The Whoodle Hybrid

The Whoodle puppy is a mixed breed created from the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Poodle. These dogs can vary in size, as breeders can use any toy, miniature, or standard Poodle to create a Whoodle hybrid. Sometimes this breed can be referred to as Wheatendoodle, Wheatenpoo, the Swheatendoodle, and the Swheatenpoo. This Whoodle puppy is a designer dog breed, but people looking to adopt a Whoodle puppy can still find them in shelters.

Because a Whoodle puppy isn’t a purebred dog, groups like the American Kennel Club do not recognize them as a breed. However, groups like the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), and the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) all recognize the Whoodle puppy as a hybrid breed.

People have come to love Whoodle puppies for their playful and friendly personalities. These pups love to do tricks, run around, and cuddle, and these dogs go nuts for toys and treats. Whoodle puppies also crave attention and need to be near people as much as possible. Whoodle puppies are curious and love to search for toys or treats their owners can hide. Whoodle puppies probably love seeking things because of their relation to the Poodle, as Poodles used to hunt animals and even search for truffles. A Whoodle puppy has a denser coat, prefers colder weather over hot climates, and thrives in places with a change of season.

Whoodles are constantly full of energy but can find healthy ways to release it through exercise or vigorous playing. Whoodle puppies love children and families. However, it’s essential to never leave your new Whoodle puppy and child unsupervised together for a few months at least. It’s also necessary to make sure any children that can interact with your Whoodle puppy first know how to act with dogs appropriately. A Whoodle puppy doesn’t do well with mishandling and provoking behavior and can occasionally be rather moody if these incidents persist.

One of the reasons people love Whoodle puppies so much is their unique curly coats, and their outgoing personalities only add to their adorable looks. A Whoodle puppy is also highly adaptable and can be great for single-family households or apartments as long as their owners still provide them the daily exercise and activity they need.

Woodle puppies are intelligent and affectionate, and they love attention from humans and need it to be in their best mental health! A Whoodle puppy needs long walks, as they are very active dogs and have tons of energy. Whoodle puppies aren’t big on drooling, but they are big on anxiety. Part of their anxiety comes from how much they love people, but we’ll talk about how anxiety affects them later in this article.

Their only downsides are their hyper attitudes and protectiveness of their owners. Any trait that is heavily present can lead to bad habits. For example, overly affectionate and hyper dogs tend to jump on people when they get excited, and the Whoodle puppy falls into this category. You can rid your Whoodle puppy of any unwanted behaviors through training and positive reinforcement. If you’re interested in adopting a Whoodle puppy, continue reading to ensure you can meet all of their needs and are aware of any medical conditions these pups are prone to contracting.

The History of Whoodle Puppies

The Whoodle puppy comes from the mid-1900s. Breeders started mixing the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Poodle because both breeds have popular dog breed qualities. Whoodle puppies are so popular because the two parent breeds are both great family dogs and are very intelligent. Because of these qualities, a Whoodle puppy is also great at learning new tricks.

These dogs average 12 to 24 inches tall and weigh 20 to 45 pounds. The extensive range in size is because some Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers get bred with a toy or mini Poodle resulting in smaller pups. The Whoodle can have a lifespan that lasts anywhere from 12 to 15 years.

Poodles are hypoallergenic dogs, meaning they rarely shed at all, and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers have soft and silky hair that infrequently sheds, so the outcome is a Whoodle puppy with some of the softest, curliest coats of all dog breeds. Their popularity mostly came from the coat a Whoodle puppy has and their silly smiles and bright personalities. In addition to their fabulous fur, Whoodle puppies carry their puppy attitude for a long time. These dogs will likely remain much more energetic and playful even when grown. They love children and love to play with their families.

The two breeds that a Whoodle puppy comes from have a much longer history than the hybrid breed does itself. For example, Poodles originated from Germany and not France. In Germany, these dogs were hunters, and they tracked down water animals like ducks, geese, and swans. Poodles didn’t make their way to France until the 17th century when Louis XVI brought many Poodles back to France. Before his execution, Noble families took notice of King Louis’s Poodles, and a frenzy began. People in France became very taken with Poodles and their curly hair and friendly personalities. Eventually, these intelligent dogs became street performers, circus dogs, companions, and hunters.

As for Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, these dogs began in Ireland. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers got the nickname “the poor man’s dog” because they were extremely good at completing multiple farm tasks in Ireland. These dogs were prominent during the potato famine when many families struggled to make money and feed their families. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers helped farmers by transporting goods, protecting livestock, hunting vermin, and anything else the farmers needed. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are incredibly smart and driven dogs, so as long as owners put in the time to train these dogs, they could help in most tasks.

Whoodle puppies get characteristics from both of the breeds that create the hybrid. No hybrid is ever equally split 50/50 between the traits of the two species that combine to make them, but it’s easy to say no matter the way the hybrid leans, these dogs will be loyal, hardworking pups. Whoodle puppies can be friendly, intelligent, protective, active, joyful, and reliable. These dogs can carry different temperaments, and some may tire out faster than others, significantly smaller versions of this hybrid. Still, these qualities make this breed excellent in modern-day families. Because of how many ideal qualities Whoodle puppies exhibit, they are great as emotional support animals, service dogs, and therapy animals.

How Smart are Whoodles?

The Whoodle puppy is more intelligent than many average canines, and the Poodle is the second smartest dog in the world. Only the Border Collie ranks higher than the Poodle in intelligence. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is the 40th most intelligent dog breed, and although that doesn’t seem very high compared to the Poodle, these dogs are brilliant. Because of the Whoodle’s relation to the Poodle and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, it’s fair to say they are pretty smart dogs, too.

