Whoodles vs Russian Harlequin Hound - 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.

The origins of the Russian Harlequin Hound are somewhat vague as there are many Russian hunting hounds and many of them have a similar ancestry.

The Russian Harlequin Hound is an indigenous hound whose origins go back to the 18th century. The first breed standard was published in 1925.

The breed was then developed during the early 1900s – being a mix of Russian Hound and English Foxhound. The Russian Harlequin Hound is a rare dog breed and you will find it almost exclusively in Russia.

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.

The Russian Harlequin Hound is a medium to large sized dog that stands between 55 – 68cm in height and weighs between 18 – 31kg.

He has a solid build with long, straight legs with a long tail that can be slightly curved. The head is broad and square with medium sized ears which are floppy. The short coat is essentially white with tri-colored markings of white, tan and black.

Temperament:

The Russian Harlequin Hound has an amicable expression to his face and is a friendly social dog breed. He is lively and energetic, and with his hunting background will required a good deal of exercise.

They make great family pets, getting on well with children in the home and making friends with any other pets in the family. He is a gentle dog and with training and socialization is well mannered and obedient.

He loves his human family and wants to spend time with them in their company. He isn't suited to life in the city and a small property, but will require a home with bigger grounds.

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.

The Russian Harlequin Hound has always been a hunting dog, known for his excellent hunting skills. He isn’t only a good hunting dog, but he makes a good family pet too.

If you’re looking for an unusual dog breed that is also intelligent, loyal and loving, then you might want to consider this Russian Harlequin Hound.

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 Russian Harlequin Hound is a rare dog breed that can reach 12 years of age if well cared for. There are some dog ailments that must be watched for. Cancer, ear infections and skin allergies can be problems to look out for. Other troublesome ailments can be -

Bloat:

This is a more common disease with deep-chested dogs, and the deep chested Russian Harlequin Hound is prone to bloat. Gas is trapped in the stomach and the stomach can actually twist. It can be life threatening. Your pet will have a hard, swollen belly and will be restless and salivating. Get him to the vet immediately. He may well require immediate surgery.

Hip Dysplasia:

This condition is all about problems with the hip joints. It is sad for any dog with this disease as it can be painful for your pet to walk. Inflammation and arthritis can mean your pet being in pain. He can become lame too.

There are anti-inflammatory medications and your vet will suggest other treatments to make sure your pet is as comfortable as can be.

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.

Exercise:

The Russian Harlequin Hound needs both mental and physical stimulation. He is a curious dog and wants to be out and about sniffing around and exploring. He will need to have a walk every day as well as lots of ball- and rope games. He will suit being the pet of a busy, outdoorsy family as opposed to a family of couch potatoes.

Grooming:

The Russian Harlequin Hound is looked upon as a low maintenance dog breed, and with his short, dense coat you can get by with just brushing him twice a week. Because he is such a lover of the outdoors check him over for ticks and fleas when you brush him.

Check inside his ears for redness and infection.

Open his mouth and look for bad, rotting teeth.

Check him over for any unusual lumps.

Make sure his eyes are clear and free of discharge.

Trim his nails.

Diet:

Every dog should be fed excellent food as this encourages good health. Commercially manufactured dog foods can be wonderfully convenient and nutritious if you get the better quality ones.

Try and include some simple, tasty home-made food to his diet . High-quality dry dog food will provide a balanced diet, but you want to make it a little more tasty for him by giving him some chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. This can be added into the dry kibble twice a week.

Try and include some raw meat occasionally. Fresh, cool water should always be available around the clock.