Foodle Dog Breed

The Foodle, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group. No info exists about the specific origin of this hybrid, but the Foodle was likely developed as part of the "designer dog" explosion in the U.S. in the late 20th century. These energetic dogs make fun-loving, enthusiastic pets for families of any size.

A few Foodle facts: depending on the size of the Poodle parent, Foodles can vary a good bit in size--but most have Toy or Miniature Poodle parents, so they average 10-12 inches at the shoulders in height and 9-13 pounds in weight; their coats can be wavy to curly or short and fine (or more likely, somewhere in between); and like both parent breeds, Foodles are highly energetic.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Foodle:

The toy Foodle is the offspring of two breeds that, while not too similar in appearance, are alike in both size and temperament. These hybrids inherit the enthusiasm and energy levels of both the Poodle and the Toy Fox Terrier--and their personalities usually include plenty of attitude as well.

Foodle dogs don't need a lot of overall care, aside from frequent brushing to avoid tangles if the dog's coat is more "Poodle-esque." If they inherit more of the TFT's temperament, though, these hybrids will be bold and courageous, and may tend to challenge other dogs, especially bigger ones. Foodles may also have high prey drives, and might chase other pets (particularly birds and rodents). All this means these dogs will probably need training and socialization, starting in puppyhood if possible, to teach them respectful behavior. A well-behaved Foodle will be a loyal, fun-loving dog--and an excellent addition to any family! They'll make good (if non-aggressive) watchdogs, too, and will usually sound a vocal alarm if they perceive unknown sights and sounds.

Foodles, like their Fox Terrier and Poodle parents, are basically "live-wire" dogs. To keep them from becoming too hyperactive, they'll need a good amount of exercise on a daily basis.

The Foodle, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. The parent breeds do share a few inherited issues like Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disorder) and structural ailments like Legg-Perthes Disease or patellar luxation--so owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for these issues, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is 12-14 years.