Poodles are thought to need less than five tries before they learn a trick, whereas Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers need about 25 to learn a command. Theoretically, an average Whoodle puppy would need about 15 tries to learn the command. It’s important to remember that hybrids often inherit one breed’s traits more than the other so that some dogs may be more intelligent than others. These dogs are fast learners and respond well to positive reinforcements. Plenty of treats and love are sure to go a long way with training these pups. Because of their hyper and energetic nature, they can be prone to getting overexcited or distracted. It’s best to respond to these moments with patience and practice obedience commands.

The parent breeds of the Whoodle puppy were a mixture of performers and farmers. The product creates a hybrid species that is very confident and very silly. These pups have strong leadership skills and can be a little headstrong; however, this is an uncommon issue in Whoodles.

Psychological Health

Epilepsy

Whoodle puppies are likely to get some of the same neurological conditions that affect either of their parent breeds. Both Poodles and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are susceptible to epilepsy. Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs, and scientists estimate that almost 0.75% of all dog breeds contract epilepsy. This disease causes repetitive seizures in Whoodle puppies because of issues in the brain. Sometimes vets can’t determine what causes epilepsy in some dogs. They need to figure out the type of seizures dogs have to deduce the cause of their epilepsy. Once a vet figures out the specific type of epilepsy the Whoodle puppies have, they can conclude a treatment or give them multiple therapies.

The different types of seizures Whoodle puppies might experience will show other symptoms. For example, Atonic seizures show sudden losses of muscle tone, which can last for a few seconds. Tonic seizures will cause a Whoodle puppy to flex their muscles for several minutes. Tonic-clonic seizures may occur to a Whoodle puppy, and it might seem like the Whoodle puppy is unresponsive, and then the Whoodle puppy will have quick jerking movements. Whoodle puppies may also experience myoclonic seizures, which will cause brief and rapid contractions of their muscles.

Other types of seizures Whoodle puppies can experience are cluster seizures, which occur when dogs have more than one seizure in a twenty-four-hour period. Focal seizures may occur and are seizures that come from one specific part of the brain, and because of this, these seizures usually only affect a particular part of the body. On the other hand, generalized seizures occur over both brain hemispheres and generally affect the whole body. Status seizures may cause Whoodle puppies to have multiple seizures without any break between them, or they can have one seizure that lasts over five minutes.

Whoodle puppies, like any dog, may also experience attacks like reactive seizures and reflexive seizures. Reactive seizures are reactions to metabolic difficulties like certain illnesses or exposure to toxins. Reflexive seizures sometimes occur when dogs hear loud noises or see bright flashing lights. Neurological issues don’t cause either of these seizures, so they aren’t considered epileptic. However, any dog breed can experience these. If you think your Whoodle puppy may have ingested toxins or have metabolic illnesses, you need to get them to the vet as soon as possible.

As you can see, there are many different types of seizures, and there are a few types of epilepsy Whoodle puppies may experience, too. Idiopathic epilepsy is one of the most common types of epilepsy these dogs contract. Idiopathic epilepsy occurs when dogs have unidentifiable structural issues in their brains. More often than not, vets cannot find what causes this type of epilepsy, or it’s assumed to be genetic. Whoodle puppies experiencing seizures from one to five years old with normal neurological functions commonly have idiopathic epilepsy. It’s rare, but metabolic diseases can also form this type of epilepsy.

Whoodle puppies can also have structural epilepsy, and vets only diagnose structural epilepsy when there’s visible damage to the brain of a Whoodle puppy. Brain malformations or irregularities can cause this type of epilepsy in the brain. If Whoodle puppies experience any inflammatory diseases in their brain or an intracranial brain tumor grows, they can contract structural epilepsy. Incidents like congenital malformations, vascular events, or strokes can also result in Whoodle puppies experiencing structural epilepsy.

Whoodle puppies may experience refractory epilepsy. This epilepsy is when dogs still get seizures when treated for epilepsy. Usually, when Whoodle puppies experience this type of epilepsy, it’s because their treatment is no longer effective. Sadly, about 30-40% of dogs with epilepsy contract refractory epilepsy.

Another type of epilepsy is called epilepsy of unknown causes, which is how vets describe epileptic conditions that resemble structural epilepsy. When vets can’t test or identify the causes of structural epilepsy, they will say a Whoodle puppy has epilepsy of unknown causes.

It can help vets determine the cause of epilepsy in a Whoodle puppy if owners keep detailed records of their dogs symptoms. Owners should know how their dogs react during interictal periods and postictal periods. Interictal periods occur between seizures and postical periods occur immediately after attacks occur, and Whoodle puppies may behave differently during this time. Whoodle puppies can also experience motor activities repetitively like lip-smacking, licking, biting, or chewing when they are experiencing a seizure.

Owners must observe what body parts are affected, the length of seizures, when they occur, how often they occur, and any behavioral changes that occur in their dogs when they experience epilepsy.

Some Whoodle puppies have trouble standing up, moving, or walking when seizures occur. Sometimes, Whoodle puppies experience moments of blindness, anxiety, unconsciousness, or sickness after attacks. Observing these can help your vet understand the severity of your dog’s epilepsy.

Owners can’t do much to prevent epilepsy in their dogs, and breeders of Whoodle puppies don’t breed dogs that carry this neurological disorder. Thankfully, tons of medical treatments help dogs manage their epileptic attacks. However, veterinarians will only be able to give dogs the correct treatment options once they figure out what exactly causes their epilepsy.

