Whoodle

Andy the Whoodle (Photo: @andy.the.whoodle / Instagram)

By helloBARK!
Updated on 16 August 2021

Whoodles are a cross between a Poodle and a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.

These hybrid dogs will inherit traits associated with both parents, although it’s impossible to predict which exact traits they’ll get from the Poodle and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Whoodles are usually friendly, playful and sociable dogs that are medium in size and can make a great family pets with the right socialization and training.

Most Whoodles will have low-shedding coats, hence why they’re sometimes described as a hypoallergenic mixed breed.

Part of the Doodle family, the Whoodle may not be as common as the Goldendoodle or Labradoodle, but they still have a substantial presence on social media.

In this article, we’re going to learn about Whoodle appearance, Whoodle size, Whoodle temperament, Whoodle exercise requirements, Whoodle shedding and much more.

We’ll speak to Gracie (@gracie_the_whoodle), Chip (@chip_the_whoodle), Andy (@andy.the.whoodle) and Edison (@edison_the_whoodle).

What is a Whoodle?

Gracie the Whoodle (Photo: @gracie_the_whoodle / Instagram)

A Whoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.

This mix can also be called the Wheatendoodle, the Wheatenpoo, the Sweatendoodle, and the Sweatenpoo.

While the Poodle and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier are breeds recognised by the American Kennel Club, the Whoodle is not recognised by this dog organization.

Having said that, the Whoodle has been granted status by the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, International Designer Canine Registry and Designer Breed Registry.

What size is a Whoodle?

Chip the Whoodle (Photo: @chip_the_whoodle / Instagram)

Whoodles can be small to medium in size. Usually they’ll range between 12 to 20 inches in height and they can be between 20 and 45 pounds in weight. They can come in three different sizes, as Chip’s owner Adriane explains.

Whoodles come in 3 sizes: mini (15-25lbs), medium (25-35 lbs) and standard (35-50lbs). Chip is a standard Whoodle, coming it at 50lbs. Since he is a mix, it can sometimes be hard to know the exact size the dogs will be bc it’s based on the lineage of the parents.

Andy is also a standard-size Whoodle given he had already hit 50 pounds at little over seven months old.

Andy’s mom was a standard Poodle and dad was a Wheaten Terrier. His breeders said he would be between 40-50 pounds. He is only 7 months and already pushing 50. His vet thinks he will be closer to 60 pounds.

How would you describe the appearance of your Whoodle?

Edison the Whoodle (Photo: @edison_the_whoodle / Instagram)

Whoodles can vary in appearance depending on whether they take after their Poodle or Wheaten Terrier parent.

They can come in a variety of different coat colors, ranging from black, brown, red, silver grey, and cream.

Whoodles usually have a coat that is medium in length and is silky, soft to touch.

They’ll usually be quite robust in terms of stature, with muscular legs and broad shoulders.

John gave us a description of his Whoodle, Edison.

My Whoodle has luscious wavy hair, long legs, and a friendly smile. He has white markings to accent his red hair – white “socks” a tuft on his chest, stripe on his nose that ends in a curl on top of his head, and a white tip on his tail.

How would you describe the temperament of Whoodle?

Andy the Whoodle (Photo: @andy.the.whoodle / Instagram)

Whoodles are usually friendly dogs that can make excellent companion pets. They like to be in the company of their pet owners, whether it’s inside or outside. This designer breed can have lots of energy to burn, with a playful streak. So you should be prepared to give them lots of exercise. Whoodles can have a stubborn streak that is attributed to the Terrier parent. As a result, consistent training is required from a young age, just like most dog breeds and cross breeds.

Andy’s parents used three words to describe their Whoodle’s temperament.

Loyal, happy-go-lucky and excitable!

Do Whoodles suffer from separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a chronic canine disorder that can affect any dog, irrespective of breed or mix. It occurs when a dog is left at home alone (or as the pet owners are preparing to leave). Usually, the symptoms of separation anxiety are incessant barking, howling or whining, destructive chewing or digging, or in some extreme cases, defecating or urinating.

