Poodle crossbreeds are one of the most popular dogs to own. Often referred to as doodles or poos, these family friendly dogs can be found in homes around the world. The most popular of the doodle dogs are the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. Both are a cross between a poodle and a retriever type breed. But there are more, great poodle mix breeds to choose from. Some of which you may have not heard of like the Ratdoodle or the Woodle. These dogs are a cross between a poodle and a breed from the terrier group. Join us as we take a look at the terrier poodle mix dog and all they have to offer.
What is a Poodle Terrier Mix Breed?
A terrier poodle mix is a dog that has one parent that is a poodle and the other parent is a breed from the terrier group. The most popular of the terrier poodle crossbreds are; the Yorkiepoo, the Westiepoo, the Schoodle and the Whoodle. But you can find all types of terrier poodle mixes.
To understand what terrier poodle crossbreeds are like, you first need to learn about each of the parent breeds. Let’s start with the terrier group.
The Terrier Group
Purpose
Terriers originated in England, Scotland and Ireland. Their name comes from the Latin word “terra”, meaning earth or soil. It’s fitting name since the original terriers were bred to hunt unwanted small animals on farms and in the fields. They did this by digging in the ground or squeezing into a burrowing animal’s tunnel. It was the terrier’s job to rid the lands of vermin and they took that job seriously.
Size
Most terriers are on the small to medium side with a few exceptions. One such exception is the Giant Schnauzer which is the largest terrier in the group. An average adult Giant Schnauzer can weigh between 60-110 pounds. However, most Terriers are less than 25 pounds and a few, like the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, are in the 30-40 pound range.
Small Terriers like the West Highland or Cairn terriers have a compact build that allows them to fit into the tunnels of burrowing animals, thus, limiting the places their prey can hide.
Temperament
The exact temperament of a terrier depends on their breed, but they are all considered to be intelligent, brave, active, independent and playful. Many are also viewed as friendly, mischievous, and fearless.
Independent
You will often hear the word independent used to describe a terrier. This is due to their breeding. They were bred and trained to hunt rodents independently. That independence can cause a power struggle between a dog and its humans.
It also means that terriers prefer to be only dog in the house. Though, if they are raised with other dogs they will learn to accept living with them.
Hunters
Terriers are born hunters. They take their job to hunt small prey seriously and will chase small rodents whenever they can. Because of this, it is best not to let your Terrier off leash outside unless in a gated area. The instinct to hunt may be greater than their desire to listen to you.
Also unless they are raised with other animals, terriers are prone to aggressive behaviors towards other animals including cats.
Our Ratdoodle will hunt small insects and spiders that make their way into the house. She also keeps our yard free from squirrels.
Diggers
Since terriers are bred to dig out underground animals, some will want to dig in the yard even when there is no prey to find. This can be easily remedied by giving them a place where they can dig.
Energetic
Most terriers are energetic and want to be active but few live in an area with rodents to hunt. So it is important to have a way to channel that energy, otherwise they can become mischievous.
Can a dog smile? Many Dog Trainers and Animal Behaviorists will tell you that dogs cannot smile, at least not in the true sense of a smile. But I am not so sure they are correct. Check out why I think some dogs can smile.
When is a Terrier Not a Terrier?
When they are a Boston Terrier or a Tibetan Terrier. Although both of these dogs have the word terrier in their name, neither breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club as a Terrier. Instead they are part of the non-sporting group.
The original Boston Terriers were bred from bull and terrier breeds, but over the years the breed was refined into the small Boston Terrier we know and love today. These dogs no longer hunt or fight; instead they are bred to be companion dogs.
According to the Tibetan Terrier Club the breed was developed in Tibet by the Lamas. They were used a companion dog, a good luck charm and a watch dog. It is believed that the Tibetan Terrier was given terrier name by European travelers that thought the breed looked like a terrier.
The Poodle
Purpose
Poodles were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl for German hunters. The original German name for the poodle was Pudelhund. This word loosely translates to puddle dog. Later on the French started to use these dogs for hunting too.
Size
Poodles officially come in three sizes; the standard poodle, the miniature poodle and the toy poodle. There is also a Moyen Poodle, which is a medium sized poodle, but Moyen Poodles are not recognized in the USA.
Temperament
Poodles are believed to be the second smartest dog breed in the world, surpassed only by the Border Collie. Poodles are energetic, easily trained, enjoy being outside and of course, they love the water.
Terrier Poodle Mix Breed FAQ
What is a terrier poodle mix called?
