Whoodle
The Whoodle pairs the Wheaten Terrier's famously joyous 'Wheaten greetin'' with Poodle intelligence - a silky, bouncy, medium-sized enthusiast that hugs first and asks questions later.
Last reviewed: October 2026
AI illustration Overview
The Whoodle pairs the Wheaten Terrier's famously joyous 'Wheaten greetin'' with Poodle intelligence - a silky, bouncy, medium-sized enthusiast that hugs first and asks questions later. Softer-coated than most doodles and terrier-spirited underneath, it's a merry dog for active, affectionate homes.
A designer cross: the Whoodle is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier × Poodle mix, not a standardised breed - individuals vary more than purebreds, in coat, size and temperament alike. No study has measured how long this cross lives; for the parent breeds the AKC lists 12-14 years (Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier) and 10-18 years (Poodle).
History & Origins
A 2000s cross; the Wheaten side brings Irish farm-terrier heritage and that signature single silky coat, already low-shedding before the Poodle joins in.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of three long-legged Irish terriers, with the Kerry Blue and the Irish Terrier, that the AKC says share a common ancestry; Wheatens were all-purpose farm dogs that caught rats, guarded poultry and even herded.
Appearance
10-20 kg in wheaten gold, apricot, cream and occasionally black/silver; the coat is uncommonly soft - silk waves rather than wool curls. Typical size: Medium, 10-20 kg. Coat: Silky-soft waves, low-shed (varies).
The Royal Kennel Club (UK) standard describes the Wheaten coat as soft and silky, "neither woolly nor wiry", loosely waved or with large, loose curls, on a dog of about 46-49 cm and 16-20.5 kg. It adds that coat colour and texture do not settle until about 24 months. The Poodle parent may be a Standard (over 38 cm) or a Miniature (between 28 and 38 cm), so Whoodles vary in size.
Temperament & Character
Exuberantly friendly (the leaping greeting is a breed signature to train early) with terrier bounce, playfulness and some chase instinct for squirrels. Sociable with people and most dogs.
Care
Good daily exercise (they're bouncy athletes), and despite the silk the coat mats: brush every other day, clip regularly. Train polite greetings before 20 kg of hug arrives at grandma.
Health & Lifespan
No lifespan study covers the Whoodle; the overview gives the AKC figures for its parent breeds.
The Wheaten side has a distinctive list. The AKC says breeders screen for protein-losing nephropathy (a kidney disease), protein-losing enteropathy (a group of gut conditions), Addison's disease and renal dysplasia, and the club's recommended tests include DNA tests for two PLN variants, blood counts, urinalysis and urine protein checks, besides hip and eye evaluations. Addison's disease also appears on the Poodle side: in UK primary-care data from 2016, Standard Poodles had 51.38 times the odds of crossbred dogs. The Miniature Poodle club recommends patella, hip and eye evaluations and a PRA-prcd test.
PetMD's Whoodle page lists protein-losing enteropathy and nephropathy, renal dysplasia, hip dysplasia, idiopathic epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis and von Willebrand disease. Kidney and gut screening are tests a vet orders and reads; we report what the sources list and give no advice.
Feeding & Nutrition
Measured quality food for an athletic medium dog; some Wheaten lines have food sensitivities - note any itching and consult the vet.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wonderfully soft coat
- Joyful, affectionate temperament
- Medium size fits most homes
- Playful family athlete
Cons
- Jump-greeting needs training
- Chase instinct vs small animals
- Silky coat still mats
- Energy needs daily exercise
Best Suited For
- Active families
- People wanting silky-soft over woolly
- Sport and hiking companions
- Multi-dog households
Sources
- AKC, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: history, health and recommended tests: akc.org
- Royal Kennel Club, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed standard: size and coat: royalkennelclub.com
- Royal Kennel Club, Poodle (Standard) and Poodle (Miniature) breed standards: royalkennelclub.com
- Schofield et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice 2021: hypoadrenocorticism in UK dogs: doi.org
- AKC, Poodle (Miniature): recommended tests: akc.org
- PetMD, Whoodle: health issues: petmd.com
Sources opened and checked on 16 October 2026.
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Whoodle puppy growth chart
A typical growth curve for a medium breed like the Whoodle, estimated from its adult weight of 10-20 kg. Puppies vary with sex, genetics and diet, so treat this as a guide - for your own puppy, use the puppy weight predictor.
| Age | Typical weight | % of adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mo | 2.7-5.4 kg | 27% |
| 3 mo | 4-8 kg | 40% |
| 4 mo | 5-10 kg | 50% |
| 6 mo | 6.8-13.6 kg | 68% |
| 9 mo | 8.5-17 kg | 85% |
| 12 mo | 9.7-19.4 kg | 97% |
| Adult | 10-20 kg | 100% |
Whoodle - frequently asked questions
What's a 'Wheaten greetin''?
The parent breed's famous leap-and-kiss hello - endearing at 8 weeks, a knockdown at 18 kg. Teach four-on-the-floor greetings from day one.
Whoodle vs Goldendoodle?
Similar friendliness; the Whoodle is a size smaller, silkier-coated and bouncier-terrier in spirit, the Goldendoodle more classically biddable.
Do they get along with cats?
Raised together, usually - but terrier chase instinct means unknown cats and squirrels are sporting propositions. Early socialisation matters.
Test yourself: guess the dog
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our dogs. Can you name them?
Clue 1.Some individuals of this graceful droving breed carry a gene making them dangerously sensitive to certain common medications.
It's the Collie (Rough) - read the full profile →
Clue 2.Considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, this hypoallergenic dog is the national breed of France.
It's the Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy) - read the full profile →
Clue 3.A muscular estate guardian from southern Italy, this short-coated breed historically hunted boar and drove livestock.
It's the Cane Corso - read the full profile →
Adoptable dogs near you
Set on this breed? It is usually a designer cross, so here are dogs of every kind near you, live from Petfinder - filter by breed there if you like. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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