Are you looking for an adorable, well-tempered dog that is small enough to be at your side (or in your arms) at all times? Then look no further, I think I might have the perfect pup for you: the Toy Foodle.
A Foodle is a mix between a Poodle and a Fox Terrier. A Toy Foodle is a mix between a Toy Fox Terrier and a Toy Poodle. Since the Poodle makes up part of the mix, Toy Foodles are classified as a Doodle dog breed. Toy Foodles are also known as Toy Foxypoos, and/or Toy Wire Poos.
In this article, I will go over Toy Foodle’s history, health, appearance, temperament, and much more! Keep reading to learn all about these tiny Doodle dogs.
History
In general, the Doodle dog breed does not have a lengthy history. Since the official introduction of Doodle dogs in the late 1980s, there has been an explosion of Poodle mixes throughout the globe. Many common dog breeds have now been mixed with Poodles to create a Doodle.
However, this Doodle creation generally does not come with official records or history. This makes it difficult to track the origin and backstory of many Doodle breeds. This is the case for the Toy Foodle.
There are no credible records or data on the details of the Toy Foodle’s origin. However, history and records are abundant for the two-parent breeds: the Toy Fox Terrier and the Toy Poodle.
In the next sections, I will give you a summary of both breeds’ histories. This will give you some background and insight into the Toy Foodle’s inherited nature.
Fox Terrier History
The Toy Fox Terrier comes from a mix of smaller breeds crossed with the Smooth Fox Terrier. The Smooth Fox Terrier is a sub-breed of the Fox Terrier.
Fox Terriers originated in England as hunting companions. First and foremost they are Terriers, but they acquired the “Fox” in their name from their role in the field.
Foxhunting was a fancy and proper sport for the wealthy of England. It was as much a regal affair as it was a sport. Fancy-dressed hunters would bring along an entire troop on a fox hunt and the Fox Terriers held a place at their sides.
When the troop would come across a fox, it would scurry back into its hole to hide. The hunters would release the Fox Terriers to dig and prod the fox from its hole.
Toy Fox Terrier Origin
The Toy Fox Terrier was bred down from the Smooth Fox Terrier in the 1930s [1]https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/toy-fox-terrier/. The breeding of Toy Fox Terriers was influenced by the runts in the litters of Smooth Fox Terriers because they were sassy and full of character [2]https://www.ukcdogs.com/toy-fox-terrier. The deliberate downsizing of the breed occurred in America but the Fox Terrier has its roots in England.
The small size was appealing to those that wanted a Fox Terrier but in a smaller, more manageable size. The Toy Fox Terrier was produced by the deliberate crossing with a few smaller breeds such as the Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound, and the Miniature Pinscher.
Toy Fox Terriers were originally bred to be ratters or dogs that hunt and drive away small vermin such as rats, moles, and mice. They have a strong prey drive and are persistent in making sure the farmhouse, barn, or yard is free of some critters.
Toy Fox Terriers spent their time as circus dogs early in the 1900s. Their trainability and character made for an actual entertaining act.
The video below has a ton of good information about Toy Fox Terriers. Give it a quick view if you want to learn a little more.
Toy Poodle
Poodles have a history that spans over four centuries. They began as waterfowl hunting dogs in Germany. They are both extremely athletic and intelligent, which are two desirable characteristics for hunting.
Eventually, the non-hunting population of Europe took notice of their good looks and great traits. They slowly migrated out of the hunting grounds and into the homes of both common people and aristocrats. Due to their superior intelligence and trainability, they were often featured in circus acts.
The Poodle was bred down from its standard size to two smaller sizes: miniature and toy. The French nobles adored the Miniature Poodle which explains why Poodles went on to become France’s national dog [3]https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-toy/.
Even though the Poodle has a rich European history, the Toy Poodle was developed in America in the early part of the 1900s [4]https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-toy/. They were bred to be lovable dogs to those who lived in cities and urban environments.
The Toy Poodle’s size and temperament make it a popular choice for any dog-loving household. These same qualities make it an excellent breed to mix with, which is exactly why the toy Doodle breeds such as the Toy Foodle are in such high demand these days!
Appearance
Toy Foodles are a small dog breed that can come in a variety of colors. As a toy breed, they are amongst the tiny in the dog world.
Height
Toy Foodles stand no more than 12 inches in height when measured from the ground to the highest point on their shoulder blade. They can be as short as 8.5 inches.
This height range is an estimate taken from the parent breeds’ standard heights. Of course, dogs can vary in size depending on many factors but you can reasonably expect your Toy Foodle to grow between 8.5-12 inches.
Weight
Toy Foodles are the smallest version of the Foodle dog breed. Based on the average weight of both parent breeds, adult Toy Foodles can be expected to weigh between 4-10 pounds.
Their tiny size makes them easy to carry around with you everywhere. But just like any Toy breed, you should be careful where you step!
Coat
Toy Poodles have a curly, long coat. According to the AKC, Poodles technically have hair, not fur since they do not shed.
The Toy Fox Terrier coat is smooth and short.
Many factors determine what type of coat that a dog will be born with, but it mainly has to do with how the genes are passed on from the parents to the puppies. Since both parent breeds have different coat types, the Toy Foodle has a range of different coat types that it may be born with.
