Whoodles vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Wheatenpoo or the Wheatendoodle, the Whoodle is a teddy-bear kind of mixed-breed dog, being a cross between Poodles and the soft-coated Wheaten Terrier.

He came about in the mid-1900s so he is still quite a new breed. Like with most hybrid breeds, the Whoodle doesn’t have a well-documented history.

Because most hybrids hail from the USA, one can assume that the Whoodle comes from there as well.

Known as Mini Foxies or Toy Fox Terriers, these dogs hail from Australia, having been bred there since the 1800s already.

They are descendants of fox terrier types which were bred in England and then brought to Australia by early settlers.

It is believed the small Smooth Fox Terriers were crossed with Manchester Terriers and then the puppies further bred and crossed with other small breeds. The idea was to have a small, light, quick dog. The Miniature Fox Terrier is exactly like this, developed as a hunting dog.

The Whoodle is a medium-sized dog that stands at between 30 and 50cm in height and weighs in the region of 9 to 20kg.

He has a silky, medium-length coat that can be fairly straight or wavy and which is available in a range of colors – black, brown, grey, cream and red.

He isn’t a heavy shedder, but their hair can grow fairly long so he will have to be groomed one way or the other. Many people choose to have him trimmed at the doggy salon. With the Poodle being in the mix, it is thought that the Whoodle coat is hypoallergenic, sought after by dog owners who suffer from allergies.

Temperament:

Just because of the dog breeds your Whoodle dog comes from, you can know that you’re going to have a playful, happy, friendly, outgoing, social pet who will have no doubt inherited a lot of good qualities from both parent breeds.

He will happily settle down with you in the city or the countryside. He absolutely loves human company and isn’t the kind of dog to be put outside for hours separated from his humans.

If there are children in the home, they’ll discover that this little dog is always up for a game. He gets on well with children and other pets. Early training and socialization will be imperative for the Whoodle as he is a strong-willed dog, inclined to be stubborn and you want to make sure he is obedient.

With longevity on his side, the Miniature Fox Terrier can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age or live to be even older - up to 18 years of age.

He stands at between 24 – 30cm and weighs anything between 3 and 6kg. His coat is short but he sheds quite a bit so regular brushing will become necessary.

The coat is smooth and is mostly white and tan or white and black but it can be tri-colored too – white, black and tan.

The ears are semi-erect, semi floppy and he has a bright, expectant look about him. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him a distinctive look, but now it tends to be undocked.

Temperament:

Your Miniature Fox Terrier is a bold little dog, and is protective and loyal towards his human family. He is lively and courageous and has lots of energy so he will be wanting lots of games indoors and out. He will love to go on a walk every day.

They make great family pets, getting on well with children and other pets in the home. They’re adaptable and can do well in the city or the countryside.

The Whoodle is a hybrid dog – a mix between the soft-coated wheaten terrier and the poodle.

They make splendid pets and companions and are cheerful and intelligent, wanting to be constantly by your side.

Because both of the parents are working dog breeds, he is an active dog too, loving to take part in all the activities his family is busy with.

When you bring this little teddy bear of a dog into your home, you’re going to have years of benefiting from a true canine companion.

Miniature Fox Terriers aren’t going to disappoint you one bit in terms of making an excellent pet.They make great family pets. They are loyal companions and they also make great watchdogs, being able to adapt to life in the city as well as the countryside.

They can yap quite loudly so you need to be careful of this if you live in a small property in the city.

This is such a jaunty little dog, full of fun and high spirits. You won’t know a dull moment with such a friendly, entertaining little pet. In exchange for all he offers you in terms of friendship, he also wants your love and attention.

Provide him with good food, a good deal of exercise, a dry, warm place to sleep and your ongoing attention and he is going to shower you with his love and loyalty.

The Whoodle is considered to be a healthy little dog but they can suffer from some of the many common dog illnesses there are. It’s important to feed your dog well and to exercise him to ensure his good health. Some of the common health problems he could suffer with -

dental problems and eye infections

kidney problems

It is important to ensure your Whoodle has his vaccines to prevent some of the deadly canine diseases there are.

Also, it is a good idea to have your pet neutered or spayed to prevent an unwanted litter. Spaying and neutering have health benefits for your pet, so it is a good idea to have this done for them.

Your Miniature Fox Terrier can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age when looked after well, but there are one or two common dog illness that can plague any dog, and Paella Luxation is one.

Patella luxation is fairly common with small dogs, occuring when the dog’s kneecap becomes dislocated from its thigh bone.Your dog will skip and hop along. Treatment for patella luxation can range from non-invasive treatments such as massage to surgery.

Dental health is important too, and seriously bad breath can be indicative of dental decay. Dental plaque can cause bad breath and lead to other health problems that aren’t directly related to teeth. The heart and kidneys can be put at risk. There are dental products such as canine toothbrush and toothpaste which can be used to clean your dog’s teeth. Don’t ever use human toothpaste as this can be toxic for your pet.

Grooming

Apart from your Whoodle requiring regular nail trimming, you will want to brush him twice a week to keep their coat free from matting. Some Whoodle owners prefer to have their pets professionally groomed.

Check inside his mouth while grooming to ensure there are no bad teeth. This could cause your pet a lot of pain and he has no way of telling you this.

Diet:

As a medium-sized dog, you want to feed your pet a commercially manufactured dog food that has been formulated for a medium-sized dog and one with lots of energy.

Their dietary needs change from puppyhood to adulthood and where the puppy received 4 bowls of food a day, the adult Whoodle will require 2. Always buy the best quality food you can as the choice of food you provide has a huge impact on his health.

Some home-made food is always a good idea too but it needs to be simple and plain, without any exotic spices. Boiled chicken, rice and vegetables is always a splendid choice and it can be added to the dry kibble as a supplement.

Feed your terrier a quality commercially manufactured dog food twice a day. They are small dogs, but highly energetic so choose dog foods which are geared towards small, energetic dogs.

His age and his activity levels will also give you an idea as to what to feed him. Apart from dry kibble, give him simple, tasty, nutritious home-made food too.Every now and again, add in boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potato, carrots and spinach. A little bit of raw meat occasionally can also do wonders.

Keep meals plain and simple like this to avoid stomach upsets.

Ensure your pet has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Brush him twice a week to keep the coat free of loose hair. Try and avoid bathing your pet as it causes dry skin and itchiness. Rather wipe him down with a rubber grooming mitt to keep him groomed.

Check his eyes and ears for infection. Check for fleas and ticks and any unusual lumps. Trim his nails too.

Take him to the vet when he appears to be ill and keep his vaccines up to date.