Whoodle: Wheaten Terrier Poodle Mix Breed Care, Temperament and Adoption

The whoodle is a hybrid between poodles and soft-coated wheaten terriers. It is a designer breed and quite rare. The ideal whoodle should have a strong physique and a cheerful appearance, and he must also be hardy, strong and agile.

Weight	20-45 pounds
Height	12-20 inches
Colors and patterns	black, gray, red, cream, white, fawn, gold/yellow
Average lifespan	12-15 years
Suitable for	families with children; active singles and seniors; houses with yards

History of the breed

The whoodle appeared in the mid-1900s. The breed was developed by crossing a poodle and an Irish soft-coated wheaten terrier. This dog should combine the natural intelligence and performance of the poodle with the superb coat of the soft-coated wheaten terrier.

Poodle

Whoodle’s parents have long been a hit. The poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds. But there is no consensus about the homeland, ancestors or stages of the formation of the poodle. Images of dogs resembling poodles in their appearance can be seen on ancient Roman and Greek coins and bas-reliefs of ancient Roman tombs. Poodle-shaped dogs are depicted in the frescoes of the monastery of Monreale in Sicily and the Abbey of Saint-Remy in France. Dogs with the “lion haircut” characteristic of poodles are present on the canvases of painters of the Dutch and Flemish schools. The first written descriptions of the poodle can be found in European chronicles dating back to the 16th century, which mentioned varieties of these dogs, which differ in size and color. The original purpose of poodles was hunting, and their progenitors were shaggy shepherd dogs and the so-called water dogs, used to bring shot game from reservoirs during hunting. This kind of dogs lived in many countries of Western Europe.

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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The soft coated wheaten terriers is the second parent of the whoodle. The origin of the wheaten terrier is closely intertwined with the history of other breeds of Irish terriers. There were probably originally two groups of Irish terriers. The wheaten terrier was obtained by the method of “folk selection” from a group of dogs that lived in peasant farms and thus has a mixed origin. This dog has the stamina, intelligence and courage of a terrier, but can also work with livestock.

The coat is soft, silky, wavy and single-layered. On the muzzle, adorning hair forms a mustache and beard and, on the neck and chest – a collar and on the paws – feathers. The coat should not exceed 5 to 13 inches in length.

The only wheaten coat color of varying degrees of saturation is allowed – red, reddish-wheat, golden. Puppies are born with a slightly different color.

The mask can also be black and along the spine, there is a dark stripe. With age, the dark color disappears and the mask brightens. The dark color remains only on the inside of the ear.

The change in the structure and color of the coat occurs between 18 months to 2.5 years. The transformation takes place in several stages. In an adult dog, the coat fits closer to the body, forming large waves. In puppies, it is shorter, denser and plush.

Interesting facts about the whoodle breed

Whoodles are enthusiastic, highly intelligent and affectionate towards their owners. They need training, exercise and attention from their owners so that they remain physically and mentally healthy.

The whoodle’s coat is silky, of medium length and requires daily grooming and brushing. Dogs of this breed can have black, brown, red, silver-gray and cream coats. The coat can also be solid or spotted.

Whoodles are considered hypoallergenic dogs and may be easier on allergy sufferers than other dog breeds.

The whoodle also comes in different sizes – mini whoodle and full grown whoodle.

Whoodles, when properly trained, make excellent service and therapy dogs, due to their very friendly demeanor, fast learning and allergen-friendly coat.

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Whoodle Temperament and Personality

Whoodle range in size from small (20 pounds) to medium (no more than 45 pounds), depending on the height of their parents.

Whoodles can have coats of almost any color. But the most common coat color is the standard “wheaten” or cream that is associated with the wheaten terrier. There are also black/cream, red/cream, cream/merle, solid, merle and tricolor color combinations. Whoodles are also known for the lightening of their color over time due to the “fading gene” that some poodles have.

Also, this breed is known for its unusual fur, which is silky and curly. Dogs of this breed shed less than other dogs. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but low shedding hair can work well for family members who suffer from allergies. But even with a low-allergenic coat, the dog requires quite thorough care. Their coat grows quickly and is prone to tangle, so they need frequent brushing and bathing.

By nature, Whoodles inherit the traits of two ancestors that are distinguished by a high level of intelligence. This makes them great pets for active families who can devote enough time to satisfy their puppy’s entertainment needs. In addition, the whoodle learns quickly and can perform complex tricks.

This breed is very active, so unused energy can develop into destructive behavior. Owners should focus on the positive reinforcement of proper behavior. Some are motivated by treats. Whoodles are active, intelligent and friendly dogs that do well in a family environment. These dogs love to play with toys.

Proper and early socialization is key when living with a whoodle. This breed has strong and confident leadership qualities. The owner must immediately show his/her pet who the boss is in the house. Patience is a key factor in training this breed. Train your whoodle with kindness and treats.

