Poodles are popular mixes that dog owners love. Not only are these dogs as smart and loyal as Poodles, but they also inherit traits from the other mix. One of the Poodle mixes that you can now own is a Whoodle, which is a mix of a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle.
They can be as large as a fully grown Poodle or much smaller based on which side they take after more. As a designer dog breed, they are popular with owners who think they look like large teddy bears.
Whoodles typically have a coat that is both curly and soft, which it gets from its Poodle parent. It has a smaller size thanks to the other parent and is sometimes called a Poodle Wheaten Terrier mix.
These mixes do just as well with families and small kids as they do with couples who don’t have kids and singles. If you want a dog you will love coming home to and one that loves you back, the Whoodle is a good choice.
They are almost always cheerful and friendly and can greet you at the door after a long day with a dance and a smile. If you want to find out whether a Whoodle is a perfect dog for you, check out each section in our following guide.
Whoodle Breed Basics
- Whoodles are generally small dogs that stand around 12 to 20 inches tall
- They can weigh up to 45 pounds as adults or as little as 20 pounds
- Most dogs in this breed live to an average age of 12 to 15 years
- Breeders refer to the Whoodle as a companion dog
- They do well with people of all ages and take well to living with seniors
- Some of the color variations include silver, beige, apricot, red, black and chocolate
- A Whoodle can have a spotted coat
You’ll notice people calling this breed by other names, including Sweatenpoo, Wheatenpoo, Wheatiepoo and Wheatendoodle
Whoodle History
Though we don’t know a lot about this breed because it’s still relatively new, we know quite a lot about the breed’s parents. Poodles are among the world’s oldest breeds of dogs and originated in Germany. The dogs grew so popular there that people imported them to France, which is why many associate the breed with that country. Poodles were not always as pampered and snobby as they are today. Breeders initially worked with Poodles because they could handle a variety of jobs and were good hunters.
As their coats are resistant to water, they could dive into murky lakes to flush out wild game and hunt when the weather was less than perfect. Those coats also help them in the water and might explain why Poodles love swimming so much. Poodles rank as one of the smartest dogs in the world too and are easy to train. You may find that your dog is just as intelligent as a Poodle but that it also inherited that breed’s stubborn streak.
Irish Roots
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier came from a nearby country: Ireland. Many farmers at the time had Irish Wolfhounds, which were large and sometimes hard to control. They began breeding a smaller version of this dog that was easier to handle and nicknamed it the Poor Man’s Wolfhound. These dogs handled many jobs on the farm, including chasing off predators, attacking the rodents that ate the crops and other tasks associated with a watchdog.
This breed also makes a good hunting dog because it listens to its master and responds to simple commands. They do well in herding activities and can quickly bring a group of animals to a safe spot. Some also used the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier as guard dogs. Though usually not used as farm dogs today, they do well in tracking and ability challenges. This type of dog is also a fast learner and affectionate towards its humans.
Mysterious Beginnings
No one is quite sure who the first Whoodle breeder was. We now that the first of this mixed breed appeared in the late 2000s and early 2010s. As they looked so similar to a traditional Poodle, some assumed that they were a different version of that breed. We now know that the Whoodle has some of the best traits of both a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle.
Though you might assume that all Whoodles act the same, their personality and temperament can vary. Some of the original breeders had a hard time figuring out how big the dogs would grow and how they would act as adults. They slowly picked the best dogs from previous litters and bred them to make dogs that shared some of the same qualities. Most of the hybrid dogs that are now available act in much the same way. Selective breeding also helped regulate the sizes and colors of these dogs and made sure that puppies would grow up to become loving adults.
The American Kennel Club and similar organizations officially recognize both of the parent dogs. When you watch a dog show, you’ll likely see at least one Poodle prancing across the stage and a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier in a competition. The AKC only recognizes purebred dogs and does not recognize any mixed or hybrid breed. This will keep you from entering your dog in any event sanctioned by that organization.
Whoodle Puppies
As long as you live in Australia or the United States, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a Whoodle puppy as this breed in the most popular in those two countries. You should ask the breeder how much experience they have with this breed and if the puppy belongs to a specific generation. Most breeders are so new to this area that they are on their first or second generation.
Knowing the generation is important because it can help you determine how your puppy will act and look as an adult. Those from the first generation will typically take after one parent breed more than the other. This results in a dog that is larger in size or more stubborn. Breeders who have Whoodle parents can produce litters that are more regulated in terms of size, temperament and appearance.
Litter Size
Whoodle puppy litters typically have around five babies, but some mothers can have a total of seven or more puppies. If the mother experienced problems during her pregnancy or is small in size, she may have a smaller litter. Miniature Poodles can have as few as two to three puppies per litter. Despite being the new kid on the block, these puppies can cost as much as $5,000 or more when the mother and/or father has a good pedigree. Breeders can also offer these puppies for as little as $1,500 each.
You may find Whoodle puppies and adults through Poodle rescue groups too. These rescue groups often accept mixed breed dogs as long as one of the parents was a Poodle. The group may have little information about your new dog though and have a hard time letting you know about its overall health or temperament. You may need to consent to a home visit or meet with the group too to show that you can handle the needs of the dog.
Whoodle Personality
Some of the terms that owners and breeders use to describe this dog include smart, loyal and playful. Known as a family dog due to how easily they take to training, they can love you as much as you love them. Whoodles are so smart that they learn to love the training sessions that you hold at home. Not only do they love learning new things, but they also like when you reward them and are affectionate.
