Fondly called the Whoodle, the Wheaten Terrier Poodle mix is an adorable and active dog. This hybrid breed may have a headstrong attitude, but with proper training sessions, you’ll have one of the most loving family pets!
What to consider…
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Parent Breeds
The Whoodle made its way into the world in the mid-1900s, which we consider as a relatively new breed. People say that breeders created the Whoodle to combine the Poodle’s natural intelligence with the Wheaten Terrier’s beautiful fur.
As for the parent breeds’ history, let’s delve into the Poodle.
Poodles are one of the world’s oldest breeds, originating in Germany. These dogs used to work as waterfowl retrievers as they had water-resistant coats that enabled them to dive into the waters to get the wild game. It’s the reason why Poodles love to swim and are one of the most intelligent dogs worldwide!
As for the soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, the breed came from Ireland. Farmers owned Irish Wolfhounds, a large breed that some people found challenging to control. Because of that, people began breeding a smaller version of the Irish Wolfhound, which we know as the Wheaten Terrier today.
Wheaten Terriers worked different jobs on the farm, such as attacking crop-eating rodents, chasing off predators, among other dogs a watchdog does.
Like the Poodle, Wheaten Terriers make excellent hunting dogs as they listen to their masters, responding to commands excellently. Wheaten Terriers are outstanding in herding activities, quickly bringing groups of animals in a safe spot. Some people used to call this breed a guard dog!
Today, Wheaten Terriers don’t work as farm dogs as much as before, though they still do amazingly in agility and tracking challenges. Also, like the Poodle, Wheaten Terriers are fast learners and show a lot of love towards their owners.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Size
The Wheaten Terrier Poodle can grow to be a small or medium-sized breed, depending on the Poodle variety.
Poodles come in three sizes:
- Standard Poodle
- Miniature Poodle
- Toy Poodle
The Wheaten Terrier comes in one size type, weighing between 30-40 pounds.
With that in mind, Whoodles can weigh between 20-45 pounds. They can also grow up to 12-20 inches tall.
That said, we can’t know for sure that a Whoodle grows to be within this weight and height range. Some Whoodles can end up being smaller or bigger than mentioned. Again, it all depends on the particular parent breeds genetics and what whoodle puppies inherit.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Appearance
The Whoodle is known for its unusual fur. They have a silky, curly coat that sheds far less than other breeds. You’ve probably heard that Poodles have hypoallergenic coats; hence Doodle mixed breed dogs have inherited the same. However, no dog is entirely hypoallergenic!
Whoodles do not have non-shedding fur. Instead, they have a low-shedding coat that still fits the criteria for families with allergies. However, the Whoodle’s coat still requires much upkeep, which we’ll discuss in the upcoming sections.
Whoodle coats can come in a variety of colors, usually coming in brown, cream, or black. Their coat type can be straight, slightly wavy, or curly, all of which grow at a medium length.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Personality Traits
The Whoodle inherits traits from two very intelligent and energetic parent breeds. As a result, you get a pet with a high energy level, suitable for active families. Families or solo pet owners will need time to indulge their Whoodle’s need for attention and exercise!
Besides having high energy levels, whoodles are quick learners who can learn many complex tricks!
What’s great about the Whoodle’s playfulness is that it would make a fun companion for children. But remember, whoodles may have a headstrong attitude and won’t react well if provoked or mishandled. When your children play with a Whoodle, supervise them at all times and teach your little ones to play with their dog safely.
The same goes for other pets. Whoodles do well with other animals, but supervise them during the first few months. As long as Whoodles are adequately socialized and trained early, they can thrive and bring out an outgoing nature everyone will love!
Like many dog breeds, Whoodles are affectionate animals who will love their owners for life. Whoodles crave attention and will want to spend most of their time next to their humans after exercise. It’s an attractive trait, but that also means Whoodles are prone to separation anxiety when left alone. It can form destructive behaviors and loud howling, which neighbors won’t appreciate.
That’s why a Whoodle is a lifelong commitment that will require your time and energy.
So, does this mean Whoodles are great family dogs?
This dog is an active, intelligent, and friendly dog who will thrive in family environments, given its energetic and playful nature. Whoodles can fit in large houses or small apartments, given their small-to-medium size!