There are many drug options to treat a Whoodle puppy suffering from epilepsy. The main form is called an anti-epileptic drug, or AED. These drugs work by stopping certain neurotransmitters from stimulating the pathways in the brain that lead to a seizure.

Some anti-epileptic drugs don’t work as well in some dogs as they do in others. Each Whoodle puppy is different, and usually, Whoodle puppies with epilepsy require multiple treatments. Some owners use CBD to treat their Whoodle puppies with epilepsy. CBD treatment isn’t a very researched method, but many owners have found CBD reduces the frequency of their dog’s seizures and how often they occur. Epilepsy has no actual cure, and owners can best support their Whoodle puppy with epilepsy by talking to their vet about medication options.

Anxiety

Whoodle puppies come from two breeds that have worked with people for years. Because of this history, Whoodle puppies have deep bonds with their families. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and Whoodle puppies are no different. Whoodle puppies suffering from separation anxiety are often destructive and noisy when left home alone. A well-trained Whoodle puppy can turn into a howling, couch chewing menace. Some owners are confused by this behavior, but all owners should know that dogs who have bad behavior when left alone aren’t acting out of resentment. Dogs that act this way are experiencing large anxiety attacks.

Whoodle puppies cannot communicate by talking, so instead, they communicate mainly with their body. By destroying the house when owners are away from home, these pups let go of their tension and stress while simultaneously leaving clues that they need help. Some dogs urinate, defecate, dig, chew, pace, or bark. Some dogs try so hard to reunite themselves with their beloved owners that they attempt to break out of the house. Whoodle puppies that experience separation anxiety may seem incredibly anxious or depressed when their owners are preparing to leave. When people put on their shoes, grab a coat, or hold their car keys, dogs know what is about to happen. They can sense us leaving, and some pups can try to block their people from leaving, while some puppies go so far that they become a little aggressive. These same dogs will get incredibly excited when their owners come home. Some dogs get so much overwhelming relief that they cry, urinate, or work themselves up into a coughing fit.

Sadly, dogs that suffer from anxiety may get it genetically. For example, Poodles are especially prone to separation anxiety because of how deeply they bond with their owners. People used to breed Toy Poodles as companion dogs, and thanks to their portable size, they went everywhere with their owners. Toy Poodles have notoriously terrible separation anxiety. So Whoodle puppies are likely to experience sessions of separation anxiety, especially if they’re a toy Poodle mix.

Sometimes, dogs get separation anxiety from events in their life. Shelter and rescue dogs are much more likely to suffer from separation anxiety than dogs that grew up in one home since birth. Adopted dogs are much more likely to have this health condition because specific life traumas can inspire deep anxieties in dogs. Any change in household members, homes, or daily schedules can cause dogs confusion and stress. Homelessness, neglect, abuse, or starvation can cause dogs to become more dependent on people for their mental wellbeing. In general, animals that experience significant traumas will behave differently afterward.

Whoodle puppy owners need to be able to help their dogs if they experience separation anxiety. Owners can consider giving their dogs CBD to help calm their nerves. Some pet owners use oils, snacks, or other types of CBD methods to treat their dog’s stress. Some owners can try to leave their dogs for small intervals and elongate the breaks slowly over a few months. This way, dogs can learn that their humans always come back.

Another technique is called counterconditioning. Counterconditioning is the process of taking a negative reaction your Whoodle puppy has and turning it into a positive reaction. Whoodle puppy owners can accomplish this by giving their dogs a special treat that they can only ever receive while you’re away from home. Dogs that receive special treats will understand that it’s safe, and they get fantastic rewards when their owners are gone! Over time when dogs become calmer when their owners leave, owners can start sparingly giving these snacks.

Sometimes, Whoodle puppies can be so anxious they won’t eat. It can be complicated for owners to help their pups through their anxiety. Animal behaviorists or dog trainers can help owners understand how to help their Whoodle puppy best if they are the highly anxious type. These cases are considered severe and require complex desensitization that an expert can do more efficiently.

Owners can’t do very much to prevent separation anxiety. If you adopt a Whoodle puppy that is only a few months old, then you can train your pup out of any separation anxiety they might feel. Just be sure to work with the dogs through your absences, starting with short absences that turn into long ones. Otherwise, owners can only help their dogs by addressing their health conditions and taking training steps to aid their dogs. With the right desensitization, owners can cure their pups of separation anxiety. However, if a Whoodle puppy was to experience any other traumas after they already experienced training, they may relapse and get their old fear back. The best way to help your Whoodle puppy will always be by consulting your vet.

Physical Health

Gut Health

About 50% of all adult pet dogs in the United States suffer from obesity. A significant reason this happens is owners fail to meet the activity needs of their dogs. Obesity is often the cause of many other health conditions.

Health problems like skin diseases, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, and respiratory issues often result from obesity. Obese Whoodle puppies are also at an elevated risk of suffering from osteoarthritis in the hips or developing heart disease. On average, obese Whoodle puppies can lose up to two and a half years of their lifespan because of their health condition.

Potential Whoodle puppy owners need to remember that daily exercise is vital to a dog’s health. Without their activity levels met, dogs can become overly energetic in homes, chewing, barking, and jumping on furniture and maybe even people. Without proper exercise, dogs may become depressed, and their physical health will deteriorate.

