Last Updated on April 25, 2023
The Whoodle is what happens when you cross the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier with a Poodle. Playful, active, and loves people, these smart canines inherit the best of both parents.
You’ll probably come across other nicknames like the Wheatendoodle, Wheatenpoo, Sweatendoodle, Sweatenpoo, Swheat-n-poo, and Wheatiepoo, but they all describe the same adorable family pet.

Read on to learn more about this intelligent mixed bas reed!
Quick Navigation
- 1 What is a Whoodle dog, and who are their parents?
- 2 Do Whoodles resemble the Poodle or Wheaten Terrier?
- 3 The Whoodle temperament: sugar, spice, and everything nice
- 4 How to provide the best care for the Whoodle
- 5 The Whoodle could develop several health issues
- 6 Whoodles are pricey pups
- 7 Who should take care of these teddy bears?
- 8 Further reading: Similarly sized breeds to Whoodles
- 9 Reference
What is a Whoodle dog, and who are their parents?
The Poodle and Wheaten Terrier mix has mostly unknown origins. However, it’s likely that breeders intentionally bred this dog breed in the mid-1900s, possibly in the United States.
Many breeders like to mix Poodles with other dogs because they have incredible intelligence and an interestingly curly coat.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier likely became the second parent to cash in on their silky fur and not the Poodles curly locks.
Besides the presence of the gently waving Wheaten Terrier coat, they are also happy, friendly, and deeply devoted to their owners.
It takes the Poodle parent to average out the terrier stubbornness to make the Whoodle a well-rounded and trainable companion.
Designer dogs like the Wheatendoodle won’t receive recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC).
However, the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) do.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and its Irish roots

To fully understand the Whoodle, we should look at their parents.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a product of Ireland. Terriers had versatility as farm dogs that could catch small prey and vermin, help with hunting, and act as guard dogs, watchdogs, and retrievers to protect other humans and animals against threats.
Wheaten’s also have an unknown past, but their ancestors are likely the Irish Terrier and Kerry Blue Terrier because they share common attributes of a working dog.
Their docked tail was a signal to tax collectors that they were workers, not companions.
It wasn’t until St. Patrick’s Day in 1937 that the Irish Kennel Club recognized the Wheaten as an official breed.
This breed had to catch rabbits, rats, and badgers to prove their status as a terrier and a hard-working farm dog to get this status.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier hit U.S. shores in 1946 with many other Irish immigrants.
In 1962 the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of American started in Brooklyn on St. Patrick’s Day to commemorate the breed’s initial status as a distinct purebred dog.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier has recognition in The American Kennel Club in the Terrier Group as of 1973.
They are middle-of-the-road in popularity and rank 60-70th place among other breeds. Wheaten Terriers are still incredibly popular in Ireland.
The intelligent Poodle

Let’s look at the Wheatenpoo’s other parent, the Poodle.
Unlike the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, the Poodle has a long history with documentation that dates as far back as the first century B.C.
They are adorned in Roman and Egyptian artifacts and tombs and look very similar to the Poodle we know today.
Historians usually agree that the Poodle comes from Germany but developed a new identity in France. Poodles found work hunting waterfowl for sport or food.
Some historians believe the Poodle is a mixing pot of multiple water dogs, including Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Hungarian, and Russian pooches.
They may even have a North African Barbet ancestor very far back.
Or, maybe they came from Asian herding dogs and were eventually found by the Ostrogoth and Germanic Goth tribes. There are endless theories as to where the Poodle initially came from.
There is even more argument about the origins of the Miniature and Toy Poodles. Either they were bred right after the Standard or sometime in the 1400s.
As a unique twist, small Poodles bred with even smaller Poodles to create a Miniature or Toy; they were bred with other smaller breeds.
French Standard Poodles were useful in duck hunting, while mid-size Poodles could sniff for truffles.
Even the Toy Poodle had its function, but mostly as a carrying piece for nobility. It was really cool to own a Toy Poodle during the Renaissance.
The Romani also found a use for Poodles: as circus dogs. Poodles were smart enough to learn tightrope walking and multiple other dog tricks.
This is likely where the signature Poodle cut came from, as the Romani liked to sculpt their hair in fanciful ways.
This intelligent breed was one of the first inductees to The Kennel Club in England in 1874. The American Kennel Club also registered this breed but later in 1886.
Finally, the Poodle Club of America also showed their love for this breed in 1896 and again in 1931.
Do Whoodles resemble the Poodle or Wheaten Terrier?