However, their chief activity and intelligence levels mean Whoodles require patient owners who can give time and effort to meeting all care requirements. Because of that, Whoodles might not be the best for first-time owners. Given the Whoodle’s need for consistent training and tons of exercise, this dog breed may not be suitable for elderly people.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Daily Exercise and Training
While Whoodles are bred as companion dogs who will love staying by your side most of the day, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise them. These active dogs require daily exercise, but not as much as other Doodle mixed breeds.
Whoodles will only require about 30 minutes of exercise daily. You don’t need to give them vigorous exercise. Walking around the neighborhood, short swimming or indoor games for mental stimulation will do wonders!
We love the ease of training that comes with the Whoodle. Whoodles have such instinctive intelligence that makes them easy to teach. However, they have a stubborn streak, so you’ll need to shut that down by letting your dog know you are boss!
Start off with socialization and house training when you bring your Whoodle puppy home. From there, you can start conducting obedience training, leash training, crate training, and even agility training, given their high energy!
Just make sure you conduct positive reinforcement training rather than punish or shout at your Whoodle. It won’t do you any good! For novice owners who aren’t familiar with how to train a Whoodle, explore taking your dog to puppy classes or learning how to train dogs from online tutorials.
Whoodles thrive best in cold weather over hot weather. If you live in an area with a hotter climate and need to exercise or train your dog, take proper steps to prevent the risk of heat exhaustion, particularly during the summer season.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Health Issues
Whoodles can live for up to 12-15 years, provided that they are healthy and their owners take care of them well.
But that doesn’t mean they are not at risk of genetic diseases. Here are health concerns to watch out for with the Whoodle:
- Hip dysplasia
- Renal dysplasia
- Retinal atrophy
- Protein-losing enteropathy
- Ear infections
- Eye infections
- Kidney issues
- Disorders related to the adrenal glands, like Addison’s disease
It’s best to check on the parent dogs’ health history and take your Whoodle to regular vet check-ups to ensure he is in good health.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Diet Requirements
You should feed Whoodles dog food formulated for medium-sized breeds with medium energy levels. You should also select dog food based on your dog’s age and if it has any health conditions that require extra vitamins or minerals.
Asking the veterinarian for food recommendations suitable for your Whoodle’s diet. There are many factors to consider to mention specific brands and types of dog food.
The veterinarian can also recommend the proper amount of food to feed your dog so he can maintain a healthy weight.
Regardless of the dog food your Whoodle needs, make sure it’s made of high-quality ingredients with natural protein. Dog food should not contain additives, fillers, or artificial coloring and flavoring.
Wheaten Terrier Poodle Grooming Requirements
How curly the Whoodle’s coat is will dictate how often you’ll need to brush him. If your Whoodle has straight or slightly wavy hair, you can brush him once a week or every other day. But the curlier your dog’s coat is, then the more frequently you’ll need to brush him. Curly coats will require daily brushing with a high-quality pet brush!
Both Poodles and Wheaten Terriers are high-maintenance breeds. Like their parents, whoodles will require more regular grooming than other dogs.
Besides regular brushing, you’ll need to have your dog’s coat trimmed every 2-3 months. Whoodles will also require baths every 4-6 weeks or whenever they get dirty or muddy from outdoor exercise.
there are other grooming needs you’ll need to meet with your dog, such as:
- Brush the Whoodle’s teeth every other day
- Clip the Whoodle’s nails when they grow too long
- Inspect your Whoodle’s eyes and ear canals for cleaning and trimming weekly to prevent infections
How Much is a Wheaten Terrier Poodle?
Whoodle puppy litters comprise about five babies, though some mothers can give birth to seven (or more) puppies! If there are pregnancy problems or the mother is a small breed (like the Toy Poodle), expect a smaller litter size.
The price of a Whoodle would start at around $1,500 in the USA. It can even go as high as $5,000 if the breeder has purebred parents.
If you’re planning to purchase a Whoodle from a breeder, make sure you do your research. The breeder should answer your questions and provide any necessary documentation to prove the puppies come from purebred parents and are in excellent health.
Alternatively, you can find Whoodle puppies and adult dogs from Poodle rescue groups. It costs less than purchasing from a breeder, though you’ll need to undergo an interview and screening process. The rescue group will have limited information about the new dog, so you won’t know its overall health condition and temperament.
That said, it’s worth saving a dog and giving it a new chance at a better life. You can search for rescue groups with Whoodles online or ask your local animal shelter if they have Whoodles open for adoption.