Have you heard of the designer dog breed, or a mix of two breeds, by the name Woodle?
What an interesting breed name, right?
Is it cute? Is it cuddly? Is it affectionate? As the name might have exuded?
Well, let’s get to know more about this interesting mixed breed called the Woodle!
What is a Woodle?
First thing first, what is a Woodle?
The Woodle is a mix between the Welsh Terrier and the Poodle.
The Welsh Terrier is American Kennel Club (AKC)’s 107th most popular breed out of the 197. This terrier is a courageous and independent breed.
Meanwhile, the other parent of the Woodle is the 7th most popular dog, the smart and obedient Poodle.
The Woodle is also lovingly called Welshpoo Terrier or Welshdoodle Terrier. The Poodle mixes are collectively called Doodles. The mix of the two purebreds creates a loving, caring, and calm but playful dog.
Now, just a word of caution, it should not be confused with the other Poodle mix, the Whoodle. Yes, this time around it has an ‘h’ and that’s an entirely different breed. Apart from the Poodle, the other parent is a Wheaten Terrier.
Origin of the Woodle
It is common for mixed breeds not to have a definite historical account of their origin. Good thing, its purebred parents have an established background.
If you think that Poodles are of French descent just because it is France’s national dog, think again. While the French do love this breed or what they call the Caniche, or “duck dog”, it is of German descent which was born in the 13th century.
The term Poodle was inspired by the German word “pudelin” which refers to the splashing of water. In that era, they used to be duck hunters and retrievers. They are amazing for the job because they are great swimmers with water-resistant coats to boot!
Because it was a magnificent retriever plus it is also very intelligent, they have found favor in the nobles of France and eventually, throughout Europe. Later on, they also became associated with the European circus tradition because of their appealing look.
Poodles were recognized by the AKC in 1887.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Terrier was born around the 1450s. It descended from the now-extinct Black and Tan Rough Terrier, Border Terrier, and Lakeland Terrier. This native dog of Wales was raised for farmers so that they can hunt pests like badgers, foxes and make them stay out of the farmlands.
Welsh Terriers are aggressive hunters and were well known for their exceptional courage. In 1885, they traveled to the United States and in the same year, they joined the American Kennel Club. They are the 45th breed of AKC.
Since the Woodle is a mixed breed, it is not recognized by AKC but the ff organization does:
- American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
- Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
- Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)
- Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
- International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
What Does a Woodle Look Like?
What is the appearance of a Woodle? Since it is a mixed breed and standards are not established yet, one Woodle may look different from another.
But let’s take a look at both parents first for appreciation.
Poodles come in toy size (no more than 10 inches), miniature (15 inches or less), and standard (more than 15 inches at the shoulder). Both the miniature and the standard are used to mix and breed a Woodle.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Terrier parent can grow at 15 inches tall and weigh 20 pounds.
In size alone, Woodles can already vary by a couple of inches from another but it is going to be a medium-sized dog at 15 to 20 inches in height and 20 to 50 pounds in weight.
The Woodle really has that teddy bear appeal. It has a round face, brown button eyes, and a black little nose that will surely melt away hearts. Pair that up with a short muzzle and ears hanging on the side of its face.
They are always like that little fluff ball with its long, dense, and curly coat that covers its stout body and short tail. Well its coat can also be silky or wiry and can also be medium in length. Expect its fur to be thickest but softest on its ears!
Their coat color will be typical of its Welsh Terrier parent of black and tan. But the Woodle also comes in brown, white, cream, or red.
Grooming Needs of a Woodle
The Poodle is a popular purebred to mix from other breeds because of its hypoallergenic coat. So if your Woodle takes on the coat of its Poodle parent, enjoy a low to moderate shedding dog.
How often does their curly hair need to be brushed? To prevent tangling and matting, brush their soft coat daily. You may also need to trim its ever-growing hair regularly.
Well, of course, if daily brushing is too much of a task for you, you can always shave off their coat for that clean appearance. That will reduce your brushing to once to twice a week.
How about bathing? Well, once a month bathing is all good for this little guy.
Dental health is important for any dog breed so make sure to brush their teeth daily or at least thrice a week.
Notice also those quite floppy ears of your dog? Cute, yes but it can trap moisture, grime, and dirt that can cause infection. So make it a habit to check and clean their ears with a damp cloth once a week or so. That is especially if your dog loves to swim!
If you have an active Woodle, its nail will wear off naturally but for those less active, they may need a trim every couple of months.
A dematter, comb, scissors, and clipper will definitely come in handy in grooming your Woodle.
What is the Temperament of a Woodle?
Ever wondered what your Woodle’s attitude is like? Again, their parents are a great guide.
Poodles are said to be very smart, faithful, active, proud, and very athletic making them really versatile. The Welsh Terrier meanwhile is friendly, smart, spirited, and alert like other Terriers but way calmer.