While the puppies are easy to train, you should keep in mind that they require quite a bit of attention. A new puppy might jump all over you at night because it prefers to sleep in your bed than a crate. Your Mini Whoodle puppy may also demand that you pet it as soon as you get home from work. As the dogs love attention so much, they’ll also love meeting new people. As soon as you get home with a Whoodle puppy, you can start introducing it to new people as well as other animals.
Whoodles are one of the only dogs that can adapt to any situation. If you have a big home with a fenced-in backyard, your dog will feel in heaven. It will love racing outside and chasing its tail around the yard at the same time that it tracks the birds and squirrels in the trees. Whoodles also do well with smaller spaces and can feel comfortable living in a tiny apartment.
Family Dogs
These family dogs love being around all types of people and appreciate family members of all ages. They aren’t as excitable as other breeds, which makes them a good choice for the elderly. The dogs won’t knock them down and can easily take to short walks on a leash. Your parents or grandparents might like that this dog enjoys long and slow days at home.
Whoodles do just as well with kids because they like playing and chasing their human siblings around the house. If you lead an active lifestyle, you’ll like how quickly the dog adapts to different environments. With the right harness, your Whoodle will love long hikes and walks. You can also take this dog to the beach because it inherited a love of swimming from its Poodle side.
Watch the Cat!
As much as Whoodles love other animals, they aren’t always as cautious as you might like. While they don’t view small animals as prey, they can view them as new friends and not realize that those animals are smaller. A Whoodle might chase your old senior cat around the house and get bopped on the nose or want to pick a hamster up in its mouth. Taking the time to introduce your new dog to your old pets reduces the risk that the dog might hurt those animals.
Separation Anxiety
Poodles can suffer from fits of separation anxiety and passed this trait down to their Mini Whoodle offspring. If you spend six or more hours away from home daily, you should hire a dog walker or a pet sitter to take care of the dog. Daycare facilities can help too because they provide your pet with plenty of stimulation. Not only can Whoodles howl when they’re upset, but they can also bark and spend hours making noises without running out of energy. You need to make sure that the dog has all the stimulation that it needs.
How to Care for a Whoodle Mix
As a companion dog, your Whoodle might want to spend more time curled up next to you and relaxing on the couch than playing outside. Based on its size, this dog needs a minimum of 600 calories a day, which comes to one serving of dry dog food. You may need to give it more or less kibble based on its overall size. Dogs on the larger end of the spectrum need more food than those on the lower end do.
If you want to know how much to feed your Whoodle, multiply its weight by 30 calories to see the total number of calories that it needs. Larger dogs may need up to 1,000 calories or more every day. The best Whoodle foods include those that have a nice balance of vitamins, minerals and protein. While you can split the food into two servings every day, some dogs do well on three meals a day. Stick to a puppy food until your Whoodle turns one and then switch to an adult version.
Though Whoodles are playful dogs, they need less exercise and walks than you might guess. As long as you can commit to 30 minutes of exercise a day, you can care for one of these dogs. They can get by with fewer walks and more outdoor time, which is helpful for those who work full-time. You can let the dog play with its four-legged siblings during the week and take it for short walks on the weekends. Depending on their sizes, you might need to let the dog spend more or less time outside.
Training a Whoodle
Whoodles are so affectionate that any form of negative training will not work on them. Yelling at the dog because it didn’t make it outside to use the bathroom or smacking its nose for chewing on your shoe can scare the dog so much that it runs away from you. Positive reinforcement training is much better, especially when you combine soothing words with treats and toys. They prefer treats that are different from the regular food that they eat such as jerky treats and fresh veggies.
Training is also important when it comes to introducing the Whoodle to new people. Whether you have a child who brings home a friend from school or you want to introduce the dog to a family member, you need to take things slow. Let it tell you when it feels comfortable around that person. With early training from the puppy years, adult Whoodles will have an easy time adjusting to new people.
This designer breed also needs daily stimulation to prevent it from acting in destructive ways. You can leave chew toys around when you’re gone to give the dog something to focus on and do. When taking trips with your pooch, try mixing up where you go instead of sticking to the same few places. You can visit a new park, stop by a friend’s house on your way home to change the routes that you take on walks.
Whoodle Health Issues
Whoodles are susceptible to the same health conditions that Poodles and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers have. They can develop hip dysplasia, which causes a change in the shape of one or more joints. It can cause the dog so much pain that it eventually becomes lame. Vets more commonly see this condition in older dogs and recommend that owners let their senior pets spend more time relaxing and less time walking.
As Whoodles do not shed, they can suffer from ear infections caused by debris that becomes trapped in their ears. Debris can travel through the ear canal and cause some pain and inflammation. You might notice that the dog keeps tugging on or scratching its ears or that it winces when laying on that side. There are many products that you can buy and use at home to clean your pup’s ears. It takes just a few minutes to clean both ears once a week.
Grooming a Whoodle
Thanks to their hypoallergenic fur, the Whoodle is a dog that anyone can love. They don’t shed or release a lot of dander into their environment. You only need to brush your Whoodle once a week to keep its fur soft and cuddly, but you should get the dog groomed at least once every other month. The groomer can remove or trim any excess fur inside its ears ad trim its nails too, and you can use chew toys to keep their teeth clean.
Dog lovers appreciate the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier mix because it is a loving family pet that comes in different sizes. The Whoodle dog is suitable for first-time pet owners who have no experience with dogs and do well in both small and large homes. They have personality traits that make them love the people and animals around them but can have the same health problems as a Standard Poodle. If you love active dogs, try bringing home a Miniature Whoodle that loves playtime with you.
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