Based on social media accounts, I have seen Toy Foodles with curly, medium-length hair and I have seen some with a short, flat coat. I am sure many are in between the two extremes.
In most Doodles, the adults will have a curly or wavy coat. However, this is not the case for every Doodle. I wrote a lengthy post that goes into more detail about this along with all the information you need to know about Doodle breeds.
Toy Foodle Colors
Toy Foodles can be many different colors. This is due mainly to the Toy Poodles’ genes.
Toy Poodles have more than 10 separate colors they can be such as apricot, beige, brown, black, cream, café au lait, red, and silver.
Toy Fox Terrier colors are generally limited to: white, black, tan, brown, and chocolate. They are usually a mix of one, two, or even three of these colors.
Based on the parent’s genes, Toy Foodles can have solid-colored coats or mixed-colored coats that have one or a few of the following colors:
- Apricot
- Beige
- Black
- Blue
- Brown
- Café au Lait
- Chocolate
- Cream
- Gray
- Red
- Silver
- Tan
- White
Hypoallergenic
Toy Foodles are likely to be low to non-shedding, which makes them good candidates for those who suffer from related allergies.
Toy Poodles do not shed at all which makes them hypoallergenic. However, Toy Fox Terriers do shed.
Toy Foodle Pictures
Traits & Characteristics of the Toy Foodle
The Toy Poodle is a loyal, intelligent, and spritely dog. The Toy Fox Terrier is a tenacious, lovable, and active dog. The Toy Foodle mix takes on the best traits from both sides.
This section takes a closer look at Toy Foodle’s temperament and character.
Infographic
The following infographic gives a rating in 12 different areas related to Toy Foodle’s traits and characteristics.
Health
Studies have shown that mixed dog breeds have a lower risk of some diseases compared to their purebred counterparts [5]https://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/blog/health-of-purebred-vs-mixed-breed-dogs-the-data. This is often a topic of debate but purebreds tend to be at a higher risk of breed-specific genetic disorders.
A mixed dog, such as a Toy Foodle, has a lower risk of inheriting these genetic disorders since the gene pool is shared by both parent breeds. Regardless, all dogs whether purebred or mixed are at risk for health problems.
Possible Health Issues for the Toy Foodle
The Toy Foodle is at a higher risk for a few health issues that are common to both parents[6]https://www.akc.org/:
- Eye disease/disorders
- Patellar luxation
- Epilepsy
- Hip Dysplasia
What is the average lifespan of a Toy Foodle?
Toy Foodles have an average lifespan of 10-18 years. This long lifespan is a trend amongst smaller dogs, especially toy breeds.
Are Toy Foodles Good for Families?
Toy Foodles are excellent family dogs. They love nothing more than a big cuddle and being around their humans at all times.
They do well with young children but should be properly introduced and exposed at a young age.
Maintenance
Thankfully due to their small size, Toy Foodles are relatively low maintenance. It is recommended that you brush their teeth regularly to prevent any gum or teeth issues.
Grooming
Toy Foodles require a semi-frequent brushing to keep their coat free from mats and tangles. A full groom should be pursued when the coat is excessively long.
As with any dog, regular nail-trimming is necessary.
Exercise
Toy Foodles are an active breed. They are by no means couch potatoes. All this energy comes from both parent breeds, both of which have their roots in hunting.
They are up for just about any activity, indoor or outdoor. Swimming, hiking, and playing fetch are all great candidates. It is important to keep your Toy Foodle’s mind and body occupied to keep them happy and healthy.
Luckily, Toy Foodles do not require a large space for their exercise needs. A small backyard, or apartment, can serve as the perfect place to get some romps and runs in.
Food & Diet
Toy Foodles do not require a large quantity of food since they are so small. Regardless, they should be fed high-quality dog food on a fixed daily schedule.
Consult your local veterinarian if you need assistance choosing the right food for your Toy Foodle.
Toy Foodle Puppies
Toy Foodles are a rare designer breed. Unlike some other Doodle puppies, like Goldendoodles, Toy Foodle puppies are less common to come by.
This does not mean that it is impossible! If you are searching for a Toy Foodle puppy then I encourage you to reach out to owners on social media and inquire about where they found their puppy.
It can help to constantly run searches on the internet as well. At the time of this writing, I was able to find a litter of Foodle puppies for sale.
Price
Since they are relatively uncommon, there is not enough data to accurately provide a price range for a Toy Foodle. I was able to successfully locate one litter of Toy Foodle puppies for sale that were selling for $300 per dog.
Since they are a Doodle breed, you can expect to pay at or above $1000 per dog. Any price less than that I would consider it a good deal. Just be sure you are not buying from a puppy mill!
Final Thoughts
In this article, I covered the incredible Toy Foodle dog breed. As the smallest version of the Foodle breed, they make for a perfect companion or addition to any household that is looking for a sweet, intelligent, and low-maintenance dog.
Maybe the Toy Foodle will be your next dog? I can’t blame you. Thanks for reading!
Related Posts
- Learn more about the Foodle dog breed
- Read the ultimate guide to Doodle dogs