Looking for a new furry friend to add to your family? You might want to consider a designer dog! Designer dog breeds have become increasingly popular since they got their start in the 1980s. One of the breeds growing in popularity is the Terri-Poo (also known as the Terridoodle and Terrypoo), which is a mix between an Australian Terrier and a Poodle. This adorable doggo combines the fun-loving, mischievous personality of the Australian Terrier and the smarts of the Poodle, making for an empathetic, loyal, and playful pet.

Breed Overview

The Australian Terrier Poodle mix is wonderful for all pet owners — from families to singles, old hand pet owners to brand new. They’re also great for those who have an aversion to dog hair since they shed less than other breeds. Adopting one of these pups will guarantee you enjoy loads of fun and a friend for life.

Terri-Poo Characteristics

Terri-Poo Puppies

Terri-Poo puppies will vary in price depending on where you get one and how high the demand for one currently is. If you go the breeder route, make sure they are indeed a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill.

Adopting a Terri-Poo puppy will be much cheaper, but finding one at a shelter, rescue group, or otherwise reputable adoption site will be down to luck. That means it could take a while to find one. However, some rescue groups are breed-specific, meaning you could have a better chance there.

When you do bring home a Terri-Poo, expect to have a lot of playing and training sessions. The Australian Terrier Poodle mix are very affectionate and loving toward their owners, so they’re likely to create strong bonds with children and their families.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Terri-Poo

The Terri-Poo’s temperament makes it a wonderful, loyal, and fun pet. They bond strongly with their families — in fact, they are quite fond of spending time with us humans! However, they can be wary of strangers, but that only makes them an excellent choice for a watchdog.

The Australian Terrier Poodle mix are also highly empathetic. Their strong intuitiveness means they can get a read on your mood and react accordingly. Terri-Poos love to play with and entertain their humans, but they don’t like being left alone for too long. Doing so will cause separation anxiety, which will lead to destructive behavior.

These dogs are one of the brightest breeds around. This makes them easier to train than other breeds, but on the flip side, it means they can become easily bored if left to their own devices. Their intelligence means they can also be a touch stubborn.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

These dogs fit in very well with family life! They will adopt you as pack and be incredibly loyal to you and your family. Terri-Poos also make great playmates for children. However, while they aren’t aggressive, it is recommended they are always supervised when with young children to avoid accidents. Terri-Poos should also be trained and socialized at a young age to learn how to better interact with kids.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

Terri-Poos will get along moderately well with other animals such as cats and dogs. However, early training and socialization will improve the likelihood of there being no problems with other pets in the household. Because this breed loves people so much and enjoys being around them, they can get a bit jealous of other animals who might take away the attention of their humans. Early training and socialization should also remove the Terri-Poo’s need to be the alpha dog, thus avoiding fights between pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Terri-Poo

As with all breeds of pets, you should be aware of what you’re getting into before you purchase or adopt a Terri-Poo so that you can take the best care of them possible. This includes knowing what they need to eat, what grooming maintenance they require, any health issues that might crop up, and more.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Because they are a smaller breed, you should only feed your Terri-Poo one to three cups of food a day, split into small meals. Choose a high-quality dry food that features meat as the first ingredient. Terri-Poos can gain weight quickly if you aren’t careful, so free-feeding them should be off the table. Of course, puppies will eat less than an adult dog, so you’ll want to start on the lesser end when it comes to how many cups per day. Your vet will be able to tell you what the best amount will be if you’re unsure.

Exercise 🐕

When it comes to making sure your Terri-Poo gets enough exercise, you’re only looking at around 30 minutes to 1 hour a day of activity. While a fairly active breed, due to their smaller size, they won’t need as much exercise as a larger breed would. A short walk each day, plus a romp in the backyard, should suffice. Your dog should also have a stable of toys to play with inside, whether they’re playing with you or by themselves. Regular exercise will help keep them from gaining too much weight, and it will ensure they don’t become overly bored and act out.

Training 🎾

Terri-Poos require training and socialization from a young age to help curb their stubborn streak and to help them get along better with pets and children. They are highly intelligent, which makes training them easier — they’re quite good at quickly understanding the link between command and action. But they can be willful at times and will make you put in the work as much as they do. You’ll want to assert yourself as alpha early on to avoid trouble. Praise and rewards will go a long way with these pups!

Grooming ✂️

Due to their Poodle parents, Terri-Poos don’t shed as frequently as other dogs, making them a good choice for those who hate loads of dog hair or who have allergies. However, their coats may be a bit dense, depending on which parent they take after more. Brushing once or twice a week is typically recommended.

Bathing should be infrequent as too much of it could strip natural oils on the dog’s skin resulting in dryness and itchiness. Simply bathe as needed, and they should be good.

The Terri-Poo’s hair and nails will need regular trimming. If you don’t think you can do this yourself, you can find a good groomer in your area with the necessary expertise. Their ears will also need to be cleaned and checked for infection about once a week. Other than that, you’ll just need to brush their teeth a couple of times a week.

Health and Conditions 🏥

All dog breeds will have predispositions to certain types of illnesses, and the Terri-Poo, as a crossbreed, will be more prone to the types of illnesses its parents are predisposed to. Below are a few of the minor and more serious conditions that may occur.

Male vs Female

Once you’ve decided upon getting a Terri-Poo, all that’s left is picking between male and female. You’ll find there’s not much difference between them other than males may be a few inches bigger and a couple of pounds heavier than females.  The only noticeable difference will be that males may be a few inches bigger and a couple of pounds heavier than females. Either gender will be the same temperament-wise. It boils down to what your personal preference is!

3 Little-Known Facts About the Terri-Poo

1. The Terri-Poo isn’t a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) due to not being a purebred.

However, the Terri-Poo is recognized by the Dog Registry of American, Inc. (DRA), the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

2. Terri-Poos enjoy the water.

Because the Terri-Poo comes from two breeds that love the water, these guys like swimming and time spent in the water.

3. Terri-Poos are incredibly smart.

They can often memorize and understand new commands within five repetitions or less!

Final Thoughts

When it comes time to consider a dog, a Terri-Poo may be just what you’re looking for. They love people and develop strong bonds with their families, plus they get along well with children (especially after training and socialization). These pups love affection and play, so they’ll provide plenty of entertainment.  And they make excellent watchdogs!

It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or a house with a big backyard, Terri-Poos will adapt either way. If these pups get their 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise and play each day, they can live pretty much anywhere. Another plus? If you’ve never owned a dog before, you’ll do well with this breed as they’re fairly easy to train and get along with, plus don’t require an overabundance of maintenance.

If you think this breed could be a good fit for you, check your local shelters, rescue groups, or even a reputable breeder and find your new best friend today!

See also:

• Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
• Why Do Female Dogs Hump? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & How to Stop It

Featured Image Credit: megzstudios, Shutterstock