What should you expect from your Woodle?
First, they have a calm personality. They have that Terrier spirit but in a toned-down version so they are the perfect breed if you don’t have a lot of time for long walks or stroll at the park. Yes, and they are also not so overly barky.
They are also very friendly! Woodles are fond of people and that includes members of the family, strangers, or even other pets in the household.
Apart from being friendly, they are also loving and they enjoy it when they spend time with their family. They long for cuddles and snuggles and will crave your time.
They also are fun-loving! They enjoy playing even with small kids!
While they are friendly to strangers, they are also protective of their families. When they feel something suspicious, they will not hesitate to bark and alert their family. This makes them a cute and cool candidate for a watchdog.
Woodles are also very loyal. When they are out and about, they won’t usually stray away from their owners.
Because of the loving and good-natured attitude of the Woodle, it makes them a sought-after teddy bear pet!
Is the Woodle a Great Family Pet?
Yes! Woodles get along with small kids. They are robust and tolerant of being handled so young kids should be fine with them. But of course, there must always be supervision between the two.
Woodles also get along well with other pets in the household, too! What a catch!
Although don’t get too excited, as they may chase small animals as prey.
How Much Exercise Does a Woodle Need?
Both the Poodle and the Welsh Terrier are active, high-energy dogs.
Coming from both parents, Woodles also are very playful and energetic. But remember that Woodles are also very calm. With this, it only needs about 30 minutes of exercise daily to be healthy and happy.
This little dog will enjoy low-level activities like short walks, a game of fetch, and a visit to the park. The last bit is also perfect for the Woodle because it gets along with other pets.
Keep your Woodle stimulated and entertained. Or it may resort to destructive behavior like digging or furniture chewing. Figuring out a puzzle or other games is also welcome.
Because it is not a large breed and does not require excessive amounts of exercise, an apartment dwelling will fit this breed.
Is the Woodle Highly Trainable?
Did you know that the Poodle is the second smartest dog? They are intelligent and easy to train. They can understand new commands in fewer than 5 repetitions and obey common commands 95% of the time.
Its Welsh parent meanwhile has an average working intelligence at the 53rd spot.
Training a Woodle is best achieved when it starts at puppyhood. Since it is a smart breed and would love to please its owners, they can catch on quickly. They can also be taught advanced skills.
While it is smart, they can also sometimes be strong-willed so consistent rules and routines are a must. Establish that you are the leader of the pack and always be firm. With positive reinforcement like praises and some treats on the side, it is not impossible to train this breed.
Teach your Woodle the four basic commands first like sit, stay, lay down, and come as these are the foundation of other more tricks!
Areas, where you should also focus on training, are socialization, housebreaking, potty, and crate training.
Food and Care Requirements of the Woodle
Woodles are not a small breed but it’s also not into high activity levels. An adult Woodle would typically need about 2 cups of high-quality kibble daily. Growing pups may require more food.
Always talk to your vet about the health of your dog if you are unsure of the quantity and even the type of food to give.
What are the Common Health Issues of the Woodle?
You may have heard that mixed breeds have what they call hybrid vigor. It is the notion that they are healthier than their purebred counterparts. While there is not too much evidence to support that, suffice to say that mixed breeds also have their fair share of health issues.
Below are some of the common issues of the Woodle:
- Addison’s Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
- Eye Disorders
- Patellar Luxation
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Cushing’s Disease
- Hip Dysplasia
- Skin Conditions like Atopic Dermatitis
- Glaucoma
To ensure your Woodle is in tip-top shape or to prevent these issues to sprout, there must always be a regular vet check-up.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Woodle?
A Poodle has a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years while a Welsh has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Expect your Woodle to live from 12 to 15 years also. You can also help maximize their lifespan by giving them a proper diet, right grooming, and regular visit to the vet. Lots of tender loving care will also be a great deal to the dog.
How Much is a Woodle?
A Poodle is somewhere between $800 to $1500 and a Welsh at $800 to $1200.
For a Woodle puppy, the price range is $400 to $900. That is only the upfront cost as annual medical and non-medical expenses are around $1,200.
Always go with a reputable breeder for your Woodle who will let you:
- Inspect the facility to check the living condition of the pups
- Interact with their parents to have a gauge how your pup will grow likely to be
- Provide health certifications on both the parents and the pup
Another option is also to rescue a Woodle. You can check your local shelter for Poodle or Welsh Terrier since they also take in their mixes.
It is great to be able to give these dogs a new life. Plus side also is that some shelters will allow you to take home the mix for a certain time to see how you fit! With a rescued dog, there’s no guessing game also on its appearance and temperament.
Conclusion: Ready to Get a Woodle?
A Woodle is suitable for families with children, those who are not that active and will fit even an apartment dwelling.
You get an all-around dog in a Woodle that is very calm and easy to get along with! Ready to get home one?
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