Any dog that’s part Poodle is likely to make a wonderful pet. The Poodle gene generally makes for a highly intelligent and easily trainable dog making it a great choice for families who want to be sure they can train their dog to be the perfect pet to have around children.
These dogs are also sometimes known as a Woodle or a Wolfoodle depending on whereabouts in the world you are, but they all refer to the same mixed breed dog.
Let’s take a look at the Irish Wolfadoodle – another fantastic doodle pooch!
What is an Irish Wolfadoodle?
An Irish Wolfadoodle is a mixed breed dog most commonly found in the USA, although in recent years they have been slowly increasing in popularity in the UK too.
The Irish Wolfadoodle (not to be confused with the Irish Doodle) is a cross between an Irish Wolfhound and a Poodle. Unlike other doodle pooches that can be crossed with a toy or miniature Poodle, the Irish Wolfadoodle is always bred from a standard Poodle making it a giant breed.
Are Irish Wolfadoodles Good Pets?
Irish Wolfadoodles are a relatively new crossbreed, so not too much is known about them. However, they are widely referred to as a gentle giant mixed breed.
These Woodle dogs have all the best bits from their parents. They have the intelligence and wit of the Poodle paired with the loyalty and protection of the Irish Wolfhound.
One thing you must bear in mind though is that Woodle dogs get big! So don’t be sucked in by that cute little puppy you can just about hold in the palm of your hand. The Irish Wolfadoodle is a giant designer dog breed and will need plenty of space to move around both inside and outside.
Are Irish Wolfadoodles Hypoallergenic?
One of the big draws of dogs crossed with a Poodle is the appeal of their hypoallergenic coats which can be ideal for people with health issues or allergies. But with any crossbreed, it’s impossible to know which parent’s genes a puppy will inherit.
No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, so that’s something to be aware of if you do have someone with allergies in the house and you’re thinking of bringing a dog into the mix.
But, Poodle crosses, also known as Doodles, generally have fewer loose hairs, they shed less, and they are therefore less likely to trigger allergies.
One thing you can do to give yourself a better chance of finding a Woodle dog who is hypoallergenic is to look for one who has a higher percentage of Poodle DNA than Irish Wolfhound.
Whilst an F1 Irish Wolfadoodle (50% Poodle and 50% Irish Wolfhound) is often the most readily available, if you can find an F1BB Wolfoodle then this could be better as they have 87.5% of the Poodle gene, giving you a greater chance of having a dog that doesn’t shed.
Are Irish Wolfadoodles Aggressive?
The large size of the Wolfadoodle, inherited from Irish Wolfhounds, can make people a little apprehensive around them. But this hybrid breed is actually renowned for being incredibly gentle. These dogs just want to be loved, and as long as they are well cared for and properly trained, they are definitely not one of the aggressive dog breeds.
Do Irish Wolfadoodles Bark A Lot?
Like many Doodle dogs, the Irish Wolfadoodle isn’t a big barker. They are generally fairly quiet dogs who are happy so long as they’re loved and cared for. This makes them great pets and your neighbours are likely to thank you for choosing a quiet dog!
How easy are Irish Wolfadoodles to train?
Irish Wolfadoodles can be tricky to train. Whilst both the Poodle and the Irish Wolfhound are known to be intelligent breeds, they can also be incredibly stubborn, making training a challenge at times.
The key to training any dog is to start as early as possible. So, if you get your puppy at an early age, you stand a better chance of being able to train them.
Woodles love to please, so they work best by being rewarded for positive behaviour.
What is the life expectancy of an Irish Wolfadoodle?
The life expectancy of an Irish Wolfadoodle is between eight and twelve years. Be sure to look for reputable breeders who use health screening to minimise the chance of inherited health problems and diseases.
Common Health Issues
All dog breeds have certain health issues that they can be prone to. And when you have a mixed breed dog, their puppies can inherit health issues from both the parental breeds.
Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal dystrophy can affect pretty much any dog breed. It causes a whitening of the cornea but thankfully doesn’t affect the dog’s vision.
