Our family has recently been discussing the purchase of a second dog. I have bad allergies, so it would have to be a dog that doesn’t shed too much and is hypoallergenic.
I happened to see the above picture of a Whoodle on Pinterest and showed it to my wife and daughter. We fell in love with this cute dog. However, before choosing this mixed breed, we first needed to do a bit of research to find out how much Whoodles shed and if they are hypoallergenic.
This is what I discovered.
Do Whoodles Shed? The short answer is no, Whoodles do not shed. This dog has the coat of the poodle, which does not shed and tends to be more hypoallergenic. That being said, because the Whoodle does not shed, he or she needs to be professionally groomed. The coat of the Whoodle is long and luxurious and can get tangled and matted if not brushed daily. Unlike the poodle, the Whoodle does not have curly fur, and it is easier to groom at home.
Let’s dive in but first we should get into what a Whoodle is.
What is a Whoodle?
The Whoodle is a fascinating combination of the parent dog breeds the Poodle and the Wheaten Terrier, so to answer the question, a Whoodle is a designer mix of these two breeds. The Wheaten Terrier is known for having a playful yet soft personality, and the poodle for having hypoallergenic fur as well as high intelligence. Mixing these two dogs creates a beautiful dog with both terrier and poodle traits.
What Temperament Does a Whoodle Have?
In general, Whoodles are happy, friendly dogs. They take on the temperament of both their parent breeds: the Poodle and the Soft Wheaten Terrier. The Whoodle is known to be affectionate and fun-loving and is a highly intelligent dog. Whoodles are good-natured and get along well with children and other pets. Whoodles are great for people that love doting pets, and these tend to be Velcro dogs; that is, they love to stick to their owner’s sides at all times.
How Active Are They?
If you are looking for a dog that is into Netflix and being a couch potato, the Whoodle is not the breed for you. These dogs need to be active and thrive on exercise.
Indeed, they might not need the challenging workout of a Husky, but they still require an hour or so of good exercise, a dog either walking with a backpack, jogging, or biking.
The parent breeds are both active dogs that need mental and physical stimulation to remain happy. If a Whoodle does not receive sufficient exercise, he or she tends to become destructive around the house, bark excessively, and dig holes in the yard.
Besides offering an hour of intense physical exercise, the potential owner should offer playtime, such as playing fetch or swimming. These activities will help burn some of the dog’s energy.
Are they Healthy? How Long Do They Live?
In general, the Whoodle is a healthy dog. A mixed-breed dog tends to live longer than a purebred dog, and one of the parent breeds, the Poodle, is known for a reasonably long lifespan.
The average lifespan of a Whoodle is 12-15 years.
Even though the Whoodle is generally healthy, they do tend to suffer some genetic diseases such as hip dysplasia and ear infections from their Poodle parents. These dogs might also have food sensitivities and allergies like the Wheaten Terrier.
What Type of Family Should Have a Whoodle?
The Whoodle is an all-around great family dog. Families with children would do well with this pet, especially active families. Whoodles are very friendly and gentle with children of all ages. Thus, making them an excellent choice for a first-time dog.
Singles and couples that are active would also do well with this breed. Whoodles do well with other dogs and can even live with cats. They may have a higher prey drive, so it’s recommended they be monitored around smaller animals.
Are Whoodles Trainable?
Absolutely! Whoodles are highly trainable and intelligent!
The Whoodle comes from the Poodle, which is one of the most intelligent breeds out there.
These dogs can be taught not only basic obedience but also excel in performing tricks! These dogs catch on quickly, and having them on a regular training routine ensures they are mentally happy. Whoodles do well in agility training and are nimble dogs. Whoodles love to please their owners.
Where Should Whoodles Live?
That is, are Whoodles apartment-friendly? In general, I would say it is best to have a Whoodle if you live in a suburb or rural area because of their energy level.
A person could have a Whoodle in an apartment if he or she is dedicated to exercising this dog frequently. The Whoodle is a larger size dog, so there may not be enough room in an apartment.
However, the miniature and toy sizes would do well in an apartment as long as exercise requirements are met.
What Do They Look Like?
Being a mix of two breeds, it’s difficult to predict the exact look of the dog. However, there are some general guidelines for its appearance. First of all, the coat is usually silky and straight. There are a variety of colors, including red, chocolate, black, apricot, and parti-color. As puppies, the coat may appear darker but lighten up with age.
Do Whoodles Cost A Lot?
The initial cost for purchasing a Whoodle can be relatively high, as this is a designer breed. The price tag for a Whoodle puppy runs anywhere from $1,2000-$5,500. This may or may not include the cost of shipping the puppy to your home state.
How Big Will the Whoodle Get?
The size of the Whoodle depends on the Poodle parent. Poodles come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. Wheaten Terriers are large dogs and so are standard Poodles, so a mix of these two will also be a large dog. If either of the other two poodle standards is used, then the dog will be medium and small. The average weight for this mixed breed is 20-45 lbs.
Final Thoughts
In general, the Whoodle, a mix of a Poodle and Wheaten Terrier, is a gentle and intelligent dog. They are highly affectionate and active dogs that love to be with their families. These dogs are easily trained and get along well with children and other pets. Whoodles do not shed, but have a silky coat that does need professional grooming every three months. Whoodles can be expensive to purchase but are generally a healthy breed.
More info on Whoodles
Photo Credit: Greenfield Puppies
