With a funny name like Whoodle, you can’t really expect anything else besides a cute, playful dog! Whoodles have been all the rage for the past 30 years for various good reasons. They’re affectionate, clever, and very active!
However, how did this designer breed come to be? Plus, how would you care for him, or what would you feed him if you wanted to get one yourself?
In today’s post, we’ll answer all these questions as well as provide you with some essential caring tips! So, without further delay, let’s start!
The Whoodle’s Origin
As with most designer breeds, the Whoodle is a relatively new breed on the market with little to no history.
All we know is that the Whoodle showed up around the late 1980s when people wanted to combine the intelligence of the Poodle with the soft fur of a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier.
Because of that, we ended up with a dog that can be called Whoodle, the Sweatendoodle, the Sweatenpoo, Wheatendoodle, and the Wheatenpoo!
Although the Whoodle has been around for a couple of decades, it remains a less well-known Poodle mix than the Goldendoodle or Labradoodle.
As a result, our main way of learning more about it is to take a look at its parents.
The Poodle
Despite what many people believe, the Poodle didn’t originate in France. While the French nobles bred the dog and made it more popular than ever, the breed actually started hundreds of years ago in Germany.
Hunters used Poodles as water retrievers to help them catch aquatic birds to recover shot arrows that missed their target. They have an even temperament, a playful attitude, and a willingness to please their owners.
Their energy made them lovable companions, and their intelligence always put them on top compared to other dogs. In fact, If you look up the smartest dog breeds, you’ll always find the Poodle among the top five, if not the top three.
The Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
On the other end of the pond, the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier evolved from terriers to help farmers in Ireland.
Though it’s not as old as the Poodle, the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier existed almost 200 hundred years ago as the poor man’s hunting dog. Back then, only freemen and landowners were allowed to own hunting dogs like Greyhounds or Land Spaniels.
So, the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier was the only option to help the poor Irish farmers guard and herd sheep. The farmers also used him to help with mundane kitchen tasks, and he was excellent at alerting the owners of any alien presence on the grounds.
As time passed, the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier evolved to form a strong companionship bond with humans and a strong desire to please his owners.
The Whoodle’s Appearance and Possible Cost
Though most available Whoodles are generally small, it’s not uncommon to find a few large ones. This is a direct result of the breed’s Poodle lineage. You see, there are around three sizes for a Poodle: miniature, toy, and standard.
As a result, the Whoodle’s weight and height can vary greatly depending on what type was crossbred with the Wheaten Terrier.
Usually, Whoodles weigh around 20–45 lbs and stand at about 12–20 inches. There’s no significant difference between males and females regarding the size.
Furthermore, Whoodles come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. There are some with solid coats and some with dotted ones, and their colors range from white, cream, apricot, and red to black.
Their coats also tend to fade and lighten as they age, thanks to the “fade gene” inherited from their Poodle parents. Most Whoodles have brown or amber eyes with a medium-length coat.
Unfortunately for some, because of all these beautiful qualities, the Whoodle can cost a tad much.
The average price for one is around $1,000 to $2,000, if not more. Also, this is without mentioning the cost of grooming, training, and health care!
Health Issues and Life Expectancy
With a healthy diet and regular vet check-ups, you can guarantee that your Whoodle will live happily for approximately 12–15 years.
The only thing that could affect his lifespan is the possible complication from various inherited or environmental health problems. Some of the most common ones include the following:
- Addison’s Disease
Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s disease occurs when there’s a problem with your dog’s adrenal glands. It usually means that they aren’t functioning correctly and won’t produce enough corticosteroid hormones.
These hormones help control so many things in his body, such as metabolism, blood pressure, and immune function. Sadly, this condition is mainly the result of an immune-mediated response against the adrenal glands.
Other problems, such as infections or trauma, can affect the adrenal glands’ function. Signs of Addison’s disease include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
There’s no need to worry if you spot any of these symptoms on your Whoodle. All you have to do is take him to the vet for a quick check-up to see what’s wrong.
Remember that while Addison’s disease can be fatal, it only happens if left untreated and neglected. So, if you’re lucky to catch the symptoms early on, your Whoodle will be able to recover and live his life to the fullest.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited condition that leads to retina deterioration. It’s non-painful and progresses slowly, with the dog’s vision weakening over time. Various signs point to PRA, including:
- Terrible night vision
- Weak day vision
- Dilated pupils
- Cataract formation
- Reflective eyes under light
- Increased clumsiness (bumps into furniture a lot)
- Nervous about going into dark rooms
Though there isn’t any cure for this condition yet, it’s still important to take your Whoodle to the vet if you notice any of these signs.
Moreover, there’s no need to worry about your dog’s lifestyle as it won’t change that much. After all, dogs also depend on their sense of smell for almost anything. Just make sure you install bumpers on corners where he could injure himself.
- Sebaceous Adenitis
Another immune-mediated disorder on our list here is sebaceous adenitis. This disorder affects the Whoodle’s sebaceous glands, which are responsible for its healthy fur coat.
