Whoodle Grooming

Whoodles have medium- to long-haired coats that, depending on whether they're more like their Poodle or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier parents, can be wavy or curly. Though Whoodles don't shed much, the coats can easily mat or tangle, so these dogs will need grooming fairly regularly. See below for details on maintaining a Whoodle's coat and for info on popular hairstyles.

The Whoodle coat combines the soft, silky coat of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier with the tightly curled coat of the Poodle--and the result is a medium- to long-haired, wavy to curly coat that makes Whoodle grooming a moderately time-consuming process. These dogs will need brushing 4-5 times per week, but baths are necessary only occasionally. And depending on your preferred hairstyle, a Whoodle will need a haircut every 2-3 months.

For haircuts, many Whoodle owners learn to give their dogs' cuts at home. Depending on how much facial hair a Whoodle inherits from its Wheaten Terrier parent, you might need to trim the hair around the dog's eyes with scissors occasionally to keep it from irritating the eyes. Regardless of your chosen style, it's a good idea to visit a professional groomer at least once; the groomer can provide tips on cutting the hair yourself, and on grooming in general.

Dogs of this breed shed little, but their coats are quite prone to tangles and mats, so they need frequent brushing to help keep the tangles at bay. You'll need both a pin brush and a slicker brush (or perhaps a 2-in-1 comb) for best results.

Brushing Instructions

1. Wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle
2. Use a pin brush to go over the coat in the typical line-brushing fashion, use the slicker brush or the comb to work through stubborn tangles and mats.
3. If you're following the brushing with a bath, make sure and use canine shampoo and conditioner (available at pet stores). Lather and rinse well, towel- or blow-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look healthy and clean.

Descriptions of some popular Whoodle haircuts:

• Puppy Cut: This short style make the coat more tangle- and mat-free. The hair is shaved fairly short (1.5-2 inches) all over; many choose to leave the dog's facial hair a bit longer. Can easily be done at home with instruction from a groomer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: An adorable style for this crossbreed. The body hair is cut to about two inches, but the leg and facial hair is left a bit longer, and carefully sculpted and rounded. The overall look makes the dog resemble a teddy bear. Can be done at home, but might take a little practice.
• Lion Cut: This exotic cut makes the dog resemble a little lion. The head, face, front legs, and front half of the body are left at full length, while the rear half of the body, hind legs, and tail (except for the tip) are shaved close. Best done by a groomer.