Terrier poodle mix breeds get their name by mashing doodle, oodle or poo with beginning of the terrier breed’s name. Examples of this is the Airedoodle which is an Airedale Terrier and a poodle or the Schnoodle which is a Schnauzer and poodle crossbreed. When poo is mashed with the terrier name a vowel is also added. An example is the Jack-a-poo which is Jack Russell Terrier and poodle or the Westiepoo, which is a West Highland Terrier and a poodle. Here is a list of all the common terrier poodle mix dog breeds.
Terrier Poodle Cross Breeds
| Terrier Poodle Mix Names | Breeds that are mixed |
|---|---|
| Airedoodle | Airedale Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Bossi-poo | Boston Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Cairnoodle | Cairn Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Jack-a-Poo | Jack Russell Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Rattle, Roodle or RatDoodle | Rat Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Schnoodle | Schnauzer / Poodle Mix |
| Scoodle | Scottish Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Skypoo | Skye Terrier/ Poodle Mix |
| Terri-poo | Australian Terrier / Mini Poodle Mix |
| Ttoodle | Tibetan Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Westiepoo | West Highland Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Wire-Poo | Wire Fox Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Whoodle | Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Woodle | Welsh Terrier / Poodle Mix |
| Yorkipoo | Yorkshire Terrier / Poodle Mix |
Are Terrier Poodle Mixes Hypoallergenic?
Most are but it will depend on the terrier breed the poodle is crossed with. Since most terrier breeds are considered to be hypoallergenic on their own crossing them with a poodle will result in a puppy that is hypoallergenic. But there are some terrier breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier that are not hypoallergenic. Crossing a Jack Russell Terrier with a poodle may not result in a hypoallergenic dog. See the below list of hypoallergenic Terriers
Remember even dogs that are considered to be hypoallergenic can still cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you have allergies make sure you spend time with the breed or crossbreed you are interested in before making a lifetime commitment.
Does a Poodle Terrier Crossbreed Shed?
Although all dogs shed to a certain extent, poodles and some terriers are considered to be non shedders. Meaning they shed minimally. Therefore, many poodle terrier mixes will also be low shed dogs. But being low shed does not mean they are low maintenance. In fact poodles and doodles with long wavy or curly hair are very high maintenance dogs that need to be brushed more often than non-hypoallergenic breeds. Plus they need to be groomed regularly to keep their fur from becoming matted.
| Hypoallergenic/Low Shed Terriers breeds: |
|---|
| Australian Terrier |
| Airedale Terrier |
| Cairn Terrier |
| Lakeland Terrier |
| Schnauzer |
| Scottish Terrier |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
| Tibetan Terrier |
| Welsh Terrier |
| West Highland Terrier |
| Yorkshire Terrier |
To learn more about the grooming needs of these dogs check out our post Oodle Dog Guide – What You Need to know
How Big Does a Poodle Terrier Mix Get?
How big a terrier poodle mix will get all depends on the parents. But since most terriers are small, weighting under 25 pounds, breeding them with a miniature poodle should result in a small dog.
The exceptions to this are the Standard Schnauzer and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Both of these dog breeds fall in the medium sized range and weight between 35 -45 pounds. Depending on if they are crossed with a miniature poodle or a standard poodle they can be a bit smaller or larger.
For a large sized poodle terrier mix the Ariedoodle can be a large dog if an Airedale Terrier is crossbred with a Standard Poodle.
What is a Terrier Poodle Mix’s Temperament?
Whenever you take two purebred dogs and crossbreed them you never really know what you will get. In general terrier poodle mixes will be highly intelligent, independent, energetic, fearless, alert and playful. But they can also be stubborn and dominant. These dogs are generally not for first time dog owners.
Also remember that a dog’s breed is only one part of the equation when it comes to their temperament. The temperaments of the breeding pair and how the puppies are handled in the first 8 weeks of their life will all have an effect on the puppy’s temperament. This is why getting your dog from a quality breeder is so important.
Where Can I Get a Terrier Poodle mix?
Unfortunately Poodle Terrier mixes are most commonly sold by Puppy Mills either on line or through pet stores. Please do not buy a Puppy Mill puppy. Instead look for a quality breeder. Though it may be hard to find one, if you take the time to look, you will be rewarded with a health, trainable puppy.
To learn the secrets of easy puppy training check out our post 10 Secrets to Easy Puppy Training
You can also find Poodle Terrier Mixes for adoption on Petfinder.com. This is how we found our Rat Terrier Poodle Mix breed dog when she was just 9 weeks old. You can find a list of rescue groups that specialize in terrier or poodle breeds under resources.