The Whoodle has no standard appearance. What makes the Whoodle especially difficult to predict is how different both parent breeds look and present structurally.
On average, the skull and head won’t point as far at the snout as the Poodle does. Whoodle dogs tend to have the terrier short, flat crown, and average snout.
Ears are always floppy and hang either to the eyes or lower towards the neck.
This hybrid dog inherits brown or amber eyes from both parents, but black is also standard. Paws and nose could be amber, black or brown. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and Poodle mix tail is short and erect.
A Poodle has longer legs than their torso, whereas the Wheaten Terrier is more equal across their whole frame.
You can tell who the Whoodle takes after most by their body type. They can either have a fine to heavy bone structure.
The Whoodle size depends on the parent
Your typical Sweatendoodle is a small dog, but some Whoodle owners have seen their tiny pup reach into the medium category.
It depends on whether or not the parent is a Standard Poodle, a Medium Poodle, or a Miniature/Toy Poodle variety.
This designer breed will stand between 12-20 inches (30.4-50.8 cms) tall and weigh 20-45 pounds (9.0-20.4 kg).
A medium Whoodle could be a Goldendoodle size, another mixed breed, while a Standard Whoodle could get as large as a Labradoodle.
Standard Whoodles will be on the far end of the spectrum at 35-45 pounds (15.8-20.4 kgs) and will stand at 18-20 inches (45.7-50.8 cms) or taller.
Miniature Whoodles are even smaller than medium and Standard Whoodles, but Mini’s are still in the small category – but barely.
A Mini will weigh 20-25 pounds (9.0-11.3 kgs) and can only reach a height of 12-14 inches (30.4-35.5 cms).
The different sizes don’t make a significant difference in the breed’s life expectancy, health, or adoption cost.
In the Whoodle breed, the females are often smaller than the males unless they are on the smaller side.
Your family pet will range in height and weight more in the Medium-Standard breeds, but it’s only a difference of 10 pounds or less.
Most Sweatenpoo’s will reach maturity in 12 months, but larger Whoodles could take 16-18 months before they stop growing. All sizes adapt well to apartment living as long as the larger Whoodles have a space to play.
A mane fit for a prince
Swheat-n-poo’s have medium in length fur that is silky, wavy, and smooth to touch thanks to their Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier parent.
It’s still possible your Whoodle will have curly hair like the Poodle, but the average dog won’t have this trait.

Both the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and Poodle have hypoallergenic fur that’s low-shedding and easy to manage through average grooming.
Dog owners who have allergies will love the Whoodle for its luxurious coat.
Whoodles can have a mixed or solid coat, but more often than not, your pup’s coat will have more than one color throughout its fur.
Coat colors such as brown, black, silver-grey, red, cream, creamy-tan, peach, chocolate, and apricot are all possible.
Along with the mix of colors your pup may have, it’s also likely your Whoodle will have markings in the form of spots or parti.
The Whoodle temperament: sugar, spice, and everything nice
The Wheatiepoo is the biggest sweetie ever to grace the dog world.
Child-like and enthusiastic describes them best, but they are also active dogs, full of energy, and incredibly smart. They will never stop giving you and your family affection if they can help it!
Whoodles will fit right in as an adorable family member who loves small children, seniors, strangers, and cats but may have reservations about dogs. With proper socialization, they can get along with any dog – big or small.
One of the things your Wheatendoodle can’t get enough of (besides cuddles) is playtime.
You should keep a large number of toys near them because they crave social interaction and company. Despite this, they have a low prey drive and won’t bark, making them poor watchdogs.
Overall, they are friendly, if not hyper, pups keen to run, jump, swim, jog and walk with you multiple times a day.
As long as they stay close to your family, they’ll likely enjoy any activity. Oh and, don’t forget to have a warm lap for them to sleep on!

