Foodle (Toy Poodle & Toy Fox Terrier): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The Foodle is the puppy product of the Toy Fox Terrier and the Toy Poodle, and boy, is this little guy cute. He is an unusual mix, but considering how popular Poodle mixes are, and that dog lovers are now seeking something a little more unique compared to your traditional family favorites, we predict this guy is going to get popular.

He is sassy, full of energy, and a typical terrier character. He is great fun and will keep you on your toes. The Foodle is a toy dog who needs special considerations, and he doesn’t fit well with all types of families.

This means that before you commit to a Foodle, you need to make sure that he suits you and your lifestyle. Because despite being a small pooch, his personality is larger than life. And if you don’t make him happy, he’ll make sure that you know about it.

This breed guide is a must-read for anyone considering welcoming a Foodle into their life. So, let’s stop doodling around and jump straight into the Foodle details.

Foodle Puppies

The Foodle is a toy dog who needs a considerate family. He only weighs up to six pounds, and he can easily be squashed if his family doesn’t pay attention. If you are the sort of family that rough and tumble without much thought, we would suggest that you find a more robust breed.

For this reason, although he loves children, he shouldn’t be placed into a home with young kids. Because he is so small, they often treat him like a toy, and accidents can easily happen. Not only is this dangerous for him, but it can also be costly for his family should he suffer from any injuries.

The Foodle is also not a typical toy dog, so if you are searching for a lapdog, this is not the breed for you. Although he does love a stroke and a cuddle every night, his terrier energy means he cannot sit still for too long.

He makes an excellent watchdog, which is fantastic if your doorbell is broken. But not so great if your neighbors are annoyed easily by noise. We say that he is suitable for apartment living because of his size, but you need to consider your neighbors and any noise restrictions that he might break.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Foodle

1. The Foodle is not a typical toy dog.

This guy cannot sit still for too long, so he isn’t like a traditional toy dog bred to sit nicely on the laps of their owners. He has a little bit of terrier blood in him, which means lots of energy and tenacity. And, contrary to popular parent, his Poodle parent isn’t entirely chilled either.

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2. The Foodle has larger-than-life ears.

Thanks to his Toy Fox Terrier parent, he usually inherits the sky-high ears, which add to his cutesy charm.

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3. The Foodle has a high prey drive.

Despite his pretty little frame and face, this guy has a super high prey drive. And because he is so light and tiny, he is as quick as a rocket. For this reason, unless you fancy wriggling into fox holes on every walk, we advise to keep him on a leash.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Foodle 🧠

Although we mentioned earlier that the Foodle is not a typical lapdog, he is not a typical terrier either. His Toy Fox Terrier parent was bred to be a little less terrier than a Fox Terrier, and he is often described as a perfected blend of toy and terrier. This means you can expect a pooch that has an off-switch, unlike some terriers.

This is excellent news if you are looking for a boxset partner. And, when it is time to chill, he is also very cuddly and loving. Because he is so small, he can snuggle into the crook of your arm, or lay on top of your shoulder, and you can snooze the night away.

He is fantastic fun and super bouncy too. This guy is not shy, and he loves to be the center of family attention. This guy needs lots of interactive playtime throughout the day, so you will find a game player in the Foodle for sure.

He is always on high alert, mainly for squirrels, but also for strangers. He is a noisy little guy, but if you like the watchdog traits that many small dogs have, this guy could be ideal for you. He is also a courageous canine who will take anything on, be that a mouse, an elephant, or an intruder. His brave personality can get him into trouble, so be sure to keep an eye on him.

The Foodle is very intelligent, but it depends on what side of his crate he got out of. If he is feeling obedient, he’ll answer your every call and heel. But if he is having a defiant cheeky day, the only thing that you can be sure of is that he won’t take a blind bit of notice of you.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, the Foodle makes a good family pet, but he needs a particular type of family. Because of his small stature and tiny bones, we suggest that his family has older children that know how to handle small dogs. Small children often treat him like a toy, which leads to broken bones and worse.

His ideal family would be one that can spend most of their family with him. This guy does not like to be alone, and he can suffer from severe separation anxiety. So, if your family is always out, either because of long hours at work or because you like to socialize, the Foodle is not the dog for you. But being so tiny, you can easily fit him into your purse, so there’s no excuse to leave him home alone for too long.

As long as you consider how barky he is, he is suitable for small apartment living. He would appreciate a little yard for him to drool over the passing squirrels, but this isn’t necessary for him, unlike other dogs. He might get lost in a large house, but he’ll stick to you like glue anyway, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Foodle, as long as he is socialized well as a pup, will get along well with most other pets. He will get along swell with other dogs, and probably cats too. But because of his ratting lineage, he will not live comfortably with pet rodents. Unless you, and your pet rodents, like to live life on the edge, we advise against this.