A word on puppy mills
Puppy mills are the worst possible place you can get a puppy from. The puppies tend to be sick from the start or come with long term health issues. Puppies from puppy mills are born under terrible, inhumane conditions. They are harder to train and can have aggression issues. They are not socialized or even cared for at the mills.
If you check out our post “5 Puppy Potty Training Mistakes to Avoid” you will see that buying from a Puppy Mill is the number 1 reason why people have a hard time potty training their puppy.
A word of caution
Be careful when looking for a breeder, puppy mills often disguise themselves to look like a small quality breeder. Make sure to do an extensive background check on any breeder before buying. Also check out the Humane Society’s “The Horrible Hundred”. It lists that top 100 worst puppy mills in the U.S.
How Much Do Poodle Terrier Mixes Cost?
The cost of a poodle terrier mix depends on the demand and who you buy the puppy from. Terrier poodle cross breeds from a quality breeder can easily cost $3,000 or more. Puppy’s from puppy mills cost anywhere from $800 to $2,850.
A quality breeder is a breeder who carefully selects mating pairs to provide the best possible outcome. They care for their dogs. These dogs either live with them in their home or live with a family under a guardian arrangement. A quality breeder always does health testing on their breeding dogs. This ensures that avoidable health conditions are not passed to the puppies.
Puppy Mills on the other hand mass produce puppies in horrible conditions.
Of course you can always choose to adopt a dog. Adoption fees depend on the breed, age and location of the dog. To learn more about the cost of dog adoption check out our post How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dog?
How Long Does a Poodle Terrier Mix Live?
Both the poodle and terrier breeds enjoy fairly long lives so combining them should also result in a long life. On average a small sized poodle terrier mix like the Westiepoo will live between 13 and 16 years. A larger sized poodle terrier mix like the Airedoodle, will live between 12 and 15 years.
Could an Terrier Poodle Mix Dog be Right for You?
If you are looking for a fun, energetic dog with an independent personality then an Terrier Poodle Mix dog is right for you. However if you don’t have the time to train them or the financial means to pay for regular grooming you should look for another breed.
Once you decide which Terrier Poodle mix dog is rigth for you, it important to make sure you find a reputable breeder. In our post How to Find a Reputable Dog Breeder we show you what to look for in a dog breeder. Also look for our post on How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter
To learn more about poodle mix breeds check out our post Oodle Dog Guide – What You Need to know for a firsthand look on what it is really like to have a doodle.
Poodle and Terrier Rescues
Here is a list of Rescue organizations that deal with Terrier and Terrier mix breeds
- S’Wheaten Rescues and Adoptions
- WIN – Wheaten’s in Need
- Carolina Poodle Rescue
- Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation, Inc.
- Westie Rescue of New England Inc
- Westie Rescue Network
Selecting a Name
Once you find your perfect pup you will need the perfect name for them. To help get you started we have put together lists of names to help you to choose.
- Scottish Dog Names: 500 Names to Choose From
- Australian Dog Names: 200 Dog Names to Choose From
- Norse Dog Names: Viking Names for Your Dog
- 550 British Dog Names: You Will Want to Use
- French Dog Names For Your Doodle
- Flower Names For Dogs: Plus Nature Inspired Dog Names
Britt K says
This is great information! I think a lot of people fail to take the time to adequately research the breeds that they are interested in which explains a lot of the situations in which a dog is adopted and returned. I also love that you stressed that while many of these dogs may be considered hypoallergenic, that doesn’t that one can’t have an allergic reaction. It’s better to err on the side of caution. Adopting a dog is a LONG term commitment, and should be treated as such!
Bonnie says
Thanks! There are many doodle type dogs finding themselves in a shelter or rescue because their owner believed that all poodle mixes are hypoallergenic. We did luck out and our terrier poodle mix does not bother my allergies like our spaniel did. But I also knew that I would deal with the allergies and keep her even if I was allergic to her.
Ruth Epstein says
Interesting post and always good to learn, on Layla’s surrender papers it says she is a terrier mix but when we did her DNA there was no terrier in her LOL. I only rescue mutts as I love a good mix and personally do not need a label for my dog.
Bonnie says
I agree personality is so much more important than titles but breeding does influence a dog’s personality. We have a Rat Terrier Poodle mix. She is way more vocal and feisty than our spaniel or Golden Retriever ever was. Just like a true terrier her personality is bigger than her size.
Angela Schneider says
I’ve had a few oodles in front of my lens so far but no terrier doodles yet! My favorite so far has been the St. Bernedoodle puppies.