Owners can best prevent obesity in their Whoodle puppies by carefully basing their diets on the individual dog. A great starting point is on the side of a dog’s food bag, and these bags often have guides that recommend a specific food serving for dogs in different weight ranges. Many people forget these guides are only guides and are not fit for every dog. The best way owners can provide excellent nutrition is by talking with their dog’s vet. Vets can help owners understand how their dog’s size, sex, activity levels, and other health conditions can affect any dietary needs their Whoodle puppy has. Many dog food brands lack specific vitamins and supplements dogs need, and owners need to watch for this to ensure they’re getting top-notch high-quality dog food.

If owners measure their dog’s meals, it can help them maintain healthy weights. Measuring your dog’s daily calorie intake can also help you determine if you need to feed your Whoodle puppies fewer treats or not. Giving your pup an occasional surplus of goodies isn’t a bad thing, but giving your Whoodle puppy an extra three hundred calories a day will have consequences to their health.

If your Whoodle puppy already struggles from obesity, then you should try to limit treats to be specifically for training purposes for the time being. Doing this can help regulate their weight loss better and make them more enthusiastic about training and getting their energy out. Owners can even opt for low-calorie treats, but you shouldn’t feel guilty if you still give your pup their favorite sausage snacks. Being healthy doesn’t have to be bland. Owners can still provide their Whoodle puppies with their favorite snacks and get them the daily exercise they need to lose weight and better grasp their physical health.

The best way to help Whoodle puppies experiencing obesity is to focus on regulated meal time and daily exercise routines. If a Whoodle puppy has obesity, owners should ensure their dogs are not receiving any human food scraps, and they must integrate more activity into their Woodle puppy’s life. Slowly bringing more walking, running, swimming, jumping, fetching, and other dog sports into your dog’s routines can help them adapt to their new lifestyle. Losing weight is a slow process. Owners need to make sure Whoodle puppies stay their healthiest and need to have patience while ridding their dogs of this health condition. Sometimes, obesity is the side effect of another unknown health condition. Most often, hypothyroidism is the culprit of causing a lot of obesity cases in dogs. Still, as long as owners take their Whoodle puppies to the vet for their twice-yearly check-ups, they should be able to figure out if your pup has any underlying health conditions.

Potential owners must understand how important it is to help dogs with obesity. Whoodle puppies can get arthritic disorders and different types of cancers because of obesity. Please measure your dog’s meals out and give them smaller meals to help curve their cravings throughout the day. Doing this can also strengthen your dog’s metabolism. Obese dogs on a diet will often cry, and although it’s hard, owners need to stay strong and ignore their Whoodle puppies’ cries. Remember, changing the way your Whoodle puppy eats and increasing the daily exercise they receive can result in a longer lifespan for your Whoodle puppy.

Kidney Issues

Whoodle puppies are at an elevated risk of developing kidney issues. Both Poodles and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are prone to developing kidney issues making Whoodle puppies sit in that same boat. Kidneys control red cell production, blood pressure, and calcium metabolization in a dog’s body. The kidneys are vital organs, and unhealthy kidneys can lead to detrimental health issues. Whoodle puppies can end up experiencing one of two types of kidney failure.

Acute kidney failure occurs when Whoodle puppies begin acquiring kidney issues very quickly, and their health declines rapidly over several days. Whoodle puppies may also experience chronic kidney failure, where their kidney issues metastasize slowly over a long time- anywhere from months to years. As far as cause goes, toxins, urinary problems, severe dehydration, or snake bites can induce kidney failure. Many Whoodle puppies with kidney failure contract the disease because they already have dental disease. When bacteria builds up on Whoodle puppies’ teeth, it washes into their digestive system when they eat and drink. This bacteria can have a significant impact on a dog’s health. Chronic kidney failure can occur at young ages, although it’s rare in Whoodle puppies. Often, older dogs have chronic kidney failure, but vets and scientists have difficulty identifying the specific causes for this chronic condition.

Sometimes, Whoodle puppies with kidney issues have symptoms that get outright ignored. Because the symptoms of kidney issues are often incredibly mild, they get easily overlooked. Owners need to recognize signs and symptoms their Whoodle puppies might show while they’re suffering from this health condition. A decrease in appetite, loss of interest in playing, or reduction of thirst can all be signs of kidney issues. Whoodle puppies with this health condition may drink excessive amounts of water, change their urination frequency, have blood in their urine, or lose significant amounts of weight. Whoodle puppies can also show symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, terrible breath, pale gums, or ulcers in their mouth, as all of these signs have become associated with kidney failure.

Whoodle puppy owners can’t prevent issues like these from occurring in their dogs. Making sure your Whoodle puppies have no access to toxins, like chemical cleaners, is a great way to ensure your dogs won’t accidentally get into them. Owners should also be sure to keep their dogs away from any alcohol, chocolate, coffee, caffeine, coconut, nuts, milk, dairy, onions, garlic, chives, raw meat, eggs, processed snack foods, xylitol, or yeast dough. Dogs are sneakier than kids because they can bite, chew, and push their way through most things. Locking up items that are dangerous to dogs is one of the best ways to ensure they won’t get into anything that harms them. Any of the foods listed could lead to kidney issues or cause death.

