Whoodle -- Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier X Poodle

		Whoodle
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Ireland <> France -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Sweatenpoo Sweat-n-Poo Wheatendoodle Wheatenpoo

A brief presentation of the Whoodle

The Whoodle is a robust hybrid breed that may not be for the faint-hearted; inexperienced owners may find themselves overwhelmed by the Whoodle's tenacity and pack mentality. The result of crossing an Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle, the Whoodle tends to inherit its parents' more extreme traits, which can lead it to try to take over the house as pack leader. But if the future owner is tenacious and experienced enough, he or she will be able to raise the Whoodle to become a loving companion and loyal member of the family. The Whoodle's pack mentality encourages it to seek its place in the family more than anything else, so if you're able to firmly but gently put this breed of dog in its place, you'll have a sturdy companion, loyal family member and fun-loving friend for years to come.

History of the Whoodle

Whoodles are a recent breed of dog, only coming into existence in the mid-1900s. As such, very little is known about the Whoodle compared to other breeds, but what is known is that Whoodles were bred to combine the intelligence and non-shedding tendencies of the Poodle with the strong coat and lush fur of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. If the Whoodle's history is rather ambiguous, that of its parents is much less so, and deserves to be explored to better understand the Whoodle. The long history of the Whoodle's two parents has had lasting effects on this hybrid breed, as Whoodles are gradually becoming recognized for their intelligence and hardiness, two characteristics that served their ancestors well.

	A little of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
	The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is in a similar situation to the Poodle, as it is an older breed of dog with a deep connection to humanity. Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were bred in the 1700s as herding dogs to hunt vermin in Ireland. Renowned for their resilience and intelligence, Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were able to survive the infamous Irish potato famine, although their numbers declined sharply as a result. The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier weathered the storms of history and saw its numbers rebound in the 1900s, when the Irish Kennel Club recognized it as an official breed.

	Standard of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier


	A little of the Poodle
	The Poodle may be a well-known breed, but its history is less so. Bred in Germany, Poodles became famous in France, where they were prized for their sophisticated manners and ability to hunt waterfowl. The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds known to man, and the two species have developed a complex understanding of each other due to their long-standing relationship.

	Standard of the Poodle

Appearance of the Whoodle

The walking masses of fur known as Whoodles can have a variety of appearances that are affected by their pedigree; some Whoodles favor the general appearance of their Soft Coated Irish Terrier ancestors, while others may look more like a Poodle. But the general characteristics of the Whoodle are muscular shoulders, broad hind legs and abundant fur. The cute appearances of these dogs belie their pack spirit somewhat, and unsuspecting owners may be caught off guard by their Whoodle's tendency to try to impose itself as pack leader. However, a properly bred and socialized Whoodle will become a complete indoor dog, often lying down and energetic, resembling an oversized stuffed doll with wavy curls of fur. Whoodles can also come in a rainbow of colors, thanks to the amount of varied and diverse pigmentation options offered by their parents.

Temperament of the Whoodle

Whoodles can be quite difficult to live with, as these dogs have a lot of energy and a somewhat heavy temperament. It's up to the owner to assert himself as head of the family, lest the Whoodle in question become aloof or even try to assert himself as the best dog in the family. Despite their somewhat tenacious personality, Whoodles do not respond well to strict training and will become very resistant to an owner who shouts and reprimands them too violently. Patience is the key to training a Whoodle, but you'll also need to strike a balance between putting your foot down and giving praise when it's deserved. Whoodles can learn to get along well with older children, if socialized early, but adult supervision is always recommended due to the Whoodle's aversion to fights and rough play. Ultimately, Whoodles are fun-loving dogs, but they will need a lot of guidance to become suitable family members.

Needs and activities of the Whoodle

Whoodles come in a multitude of sizes, and these sizes have proportionately different needs in terms of physical activity. Smaller Whoodles won't need as much exercise as larger dogs of the same breed, but a good sixty minutes of daily physical activity is a good minimum limit for all Whoodles. Whoodles have a good dose of energy, whatever their size, and a walking distance of 10 km a week is a good target to aim for to keep this breed healthy and happy. Whoodles do better in the cold than in the heat, however, so it's best to plan your walks accordingly to avoid heat exhaustion or heat rash. Exercising a Whoodle can be very difficult for those who don't engage in regular physical activity from the outset, as they are likely to be tired long before the Whoodle reaches its limits, but this breed can also serve as a source of motivation to become more physically active.

Maintenance of the Whoodle

To maintain the Whoodle's lustrous, shimmering coat, you'll need to plan daily brushing sessions. Both the Whoodle's parents have high grooming needs, so it's not surprising that the Whoodle has equally high demands in terms of hygiene, physical well-being and coat health. Proper care of a Whoodle can, in many ways, be a monumental task, which is another reason why this hybrid isn't exactly considered an entry-level dog. However, more experienced dog owners will probably be able to meet the needs of this breed without too much difficulty, and they may even have many of the tools needed to maintain the Whoodle's health at hand; pin brushes, scissors, clippers and combs will be needed to maintain a healthy coat, while regular nail trimming sessions will also be necessary. But if you're inexperienced or uncomfortable with the idea of trimming your Whoodle's nails manually, it's always best to call in a professional.