Bonnie says
All doodles are great. I often think about getting a second one.
Beth says
I love dogs of all types, including mixed breeds. I’m glad you pointed out the importance of not buying a puppy from a pet store or online since most of those pups come from a puppy mill.
Bonnie says
Thanks for stopping by. I agree you should never buy from a pet store, but now puppy mills are finding new ways to hide their true identity. I am working another post about how to find a reputable breeder. It should be posted soon. In it I will go into greater detail about the tricks puppy mills play to fool unsuspecting buyers.
Robin says
Wow! There are so many different combinations! I had no idea. It’s very interesting that terriers were bred to hunt pests – that is similar to how cats were domesticated.
Bonnie says
We always say that our small terrier poodle mix is very cat like. She has a very long tail, can jump up on our counters, she sleeps on the back of the couch and hunts bugs that get into the house.
Emilia says
I love terriers. Cairns and Norwich and Westies are my favorite. I appreciate the emphasis on finding a quality breeder. It seems like most “oddles” and “poo” dogs are backyard breeder type dogs.
Bonnie says
Yes I agree. With the popularity of the doodle came people that were just looking for easy money. In the end we choose to adopt and are very happy we did.
Sweet Purrfections says
Very interesting. My parents’ dog was supposed to be a Shipoo (?) but when they had his DNA tested, there was no Poodle in him. He’s had a lot of health issues and I’m convinced he came from a back-yard breeder. He’s very loving though and doesn’t meet a stranger.
Bonnie says
A lot of people choose to get a dog through a breeder because they don’t like the unknown aspect of a rescue. But unless you are dealing with a reputable breeder that does health testing and cares for the breeding dogs and puppies you still don’t know what you are getting.
Jana Rade says
Wow, that is a variety of mixes! I can see how these mixes could be advantageous.
Bonnie says
Yes, if you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog it is better to go with breeds that are hypoallergentic from the start.
Nancy Taylor says
What a great post! Very helpful to understand all the different pups! I honestly was a little skeptical of “doodles” until getting to know my friend’s dog. Incredibly smart and gentle.
Bonnie says
Thanks! Doodles are great dogs if you get one from a reputable breeder.
Sharon Leyton says
Are poodle/terriers good with children. Ours is 4 months and is a bit mouthy but gentler with my granddaughter.
Bonnie says
Hi Sharon,
You didn’t mention what type of terrier mix you have.
In general smaller terriers may be more excitable and prone to biting. However there are terrier breeds that are great with children. A lot of it will depend on the dog’s training and exposure to kids when they are puppies. Our Rat Terrier/Poodle mix loves kids but as a puppy it took a while to get her to stop biting. She is definitely feistier than any other non-terrier dog I have had in the past.
You can find tips here on how to stop your puppy from bititng
Thanks for visitng happyoodles.com
Bonnie
Barbara says
I am looking for a poodle terrier mix to adopt and don’t know where to start.
any suggestions i live in Surrey BC Canada.
Thanks Barbara
Bonnie says
Hi Barbara,
We found our Rat Terrier/Poodle mix on Petfinder.com. It took about 4 months to find her, so you need a lot of patience to wait until you find the right dog for you.
Petfinder.com allows you to search by location, breed, age and a few other characteristics. You can also save the search and get email notifications.
For more tips on how to find a rescue dog please read out post Rescue Dogs: What you Need to Do to Find Your Perfect Rescue Dog. Also Dog Adoption – Finding Your Perfect Pup where we give you some tips on how not to be scammed.
Good luck with your search. Send us a picture when you find your pup.
Thanks for stopping by,
Bonnie
Sandra says
Thank you for all this information. It does make me a bit sad as it highlights that the rescue dog we just adopted must have been abused in the past. She’s a Jackapoo who is very intelligent, sweet, and gentle, but easily scared and fearful of being abandoned leading to crying and pacing when someone leaves the room. It’s only day 3 so I hope we can help her heal.
Bonnie says
Hi Sandra,
Congratulations on your new pup!
Since both Jack Russell Terriers and Poodles are highly intelligent dogs you are going to have one smart dog on your hands.
Although being scared and fearful can be caused by abuse it can also be due to lack of socialization as a puppy or just the fact that they were moved around a lot. By the time we picked up our current pup Bella, she had lived in three different places before the age of 9 weeks. And that doesn’t include the time to transfer her up north or her time in the vet’s office when she was spayed. Rescued dogs often go through a lot before we get them.
But I can tell you from experience that it should get better. It did for us for all three dogs we have rescued.
Best of luck with your new pup. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Bonnie