Thankfully, there is treatment available for Whoodle puppies that suffer from kidney issues. Depending on the varying severity and type of kidney issues your Whoodle puppy deals with can change the type of treatment and how it helps your pup. To further explain, acute kidney problems are easier to treat, but they can lead to death if owners and vets don’t catch this health condition early on. But, chronic kidney issues often do irreversible damage unless vets catch this type early on. However, chronic kidney issues can take months or years to develop, and they have subtle symptoms and are very hard to diagnose. A vet might choose to give your Whoodle puppy medication that encourages urination. Vets may also provide your dogs fluid through an IV, electrolytes to balance the anemia in their blood, or medicine to reduce vomiting. Depending on the Whoodle puppy’s condition, vets may also prescribe medication to ease any gastrointestinal problems or help manage their blood pressure. Vets may also try treatments in the form of diet changes or dialysis. Owners can try more holistic treatment methods and focus on specific nutrients that are good for the kidneys. Owners should take their Whoodle puppy to their necessary vet check-ups to ensure they have the best health possible.

Addison’s disease

Many dog breeds are at elevated risk of developing Addison’s. The Standard Poodle and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are two of those breeds, which makes Whoodle puppies have a predisposed risk of contracting this health condition. Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is a severe health issue for dogs. If your Whoodle puppy gets diagnosed with this condition, it means their adrenal glands are improperly producing the hormones they’re responsible for spreading. The most important hormones they make are steroids, aldosterone, and cortisol.

Aldosterone and cortisol play significant parts in regulating the internal organs of a Whoodle puppy and its overall body system. Without these hormones present, a dog’s body slowly deteriorates and causes many other health conditions to appear. In the most severe cases, this causes death.

Often, when a Whoodle puppy receives their diagnosis of Addison’s disease, vets cannot determine a cause. Scientists and veterinarians suspect this health condition results from a strange autoimmune process, but they are still unsure. Vets also have theories that Addison’s disease can be caused by hemorrhages, granulomatous disease, or destruction of the adrenal gland. If your Whoodle puppy ever experiences a metastatic tumor, this may elevate their risk of developing Addison’s disease.

Whoodle puppy owners must know what the symptoms of Addison’s disease look like in their dogs. The symptoms of this disease can go unnoticed or get overlooked so much that some vets call this health condition the “great imitator.”

When a Whoodle puppy experiences depression, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, bloody stools, dehydration, shaking, weak pulses, or irregular heart rates, they might have Addison’s disease. Diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, and alopecia can also be signs of Addison’s disease as well as low temperatures, hypoglycemia, or skin hyperpigmentation. A Whoodle puppy with this health issue might respond poorly to stress or have a poor appetite. A Whoodle puppy with Addison’s disease can suffer from gastroenteritis or painful abdomens. When dogs suffer from this health condition, their symptoms often vary in intensity. Some days, these dogs may vomit multiple times, yet an affected Whoodle puppy may seem perfectly healthy other days. Any symptoms can wax and wane when dogs are experiencing Addison’s disease.

Vets diagnose this disease most often when dogs are experiencing an Addisonian crisis. When this disease reaches an acute state like shock or collapse, vets are more likely to test for health conditions like this. More often than not, life-threatening symptoms lead owners to learn of their dog’s health condition. Vets can stabilize a Whoodle puppy with this illness and perform tests like a urinalysis or blood work to make a definitive diagnosis.

Owners cannot prevent Addison’s disease from appearing in their animals. Because vets and scientists don’t know much about what causes this disease, there isn’t much to do. Addison’s disease isn’t curable. However, replacement hormones can help dogs adapt to their health condition. Usually, vets prescribe more than one treatment to help the many symptoms a Whoodle puppy experiences with this disease. These replacement hormones become permanent parts of the dog’s unique diet that vets skillfully mold to be specific for each dog’s symptoms. Owners can best support their dogs through this disease by asking their vets about the right kind of high-quality kibble.

Protein-Losing Nephropathy

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are predisposed to getting protein-losing nephropathy. Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) is a condition of glomerular disease, and this health condition goes by another name, glomerulonephritis. The disease causes protein loss in Whoodle puppies, and their glomerulus, which is near their kidneys. the loss of protein in their glomerulus causes toxins to build up because the body can’t get rid of its waste naturally. This health condition has a few different causes.

The average Whoodle puppy is affected at six years old, although dogs between the ages of two and eleven can develop this health condition. Anything that may chronically stimulate the immune system can cause protein-losing nephropathy. If a Whoodle puppy experiences dental disease, cancer, heartworms, chronic pancreatitis, or chronically inflamed skin, they’re at a higher risk of developing glomerulonephritis.

Tick-born diseases like Ehrlichia infections or Lyme disease can cause this health condition in Whoodle puppies. Bacterial infections such as pyometra or endocarditis can also put your Whoodle puppy at an elevated risk of developing this health disease. If a Whoodle puppy already suffers from immune-mediated disease and prostatitis, they are at a high risk of contracting protein-losing nephropathy.

When a Whoodle puppy experiences protein-losing nephropathy, they can show symptoms of weight loss that reflect their loss of proteins. Whoodle puppies may also experience muscle loss, swollen limbs, or blood in their urine. If your Whoodle puppy appears to struggle with respiratory efforts or suffers from fluid in their abdominal cavity, they are likely experiencing this health condition. These clinical signs are called ‘nephrotic syndrome’ and appear most commonly when dogs are experiencing protein loss. Sadly, these symptoms don’t typically appear until the disease has already advanced pretty far.

There is nothing owners can do to prevent this disease except take their Whoodle puppies to their regular vet check-ups. Keep an eye out for any of these symptoms if you’re worried your Whoodle puppy has this disease. If your Whoodle puppy receives treatment for this health condition early enough, then they may live a longer lifespan. Without treatment, this disease is usually deadly. Whoodle puppy owners should talk to their vet for advice about treatments and general prognosis.

