Whoodle Breed Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Aside from the meaning behind such a funny name, there is plenty to learn about whoodles. You may have heard of a goldendoodle or yorkiepoo, but whoodles are a whole different breed, literally.
This breed guide will teach you everything you need to know about these dogs and how to care for them.
What Is A Whoodle?
A whoodle is a dog breed that is a mix between a Poodle and a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. They are classified as a hybrid dog breed because of the breeds of their parents and the breed seems to be growing in popularity in recent years. Whoodles are considered medium-sized dogs but the exact weight can vary depending on if either of the parent breeds is standard size, miniature, or even teacup-sized. Whoodles are commonly known for their soft curly fur and tan and brown fur color.
Where Does the Whoodle Come From?
Before we go any farther, let’s establish what a whoodle is. The name for this breed is an amalgamation of the soft-coated wheaten terrier and the poodle.
The poodle started in 14th or 15th century Germany as a trendy water hunting dog. They spread around Europe in the 17th century, gaining particular popularity in France and being registered to the American kennel club in 1887.
The soft-coated wheaten terrier comes from Ireland and was originally bred to act as an all-purpose farm dog. It was registered in the Irish kennel club in 1937, came to America in the 1940s, and was then registered in the American kennel club in 1973.
There is little recorded history about when and where the whoodle was first bred. It is believed to have popped up in the mid-1900s, most likely the 1980s. They’re part of the designer poodle era and are believed to have been bred as low-allergen dogs.
Physical Traits of A Whoodle
Whoodles are medium-sized dogs. They usually stand at 14-20 inches high and weigh between 20-45 pounds. They come in a range of colors black, gray, gold, white, brown, and red, and they can also be bicolor.
Their coat is referred to as hair rather than fur because of its continuous tendency to grow. Their curly coats need frequent trims to maintain length but shed very little.
This breed’s body structure is the perfect balance between a terrier and a poodle. It’s stouter than a poodle with thicker limbs and a larger head but also has the facial feature and general shape of a poodle.
Whoodles are also some of the most low-allergen dogs.
Whoodle Temperament
As both the soft-coated wheaten terrier and the poodle are intelligent and energetic dogs, it follows that the whoodle is as well.
This breed is full of energy and loves to run around and play games that challenge them. They are relatively easy to train but tend to bark a lot. These dogs love people and will always choose to spend time with their family over being alone. They do best in large active families where there is always someone to keep them busy, and they aren’t often left alone.
When first training one of these dogs, focus on positive reinforcements like treats and affection and take time to teach them patience and socialize them.
They are fiercely loyal dogs that make for remarkable companions. They adore their owners and families and can be rather protective of them, especially if not properly socialized.
This breed is gentle and non-aggressive. They generally get along with people and other dogs and are excellent around children. They may become excited and jump on people due to their attention-seeking nature, but they do not act aggressively.
Additionally, these dogs can be extremely stubborn. They are outgoing and friendly and make for poor guard dogs.
Whoodle Life Expectancy and Health Characteristics
This breed, unfortunately, doesn't live very long. With a lifespan of only 12-15 years, you have to savor every moment with dogs from this breed.
As a hybrid dog, whoodles are prone to health conditions that soft-coated wheaten terriers and poodles face. They are at higher risk for eye issues, Addison’s disease, hip dysplasia, protein-losing enteropathy, and protein-losing nephropathy.
These health risks increase drastically if the dogs are from unlicensed or commercial breeders. The breed is not recognized in the American Kennel Club or any other kennel club and doesn't have set regulations when it comes to breeding.
Only get a dog of this breed from a licensed breeder that has certifications of health and lineage, so you can avoid poor and dangerous breeding.
Daily Needs of Whoodles
This breed takes a lot of daily care. The most prominent issue is coat maintenance. Whoodles’ coats are long and luscious but do not stop growing and tangle very easily. To keep your dog happy and cared for, you have to brush it at least once a day.
Additionally, these dogs need frequent grooming and bathing to maintain their luscious coat. It takes a lot of time, work, and sometimes money to keep your dog looking good.
This breed’s lifestyle also affects how much work you will need to do to take care of their coat.
As high-energy dogs that love to run and play outside, they can get mats and tangles in their coats remarkably quickly.
These dogs need constant attention and lots of fun. They spend a lot of time playing and need games and interactions that challenge them and prevent boredom. They also need constant companionship and become lonely very fast.
This breed is not a good option for first-time dog owners or single-person families with little free time. However, these dogs love children and are well-tempered around strangers.
As far as accommodations go, these dogs are good pets for large houses and apartments so long as they get plenty of walks. As water dogs, they also love to swim, so be prepared for them to dive into any body of water.
Whoodles also like to play with their owners. They need companionship, but they also want a playmate and like to get plenty of affection through play.
Wrap Up
Thanks to their fun-loving, gentle, and friendly nature, whoodles make for excellent therapy dogs. The soft fur is relaxing for patients to pet, and their non-aggressive temperament makes them an ideal choice for patients of any age or ability. They are playful and high-energy but too big as to be scary if they jump up.
These dogs are also excellent water hunters, as that’s what they were originally bred for. While they lack most of their original hunting instinct, they can play a mad game of water Frisbee.
