Whoodles vs South Russian Ovcharka - 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 also as the South Russian Sheepdog or the Ukranian Shepherd Dog, the South Russian Ovcharka’s history isn’t well established, and there are different stories to its history.

Whatever their history, this large dog is closely related to the wolf and has also been crossed with sight hound dogs. Their numbers have been under threat when their role as herding dog was no longer needed for rural life.

It was in the 1920s however that the breed’s numbers were restored and the UKC officially recognised the South Russian Ovcharka in 1996.

These dogs are classified within the Herding Dog Group.

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.

A large, big boned, well muscled herding dog, the South Russian Ovcharka stands at between 62 and 66cm in height and weighs between 46 and 52kg.

The dog has a thick, fairly coarse, weather-proof coat that can become long and this coat has always protected them from the harsh Russian winters.

He has small, floppy ears and the tail is medium length and also covered in thick fur.

Temperament:

These dogs need a lot of exercise and if you keep one as a pet he will need a lot of space to run and play. He guards his property too and makes a good watchdog.

He isn’t suited to living in small spaces in the city. He is a dominant, independent and strong willed dog so training and socialization will be important if you don’t want him to be unruly.

With the right kind of training, the South Russian Ovcharka can get along with pets and children in the home. He isn’t aggressive but he has strong guardian characteristics.

The first time dog owner would need to be firm, strong, confident, consistent and kind to handle this strong willed dog.

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 South Russian Ovcharka may well be independent and strong headed but there is nothing that a little bit of training and socialization can’t do.

He is intelligent and will pick up some obedience commands easily. He is is dog that will like a strong, firm, consistent owner - someone who likes to include him in all the family activities.

He can get on with children but is better suited to life on a larger property as opposed to living in a small city place. Treat him with firmness and fairness and you’ll get yourself an excellent pet and companion.

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.

This large breed has a lifespan of 9 to 11 years. Some of the health conditions to which this big dog can succumb are -

Hip Dysplasia:

This is something that affects many dogs, but particularly large dogs. When the hips haven’t formed properly, it can lead to pain, disability and arthritis.Lifestyle changes can help, like making sure your dog doesn’t pick up too much weight. For pain management you will need to get your pet to the vet.

Bloat:

Also known as Gastric Dilatation. The dog’s stomach fills with gas and can twist, and this in itself can be fatal. As soon as you see your pet pacing restlessly and he has a swollen stomach, he will need to get to the vet just as soon as possible.

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.

The long coat is certainly going to need a good brush at least twice a week as it can so easily become matted.

Because he has floppy ears, you will need to check inside the ears that they aren’t showing signs of redness, indicating the possibility of a ear infection. Check at the same time for ticks and fleas.

Exercise:

This dog is going to need a good deal of exercise to keep him content. He will love a long walk out and about. Robust games will also need to be provided. It’s why he isn’t looked upon as a dog suited to the city. He needs a lot of space and can become frustrated and destructive if his exercise needs aren’t met.

Diet:

A dog is part of the family and he therefore deserves a good meal too. Good food is beneficial as it means your dog is less likely to get sick.

Like many dog owners, you’ll no doubt appreciate the convenience of commercially manufactured dog foods. You’ll need to choose the best one though because the inferior ones are made up of bad ingredients – fillers that have no goodness whatsoever.

To provide your South Russian Ovcharka with a tasty treat, try and give him some home-made food. Boiled chicken, rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are simple and tasty and won’t trouble your dog’s stomach.

Chop some of it up and add a small portion of this into his dry kibble twice a week. Your dog’s wagging tail will tell you how much he loves it.

To avoid skin infections, try to include some raw meat into his diet too when you can. Make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.