Marmaduke

Marmaduke – the little sweetheart with a BIG name

After coming into foster care as a stray, it quickly became crystal clear that Marmaduke is destined for only the bestest of lives—and to be the bestest dog for one very lucky person or family.

Marmaduke can be a little timid and unsure at first, but give him a soft touch and a bit of patience and he opens right up. Once you’re in, you’re in. If you have a spare limb, it will be claimed for cuddles and scratches—yes, even your feet. He has perfected the art of gently nudging your toes for a belly rub, and honestly… it works every time. That sweet, fox-y little face makes “no” completely impossible 🤭

He’s affectionate, gentle, and deeply loving, with a nature that makes you fall for him almost instantly.

My Ideal Home
Marmaduke hasn’t had much exposure to the good things in life just yet—walks, toys, and adventures are all fairly new concepts to him. But he’s a quick learner and has already started figuring out that harnesses mean sniffy outdoor time and that squeaky toys aren’t actually terrifying.

True to his terrier roots, Marmaduke has all the inner confidence and bravado—you can see it bubbling under the surface. He just needs a little encouragement and guidance to let it shine and fully embrace the FUN that life has to offer.

Because of this, Marmaduke will need a calm, well-adjusted dog sibling in his new home to show him the ropes. He takes huge confidence from other dogs. For example, he currently struggles to walk on his own and may freeze when outside—but happily smashes out a 5km hike when following his foster whippet sister. He sniffs where she sniffs, leaves pee mail where she does, and bravely tries to keep up with her long legs.

He also shows some distress when left alone, but settles quickly when he has his foster sister nearby. With time, reassurance, and continued desensitisation, there’s no doubt this resilient little guy will soon feel secure enough to snooze belly-up on his own.

My Energy Level
Despite being a terrier mix, Marmaduke is surprisingly chill and will happily match your energy.

• Couch cuddles? Yes please.
• Zoomies with his dog sibling? Sure thing.

He hasn’t quite figured out how to play with toys yet, but watches with great interest (from a safe distance) when the squeaky tug comes out. Marmaduke loves learning for treats—he’s smart, eager to please, and very food motivated. With a bit of training, he could absolutely become the little circus dog you’ve always wanted, with 100 tricks up his sleeve.

My Suitability to Children
Marmaduke can become overwhelmed by sudden grabbing hands and may be a bit head-shy—if it’s too much, he will choose to flee rather than react. With gentle introductions, however, he would thrive with older children or teenagers, especially if that arrangement includes sharing a bed every night.

My Suitability to Other Dogs
Marmaduke is polite and relaxed around other dogs. He enjoys a quick sniff hello and is happy to move on. He’s not a fan of busy off-leash dog parks, as pushy dogs can make him nervous, and he’ll need someone to advocate for his space.

That said, he’s fantastic on walks—non-reactive, non-barky, and easy to take out and about. Most importantly, he will need another dog in the home to take cues from. If he’s unsure about something, he watches and follows their lead… which is how he learned that watermelon is delicious and puddles are not scary.

Marmaduke is one of the sweetest dogs we’ve ever met. He has a gentle, loving nature that makes him an absolute joy to live with. He’s impeccably toilet trained (with outdoor access), has had zero accidents in foster care, and is wonderfully food motivated—making training easy and fun.

Despite his love of treats, he happily shares with his foster sister and shows no signs of resource guarding or aggression. He’s quiet in the home, incredibly well-mannered, and an all-round gem.

And that little head flop into you during a cuddle?
Game over. 💛

Marmaduke has so much love to give, and he’s ready to give it all to his forever family.