This adorable hybrid dog, the Woodle, is a combination of a Welsh Terrier and a Poodle. They are sometimes called Welshpoo Terriers or Welshdoodle Terriers. They are active dogs that love to play, but they don’t require excessive amounts of exercise. They are fit for apartment living and enjoy going for walks or playing in an enclosed outdoor area. Keep an eye on them, though, because the Woodle does have a prey drive. A small, furry animal darting across their path means the chase is on!
Breed Overview
Height:
15–20 inches
Weight:
20–50 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
White, black, apricot, cream, tan
Suitable for:
Active families, children, apartment living, multi-pet households
Temperament:
Social, calm, loving, affectionate, good with kids, loyal, playful
The size difference among members of this mix is because Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles can all contribute to their creation.
The Woodle breed has a cuddly teddy bear appearance. Their coats can be curly, wavy, wiry, or silky, depending on which traits they inherited from their parents. They are intelligent and can easily learn new tricks and commands. They are also happy just to cuddle next to you on the couch. These calm and happy dogs are great for families because of their size and ability to get along well with children.
Woodle Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
Woodle Puppies
Image Credit: Rory Makaroy, Shutterstock
Reputable breeders will only sell puppies that are health-guaranteed by a veterinarian and born to parents that were genetically tested for health conditions before breeding. This means the price of the puppies may be a little higher, but you’ll avoid pricey vet bills down the road. Woodles with inherited genetic diseases will need treatment and possible medications that can be expensive.
Your Woodle puppy should also come with their first vaccinations, deworming, and possibly, a spay or neuter surgery if applicable. These things will also factor into their cost. Avoid breeders who won’t let you come meet the puppies or parent dogs before you purchase.
Other factors that affect the price of Woodle puppies are coat color, size, and location. If the puppies are bred in colors that are considered exotic, such as merle, red, or silver, the cost can be much higher. A Woodle puppy can inherit their coat from either parent dog, but the more that it resembles a Poodle’s coat, the higher the price can be. Poodle coats are thought to be more allergy-friendly. Smaller Woodles can also cost more than Standard size dogs.
If you are interested in adopting a Woodle puppy instead of purchasing one, you can check your local animal rescue facilities to see if this breed is available. You can also see if local Poodle or Welsh Terrier rescues have any Woodles that are looking for homes. At a rescue facility, you will pay less for an adoption fee than you would at a breeder’s. The dog will also come fully age-appropriately vetted. Be aware that you may be getting an older dog and not know anything about their parents or genetics. This doesn’t mean they won’t make a loving family companion, though.
Image Credit: Left- ivkatefoto, Shutterstock | Right – chrisukphoto, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Woodle
Woodles are gentle and cheery dogs that are fun to play with. They don’t require much exercise and are happy to chase a ball down the hallway in the house or go for a couple of walks a day. If an enclosed outdoor area is available, even better. This loyal dog is loving and protective, having a deep devotion to their owners. They make ideal pets for children because of their calm and easy-going nature.
Woodles find it easy to learn new tricks and always want to please their owners. They are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement. Their intelligence, combined with their gentleness, make them ideal candidates for service or therapy dogs.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Woodle makes a wonderful family dog. They love spending time with people, snuggling, playing, and being a part of the group. They are affectionate dogs that do well with children, even babies. They don’t have extremely high energy levels so they won’t overwhelm small kids. They enjoy car rides and like to take leisurely walks with their people.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶😽
Woodles like other pets and get along well with them. If people aren’t available, it’s not unusual for a Woodle to try to snuggle up next to another dog or the family cat. This dog should be watched around small animals, however. Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other furry critters can trigger their prey drive. They do best in homes without these animals present. If that’s not possible, care should be taken to avoid small animals having any interaction with the Woodle. Cages and enclosures should be out of this dog’s reach.
Owning a Woodle is fun and exciting, but a few responsibilities come with it. This breed has certain care requirements that will ensure that they live the healthiest, happiest lives possible.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Food made for your Woodle’s life stage is the first thing to make sure they’re eating. Puppies will require more calories and fat than adult dogs or senior dogs, so the right formula for your dog’s age is important.
High-quality kibble that is full of protein and whole ingredients will be best to keep your Woodle active and healthy. Adult Woodles eat about 2 cups of dry kibble per day. Even though Woodles can be on the larger side, they don’t require as much food as highly active breeds.
The best way to know the proper diet is for your dog to speak with your veterinarian. These dogs should be fed the correct number of calories per day and not deviate too much from this plan. Treats are acceptable but should be fed in moderation. When using treats for training purposes, cut them in pieces to make them last longer and not pack your dog full of unnecessary calories. This breed tends to become overweight easily if their diets are not controlled.
About 30 minutes of exercise or active playtime per day is enough for a Woodle. This isn’t a highly active breed, but they do like to take walks or run in the backyard with the kids. They’re also always up for a game of fetch. Dog parks or play dates with other dogs are fun ways to give your Woodle interaction and socialization. They get along well with other animals and like to spend time with them.