Dogs of this breed are incredibly energetic, and their favorite activity is spending time with their owners – especially playing outdoor games. But four wall confinement is hard for them. The whoodle becomes very attached to a person, and it is quite difficult for it to endure loneliness. To prevent boredom, puppies should be socialized from an early age and never left home alone for too long.

Overall Adaptability	3 out 5
Adapts to Apartment Living	4 out 5
Tolerates Being Alone	1 out 5
Tolerates Cold Weather	4 out 5
Tolerates Hot Weather	2 out 5
All-Around Friendliness	4 out 5
Affectionate with Family	4 out 5
Kid-Friendly	4 out 5
Dog Friendly	3 out 5
Cat Friendly	3 out 5
Friendly toward strangers:	4 out 5
Overall health and grooming:	3 out 5
Amount Of Shedding:	2 out 5 (low shedding)
Drooling Potential:	1 out 5 (almost no drool)
Easy To Groom:	3 out 5
General Health:	4 out 5
Trainability:	2 out 5
Easy To Train:	2 out 5 (easy to train)
Intelligence:	4 out 5
Tendency To Bark Or Howl:	1 out 5 (low tendency to bark)
Activity	4 out 5
Energy Level	4 out 5
Intensity	4 out 5
Exercise Needs	4 out 5

Activity

Whoodle require a lot of daily exercise and lessons. This breed requires long daily walks and will enjoy active play, entertainment or free time to roam in a large, fenced yard. Because this breed is intelligent, it can be prone to destructive and problematic behavior if not given adequate exercise. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that you can provide them with the necessary exercises.

Whoodle’s Health and Dog Hair Care

Whoodle’s wool requires careful care. The breed inherited a curly, double coat from the poodle and a silky, single coat from the wheaten terrier. As a result, the coat of these dogs tends to tangle and will need to be brushed daily. Owners of dogs of this breed should also be prepared to invest in a groomer to professionally bathe and care for the dog’s coat.

A well-balanced diet is of great importance for the whoodle’s health and will also improve its overall well-being. Make sure your pet gets all the nutrients it needs. Purebred dogs
, like most other breeds, feed well on quality, dry food.

The whoodle comes in various sizes, so the owner should choose a dog food formula that is appropriate for the pet’s size. Miniature whoodles should be fed a dog food formulated specifically for small breed dogs. Standard whoodles should be given a medium breed dog mix. In addition, you need to pay attention to whether or not the food meets the age requirements of your dog. Puppy mix kibbles contain more nutrients for a growing dog and are not suitable for adult, athletic or older dogs. Follow the food manufacturer’s recommendations, or consult your veterinarian if you are unsure of the serving size for your pet.

For the most part, the whoodle is a healthy dog breed and, as a mixed breed, are less likely to develop congenital diseases than purebreds. This does not mean that whoodles are not prone to developing certain diseases – without exception, all breeds are potentially susceptible. Some of the conditions that can affect the whoodle breed include hip dysplasia, allergies, ear infections and progressive retinal atrophy. Buying from a responsible breeder (who will carefully select the puppy) can greatly reduce the chance of it having a genetic disease. The veterinarian’s regular checkups of your puppy also go a long way in keeping your pet healthy and happy. This breed usually lives 12 to 15 years, although miniature dogs of this breed can have a longer life expectancy.

READ MORE: All About Schnoodles

Are Whoodles Hypoallergenic?

The hybrid dogs are considered hypoallergenic mixed breed. But scientists say no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Rescue and Adoption

In order not to take home an unhealthy dog, potential owners should only work with reputable breeders who have bred several generations of whoodles. It is also important that breeders have verifiable health certificates, share health check data and allow potential owners to meet parent dogs. As a general rule, potential owners should avoid breeders who sell multiple mixed breeds, offer specific waiting times for puppies or are difficult to contact.

The whoodle looks like a very cute and plush designer dog and many of them end up in shelters, so consider adopting one if you decide this breed is for you.

Conclusions

The whoodle is friendly, playful and good-natured. He gets along well with teenagers, children and other dogs (if they have lived with it since it was a puppy). But in communicating with other pets, the whoodle may have problems. The whoodle is strongly attached to his family and cannot stand being alone. From boredom and inattention, he can begin to destroy everything around him or bark for a long time and desperately. The whoodle is suspicious of strangers and unusual sounds; therefore, it will definitely warn its pet owners about anything out of the ordinary.

The whoodle’s wool is wavy, soft and silky. The coat requires daily brushing to prevent tangles. The whoodle needs professional trimming twice a year. Also, to avoid infection, it is necessary to clean the dog’s ears often. The whoodle is prone to blistering, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia and is also susceptible to insect bites and sunburn.

This dog needs early socialization and obedience training. The whoodle does not tolerate harsh and overbearing methods. Training must be rigorous, fair, consistent and patient.

This pet gets along well in an apartment if it is well trained. He will be happy to run around a spacious, fenced yard. Whoodles walk calmly on a leash and enjoy playing with family. Therefore, this dog is ideal for a family.

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