‘I’m an animal expert and this breed is the fussiest’

Dogs bring unending joy and love to our lives, and pet owners unanimously agree their four-legged companions have made their lives better in countless ways.

Every dog has a different temperament though, and sometimes behavioural tendencies depend on a dog’s breed and genetics.

A recent poll by dog food brand Forthglade has found which breeds rank among the fussiest when it comes to food, backed by expert commentary from a leading animal behaviourist.

Speaking about some of the signs equating to fussiness in dogs and the deeper meaning behind these behaviours, the animal expert has shed light on why certain breeds are more picky or reluctant when it comes to eating their food — and the reasoning behind it is much more layered than we’d think.

Caroline Wilkinson, in-house expert and animal behaviourist at Forthglade shares: “Picky eating is an issue that owners can feel frustrated by, but it’s far more common than people realise, and it’s rarely about stubbornness. Dogs rarely choose not to eat to be difficult, rather than viewing their behaviours as stubborn or fussy, it can be more helpful to ask what they’re communicating.

“In most cases, there’s an underlying reason why your dog might appear reluctant around food, whether it’s a breed trait, sensitivity to a certain texture or aroma, or something as simple as the location of their food bowl. Working out the underlying issue and making some considered changes to overcome it is usually the first step towards making mealtimes easier.”

So, which dog breeds rank as the fussiest?

Poodles

Poodles top the list as the fussiest dog breed, achieving a perfect score of 10 out of 10. The breed accumulated 82 mentions across relevant Reddit threads, with 20 being explicit references to them being picky eaters, securing their position at the summit with a perfect 10 out of 10.

For those familiar with the breed, this high ranking might not be particularly surprising, as they’re renowned for being intelligent and energetic dogs that typically show less enthusiasm for food. Poodles represented 6% of responses in Forthglade’s poll.

Yorkshire Terriers

In second place, Yorkshire Terriers scored 9.1. A breed whose tiny stature clearly comes with strong opinions on food, Yorkshire Terriers featured in 12 direct references to fussy eating habits out of 29 overall mentions.

Yorkies actually possess a diminished sense of smell compared to the average dog, meaning food may fail to tempt them unless there’s a particularly powerful or distinctive aroma to capture their attention.

Chihuahuas

Claiming third spot with a score of 7.6, Chihuahuas received 77 mentions and have built a reputation amongst owners for being exceptionally choosy about texture and flavour.

As a breed, they’re particularly discerning when it comes to texture and taste, and they typically flourish on diversity – so when mealtimes become monotonous or uninspiring, their unwillingness to eat is often their method of expressing dissatisfaction.

Cavapoo

Cavapoos narrowly missed the top three, achieving a score of 7.2. As the first Poodle crossbreed to appear in the top 10, their position strongly suggests their fussiness may well be an inherited characteristic.

While Cavapoos represented just 3% of responses in Forthglade’s poll, Reddit users evidently found them considerably more challenging to feed.

Labradors and Bichon Frises

Labradors and Bichon Frises complete the top five, sharing identical scores of 7 out of 10. These two vastly different breeds can demonstrate remarkably contrasting attitudes towards food.

Labradors’ elevated ranking might catch some owners off-guard, particularly given the breed’s well-documented appetite, but with substantial total mentions and 17 comments specifically highlighting fussy eating habits, the evidence paints a rather different picture. Labradors also represented 6% of responses in Forthglade’s customer poll.

For Bichon Frise owners, this ranking is likely far less surprising. Bichon Frises thrive on variety in their diet and are particularly scent-driven, meaning lower-aroma meals may simply lack sufficient appeal for them.

Bernedoodles and Cockapoos

Bernedoodles and Cockapoos also secured places in the top 10. Maintaining the emerging trend of Poodle crosses displaying fussy characteristics, Bernedoodles are recognised for becoming quickly bored with routines, suggesting their selectiveness may stem less from the food quality itself and more from a craving for variation.

Cockapoos, however, are a decidedly different story — racking up 19 mentions across related Reddit threads and claiming a 21% share of all responses in Forthglade’s poll, firmly establishing them as one of the most notorious fussy eaters uncovered in the research.