Protein-Losing Enteropathy

A similar disease to the one last listed is protein-losing enteropathy. Protein-losing enteropathy doesn’t refer to one disease but a group of conditions that can cause protein loss from the bloodstream into the gastrointestinal tract. Often, this group includes a mix of heart disease, gastrointestinal disease, and lymphatic systems diseases. Certain breeds are at a more elevated risk of developing this, and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of those breeds, which also puts a Whoodle puppy at risk.

Whoodle puppies can contract this health condition between six months old to eleven years old. These dogs most commonly get this disease at about four and a half years old.

A Whoodle puppy with this disease will show specific symptoms like difficulty breathing or fluid under the skin. Whoodle puppies might also get fluid in their abdomens, fluid in their limbs, and fluid build-up in the chest cavity. Dogs with this condition might have thickened loops in their intestines, too. Many of these symptoms are rather severe and could require hospitalization or even plasma transfusions to aid Whoodle puppies in their recovery.

Treatment for this health condition varies from Whoodle puppy to Whoodle puppy. Sometimes, vets can treat Whoodle puppies with protein-losing enteropathy by removing fluid from their chest or abdomen. Vets can also prescribe puppies with altered diets or medication to help manage their symptoms. Because protein-losing enteropathy is a group of diseases, vets can determine the proper treatments by deciding which specific disease is causing protein loss in the blood.

The underlying causes of this health condition can change long-term diagnosis’ for a Whoodle puppy. Finding the proper medication or treatment for your Whoodle puppy can extend its lifespan, but if the disease is too severe or has gone untreated too long, this health issue can be fatal. Whoodle puppy owners cannot prevent this disease from occurring. The best owners can do is take their dogs to regular vet check-ups and monitor their dog’s overall health.

Gut Health Options We Love

Eye Health

Distichiasis

Poodles are susceptible to eye diseases like distichiasis. Distichiasis is when a dog’s eyelashes grow on the waterline of an eyelid instead of the outer exterior of an eyelid. Because Poodles are predisposed to getting this disease, Whoodle puppies are, too. Some dogs that experience this condition grow very soft lashes that don’t affect their eyes. However, some Whoodle puppies grow eyelashes that irritate their eyes. When the eyelashes rub off the eyeball of a Whoodle puppy, it causes pain and discomfort. In more severe cases of distichiasis, eyelashes cause damage to the surfaces of the eyes and possibly even cause corneal ulcers.

Whoodle puppy owners have several treatment options to choose from for health conditions like this. The owners can opt for surgical treatment if the situation is difficult enough, but non-surgical methods are also options. Some Whoodle puppies can receive eye gels that aid less severe conditions. These gels reduce irritation to the eye and can help heal some films that have been torn on the eye. This gel would be a lifelong treatment.

Another option for treatment is to have the extra eyelashes plucked from the eyes of a Whoodle puppy. This procedure would need to be done every four to six weeks for the dog’s entire life. Although this option isn’t permanent, it’s likely the most cost-effective, especially if owners feel comfortable plucking the eyelashes out themselves.

Vets usually reserve more permanent and expensive treatment options for more severe cases. Procedures like electrolysis can electrocute the hair follicles inside the eye. Vets perform this by using the most miniature tools to sit on either side of a hair follicle and then zap that follicle, so it’s unable to regrow. Because this process only works on visible hairs, this procedure often gets repeated a few times. But, any hair follicles affected by this procedure are permanently dead, and treatment will not need to be lifelong.

A very similar procedure to electrolysis is cryotherapy, and cryotherapy works when vets freeze the hair follicles in the eyes of a Whoodle puppy. This method also only works on hair follicles present at the time of treatment. Because of this, Whoodle puppies with distichiasis will need cryotherapy treatment more than once, but they will not need it for the entirety of their life.

In the most severe cases of distichiasis, vets may recommend surgery as an option for treatment. If vets have already tried both the electric and freezing strategies and are unsuccessful, then the only option left is surgery. Surgery can permanently remove both visible hair follicles and those that haven’t grown yet. During surgery, vets may sometimes choose to turn the eyelid outwards to prevent the eyelashes from growing into the eyes. Either way, surgery is meant to be the most invasive and permanent treatment option of any of the ones listed. Because it’s such an invasive process, vets only save this method for the most severe cases of distichiasis.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Many dog breeds are predisposed to progressive retinal atrophy. Progressive retinal atrophy causes the eyes to degenerate slowly. This health condition primarily attacks the rods and cones that make up a dog’s eyesight. Poodles and small toy breeds are very prone to this eye disease. This relation means that a Whoodle puppy has a predisposed risk of developing this condition.

When a Whoodle puppy experiences progressive retinal atrophy, it will lose its night vision first. When dogs lose the rods in the eyes, they can no longer see in dark lighting. The degeneration of the rods also means dogs lose their peripheral vision. When a Whoodle puppy experiences these things, they may become frightened of things that didn’t use to scare them. Dogs may be fearful of going outside at night and may jump easier because they can’t see people or things to their sides.

After the rods go, progressive retinal atrophy affects the cones in the eyes. When the cones begin degenerating, dogs lose their ability to see in brighter lights. Eventually, once the cones completely deteriorate, dogs will be blind. These dogs will start being scared of using stairs, jumping on couches, and may become frightened of moving around the house for a little bit. Many dogs with this degenerative eye disease lose their vision by the time they reach one year old, but sometimes dogs’ vision lasts until they are three to four years old.

