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View 8 More +The Whoodle is also known as the Wheatendoodle or Wheatenpoo. It’s a crossbreed of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Poodle. Breeders wanted the Poodle’s intelligence with the soft and plushy coat of the Wheaten Terrier, and they were largely successful.
Whoodles are great dogs for active families as they’re bred from hunting and herding dogs. Some fanciers might even call them hyper! Despite their boundless energy, they know how to be gentle and are great family dogs for families with children.
Breed Overview
Height:
12–20 inches
Weight:
20–45 lbs
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
Black, gold, red, white, cream
Suitable for:
Active families, experienced dog owners
Temperament:
Playful, affectionate, cheerful
Most breed specimens will take after the Poodle with their smarts, but their high energy threshold can make them easily distractible. They may require more patience and consistency with their training, but they can learn many impressive tricks with the proper focus and work!
Whoodle Characteristics
Whoodle Puppies
Whoodles are a hybrid dog breed, so they are not recognized by the AKC, and there is very little oversight in the practices employed by breeders. Prospective pet parents looking to add a Whoodle to their families should ensure that their breeder is doing their due diligence of genetic and health screening. Asking for your dog’s genetic and health information is part of being a good owner, and a good breeder will be able and willing to provide it to you.
Because Whoodles are hybrid dogs, it will be challenging to find a breed-specific rescue for Whoodles. It’s possible to find one in a shelter if you look for one since most rescued dogs are mixed breeds. Strays can bring with them a lot of different lineages, and you might be able to find a Whoodle if you look in shelters.
Temperament & Intelligence of Whoodles 🧠
Whoodles carry the intelligence of both breeds. Wheaten Terriers are widely considered pretty intelligent, but Poodles are the second most intelligent dog in the world! Whoodles can quickly and seamlessly pick up tricks and commands because they’re so smart.
Whoodles are also very active and affectionate. They’re not likely to be happy with just lazing around the house together; they want to be doing something! Whoodles will love to play with their owners and be involved in any activity you’re involved in.
The downside of having a brilliant dog is that they can be prone to becoming destructive when bored. You’ll need to provide your Whoodle with ample physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Additionally, Whoodles are known to be somewhat anxious when left alone for long periods. They’re prone to separation anxiety and won’t do well in a home where they’re alone for long periods. Prospective Whoodle owners who work out of the house most of the day will want to invest in doggy daycare for their Whoodle to help keep them occupied.
Are Whoodles Good with Other Dogs? 🏡
Whoodles are generally friendly and have pleasant and playful dispositions. They’re usually a good fit for households that already have a dog. Whoodles can be hyper and might be an overwhelming presence for a more mellow dog. So, consider whether or not your dog’s personality will mesh well with a Whoodle.
One of the upsides of having another dog with a Whoodle is the innate companionship the dogs provide to each other. Since Whoodles are prone to separation anxiety, having another dog friend that they can spend time with when you’re gone can help ease their worries.
Are Whoodles Good with Other Animals? 🐶 😽
Wheaten Terriers are skilled vermin hunters, and Poodles are waterfowl-hunting dogs. This lineage carries a strong prey drive that could be dangerous to other animals, especially small animals, and companion rodents.
Wheaten Terriers will often chase and attack smaller animals. While it’s possible to train them to leave your other animals be, their instinct is to hunt them. Before bringing a Whoodle into your family, consider whether or not the risk is worth it to you.
Are Whoodles Good with Kids?
Whoodles make excellent family dogs. Their high energy threshold means they’ll be able to keep up with your kids for playtime, anytime. They’re also affectionate and gentle with animals that they don’t consider prey, making them great with small children.
However, it’s still important to supervise your child’s interactions with your dog. The most even-tempered dogs can still lash out when too deeply disrespected, so it’s essential to spend time teaching your child how to interact with dogs appropriately.
Helping your child understand how to interact with dogs protects both your dog and your child by helping your child learn to interact with strange dogs and the family dog.
Things to Know When Owning a Whoodle
Whoodles are mixed breed dogs, so they come with the unique considerations and needs of both of their parent breeds. Prospective Whoodle owners will want to ensure that they’ll adequately care for their Whoodle’s needs before bringing the dog into their family.
Food and Diet Requirements 🦴
Most Whoodles are medium-sized dogs, but some can fall into the “small” size classification. What you feed your dog and how much you feed them will be based on their size. Smaller Whoodles will need less food to sustain their everyday activities.
Since Whoodles are very active dogs, they can often get away with eating a little bit more than the average dog of their size. Tailor your dog’s feeding schedule to their individual needs. If your dog isn’t overweight or gaining weight, then there’s no reason to deny them food.
Exercise 🐕
Whoodles need a lot of exercise. Both parent breeds are highly active working dogs that have high energy reserves to keep doing their jobs. Whoodles can even be described as hyper because of their high energy thresholds.
A Whoodle will need vigorous exercise at least twice a day to be happy. They won’t be content to have a long-term staycation with just a 15-minute walk every day. They need to be active to be satisfied. Whoodles can become destructive if they aren’t being exercised well enough.
