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What is a whoodle?
A whoodle is a mixed-breed dog that mixes an intelligent poodle with a playful soft-coated wheaten terrier.
It is also sometimes known as the wheatendoodle or the wheatenpoo.
Most dogs are mixed with poodles to try and give them the poodle’s hypoallergenic low-shedding coat.
This is the case with the labradoodle and the goldendoodle, but the soft-coated wheaten terrier already has its own low-shedding coat that grows much like human hair.
Unlike the poodle coat that is wiry, though, the wheaten’s hair feels incredibly soft to the touch.
The mix results in dogs that are intelligent, playful, make excellent family pets, and have a soft, low-shedding coat.
The wheaten terrier is often mixed with smaller varieties of poodle, including the miniature and toy, to make smaller fluffy balls of joy.
Read on for everything you need to know about the whoodle to decide whether it might be the right dog for you.
Vital Statistics
- 12-20 inches tall
- 20-45 pounds
- 12-15 year lifespan
- Low-shedding coat
- High energy
- Intelligent but stubborn
- Friendly
- Suitable for apartment living
History Of The Breed
Like many of today’s popular mixed-breed dogs, whoodles were likely first developed in the 1980s.
The intention was probably to get smaller varieties of the soft-coated wheaten terrier while maintaining its hypoallergenic coat and intelligence.
Both of these are also characteristics of the poodle, but while the standard poodle is a little larger than a wheaten terrier, toy and miniature poodles offer the possibility of breeding a smaller dog.
The wheaten terrier was bred in Ireland beginning in the 1700s to be an all-purpose farm dog and they are good for herding, guarding, and hunting.
They were sometimes referred to as a poor man’s wolfhound in Ireland because they were kept to less than 20 inches and their tails docked to avoid taxes.
Broad interest in the breed only began in the 20th century after the breed was recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937 and the UK Kennel Club in 1943.
They were also exported to the United States in the 1940s. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America was established in 1962, and they have been popular show dogs since then.
Poodles originate from Germany or France and were popular in both countries beginning in the 17th century initially as wildfowl hunters, then as circus performers, and eventually as lap dogs.
They are considered to be among the most intelligent breeds, and they have thick, wiry coats that do not shed so they are sometimes referred to as hypoallergenic.
Poodles come in a variety of sizes including standard, which can be as tall as 24 inches, and toy, which can measure less than 10 inches in height.
Whoodle Size And Appearance
Whoodles can range in size from 12 to 20 inches depending on their parent dogs. Wheaten terriers measure 17-20 inches in height and weigh 18-44 pounds.
While standard poodles can be as large as 24 inches and weigh up to 70 pounds, toy poodles can be as small as 9.4 inches tall and weigh as little as 14 pounds.
Whoodles are often bred to be at the smaller end and will weigh between 20 and 45 pounds.
While poodles are known for their curly and wiry coat that is low-shedding, soft-coated wheaten terriers also have a low-shedding coat but it is soft and lightly curled.
Breeders will try to promote the soft-coat feature in mixed-breed pups, but their hair will probably be curlier than a standard wheaten terrier.
Wheaten terriers have distinctive coloring.
While puppies are often born with dark coats in red, brown, or mahogany, this will grow out and become completely white before they grow into their adult wheaten color.
At around the age of three, they will start to develop darker tips that are called guard hairs.
Poodles are much more varied in color, and thanks to this, whoodles can also come in a range of colors including black, brown, red, silver, gray, and cream.
Wheaten is still considered a desirable color among whoodles.
Whoodles are likely to have a medium-length muzzle with long floppy ears and a black button nose.
They have an athletic build, but this can sometimes be hard to make out under their luscious, curly fur.
Intelligence And Temperament
Both poodles and soft-coated wheaten terriers are considered highly intelligent dogs.
They both like to please, which means they respond well to positive reinforcement training, but they are also good at figuring things out on their own which can result in a stubborn streak.
These characteristics are passed down to whoodles, which are smart dogs that can learn tricks quickly but also like to get their own way.
Whoodles are highly affectionate and will bond with their families quickly.
They are good at reading social cues and so do well with children, but they do need to be socialized with animals such as cats from a young age since the wheaten adds a strong prey drive into the mix.
It is also worth being aware that whoodles will probably jump up and lick when greeting people, which can be a problem with smaller children.
When you adopt a whoodle, you are getting a full-fledged member of the family that won’t tolerate being left alone for long periods while everyone is out at school or work. They need plenty of love and affection to thrive.
Energy Levels
Whoodles are high energy pups that need lots of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Depending on their size, they need between 30 and 45 minutes of exercise each day.
They tend to enjoy swimming and spending time in the water and this can form a great part of their exercise.
Keep an eye on their temperature while exercising in the hotter months; excessive panting is often a sign that they are overheating.
They also benefit from having quite a bit of space at home to move around in, but due to the relatively small size of whoodles, they do adapt well to apartment living.
They also have a good understanding of their own size, so they are unlikely to accidentally break things.
Care
Since whoodles don’t shed like other dogs, they need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy.
They should be brushed daily and have their coats cut every four to eight weeks.
This can also help them to keep cool since they can have a tendency to overheat in hot weather.
You should try to limit them to a bath once a month, but this can be hard if they like to play in the great outdoors.
Brushing and wiping them down with a wet cloth can help prolong the time between washes since excessive washing can strip their coats of their natural oils.
Their floppy ears need to be cleaned regularly, and their nails also tend to grow quickly!
Should I Adopt A Whoodle?
Is the whoodle the right dog for you?
Whoodles adapt well to apartment living as long as they get enough exercise, and they are relatively easy to train and control, making them appropriate for first-time owners.
In addition to these, there are a few other things to consider.
- Do you have time to spend with your whoodle? They don’t do well when left alone for extended periods while the household is at work or school.
- Do you have time to exercise your dog? They need at least 30-45 minutes of exercise a day and will be happy with even more!
- Can you commit to regular grooming? Whoodles require minor daily grooming, plus regular visits to the doggy salon for an overall trim. This can be both time-consuming and expensive.
- Do you have cats or small children? While whoodles can do well with both, they need to be socialized from a young age and can have an unfortunate tendency to jump up in greeting, which can be a problem with smaller children.
Consider your answer to these questions and then make your decision!
How Much Is A Whoodle?
Whoodles are expensive dogs that can cost at least $1,500 and up to $5,000.
They are highly desirable dogs, but the population is much smaller than that of other breeds such as labradoodles and goldendoodles, which accounts for the high cost.
While some will show up in rescues, because they are relatively rare they are difficult to find.
Want A Whoodle?
Whoodles are wonderful mixed-breed dogs that are bred from mixing poodles with soft-coated wheaten terriers.
The resulting breed is a relatively small dog with a silky and fluffy low-shedding coat.
They are friendly and affectionate, intelligent and easy to train, and have lots of energy to burn.
They make a great companion for first-time owners who have time to spend building a bond with their dog, and, of course, grooming them!
Do you have a Whoodle?
Tell us about your dog especially if she’s a Poodle Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Mix.
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