Progressive retinal atrophy does not have any official treatment and is incurable. Some dogs will get cataracts while suffering from this disease, and if vets and owners catch cataracts early enough, vets can perform surgery to remove them. Removing cataracts can help a Whoodle puppy retain their vision for a limited amount of time, but they will still lose their sight because of the nature of this disease. Some owners try to give their dogs more holistic treatments like foods that are good for their eyes. However, there is no science backing up that this will help dogs with this eye disease.

Owners can best help dogs adapt to blindness by preparing them for life without vision. For example, changing any training cues from visual hand motions to verbal cues can help these pups when they lose their sight. When dogs begin getting scared of darkness or using the stairs, owners can give their dogs extra praise and treats to help comfort them while they get used to their lack of eyesight. Owners with blind dogs should stay with their dogs as much as possible and should never let their dogs outside without being right next to them. A dog’s three most vital senses are hearing, smell, and then sight. Because vision is only the third most vital sense, dogs can rely on their other sense and adapt well to being blind. A Whoodle puppy with this degenerative eye disease is best supported when their owners help them through these periods of change and show them the same unconditional love they would before these pups were losing their sight.

Cataracts

A Whoodle puppy is more at risk of developing cataracts because of its relation to the Poodle breed. Cataracts are mostly inherited traits, although they can be side effects of other health conditions, like progressive retinal atrophy. This health condition appears as cloudy grey spots in a dog’s eyes. The appearance of cataracts does not automatically mean the Whoodle puppy is blind.

A dog’s eye structure changes over time, just like humans’ eyes do. When the eye structure changes, proteins in the films of the eye shift. Sometimes, these proteins clump into one space, creating this thin, cloudy film on the eye. This progression of proteins can take months to show up, but sometimes, it can seem like the cloudiness in a Whoodle puppy’s eyes appeared overnight.

Vets can test for this eye disease by shining a light in the dog’s eyes. If a vet determines the Whoodle puppy does indeed have cataracts, they might be able to offer treatment. When owners and vets catch cataracts early enough, vets can perform surgery to remove them. If cataracts go ignored, a Whoodle puppy can become blind.

Eye Supplements We Love

Ear Health

The beautiful silky hair that makes a Whoodle puppy glamorous is also the most common cause of ear infections for these dogs. Poodles and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are born with this soft, long, luscious fur that often doesn’t shed. This hair can protect sensitive areas from bacteria or dirt. However, hair not groomed or cleaned properly can keep that bacteria or dirt in sensitive places like a dog’s ears and cause ear infections. Because of their relation to the Poodle and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Whoodle puppies are at a somewhat elevated risk of developing ear infections.

In general, all dog owners should check their pet’s ears daily for pests. Vets might recommend certain dog breeds have their ears cleaned more often, and it would be beneficial to clean the ears of a Whoodle puppy at least every other day.

To help make sure your Whoodle puppy never gets ear infections, owners should buy dog ear cleaning solutions and gauze or cotton balls to wipe out the inside of their ears. Sometimes, if a vet diagnoses an ear infection, they can help determine a different, more efficient route to care for your dog’s ears. Some vets prescribe special cleaning solutions, and some may offer medication. Owners can be proactive about ear infections and be sure to keep an eye out on their dog’s ears, regularly cleaning them and their dog’s coats.

Ear Cleaning Solutions We Love

Immune Health

Sebaceous Adenitis

Although this health condition is relatively uncommon, Poodles are at an elevated risk of experiencing this rare disease which makes the Whoodle puppy at a higher risk. Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammatory disease that focuses on the sebaceous glands and ducts and disrupts the hair follicles’ ability to regrow.

This disease mainly affects the exterior coat of dogs and the texture of their skin and fur. When a Whoodle puppy has this disease, its hair can change in consistency and color. This disease has mild skin crusting conditions, but these conditions can lead to yeast and bacterial infections.

Sebaceous adenitis is an immune disease because it affects specific glands in a dog’s body. Even though it is an immune disease, it rarely has any systematic symptoms in infected dogs. This hair disease is also painless, but because bacterial infections can be a side effect, these secondary infections can cause a Whoodle puppy pain and discomfort. These secondary health conditions create further inflammation of the skin in addition to the inflammation already caused by sebaceous adenitis.

Owners should treat this disease as soon as possible to avoid any development of secondary infections. Treatment options vary based on diets or the severity of the disease. A vet might encourage Whoodle puppy owners to feed their dogs more Vitamin A, primrose oil, or essential fatty acids to better the cosmetic skin issues their dogs experience. Sometimes vets will provide synthetic retinoids, topical therapies, alpha Kerri bath oil, or other medications to treat dogs with this health condition. Only vets can adequately assess a Whoodle puppy and their situation to determine the proper treatment plans.

Owners cannot prevent this disease in their dogs. This skin disease can try to be avoided through selective breeding, but many dogs still develop this issue. Scientists and vets haven’t entirely determined all of the causes of this health condition, making it harder to prevent it from occurring. Owners should give their dogs any dietary supplements or medication to increase their quality of life by controlling any discomfort their dogs may feel.

Immune Health Options We Love

Joint Health

Elbow Dysplasia

Many larger dog breeds suffer from joint issues like elbow dysplasia. Certain breeds are more likely to suffer from this health condition like Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, so Whoodle puppies also have a predisposed risk of developing this disease. Elbow dysplasia is when there are abnormalities present in the elbow joint. The elbow joint consists of three bones that have to fit together perfectly. If these bones don’t rest together smoothly, they will cause arthritis issues and change your dog’s quality of life.