Since Whoodles have such long coats, they can be prone to heat exhaustion in warmer months. When exercising in the heat, make sure they have plenty of water and shade to relax in, or they may suffer from heatstroke.
Training 🦮
Whoodles are highly intelligent and make fast, eager learners. However, this intelligence can come at a price. Whoodles can be strong-willed, independent, and stubborn. Getting them to follow commands when they don’t want to might be difficult.
Their high energy can also make them easily distracted. Training sessions might be interrupted by anything that catches your Whoodle’s attention. You’ll have to be consistent and patient.
Despite these challenges, Whoodles make fantastic working and service dogs. Figure out what motivates your Whoodle, be it food or praise, and then use that to help your Whoodle stay on task. Once on task, Whoodles learn very quickly and can impress anyone with their skills.
Grooming ✂️
Whoodles require a lot of grooming. Their soft, plushy coats can be prone to matting if not cared for properly. Additionally, some Whoodles take after their Poodle parents and have hair that must be trimmed and groomed to prevent overgrowth and matting.
You’ll need to brush your Whoodle at least once a day and have them professionally groomed regularly to prevent their coat from becoming a tangled mess. They may need baths between their professional care if they enjoy outdoor activities like hiking that might leave their coats dirty.
Health Conditions ❤️
As a mixed breed, Whoodles can inherit hereditary health problems from both sides of the family. Any prospective Whoodle owner should be aware of the most common illnesses present in Wheaten Terriers and Poodles.
- Eye problems
- Hip Dysplasia
- Addison’s Disease
- Protein-Losing Enteropathy
Serious Conditions:
- Hip Dysplasia: A genetic malformation of the hips causes Hip Dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia will experience a gradual dislocation of the hips as they age and can be prone to hip injuries since their hips are not placed correctly. The most common signs of hip dysplasia are an odd gait, difficulty standing up, difficulty walking, and lameness of the rear end.
- Addison’s Disease: Addison’s Disease is a lack of production of necessary hormones by the adrenal glands. The underproduction of hormones can lead to serious health problems. When left untreated, Addison’s Disease can cause dehydration, low blood pressure, and heart toxicity. The first signs of Addison’s Disease are lethargy, lack of appetite, dehydration, diarrhea, sudden weight loss, and blood in the feces.
- Protein-Losing Enteropathy: Protein-Losing Enteropathy is when protein digested in the intestines doesn’t correctly enter the bloodstream to be carried to the body and leaks back into the intestinal tract instead. This disease is common in Wheaten Terriers and can cause weight loss, lethargy, and death. The most common signs of Protein-Losing Enteropathy are weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, enlarged abdomen, and swollen feet.
Minor Conditions:
- Eye Problems: Poodles are known for having non-serious eye infections, dry eyes, and other eye problems. The most notable signs of eye problems are itchy eyes, puffy eyes, bumping into objects, refusal to go up or down stairs, and cloudy eyes.
Standards vs Miniature
Because Whoodles are a Poodle crossbreed, they can come in multiple sizes depending on their Poodle lineage. Wheaten Terriers are a medium-sized dog breed, and most Whoodles, regardless of their lineage, will fall into the medium-size category. However, some Whoodles may fall into the miniature size category if their parentage includes a miniature or toy-sized Poodle. Standard-sized Poodle lineage will generally produce a medium-sized Whoodle.
If the size of your dog matters to you, it’s essential to look at the dog’s lineage to help determine a general range for its size. Even tiny puppies can grow into large dogs, so looking at their heritage can aid in determining if the dog is right for you.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Whoodle
1. Wheaten Terriers have two different coat types.
Wheaten Terriers are known for their soft coats, but they have two different coat types. Both coat types are soft and plushy, but the Irish coat is longer and silkier than the American coat.
2. Wheaten Terriers performed every farm job.
Wheaten Terriers are initially farm dogs for the “poor man.” Being a poor man’s dog meant that they had to perform more duties for their owners. Wheaten Terriers are a dog of many skills, including herding, protection, and vermin hunting, all tasks they would have needed to perform during their time as farm dogs.
3. Poodles have hair, not fur.
The difference between hair and fur has to do with the way it grows. Fur grows to a certain length before falling out and growing anew. Hair continues to grow until it’s cut. Poodles have hair that can lessen some of the allergies that people have to dogs.
Final Thoughts
Whoodles are fun and active dogs that are great for families and experienced owners. They’re fantastic working dogs that learn quickly and do well in a variety of jobs. While inexperienced owners may find it hard to control their Whoodle at first, patience and consistency can transform even the unruliest dogs into obedient lovebugs.
Dogster always advises that you adopt before you shop, especially with mixed breeds. While breed-specific rescues are hard to find for mixed-breed dogs, there are hundreds of dogs waiting to be given a forever home. Most shelter dogs are mixed breed dogs, and you may be able to find your Whoodle there.
See also:
- Wheatador (Wheaten Terrier Lab Mix): Pictures, Facts, Temperament & Traits
- Dutch Shepherd Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Personality & Care
- Best Dog Wipes: Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Koh Photography, Shutterstock