Does this sweetheart have a mean bone in its body?
Finding an aggressive or mean Whoodle is like finding a needle in a haystack – almost impossible.
As mentioned, their positive personality traits help them warm up anyone and everyone quickly, regardless if you’re a cat, stranger, chameleon, or stranger.
As far as family dogs go, they are as perfect as you can get.
Unfortunately, their reliance on other humans for comfort could make them feel lonely without you, but even while alone, they’re unlikely to bark. For this reason, they are prone to separation anxiety.
Whoodles have a low to moderate trainability because they like to think they’re the boss, but at the same time, they dislike yelling.
You need some patience while training them to accept other dogs or to stay alone for extended periods.
The best and fastest way to train a Whoodles is with encouragement and kindness with a lot of positive reinforcement.
Dog lovers who cannot be firm with pets may appreciate this training method because niceties go a long way with the Whoodle!
How to provide the best care for the Whoodle
Wheatenpoo’s aren’t high maintenance except for grooming but need a lot of attention from their humans to stay happy and healthy.
They thrive on positive energy and speech, so keep them engaged with mental stimulation.
Whoodles usually prefer colder weather over hotter climates. Keep a water bottle and bowl on you in case they need a drink during walks.
Playing with your Whoodle
Sweatendoodle’s love to play but don’t require a lot of exercise despite their high energy.
They’ll likely tire themselves out in the morning after a 30-minute play session, but it’s still essential you take them outdoors for a walk or job.
If you want to see how to play with your Whoodle, watch the video below:
To keep your Whoodle active, you should aim for a 1-mile walk a day. You can either jog straight for 15 minutes or walk for 30 minutes.
Your pup may get frustrated with constant running, so switch your play up if you find he’s signaling you to stop.
To keep your Whoodle happy while also saving money, purchase a bulk pack of various chew toys, ropes, balls, and plushies, so the fun times never stop.
Are Whoodles hypoallergenic and easy to groom?
For the most part, Whoodles aren’t tricky to groom because their medium-length coat grows straight and stays shiny naturally.
Whoodles are also hypoallergenic and rarely shed, so say goodbye to continually vacuuming and sweeping.
However, both the Poodle and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier parent have high-maintenance brushing schedules that translate over to the Whoodle.
To keep the beautiful sheen of their coat, brush them daily to avoid matting and clumping.
Their grooming frequency is consistent, whether they’re a Mini Whoodle or a Medium or Standard Whoodle.
You can clip their hair yourself or take them to the groomers every 5-8 months, depending on how fast their coat grows.
To groom a Whoodle properly, you’ll need a pin or slicker brush to remove dirt and loose hairs.
Then, use a medium and fine-toothed metal comb to sheen the coat. Finally, remove mats with either your fingers, a comb, or a brush – never with scissors.
You should bathe your family pet once a month or whenever they get dirty. Whoodles don’t typically smell thanks to their silky coat, so don’t stress about using soap every single time.
Finally, check your dog’s ears daily and trim nails once a week.
Overfeeding won’t be an issue
Despite the fact the Whoodle is a small dog, they are unlikely to become obese because of their love for play and activity.
Still, you need to watch how much you feed them because small dogs don’t require a lot of food to stay healthy.

For a Sweatenpoo weighing 20-29 lbs (9.07-13.15 kgs), you only need 1 ⅓ cups of an 8 O.Z. measuring cup of dry kibble every day, twice a day. Add another 1/2 cup for every 10 extra pounds (4.5 kgs) of weight.
On average, your Whoodle will consume 576 to 969 calories per day, depending on their weight. Miniature Whoodles and puppies will eat significantly less than the Medium and Standard Whoodle variants.
Always ask your veterinarian before administering a diet for your family friend so they don’t overeat.
Feed your Whoodle high-quality dry dog food, wet food, and treats daily to keep them healthy and happy long-term.
It’s okay to spoil your teddy bear Whoodle, but don’t do it too much. They are masters at begging at the dinner table because they like to stay near your feet.
Keep them away from onions, grapes, chocolate, and other foods that aren’t suitable for dogs.
Puppies also deserve the best dog food, but be careful with how much you feed them in relation to their fully-grown adult bodies.
You’ll have to adjust their food intake more if they aren’t Miniature Whoodles because they grow-up larger.
The Whoodle could develop several health issues
Unlike most purebred dogs, designer breeds can develop more health issues over time because they inherit health complications from both parents.
As a positive, both the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and Poodle are healthy but could develop a combination of the following illnesses.
Eye infections like entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal dystrophy, and cataracts are common as the Whoodle ages. Addison’s disease and hip dysplasia can also occur in senior pets.
There are two primary health problems a pet owner should worry about: Protein-Losing Nephropathy and Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE).
PLN is a kidney disease that leaches protein out of the blood system, whereas PLE is a disease of the intestinal system that also leeches protein.
Both conditions are common in Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers despite there not being a hereditary president.

