Whoodles vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison

The short haired Chihuahua is such a recognizable dog breed, probably because of his tiny size, but did you know that you also get a long haired variety?

Looking quite a bit like a Pomeranian, the only difference between the two types of Chihuahua is the length of the coat.

This small dog dates back to Mayan times and while it may well have originated in Mexico, its popularity saw it becoming a sought after pet in other countries too.

To get the long haired Chihuahua, breeding programs were established and the short-haired variety was mated with other long haired toy sized dogs such as the Pomeranian and the Yorkshire Terrier.

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.

Your long haired Chihuahua will have a coat that is soft and slightly wavy. He weighs between 1 and 3kg and stands at about 15 – 23cm. He generally sheds throughout the year with a couple of heavier shedding periods during the year.

Don’t be fooled by the long, thick hair on the long haired Chihuahua as it doesn’t protect him from the cold – in fact he doesn’t tolerate the cold well at all, and is essentially an indoor dog. The ears are erect and feathery and the tail is full and plumed, lying over the back. He has a ruff on the neck, which is often described as a mane.

Temperament:

Chihuahuas are such bright-as-a-button little dogs and they’re intelligent too.

It’s difficult to say how a dog’s temperament will turn out, because breed, lifestyle and the type of owners can all make a dog a certain way.

Socialization and training can sometimes help with a dog that has bad genes. There are some people who say the Long haired Chihuahua is a nasty, aggressive little dog who’ll easily give you a nip but they’ve got a good reputation with many other dog lovers.

They love their own human family but may take quite a while to chill towards other people and other dogs too. They’re more ‘birds of a feather flock together’ type of dogs, preferring to get on with other Chihuahua dogs.

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 Chihuahua is such a feisty, courageous, confident little dog who also believes that he is part- lion. He is loving, sweet and gentle and just loves being picked up and petted non-stop. He looks up at you, moving his front paws up and down to tell you that he wants to be picked up.

He is in 7th heaven when he can be cuddled up in your lap. You just have to teach your children to be very careful with him and not enter into games with him that are too rough and tumble. Tiny he may be but he makes a great watchdog too, barking and alerting you to strangers.

His small size makes him perfect for life in the city or in the countryside. Just be careful when in the countryside lest an Eagle or Owl scoop him up and carry him off to some faraway nest.

He doesn’t need a great deal of exercise either and you can actually keep him happily busy with some games indoors. He’ll always welcome walks with you though.

This small dog is full of life and confidence and he is ready to be your constant, loving companion.

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.

With good care, you’ll have your long haired Chihuahua with you for a long time – 15 years and longer.

Parasites:

Make sure to de-worm your Chihuahua. Worms and other parasites can be deadly for your pet and the vet will do preventative deworming on a regular basis.

You Chihuahua will need to be vaccinated when he is a puppy and even when he is an adult, although less often. These vaccines will protect your Chihuahua from the likes of parvo, distemper and rabies. Have your chihuahua spayed or neutered.

There are so many puppies in the world who can’t find homes. Desexing your Chihuahua is a responsible way to ensure your pet doesn’t have puppies. Spaying and neutering can actually be beneficial for your dog’s health.

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.

Grooming:

The pint-sized long-haired Chihuahua isn’t going to take up too much of your time in terms of grooming. Make sure you brush him at least twice a week to ensure his long hair doesn’t tangle. Small dogs are prone to dental problems, so try and brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with special doggy toothbrush- and toothpaste.

General Care:

Take your puppy Chihuahua to the vet for his regular vaccinations to prevent him getting dangerous illnesses.

Feed him a high quality dog food. He is a high energy dog so buy high quality food that caters for small, lively dogs. Try and feed him such home made food from time to time. Remember that with small dogs, high-salt diets can contribute to kidney problems.

Never overfeed your Chihuahua as obesity opens up major health problems in Chihuahuas.

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.