Andy did suffer from some separation anxiety as a puppy.

When Andy was a puppy and still adjusting to his new forever home, he would whine whenever I left him. Now that he has realized I come back every time, he is fine to be left alone for a couple of hours.

Do Whoodles make great family pets?

Gracie the Whoodle (Photo: @gracie_the_whoodle / Instagram)

If you’re thinking about introducing your Whoodle to a family home, you’ll be wondering how they do with children.

Just like any dog, we never recommend leaving a Whoodle alone unsupervised with children.

With the right socialization and training, there’s no reason a Whoodle shouldn’t be able to thrive in a family home. It’s important that children are educated on how to handle and respect the boundaries of a Whoodle, or any dog for that matter.

John explained to us why he believes Whoodles make great family pets.

Edison makes a GREAT family pet. He loves all humans and all dogs, big and small. Gives lots of love to everyone he meets.

Andy’s high energy levels make him an ideal companion for children, according to his owners.

They’ve got lots of energy so they’ll keep up with the kids. They are also very friendly. Only thing to be concerned about is the “Wheaten greeting”. They tend to jump up on people quite a bit which can be problematic with small children.

Are Whoodles smart?

Poodles are considered the second smartest dog in the world ahead of the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Only the Border Collie is ranked as a more intelligent breed. The influence of the Poodle genes means that Whoodles can have a high IQ.

Adriane explained just how smart her Whoodle Chip is.

Since Whoodles are bred with Poodles, they are much smarter than pure bred Wheaten Terriers. Chip potty trained easily and learned his commands quickly – whether or not he chooses to listen to the command is another story.

Are Whoodle easy to train?

Chip the Whoodle (Photo: @chip_the_whoodle / Instagram)

Whoodles can be challenging to train if they inherit the stubbornness and wilfulness of their Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier parent. The Poodle is the second smartest dog breed in the world but they need sufficient stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and potentially destructive. If they inherit the high IQ of their Poodle parent, training should be a breeze provided it’s consistent.

John had no problems training Edison.

They are very intelligent. Mine looks at you in the eyes which you say his name and his food motivated nature helps him pick up new skills with relative ease.

Are Whoodles easy to potty train?

This was a question that we noticed on Google so we put it to Gracie’s mom, Jaclyn. In spite of this being a commonly researched question, it appears Whoodles don’t struggle in this area. Jaclyn told us:

I potty trained Gracie in two months and she has not had an accident in the house since. Whoodles are very smart and pick up on potty training very easily. I didn’t even use training pads – Gracie just whimpers when she has to go to the bathroom and that’s that! I’ve talked to Whoodle owners and they have all had similar experiences.

How much exercise do Whoodles need?

Edison the Whoodle (Photo: @edison_the_whoodle / Instagram)

Poodles and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are active dogs that like to get regular exercise. So Whoodle owners should be prepared to give their dogs sufficient stimulation.

John revealed that Edison needs a run as well as regular walks to deplete his energy levels.

They are very energetic dogs, the Wheaten in them makes them a bit jumpy, but you can have them unlearn that behavior. A couple long walks a day typically won’t do – he needs a good run with his k9 buds to tire him out.

Are Whoodles hyper?

Some Poodle cross breeds have a reputation for being hyper dogs that can be difficult to handle. We put this question to Jaclyn.

As a puppy, Gracie was a bit hyper but as she got older (she is a year and a half now) her hyperness has subsided. The only time Gracie gets hyper is when she meets new people – it’s called the Whoodle Welcome! Mainly all whoodles have the Whoodle Welcome! Once they meet a new person or see a person they haven’t in a while, the Whoodle Welcome kicks in and lasts for about 5 minutes! Other than that, Whoodles need daily exercise where they can go on a walk or a run a day!

Do Whoodles like to cuddle?

