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View 8 More +The Whipoodle is a designer dog breed that is fairly new to the scene. It’s not clear whether they were intentionally developed by a breeder or simply created by accident. However, since this designer breed is part Whippet and part Poodle, we have a good idea of what the Whipoodle is all about in terms of personality, temperament, intelligence, trainability, and sociability.
If you’re thinking about getting a Whipoodle as a household pet or are just curious about this up-and-coming mixed breed, you’ve come to the right place to get all the information that you need!
Breed Overview
Height:
18–24 inches
Weight:
25–45 pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
Black, fawn, orange, red, tan, cream, blue, gray, apricot, brown, silver
Suitable for:
Active families with kids, households where someone is home a lot
Temperament:
Active, playful, loyal, eager to please
Whippets come in one general size, but Poodles come in three distinct sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. So, the height and weight range of a Whipoodle can range from 18 to 24 inches and from 25 to 45 pounds. Of course, this is just an average, so any Whipoodle could be smaller or larger than this.
Whipoodle Characteristics
Whipoodle Puppies
Whipoodle puppies are energetic, curious, and friendly animals that require plenty of attention, interaction, and socialization as they learn about the world around them. You may not have any luck finding a Whipoodle breeder online, though, which shows just how rare this hybrid dog is. Not all breeders have websites or promote their services online, though, so you may have luck finding a breeder in your local area. Whipoodles may also be unintentionally bred by pet owners, so you may be able to find one at a local animal shelter or rescue center.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Whipoodle
The typical Whipoodle has an easygoing yet energetic personality. This mixed breed loves spending time with human companions and can get along well with other dogs if they are socialized as puppies. They tend to be playful and curious throughout the day, though they rarely pass up the opportunity to take a nice nap. These are extremely smart dogs, which means they need plenty of mental stimulation and physical activity to stay happy and healthy throughout their lives.
Whipoodles don’t enjoy spending time at home, which can make them seem needy at times. Someone should be at the house often to avoid problems like separation anxiety and household destruction. Fortunately, these pups are easy to train and generally easy to manage in most household and social situations.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
As a good-natured hybrid dog, the Whipoodle is a great pet option for families with and without kids. They don’t typically show aggressive tendencies, they aren’t too small to be fragile around older kids, and they aren’t too large to be a danger to younger children. However, these dogs can be rambunctious, so they should always be supervised when around little ones to reduce the risk of accidental injuries.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Whipoodle is an easygoing dog that can get along well with other dogs and cats, so they’re perfect pet options for multi-pet households. However, it is essential to train and socialize your puppy so they know how to interact with the other animals in your house. You should also make introductions slowly and ensure that all animals behave without aggression before leaving them unsupervised.
Things to Know When Owning a Whipoodle
We have just gone over the basics when it comes to understanding what it would take to properly care for a Whipoodle and what to expect as a caretaker and companion of this hybrid dog breed. Let’s discuss their food and diet requirements, exercise needs, and training and grooming recommendations.
Food & Diet Requirements
This athletic mixed breed requires plenty of protein, carbohydrates, and omega-fatty acids. A nutritionally complete commercial food designed specifically for medium-sized pups or a veterinarian-recommended formula should be sought as their main diet.
Both the Poodle and Whippet are predisposed to developing bloat, so it should be expected that Whipoodles are susceptible to the problem too. Bloat is painful and deadly and can be brought on by eating too quickly. Therefore, it is extremely important not to let your Whipoodle have access to unlimited food. If yours eats too quickly, put their food in a slow-feeder bowl to reduce the risk of developing bloat.
Exercise
Both the Whipoodle’s parent breeds were developed for hunting, making them excellent hunters themselves. This means they’re agile, energetic, and athletic. They don’t need to hunt to be happy and healthy, but they do need plenty of opportunities to exercise every day. Expect to provide your Whippet with at least 1 hour’s worth of physical activity each day, even if that time is split up into multiple sessions. Without enough exercise and stimulation, the Whipoodle is prone to becoming destructive and hard to manage. Great forms of exercise include walking, hiking, swimming, and even practicing on an agility course.