Sebaceous adenitis tends to affect young and middle-aged dogs. Telltale signs include:
- Bald spots
- Odd coat texture
- Musty odor
- Sores and scabs
- White scales that stick to the ski
- Matted hair
- Lesions
Sadly, this condition is without a cure and requires a lot of tending to. So, please, don’t hesitate to take your Whoodle to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
With the proper treatment and care, your furball can continue living his life just as he should.
- Kidney Issues
Because both the Poodle and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier are prone to developing kidney issues, it makes sense that their offspring are equally susceptible.
One of the most common kidney disorders is renal disease, which prevents the organ from filtering toxins in the bloodstream. Thankfully, the signs of renal disease are really obvious, like:
- Physical weakness
- Scratchy skin
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Increased thirst
- Dehydration
- Increased urination
- Blood in urine
- Abdominal pain
There are many reasons why your Whoodle may suffer from renal disease other than it being inherited. For example, it could result from ingesting something poisonous, a heat stroke, dehydration, or trauma to the organ.
So, if you suspect your dog has kidney disease, take him to the vet, and they’ll get him to do all the necessary tests to guarantee a full recovery.
The Whoodle’s Temperament and Personality
If you want a dog that will fill your life with enthusiasm and activities, the Whoodle should be your top pick. The Whoodle is a very playful dog that’s full of energy that he needs to spend!
You’ll often find him clamoring for your attention to play with him.
However, if you give in to that attention one too many times, you might end up with a Whoodle that has separation anxiety. So, be careful and let him play on his own when you can.
Another thing to remember is that Whoodles are known for their curiosity. So you can always find your doggie sniffing around and observing trees and benches while walking through the park.
However, this trait clashes a little bit with the hunter personality in him. After all, Whoddles are the offspring of two breeds that were frequently used in hunting.
Hence, it makes sense that the Whoodle can turn into a little hunter when he catches sight of a squirrel or a bird. To avoid this, make sure to introduce your Whoodle to little animals, like cats and bunnies, from a young age.
Most importantly, don’t try to stifle your Whoodle with instructions or rules. The more you do that, the more you’ll discover how Whoodles can be really stubborn.
Instead, let your dog discover his surroundings—with you in control— without restraining his every movement.
Taking Care of a Whoodle
Taking care of your Whoodle requires several things. For instance, you’ll need to figure out his grooming needs, how much physical and mental practice is required, and what to feed him.
So, to make things easier, we’ve put together this simple list to help you out:
- How to Groom your Whoodle
Unfortunately, while the Whoodle doesn’t shed that much, you’ll still have to comb its coat daily to avoid matting and to keep it silky. You can do this with a wide-toothed comb and some detangling spray for dogs.
You’ll also need to brush his teeth at least twice weekly to help keep them clean and enhance the bond you both share! When it comes to bathing, you can do this at least once a month to help keep the skin and coat healthy.
The last thing to do in his grooming is clipping the nails! You’ll need to do this at least once every three to four weeks or every time you feel their nails scratching you.
If you do it yourself, please be careful of the quick, pink part in your dog’s nails that contains blood vessels and nerves.
On the other hand, if you’re unsure about doing this yourself, you can head to the vet or groomer to do it for you. While you’re there, ask them to teach you so you can do it yourself in the future.
- What To feed Your Whoodle
If there’s one thing you need to keep in mind, it’s that dogs love to eat! So whenever and wherever there’s food available, your Whoodle would go for it. Hence, you’ll need to stick to a specific schedule to ensure you’re not overfeeding him.
Generally, most adult Whoodles eat around one cup per day, divided into two or three meals. However, this varies from dog to dog, with every change in weight, height, and age.
So, an excellent piece of advice to follow is to ask your vet for help formulating the proper diet for your furry friend. Until then, you can include foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals in your Whoodle’s meal.
For example, you can incorporate little pieces of chicken, carrots, and potatoes into the meal whenever you can.
- The Best Exercise Routine for Your Whoodle
As we mentioned earlier, the Whoodle is an incredibly energetic dog. So to help him healthily release all his energy, you’ll need to take him on daily walks that last at least 30 minutes.
Moreover, you can include some extra activities in your daily routine. For instance, try to teach him how to play fetch or how to run after a frisbee!
Try your best to ensure your dog gets plenty of exercises. Otherwise, you might come back home to find a huge mess.
If you can’t provide your Whoodle with his daily dose of exercise, make sure to leave him with a window seat or a puzzle game to keep him entertained.
Also, if you’re having trouble getting this stubborn fellow to answer commands, try applying positive reinforcement whenever you can. Offer treats, exciting words of encouragement, and hugs whenever he does something correctly.
Final Words
So, there you have it—the Whoodle! It’s a relatively new dog breed that seems to be perfect for families or anyone who just wants a playful dog.
The Whoodle is intelligent, affectionate, and a little stubborn, but he can also be the most loyal companion you’ve ever had.
In short, he’s definitely worth the investment if you’re thinking about bringing one into your life!