So you’ve given your Whoodle a tonne of exercise, but will they be content to cuddle up next to you on the sofa? Here’s Jaclyn’s experience with Gracie.

Whoodles are one of the kindest dogs. Whoodles cuddles up to just about anyone and are genuinely sweet and warm animals. They are a warm light, extremely sincere, and extremely calm. Every night Gracie cuddles and sleeps with me and whether I’m on the couch or on the ground, Gracie cuddles in my arms.

Do Whoodles get along with other dogs?

Andy the Whoodle (Photo: @andy.the.whoodle / Instagram)

Just like any type of dog, Whoodles will benefit from socialization from a young age with other canines to cultivate and improve their social skills.

It’s important that interactions between young dogs are supervised and you should check with other dog owners to make sure their pets have all the necessary vaccinations.

Adriane gave us an insight into Chip’s experience meeting other dogs.

Whoodles are usually friendly, or at least Chip is. He’s been described to us as the cool kid at the playground, who is friendly and wants to play with everyone.

Do Whoodles bark a lot?

The Wheaten Terrier is a dog that was bred to act as watch dogs, so you may find your Whoodle likes to raise the alarm if someone is approaching your home.

Here’s Adriane to shed more light on this based upon her experience with Chip.

Wheaten Terriers were originally bred as watch dogs, Chip barks a lot when strangers come to the door – especially men he doesn’t know. However, the most he will do is bark and run around in circles. He quiets down after a few minutes though. He also lives howling with sirens – but I think that’s just him and not breed specific.

Are Whoodles aggressive?

This was another question we noticed on Google during our research so we put this question to Adriane.

Generally, Whoodles are loving and happy dogs who want to please their people. Chip is not aggressive towards people and other dogs – but squirrels and geese be ware!

Are Whoodles hypoallergenic?

Gracie the Whoodle (Photo: @gracie_the_whoodle / Instagram)

As we touched upon at the start of this article, Whoodles are considered a hypoallergenic mix breed. Health.com lists the Poodle as a hypoallergenic breed, although the organisation point out that no dog is completely hypoallergenic. Having said that, both the Poodle and Wheaten Terrier are considered hypoallergenic breeds so Whoodles should inherit this trait, too.

Andy’s owner explained that this charming Whoodle is hypoallergenic.

They are one of the few Doodle mixes that are 100% hypoallergenic. Both wheaten terriers and poodles are non shedding and hypoallergenic.

Do Whoodles shed?

Whoodles usually don’t shed at all, so that’s one perk to the breed.

Adriane emphasised this point.

There’s zero shedding – neither the Wheaten nor Poodle breeds shed!

Do Whoodles need regular grooming?

Chip the Whoodle (Photo: @chip_the_whoodle / Instagram)

While Whoodles don’t shed, they’ll usually require quite a bit of grooming. Dog owners will need to brush their Whoodle regularly to prevent their coats from becoming matted or tangled. If you decide to take your Whoodle to a professional groomer, it can be quite expensive.

Jaclyn gave us an insight into Gracie’s grooming regime.

There are a lot of different ways to groom a Whoodle. I sent Gracie to a groomer for about 5 months and liked the way they cut her. They used a buzzer and cut her body and then cut her face with scissors. However, I have started grooming her on my own and cut her face, legs, hair on her paws, and tail with scissors. I use a buzzer for her body too. It takes around 2 hours to groom her. Whoodles are very calm so they won’t fight you when being groomed.

Do Whoodles have any health problems?

Usually mixed breeds are considered healthier than purebred dogs. Having said that, they can still be prone to some issues. It’s a good idea to research any potential health problems before you get a dog. Here are some health issues to be aware of:

• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Kidney Problems
• Addison’s Disease
• Eye Diseases and Disorders

Are Whoodles fussy eaters?

Chip the Whoodle (Photo: @chip_the_whoodle / Instagram)

Some Whoodles can be picky eaters, other Whoodles will wolf down their food. It all depends on the individual dog.