Training
Due to this hybrid breed’s smarts, the Whipoodle tends to be an easy animal to train. They learn quickly, catch on easily, and are always eager to please. These dogs may learn new commands within just five repetitions like their Poodle parents, or it might take them up to 50 repetitions like their Whippet parents. Either way, you won’t spend months on end training your Whipoodle to be a great household pet and social companion.
Grooming ✂️
The Poodle and Whippet have different grooming needs, so the way that a Whipoodle should be groomed will depend on which parent breed they must take after when it comes to their coat. If they’re similar to the Poodle, a Whipoodle’s coat might be curly or wavy, which would require daily brushing or combing to keep knots and mats away and help get rid of dirt. If they’re more like the Whippet, a Whipoodle’s coat would be smooth and short, requiring only occasional brushing to keep it in good shape.
Poodles tend to need haircuts to keep their coats under control, which is something that Whippets never need. So, your Whipoodle may or may not require haircuts. Bathing only needs to be done when it’s needed, no matter which parent breed your Whipoodle takes after more. Due to their time exercising outdoors, the Whipoodle’s nails should stay naturally trimmed. Their teeth can be brushed or they can enjoy dental chews at least a couple of times a week to keep the development of plaque in check.
Health and Conditions
Whipoodles are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years. Still, there are a few common conditions that both or either of their parent breeds are susceptible to, which means they can be too. These conditions are:
- Lacerations
- Deafness
- Skin allergies
- Hip dysplasia
- Von Willebrand disease
- Mitral valve disease
- Bloat
- Epilepsy
Male vs. Female
Male Whipoodles are typically taller and more filled out than their female counterparts. They are usually more energetic and playful, especially when spending time with children. They also seem to be more affectionate and needy with their human companions than females.
Female Whipoodles tend to use their smarts for manipulation and charm. If they want something, they’ll work over their companions by any means necessary. They aren’t clingy or needy, at least not as much as males. Of course, these differences are not set in stone. Every dog is different and has their own unique personality and temperament.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Whipoodle
1. They Tend to Be Sensitive
Both the Whippet and the Poodle are known for being hypersensitive, so it’s to be expected that the Whipoodle will be a sensitive dog breed too. Sensitive dogs are startled more easily, don’t appreciate sounds or touches that are unexpected, and may develop anxiety for several reasons.
2. They Like Heat But Dislike Cold Weather
Poodles and Whippets are designed to thrive in warm climates, which means they don’t fare so well in cold climates. So, your Whipoodle can spend time outdoors during the summer months without overheating, as other dog breeds might. When it comes to the cold months, though, a shirt or sweater might be necessary.
3. Both of Their Parents Are From England
Both the Whippet and the Poodle hail from the beautiful lands of England, though the Whipoodle is believed to have originated in the United States. However, they are descendants of England and are built to thrive in similar climates and environments.
Final Thoughts
The Whipoodle is a rare hybrid dog with all the great traits that both the Poodle and the Whippet possess. They are smart, relatively easy to train, affectionate, family-friendly, and adventurous. They get along great with kids and other pets, and they love going outdoors for fun. One thing potential owners should keep in mind is that Whipoodles don’t usually like spending much time at home alone, so someone should be in the household often for caretaking purposes.
See Also:
- Whipador (Whippet & Lab Mix): Pictures, Care, Info & More
- Whiphund (Whippet Dachshund Mix): Pictures, Care, Info & More
2 Responses
We had our Maggie for nineteen and a half years. She has the whippet waist and grace, brindle stripes on skin, hair was soft and long. she weighed between nine to twelve pounds. Was appr twelve to fourteen inches tall. Was energetic and cuddly. She ran figure eights in yard. Caught frisbees. Hunched down when a ball waa rolled to her and rolled with it. She would not eat treats. Loved licking peanut butter off of spoon. Great sense of smell. Probably some terrier in her. She loved big and small people. We miss her every second of the day. She is everywhere. She had a sister named Georgia. Blessings
Hi Sheri,
What a beautiful tribute to Maggie, she sounds like an incredible little dog with so much personality and joy. Nineteen and a half years is an extraordinary lifetime of love, and it’s clear she filled every bit of it.
Missing her every day just shows how deeply she was part of your life, and Georgia’s too. Thank you for sharing her story!