Who’s a fan of sweet, soft, curly-haired dogs? If that’s you, you’re going to love a breed called the Whoodle. Part of the doodle family (we’ll get to that in a second), this is a dog that is so cute it’s almost surreal. I mean, is that a dog or a teddy bear? Hard to tell.
Not to mention the name: who can ever get mad at a dog called a Whoodle? It’s a free pass to forgiveness from now until eternity.
Of course, every dog has its secrets. Here’s what Whoodle owners know that other dog lovers may not.
1. They’re a mix of Poodle and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Which means you can expect characteristics of both breeds. They’re smart like Poodles but friendly like Wheaten Terriers. That combo also tends to produce these real-life-teddy-bear puppies, so owners are used to being stopped on the street for strangers to get a quick cuddle in.
2. Thanks to Poodle genetics, you don’t have to invest in lint rollers
You won’t have to hoover incessantly, either. The Whoodle has a wavy or straight coat, but their silky soft hair doesn’t shed as much as other breeds, so owners don’t have to worry about constantly being covered in dog hair (hurrah!). On the other hand, their hair does grow long, so they have to be groomed regularly and brushed on a near-daily basis.
3. Whoodles weigh between 9-20kg (20-45 lbs) in adulthood
The Whoodle’s size is determined by their parents. If their parents were a Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle, they’ll be the average of those two. Wheaten Terriers get to a max of around 20kg (45 lbs); whereas for Poodles, it depends on the background—whether they’re a standard, miniature, or toy poodle. For Whoodles who come from two Whoodle parents, getting to know the Whoodles who came before often helps pet owners figure out how big their pet might grow to be.
4. They’re not lazy, couch-bound pets
Whoodles have loads of energy and want to spend it playing. Toys? Owners know to have them on hand. Away at work for the day? Whoodle owners probably have a whole closet full of dog puzzles to keep their Whoodle entertained. They’ll probably also be up for long walks on the beach—you know, like the perfect date, but with four legs instead of two.
5. Great for kids—super-friendly and fun
Whoodles are seriously sociable and fun, which makes them great companions for kids. They tend to be gentle so even kids who are less than confident with pets can usually find a friend in the Whoodle. But that also means they can struggle with being left at home alone so if you can’t be around as much as you’d like to be, you can find a local sitter on Rover.com who offers dog boarding and can give your dog all the attention they deserve while you’re gone. But when a friend comes around, you better believe this dog is up to play.
6. Whoodle coats come in many colours
A creamy-tan colour (putting the wheat in wheaten), black, red, peach, or even spotted with different colours. There are about as many colours of Whoodle coats as there are cute dog pictures saved on our phones. Which is to say, a lot.
7. Whoodles love—and demand—attention
We hope you weren’t planning on getting anything else done because this is a breed that wants your constant attention. Or maybe they just need another dog friend…
8. They love the thrill of the chase
Wheaten Terriers were bred as farm dogs that would both herd sheep and hunt small animals, so Whoodles have a tendency to chase small animals, too. It’s an amusing, if somewhat naughty, behaviour. Longtime lovers of this breed know they have to be extra careful when introducing Whoodles to other small family pets like cats.
9. Whoodles have many nicknames
Featured image via Eileen O’Shea/Flickr
