The Irish Troodle is a relatively new dog breed that brings together the spirited, protectiveness of the Irish Terrier and the energic and intelligent traits of the Standard Poodle. These curly, shaggy-haired dogs are affectionate, smart, trainable family-friendly pooches. The Irish Troodle is a relatively new breed so we have to look at the parent breeds to determine what it may look like, their temperament, and their overall traits as a pet.

Breed Overview

While many think of Poodles as being fancy dogs with perfectly coiffed fur, the history of this dog reveals it has a long history as a working dog. They have been guard dogs, hunting dogs, circus performers, military dogs, and retriever dogs. Poodles may have a reputation as being haughty, but they are actually very playful and loving with their owners. Poodles are intelligent, trainable, and have tons of energy.

Irish Terriers were bred to be hard workers, chasing down vermin or acting as guard dogs. They’re very loyal to their owners and do well with children. They’re intelligent and relatively easy to train. They can be dominant with other dogs so proper socialization is important. Bringing together the Poodle and the Irish Terrier will result in a loving, obedient, and trainable dog.

Irish Troodle Characteristics

Irish Troodle Puppies

You will love this pup if you are looking for a companion and a dog that does not shed a lot. Irish Troodles are obedient and training them will be a breeze.

Your puppy will need to be established at a local vet as puppies need a variety of shots over their first year of life to make sure they stay healthy. They may also need to be dewormed, spayed, and get a microchip during their first year of life. If you’re uncertain about the costs of bringing home a new puppy, check with your local vet’s office to see what your new puppy will need during its first years and the potential costs.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Irish Troodle

The Irish Troodle is an energetic, loyal dog that is very affectionate with its family. They can be stubborn, but their high intelligence means they enjoy training and learning new tricks. They will bore easily so providing plenty of mental stimulation through puzzles, toys, and games will be necessary to keep them from displaying any destructive tendencies when bored. Irish Troodles are brave and make good guard dogs if you’re looking for a family protector.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Irish Troodle is a family-friendly dog as they get along with children. The Irish Troodle is an energetic pup and will do well with an active family. They are always willing to join their families on any outdoor adventures. They make good running companions and they have also been used as therapy dogs. The Irish Troodle is a protective and loyal breed so they make excellent guard dogs.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Irish Troodles get along well with other animals if properly socialized. They have a high prey drive and will chase small animals, so it’s important to take the time to socialize them properly with other animals in the home. Proper training will ensure that both the dog and any other pets in the home are safe in their environment. The Irish Troodle can get along with other dogs, but proper training and socialization are key to these interactions. When they meet another dog, Irish Troodles usually try to become the dominant dog during the meeting. If you see this kind of behavior with your pet, you should consult a trainer immediately to head off any socialization issues.

Things to Know When Owning an Irish Troodle:

Food & Diet Requirements

Your Irish Troodles will need a quality kibble 2-3 times a day depending on your pet’s activity levels. They are known to gain weight if fed a food high in carbs, so look for a low-carb option. Their Poodle heritage means they may have some digestive issues and a low-fat diet will likely help if your dog starts experiencing problems. If you’re not sure what food to get your Irish Troodle, ask your vet for some recommendations.

Exercise

Irish Troodles have plenty of energy and will need roughly one hour of physical activity a day. Walking or jogging for 60 minutes will help your pet burn off any extra energy. Your pet will also be happy to go on hikes or spend some time at the dog park. Irish Troodles are known to put on weight so daily exercise will be important to keep your pet happy and healthy.  These dogs like to stay busy but they will calm down once they’ve had their daily exercise. They can be great apartment dogs if you are willing to make sure they get enough exercise. As long as you’re willing to take your pet for at least two 30-minute walks per day, you and your pet should get along with few issues.

Training

The Irish Troodles are intelligent dogs and will enjoy learning new tricks and commands during training. They are obedient dogs but have short attention spans. Your pet may get bored and become distracted during training, so you will need to make training fun with lots of interesting activities to keep your pet interested. They can be stubborn so be prepared to be patient and consistent in your commands during training. Some Irish Troodles show dominance tendencies from an early age, and you will need to be prepared to train this trait into submission. Positive reinforcement works well with Irish Troodles so be ready with lots of treats and verbal praise during your training sessions.

Grooming ✂️

Irish Troodles usually inherit the curly coat of the Poodle parent, so they tend to have a low-maintenance coat. They are low to non-shedding and brushing their coast 1-2 times a week will take care of any loose fur. Professional grooming every 2 months or so will help keep your dog’s coat looking its best. Trish Troodles have floppy ears and can be prone to ear infections, so clean their ears once a week. They will need their teeth brushed and their nails trimmed, so make sure to set up a schedule to take care of these grooming details to keep your dog healthy and looking their best.

Health and Conditions

Irish Troodles are a relatively new designer dog breed so there isn’t much in the way of a history of medical conditions that are known to affect this specific dog. Owners looking to get an Irish Troodle can look toward the parent breeds to determine what illness and conditions may affect their pet as they age. If you are looking to purchase a puppy, discussing with the breeder about what, if any, health issues the purebred parents have experienced might help you to prepare for future issues before they arise. If you have adopted an older dog, schedule an appointment with your vet to have your dog checked out, and be sure to voice any concerns you have.

Here is a list of some of the potential health conditions for Irish Troodles:

Male vs Female

It all comes down to the owner’s personal preference when it comes to male versus female in terms of choosing your Irish Troodle. Male dogs of any breed do tend to be larger and weigh more, so if you’re looking for a smaller dog, you might want to consider a female.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Irish Troodle

1. They are protective

Irish Troodles are good guard dogs.

2. They tend to gain weight

A proper diet and exercise regime will help your dog stay fit and trim.

3. They are stubborn

They have their Irish Terrier parent to thank for their stubborn streak. Proper training will help make sure your dog is obedient over being stubborn.

Conclusion

The Irish Troodle combines the best traits of both its parents: the Irish Terrier and the Standard Poodle. They are a loving, intelligent, energetic, and protective breed. They thrive on family life and will be good guard dogs. Irish Troodles are smart and enjoy training activities so you will end up with an obedient dog with proper training. Be prepared to provide your pet with lots of games, puzzles, and exercise for mental stimulation as they do tend to bored easily. Irish Troodles are great family-friendly dogs, and you’ll have a loyal friend for life if you choose to make this pet part of your home.

See also:

• Double Doodle (Golden Doodle & Labradoodle Mix)
• Foxhoodle (English Foxhound & Poodle Mix)

Featured Image Credit: Robert F. Leahy, Shutterstock