Socialization is essential here, though, and if he isn’t socialized well, there is a high chance that he will not get along well with other pets. Just like any other dog, if you are welcoming another pet into the family fold, be sure to introduce them slowly. This is to make sure that they will happily cohabit together, and it needs to be done before you make any commitments.

Things to Know When Owning a Foodle:

Now that you know all about his personality, there are a few other things that you need to know about what he needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Foodle is a tiny dog with a small tummy, and this means that he only needs around one cup of food every day. This is excellent news because you will not need to spend a fortune on his monthly food bill.

Always feed him the best quality food that you can afford because nutrition is one of the easiest ways to keep him healthy. Look for a kibble that provides a well-balanced diet, including meat protein, healthy carbohydrates, fiber, omega fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Because of his tiny mouth, you’ll need to purchase a kibble designed for toy or small breeds. Although this might sound obvious, you’d be surprised just how many new toy owners have bought standard kibbles for their toy pups. Only to throw it in the bin because the biscuits are too big for their mouths.

Many smaller dogs need to eat little and often, so you can expect to feed your little Foodle three or four meals every day. This is because their stomachs are smaller, but also because they have a faster metabolism, and it helps to stabilize their blood sugars.

Exercise 🐕

The Foodle needs around 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Both of his parents are high energy dogs, but because he is the smaller toy version of his energetic parents, he doesn’t need as much exercise.

He will also need plenty of interactive playtime throughout the day on top of his exercise. He is a little live wire with plenty of brain energy. Be sure to invest in plenty of toys that he can play with for those times when you haven’t got too much time for playtime.

Always keep this guy on a leash because of his high prey drive. Trust us when we say, you’ll struggle to get this guy back if he sees something small and furry.

Training 🦮

The Foodle needs early socialization if you want him to grow up into the polite and happy pooch we all know and love. Socialization involves mixing him with other dogs to provide him with polite puppy etiquette. As well as exposing him to new sounds, smells, sights, and environments. This will increase his confidence and make your life a whole lot easier too.

The Foodle will inherit a stubborn streak, but thankfully his eagerness to please will balance this trait. Ideally, you will need an awareness of how to train stubborn dogs, and novice dog owners might struggle with the Foodle.

The Foodle, being a small but feisty dog, will suffer from ‘small dog syndrome’ if you allow him to. So, you need to be fair but firm with him to avoid these spoilt behaviors. Positive reinforcement training is always the most effective way to train any dog.

Because the Foodle suffers from separation anxiety when left alone, it’s a great idea to crate train him. Not only will this give him a safe space to relax when you do have to pop out without him, but it’ll also provide you with peace of mind knowing that he isn’t out wrecking the joint.

Grooming ✂️

The Foodle is a small dog, and so it will not take long to groom him. Because he is part Poodle, you can expect that his coat will have a slight curl. He might also be part hypoallergenic – please notice that we said might, not definitely. So if this is important to you, please don’t count on him to be. This means he might not shed as much as most other dogs, but again he might.

His coat will be medium length, and it’ll need brushing several times a week with a slicker brush to keep his curls tangle free and smart. Matting is painful, so please keep on top of his coat. If his jacket takes after his Fox parent, in that it is short and straight, he’ll need much less brushing.

Bathe him every 8 to 12 weeks. Poodles are known for their sensitive skin, so be sure to invest in a gentle shampoo, such as an oatmeal-based formula.

His compact mouth will need cleaning several times a week with doggy toothpaste and clip his nails as soon as you can hear them tapping on the floor. Grooming is a great way to bond with your Foodle, and he will love the attention for sure.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Foodle is a relatively healthy dog who, on average, lives between 13 to 15 years. Just like all other mixed breed dogs, he can inherit the health problems concerned with either parent. Below is a list of the most common health concerns seen in the Foodle breed.

Male vs. Female

There is very little difference between a male and a female Foodle. Because the breed is so tiny, the size difference between the genders is hardly noticeable. Training and the family environment is the most influential factor on their personality rather than gender.

Final Thoughts

The Foodle is a fun and energetic bundle of joy that can fit into the palms of your hands. With his larger than life ears, cute button eyes, and cheeky smile, you can be sure that he will melt even the hardest of hearts.

If you can be around for most of his day or take him with you wherever you go, the Foodle will make for a fantastic pawtner in crime. Ideally, he needs an experienced dog owner who knows how to handle his sass. As well as an older family who knows how to handle his tiny stature and be considerate of his toy needs.

Thankfully, he is an easy-going canine who has a real love for life. So, if you tick all of his boxes, he will be sure to tick all of yours as well.

• See also: Golden Mountain Dog Mixed Breed Info, Pictures, Facts, & Traits

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Featured Image Credit: 1, 2.