Cervical spondylopathy
Also known as Wobbler Syndrome, this is a neurological condition that can affect large dog breeds, making it a common health issue for the Irish Wolfadoodle. The condition affects the development of the bones in the neck and spine which can lead to compression of the spinal cord. This compression means that signals can’t get from the brain to the rest of the body and can result in lameness.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is another problem that is prevalent in large breeds. It occurs during the growing stage and causes a loosening of the hip joint. This can eventually lead to arthritis, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility.
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
This condition is most common in deep-chested dogs. Symptoms start very suddenly and get worse very quickly, so it can be difficult to get dogs treated in time. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDC) is a twisting of the dog’s stomach and is a life-threatening condition.
It’s vital to know the symptoms of GDC so that you can get your dog treated immediately to give them the best chance of survival.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated Cardiomyopathy usually affects large dogs, so the Woodle can be prone to this. It’s a condition which causes the heart muscles to fail to contract properly. This means the heart doesn’t pump blood around the body efficiently. It’s important to know the symptoms:
- Reluctance to exercise or go for walks
- Weakness
- Cold feet/paws
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite and change in eating habits
- Fast heart rate
- Unusual breathing
- Loss of muscle
How Big Does An Irish Wolfadoodle Get?
An Irish Wolfadoodle is a large mixed-breed dog, often referred to as a giant breed. So, how big do they actually get?
On average, a fully grown Irish Wolfadoodle will grow to be between 70 and 120 pounds in weight and stand between 24 to 33 inches tall.
Taking Care Of Your Irish Wolfadoodle
That moment when you first take your new puppy home is full of excitement, but there’s also often a little fear too. That dog is going to need you to take care of it for the rest of it’s life. Whatever breed or mixed breed dog you have, it’s really important to know how to take care of it so that you can help it to lead a long and happy life.
Diet
There are so many choices when it comes to feeding your Irish Wolfadoodle, it can be very daunting and difficult to know where to start.
Whilst we all want to give our dogs the very best, you need to consider your budget, because whatever type of food you feed your dog, it’s best to continue with the same food to avoid any upset stomachs.
Some owners swear by a raw food diet which you can get really easily these days either in pet shops or online.
When your dog is young, spread their daily food allowance over three meals throughout the day so that they don’t eat too much too quickly.
Exercise
As a large breed, Woodles need a fair bit of exercise each day. Ideally, your Irish Wolfadoodle should get at least two hours of exercise every day. This is often best done as one hour in the morning and one hour later on in the day so that the dog has time to recover in between.
If you’re confident enough, then let your dog off the lead daily so that it can really stretch its legs. It’s vital that you train your dog properly to come back to you when you call them before you do this in any open space. Recall is a vital skill for any off-lead dog, you need to know that your dog will run back to you when you ask them to.
Dental Care
Get into the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth daily. If you start doing this from an early age then they are likely to just accept it as part of their daily routine. There are lots of doggy toothpastes on the market. You can use a finger brush to really get the paste around your dog’s mouth. Starting this early means your dog will get used to it and won’t be tempted to take a bite of your finger.
Grooming
As a Poodle crossbreed, it’s vital that you groom your Irish Wolfadoodle regularly, particularly if they have inherited curly hair from their Poodle parent.
Both the Poodle and the Irish Wolfhound are low-shedding dogs, so the Irish Wolfadoodle won’t shed much if at all. This makes them ideal for those looking for dogs with hypoallergenic coats. But it doesn’t mean that they won’t need grooming.
Your dog could inherit the curly coat of the Poodle, or the thicker, more wiry coat of the Irish Wolfhound. Both coat types need regular grooming in order to avoid the hair getting matted.
Get into the habit of brushing your Woodle dog at least twice a week in order to keep it healthy and free from mats. A FURminator Slicker Brush is a great brush to use to keep the hair smooth and healthy.
Although it’s a relatively new designer dog breed, the Irish Wolfadoodle, Woodle, or Wolfoodle, is a great mixed breed dog for families looking for a loyal and intelligent breed. But just be aware that these dogs do grow to be very big, so make sure you have the space and the knowledge to cope with them before you head out looking for a new puppy.