Training sessions can also be part of your dog’s exercise regimen each day.
Training 🎾
Training your Woodle from puppyhood will help them know how to behave when they are adults. This dog is smart but sensitive, preferring positive reinforcement methods to punishment.
Woodles can be independent and stubborn at times, but they have a desire to please their owners and perform their commands well. While housebreaking may be difficult, the way to get results is by staying consistent. Patience and positivity, without scolding, will show your Woodle the proper ways to behave. Using treats and praise as rewards will enable them to associate training with a positive experience, and they will be more likely to engage for longer periods.
Socialization is important from the first day that you get your Woodle. Introducing them to as many people, experiences, animals, and activities as possible will help your dog become confident and secure.
The Woodle coat is always growing, but the texture will depend on which parent dog they take after more. Professional, regular grooming is recommended so their coats stay trimmed, healthy, and clean. Overgrowth can cause matting, along with decreased vision if the fur hangs over their eyes.
In between grooming appointments, brushing their coat will keep it free from debris and tangles. Once a week, the Woodle’s ears should be wiped clean and checked for signs of infection. These include redness, sweflling, excessive head shaking, crusting, and a foul odor in the ear canal.
Bathing should be done whenever your dog is dirty or smelly. Aside from that, they will get bathed at their grooming appointments before they get a haircut. Be sure to dry the inside of your Woodle’s ears after each bath. Trapped moisture can lead to infections. The insides of your dog’s ears should also be dried whenever they come inside from the rain or after swimming. Any time this dog gets wet, they should be carefully and thoroughly dried.
Nail clipping is required to keep your dog’s nails from becoming overgrown and possibly cracking or leading to other paw injuries. Woodles should have their teeth brushed at least three times a week to avoid dental diseases. Professional teeth cleaning should be done at the recommendation of your vet.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Woodles are healthy dogs, but they can inherit any health issues to which the Welsh Terrier and Poodle are genetically predisposed. A reputable breeder will limit this possibility by health-testing the parent dogs before breeding and is committed to producing and selling the healthiest puppies possible.
There is no guarantee that your dog won’t ever get an illness or disease, and some of these health issues can come as a surprise. The less that you know about your dog’s history and breeding, the more you should be aware of conditions that may show up down the road.
Minor Conditions
Skin conditions
Allergies
Patellar luxation
Serious Conditions
Addison’s disease
Cushing’s disease
Von Willebrand’s disease
Hip dysplasia
Epilepsy
Male vs. Female
Experiences with Woodles can vary based on the individual dog’s personality. There are slight differences between males and females, though, and the one that you choose is up to your personal preference.
If you aren’t planning to breed your dog, have them spayed or neutered as soon as you can to avoid unplanned pregnancies and possible health problems in the future.
Male Woodles can be larger than females, but not in every case. The size of your Woodle will mostly depend on how large their parents are. Both sexes are easy to potty train, but the males are thought to be a little easier to rain.
Males can be more affectionate and playful than females, but both sexes are equally loving.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Woodle
1. They’re Woodles, not Whoodles.
These are two similar names for different dogs. The Woodle is a Welsh Terrier/Poodle hybrid. The Whoodle is a Wheaten Terrier/Poodle hybrid. They may sound and even look similar, but they are different both in personality and temperament. For example, the Whoodle is more difficult to train and does best as the only pet in the household. Woodles are easier to train and can get along well with other pets.
2. They don’t back down from a challenge.
Welsh Terriers were bred to hunt badgers and other animals, making them tenacious and relentless in their quests. They will not back down from this endeavor and have been known to chase prey through any conditions, not stopping until they succeed at capturing it. Woodles have inherited this trait and are known to not back down easily if they sense a challenge.
3. They don’t shed much.
Both the Welsh Terrier and the Poodle are low-shedding dogs, so the Woodle sheds much less than most other dog breeds. The Poodle sheds less than the Welsh Terrier, so whichever parent your Woodle takes after more will determine the amount that they shed. Even though this coat doesn’t shed much, it still requires a fair amount of grooming to keep it healthy.
The Woodle dog breed is an easygoing, fun, affectionate dog that doesn’t have many behavioral issues and is generally easy to train. They make loving family pets and are great with children. They do well in apartments because of their size and low-maintenance needs.
Grooming is required with these dogs due to their growing coats that can get long and matted if not properly cared for. Professional groomers will do a good job keeping your pup clean and soft.
Whether you live in a multi-pet household or are looking for a dog to be your one and only, the Woodle is a great choice.
Health problems can affect any dog, no matter the breed. To limit your Woodle’s risk of inheriting genetic health issues, always make sure you purchase your puppy from a responsible breeder with a solid reputation for producing healthy dogs.
Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
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