Common signs of both diseases are diarrhea, vomiting, fluid in the abdomen, skin, and underside of the limbs. Both health issues are the result of underlying health conditions like kidney issues or gastric dilation volvulus.
If the condition becomes severe, your pup may have to undergo surgery to remove fluid from their chest and abdomen so they can breathe properly.
Other possible health issues include
- Elbow dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Sebaceous Adenitis
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Thyroid issues
- Renal dysplasia
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Atopic eczema
If you buy your pet through a breeder, ask for health screening results from their parents. Check the eyes, hips, heart, and blood for any complications.
Swheat-n-poo’s have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The Mini Whoodle will usually live longer than the Medium and Standard Whoodle by 2 or 3 years.
Whoodles are pricey pups

If you want to rescue, adopt, or buy a Whoodle puppy, you can find them in the United States via a local shelter, rescue website, or breeder.
A Mini Whoodle puppy can cost you a lot of money, especially for a designer breed. On average, Miniature Whoodle puppies will range from $1800 to $3000 or more.
Standard and Medium Whoodles are more cost-effective for first time owners at $700 to $1800. It’s uncommon to see them reach higher than that price.
It isn’t just the size of the puppy that determines the price.
Shipping fees, the parents’ bloodline, the breeders’ locations, and the kennel’s popularity can make your new pup cost either 1 month’s rent or 4.
The litter size for these puppies depends on their mom’s size (mini, medium, or standard) but will average 5-7 puppies.
Where to find a Whoodle breeders
Whoodles are quite popular and sold by many breeders throughout the United States.
To avoid the potential of puppy mills or unlawful breeders, it’s a good idea to visit the facility to ensure your new pup is getting the low and attention they deserve.

Ask about the parents and their health records because both the Poodle and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier parent could have disruptive health issues.
You can find Whoodle puppies for sale at these locations:
- Greenfield Puppies (USA)
- Infinity Pups (Gap, PA, and the USA)
- S’wheaten Your Life Wheatens and Whoodles (Sterling, CT)
A list of Whoodle rescues in the United States
Whoodles will appear in adoption centers and rescues because of their popularity.
As a positive, they don’t require a lot of training because of their kind and gentle temperament. You won’t have a difficult time fitting this breed into a forever home.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to screen your new pet for potential health conditions, which could set your dog up for poor health.
Here are a few locations that may have Whoodles for sale:
- Carolina Poodle Rescue (N + S Carolina, USA)
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (Oxford, OH)
- Bay Area Poodle Rescue (Berkeley, CA)
Who should take care of these teddy bears?

The Whoodle is a tiny love bug that cannot help but stay near you and the family.
They’re active, playful, and friendly, but they can get clingy and suffer from separation anxiety if you neglect to train them out of bad habits.
There are few negatives to this breed, other than their high-energy if you’re a more mellow and calm person. Whoodles also need average grooming needs.
Whoodles are perfect for first time dog owners and adapt to almost any situation, home, and location. If you’re new to the dog world, the Whoodle can be a valuable learning experience.
What are your thoughts on the Whoodle? Do you feel an attachment to their kind heart, warm spirit, and love for play? Let us know below and post a picture of your pet for us to see!
Further reading: Similarly sized breeds to Whoodles
- Cocker Westie
- Silkshire Terrier
Reference
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proteinlosing-enteropathy-ple-in-dogs
Cess is the Head of Content Writing at K9 Web and a passionate dog care expert with over 5 years of experience in the Pet Industry. With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners.
When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events.