Irish Troodle
Another delightful designer dog, the Irish Troodle is a mix of the smart, good-natured Poodle and the fiery Irish Terrier. A relatively tall dog with an attractive face and curly coat, some individuals do not look dissimilar to the more popular Goldendoodle. Coats can come in an array of solid colours, including red, brown and black.
Taking on an Irish Troodle is not for the faint of heart as they do require a lot of training and exercise. A well-socialised, confident Irish Troodle makes a fantastic family pet and will form a strong bond with all of its masters, especially the children.
About & History
Those who are paying attention to what is happening in the dog world recently, will have realised that there is a huge surge in the number of ‘designer dogs’ being bred. These designer dogs are created by mixing one established pedigree with another. Not only can this widen their genetic pool and potentially improve a breed’s health, it can also give breeders the chance to select the desires and traits that they like most in two breeds and to create one new breed that exhibits all of these characteristics. The Irish Troodle has been recently developed from the Poodle and the Irish Terrier.
The Poodle
The Poodle has played a leading role in the designer dog movement and features in many cross-breed combinations. Their popularity is down to a number of reasons. Not only do Poodles come in small, medium and large (or more technically, ‘Toy’, ‘Miniature’ and ‘Standard’), they also have a cute, curly coat, which is largely hypoallergenic and does not really shed. On top of this, Poodles are known for being friendly, biddable and smart, making them a wonderful all-round pet.
While the Poodle has been used to create new cross-breeds since around the 1970s, they have a history that is much longer than this, with the modern Poodle being standardised over 400 years ago. Traditionally, the Poodle was bred to work as a hunting retriever both land and water and was even used to scent out truffles! Nowadays, Poodles are much-loved pets and have also made a name for themselves in the show ring and in a number of canine disciplines, such as agility and obedience.
The Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is largely believed to be one of the oldest Terrier breeds that can be traced back to Ireland. Prior to the 1900s, Irish Terriers came in a number of sizes and colours but over time they were selectively bred to have only red fur and to come in one, uniform size. A multi-purpose breed, the Irish Terrier was employed on farms as a vermin hunter, guard dog and even a sheep herder. They have also always been beloved companion animals and would make a good friend to the farmer’s children. Over time, the popularity of the Irish Terrier has dwindled and nowadays many people will live their whole lives without seeing one.
Appearance
The Irish Troodle is a relatively tall dog as they are typically a mix of the larger Standard Poodle with the Irish Terrier. Their body is lean and long with a straight back and sturdy limbs. They have a deep chest that should reach the elbows at a stand. Their face is undeniably handsome with a long muzzle and brown, inquisitive eyes. Their ears may hang down like their Poodle parent or may be ‘semi-flopped’ like those of the Irish Terrier.
Reaching heights of between 38cm and 51cm and weights of 22kg to 27kg, the Irish Troodle is a medium to large sized dog, built in good proportion. The fur of the Irish Troodle is very dense and often curly or waved. It is one of their most desired features and comes in an array of beautiful colours, including the classic red of the Irish Terrier, as well as black, brown, cream and grey.
Character & Temperament
Typically, a Poodle and a Terrier will have quite different temperaments, with Poodles being more laid-back and biddable, while Terriers can be harder to handle and full of mischief. Depending on the genes inherited, most Irish Troodles will fall somewhere in the middle.
These dogs don’t tend to lack confidence and will be happy to spend time with people and dogs whenever possible. Though slightly wary when meeting someone for the very first time, once their trust has been gained, they will be quick to warm up to any new guest. Playful and mischievous, they make good playmates for children and can spend hours in their company without getting tired.
The Irish Troodle cannot always be trusted with cats or other small animals, as they have an inherent desire to chase them. This can also make off-lead walking tricky in parks with squirrels and mice. While their prey drive will always be there, some individuals can learn to accept a family cat if well-socialised from a very young age.
Trainability
The intelligence and obedient nature of the Poodle may shine through in your Irish Troodle, but there is no guarantee that they won’t inherit the stubborn streak from their Terrier side. Some like to take on a dominant role within the household, a trait which needs to be trained out of them from a young age.
Some dogs may have a relatively short attention span so training sessions should be kept short and interesting, though repeated on a regular basis. Keep their attention by using various training methods and rewarding good behaviour with lots of tasty treats.
Health
As is inevitable in any dog – even in cross-breeds – there are a number of inherited health conditions that can pose an issue during the life of the Irish Troodle.
Hip Dysplasia
As is the case with many of the taller breeds, hip dysplasia can be an issue in Irish Troodles. Owners may initially notice that their dog is less keen to exercise and can develop a strange gait or a hind limb lameness. X-rays are sensitive enough to detect this orthopaedic condition, and the severity of the disease can be assessed.
Mild cases may respond well to supportive care, such as anti-inflammatory medication and joint supplements. In severe forms of the disease, a total hip replacement surgery may be advisable.
Bladder Stones
This breed is known to form bladder stones, particularly cysteine stones. Signs can vary, though often include frequent urination, bloody urination and difficulty passing urine. While some stones can be treated with diet modification, others may need a surgery to be removed.
Bloat
Deep-chested, tall dogs are known to be especially prone to bloat. Bloat is a condition that comes on quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes. Dogs will have an abdomen that is noticeably swollen and may appear distressed and uncomfortable. Panting and retching are not uncommon. An immediate visit to the vet is required if the dog has any hope of surviving.
Sebaceous Adenitis
This is a rare, inflammatory skin disease that is usually seen in young and middle-aged dogs. Dogs may suffer from fur loss, scaling and itchiness. Dermatological tests will be run to rule out any similar conditions that may be mimicking sebaceous adenitis, such as mange. Dogs are often treated with a combination of frequent grooming, medicated washes and diet. Any secondary bacterial infections will require a course of antibiotics.
Exercise and Activity Levels
Requiring a good 60 minutes of exercise each day, the Irish Troodle would not be content living a sedentary lifestyle. This breed enjoys being outside in the fresh air and is happiest when hiking and running about.
Importantly, the Irish Troodle can be prone to destructive behaviours and vices if they do not receive enough exercise or become bored. As they are an intelligent breed, as well as tiring them out physically, owners will need to put plenty of effort into engaging their brain and keeping it occupied. They benefit from participating in obedience sessions, agility courses, scenting trials, and other activities that combine body and mind.
Grooming
With a coat that does not shed much, the fur of the Irish Troodle is quite low maintenance and only needs to be brushed once a week or so, removing any dead fur or debris that has built up. Most individuals will benefit from a professional grooming session two to three times a year to keep them looking their best.