure a poodle you measure from ground to the top of the shoulders.  That will tell you what size poodle you have.  If 10 inches and under you have a toy poodle.  If over 10 up to 15 inches you have a miniature poodle.  I have several toy poodles that are 9 and 10 lbs.  I have also had miniature poodles that have weighed under 10 lbs.
Hypoglycemia is NOT an issue in older dogs only small puppies.  Feeding the dog one time a day is fine.  Many people do that.  I thing feeding 2 times is better once in the AM and once about 1 hour before bedtime.  A dog will usually sleep better with a full stomach.  
If your dog has skin issues then he is probably allergic to whatever he is/was eating.  You need to get him on a top quality dog food that DOES NOT contain corn or wheat products of any kind.  These are the items that cause the most allergy issues in dogs.  I would also stay away from Chicken products as more and more dogs are starting to have issues with chicken now.  I do not recommend supplements.  I do however recommend giving your dog a 1/2 tblspn of plain yogurt with live cultures.  This will help with eye tearing and also will keep the yeast down in his ears.