
-
Activity Level:
high
-
Shedding Level:
low
-
Grooming Level:
moderate
-
Trainability:
high
-
Good for Novice Owners:
high
-
Adaptability:
high
-
Kid/Pet Friendly:
often
-
Prey Drive:
high
-
Watchdog:
very alert
- Average Size: Small
- Average Lifespan: 10-13 years
- Registered?: other
Foodle Dog Breed Information
Overview
Temperament
Adaptability
Health
Owner Experience
Grooming
Activity Level
Size
Life Span
Did You Know?
The Foodle is a designer dog breed that is a cross between a Fox Terrier and a Miniature Poodle. Although a mixed-breed dog can take on any combination of traits from one or both of their parents, a Foodle tends to be a small, energetic, and fluffy dog with a sweet, loving demeanor and a playful personality.
Although they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. The American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Designer Breed Registry, and more all recognize the Foodle.
Foodles tend to be energetic, spirited, and alert. They love to cuddle, love their families, and are devoted to them. They get along well with children and other dogs. One of the facts about Miniature Poodles that is also true for Foodles is that they make great family dogs.
However, they can have a high prey drive, so they may need some extra socialization and training to get along well with smaller pets in the household. Overall, they tend to do better with pets they have been raised and socialized with.
Although they tend to have an open and friendly personality, they can still be suspicious of strangers until they have been introduced. They can also be prone to barking a lot as they will alert you to animals or people near your home. Training your dog to stop barking early on can help prevent this behavior from becoming a nuisance.
The Foodle is a highly adaptable dog breed. They are well-suited to homes with yards as well as smaller apartments, and thrive in homes with fenced yards. As long as they get enough attention, mental stimulation, and exercise, they can adapt to almost anywhere as long as they are with you.
As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. Because of their small size, they may need to bundle up in some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks when the temperatures drop. Since they love nothing more than to be with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
Since they can have a high prey drive, they also tend to have an urge to chase. This is one of the facts about Fox Terriers that is also true for Foodles. As such, they should only be let off-leash in securely fenced areas. Even if your Foodle is well-trained off-leash, they may ignore your recall commands in favor of chasing something interesting.
Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? They can be sometimes, but it’s not a guarantee. They could inherit any combination of conditions from one or both parents, all of the conditions from both parents, or none of them.
For the Foodle, potential health concerns to be aware of can include luxating patella, Legg-Perthes disease, Addison’s Disease, Cushing’s Disease, epilepsy, and deafness. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Foodle puppies.
Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to prevent passing on issues to puppies, so make sure you ask about the health history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done.
As a small dog breed, these dogs are also more prone to developing dental diseases. Gum disease in dogs is one of the most common health issues in dogs and often also leads to more serious problems. So, it’s important to take good care of your dog’s teeth early and consistently throughout their life.
Foodles are intelligent little dogs that are eager to please and pick up things quickly. They can be a little stubborn at times and tend to be easily distracted. Despite this, they tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels.
Puppy training classes can still be a great idea. In addition to reinforcing the training you’re doing at home, they also help strengthen the bond you have with your puppy and often offer opportunities to socialize a puppy.
A Foodle can inherit a Fox Terrier coat, a Poodle coat, or a coat that is truly a mix of both. If they take after their Fox Terrier parent, their coat will shed moderately year-round, require brushing a few times a week, and need only the occasional bath. If they inherit the Poodle coat, it will be low-shedding and high-maintenance. Daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats, and grooming every 4-6 weeks will be the minimum.
Regardless of coat type and care, you will also need to care for your Foodle’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting your dog’s nails once or twice a month is usually enough to keep them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks and carefully cleaning your dog’s ears as needed can help prevent ear infections. Ideal dental care for dogs starts with brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day, in addition to cleanings at the vet when needed.
Although they are small, Foodles are high-energy dogs. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep this dog happy and healthy. But your Foodle will likely be up for more activity if you are.
They will often just be happy to be active and spend more time with you. Just make sure to keep activities low-impact until puppies finish growing to avoid damage to developing bones and joints. Your vet can help you determine when your puppy is done growing and cleared for higher-impact activities.
A fully-grown Foodle usually stands 10-12 inches tall and weighs 9-13 pounds. Fully-grown males tend to be 11-12 inches tall and weigh 10-13 pounds, while fully-grown females tend to be 10-11 inches tall and weigh 9-12 pounds.
A Foodle generally lives for 10-13 years on average.
The Foodle is also sometimes called a Foxipoo, Foxpoo, or Foxdoodle. They are also not to be confused with the Wordle-style game about food. The Foodle dog has been around much longer than the Foodle game, and pre-dates the original Wordle as well.