Elbow dysplasia is an umbrella term for multiple conditions that cause joint issues in the elbow. Although vets and scientists understand that certain factors, like genetics, make dogs more likely to experience elbow dysplasia, they don’t know the actual causes of the disease. They have theories that defecting cartilage growth, trauma to the joint, or differences in diets can elevate the risk of developing elbow dysplasia.

A Whoodle puppy that suffers from this health condition will usually be affected in both of its joints. Around 80% of dogs that have elbow dysplasia eventually experience problems in their other joint. Once elbow dysplasia has begun, dogs will start to slowly experience symptoms like pain, arthritis, and loss of functions. Puppies may start to experience symptoms as young as five months old, but these dogs might not get diagnosed until they’re between four and six years old. After time passes, lameness in their legs can worsen and become more permanent. Resting after exercises can let dogs relax their joints but never completely resolve pain. Vets can perform clinical exams and x-rays to diagnose this disease definitively. If the issue is severe enough, vets may recommend surgery, but surgery cannot fix any chronic arthritis your Whoodle puppy may already experience.

Hip Dysplasia

Poodle pups and Soft-Coated Wheaten terriers are at risk of developing hip dysplasia, making the Whoodle puppy predisposed to developing this health condition. Hip dysplasia can reduce a dog’s quality of life drastically. This health condition is a skeletal issue where hip joints don’t align correctly. The hip joint is supposed to be a ball and socket that run smoothly together, but when these bones don’t fit together right, they grind when dogs run and walk.

Many things can further magnify this disease’s genetic predisposition, such as obesity. Too much exercise can cause this excessive joint strain and worsen the symptoms dogs with this disease experience. Some symptoms a Whoodle puppy suffering from hip dysplasia may encounter are inflammation, decreased activity, decreased range of motion, and lameness in the hind legs. These dogs can also experience varying degrees of looseness and difficulty jumping, running, and climbing the stairs. Some dogs are reluctant to stand and walk when they suffer from this health condition, and some dogs develop a strange walk that makes them look like they’re hopping. Many affected dogs lose muscle mass in their back legs and then gain muscle mass in their shoulders and arms as they compensate for their hind legs. If your Whoodle puppy experiences any of these symptoms or pain, swelling, stiffness, and limping, you should talk to your vet.

Vets can perform exams if they suspect hip dysplasia to be an issue. Owners can help alert vets to this issue by keeping track of any symptoms their dogs might show. Keeping track of these symptoms can also help a vet figure out how severe this condition is in your dog.

Some owners give their dogs supplements to help treat this health condition. In most patients, these supplements can be helpful when arthritis progresses. Sometimes, vets will encourage owners to create lifestyle changes by reducing a dog’s weight or exercise levels. Vets recommend dogs with this condition don’t run, especially on hard surfaces like wood or tile flooring. Some vets encourage physical therapy to help dogs manage their varying degrees of motion. In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or recommend common surgeries to fix the displacement in the hip. Sometimes, dogs may have such extreme cases of hip dysplasia that vets will recommend entire hip replacement surgeries. Owners cannot do anything to prevent this disease other than keeping their dogs at a healthy weight. Whoodle puppy owners can help their dogs by taking them to their regular vet appointments.

Joint Health Options We Love

Skin and Coat

Skin Tumors

Sadly, because of the Whoodles’ relation to the Poodle and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, they are at higher risk of developing skin tumors. Basal cell tumors, hair follicle tumors, lymphoid tumors, squamous cell tumors, and sebaceous gland tumors can affect a Whoodle puppy. Many of these tumors are rare and are benign, but some of these types of tumors can also be malignant.

Skin tumors are most likely to appear on a dog’s trunk, face, or behind. Treatment for skin tumors varies but often times there is not much owners can do. Benign tumors and malignant ones often regrow in new areas if they’re removed by surgery. Depending on the severity of the situation, vets may recommend surgery or chemotherapy, although these are rare situations. Owners cannot prevent skin tumors in their dogs.

Hair Care

Thanks to the two parent breeds, the Poodle and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Whoodle puppies have silky medium-length coats that don’t shed nearly as much as the average dog. One of the best qualities of a Whoodle puppy is its hair. Some Whoodle puppies may even inherit hypoallergenic coats from their Poodle relatives.

Whoodle puppies can have many different colors of coats, ranging from black, brown, red, silver, cream, and gray. These dogs can have spotted coats, but they’ll have one solid-colored fur more often. Because of how soft these coats are, they require more maintenance than most other dogs.

These dogs need brushings daily to prevent their soft hair from tangling. Their fur naturally catches dust and other materials that cause dog’s fur to matt, so owners need to keep up with grooming for these animals. A Whoodle puppy needs a haircut every three to four months to keep its hair soft and clean. To ensure proper care, owners can purchase special projects to ensure appropriate hair care. Owners can also make sure they buy products that nourish their dog’s skin while cleaning them. If you want a Whoodle puppy but don’t want to wash, trim, or brush their coats, consider going to a groomer. Groomers are more expensive than doing these treatments yourself, but experts can help maintain great care for your dog’s skin health. However, if owners want to hire a groomer, they may need to visit them more often because Whoodle puppies can benefit from bathing at least once a month.

Skin and Coat Health Options We Love

Remember a Whoodle puppy is at its best when its owners are looking out for their physical and mental wellbeing. If you are unsure you can keep up with the high-maintenance needs the Whoodle puppy has, such as caring for their fur, you should probably keep looking around for other dog breeds. As long as you make sure your Whoodle puppy is healthy and happy in all ways, you would be a great owner to a lucky Whoodle puppy.