For instance, my Alaskan Klee Kai have traditionally been very fussy until I switched them onto Nom Nom and Butternut Box. I’ve reviewed the best dog food delivery companies in the USA and the best dog food delivery companies in the UK.

Alternatively, if you prefer feeding your Whoodle dry food such as kibble, you can still find some great options here. Other pet parents may prefer to check out the leading options in the raw dog food market.

Jacyln says her Whoodle Gracie isn’t a fussy eater.

I did have to change Gracie’s food once when she turned one because she wasn’t eating too much. The thing about Whoodles is they don’t have enormous appetites. This did scare me when I noticed Gracie wasn’t finishing her breakfast and dinner some days but after talking to the vet and other Whoodle owners it seems as if Whoodles don’t have enormous appetites. This being said, they are not fussy eaters but just don’t eat too much.

Andy, though, is extremely food driven.

Andy will eat ANYTHING! he is definitely food driven.

Whoodle Price

Edison the Whoodle (Photo: @edison_the_whoodle / Instagram)

As a so-called designer breed, Whoodles can be expensive. If you’re thinking about getting this cross, you could check your local rescue shelter to see if any members of this hybrid dog need to be rehomed. Otherwise, you can speak to other Whoodle owners to see which breeders they recommend. Whoodle puppies will usually cost between $1,500 and $3,000.

John kindly gave us an insight into how much Edison cost.

I paid $2500 for my Whoodle, so yes they’re on the expensive side.

Jaclyn paid a little less for Gracie.

Whoodles are around $1,500. I got Gracie from Furrylicious Boutique who got her from a farm in Iowa. The prices may vary but I paid around $1,500 for her.

Are Whoodles expensive?

Aside from the initial cost of Whoodles, you’ll need to think about the monthly costs of owning your cross breed.

These can range from pet food, pet insurance, grooming, trips to the vet and much more. As you’ll now know, Whoodles require regular grooming, which can be quite expensive if you go to a professional groomer. You can check out the best pet insurance options in the USA and the UK.

Would you recommend Whoodles to first-time owners?

Edison the Whoodle (Photo: @edison_the_whoodle / Instagram)

If you’re a first-time dog owners, let’s see if our current Whoodle owners would recommend this mixed breed for you.

Adriane said she would definitely put forward this breed for inexperienced owners.

Whoodles are great first time dogs. Easy going and loving.

Whoodle to follow on Instagram

If you want to learn more about the Whoodle cross breed, you can always send a message to current owners on Instagram. They’re usually more than willing to offer advice and help. Here are some Whoodles to check out on Instagram.

• Gracie (@gracie_the_whoodle)

• Chip (@chip_the_whoodle)

• Andy (@andy.the.whoodle)

• Edison (@edison_the_whoodle)

What are the pros and cons of Whoodles?

Gracie the Whoodle (Photo: @gracie_the_whoodle / Instagram)

Pros

Jaclyn/Gracie: Extremely kind; Extremely loving; Hypoallergenic; Very easy to socialize; Extremely calm; Extremely warm; Rarely bark; Good hiking and running partners; Easy to potty train; Easy to train (tricks etc) and smart dogs.

Adriane/Chip: Wheaten Terriers and Poodles are both hypoallergenic dogs, so they are great for ppl with allergies.

John/Edison: You will have a dog that loves everyone and everything!

Andy: They are very friendly and loving. I always say Andy has never met a stranger and everyone is his new best friend.

Cons

Jaclyn/Gracie: Can be expensive; Need exercise daily and some may have allergies.

Adriane/Chip: Beacause of their floppy ears, they are prone to ear infections.

John/Edison: They are too smart for their own good! They will learn what they can get away with pretty quickly – our Whoodle will get up at 5:30am each day to get attention. As a puppy he was a bit jumpy, could freak out non dog lovers, but he’s very loving and is the least bit intimidating.

Andy: They do however require a lot of exercise. As long as he gets enough outdoor time/walks, he is a very well behaved boy. If he misses a walk, he can get very rambunctious