Do Irish Wolfadoodles Take The Designer Dog Craze Too Far?
The Doodle—or Poodle mix—craze has given us dozens of designer mixed-breed dogs. With so much experimentation, we’ve seen some combinations that are more successful than others. Typically, crossing two similar dog breeds produces the best results. Crossing vastly different breeds produces the most unpredictable and undesirable results.
So, what would you say if someone told you they planned to mix an Irish Wolfhound and a Poodle?
The Irish Wolfadoodle (wolf-a-doodle) is an especially uncommon mix and a combination of two vastly different breeds. So, what traits do Irish Wolfadoodles exhibit? Are they at all similar to their Irish Wolfhound and Poodle parents?
Here’s what there is to know about this ultra-rare, unconventional, and perhaps ill-advised designer dog breed. Let’s get acquainted with the Irish Wolfadoodle.
Meet 5 Irish Wolfadoodles From Instagram
A dog’s phenotype—or the things you can observe about it like appearance—becomes less predictable with more genetic variety. Purebred dogs have been standardized to carry a specific set of genetic traits which they then pass from generation to generation. Mixed breed dogs—like an Irish Wolfhound mix with Poodle—receive their genetic traits from two different sources, and which traits they receive from each parent varies from individual to individual.
Instead of doing a puzzle with just one set of puzzle pieces, imagine mixing two puzzles in a bag, pulling pieces blindly, and trying to assemble a puzzle using both sets of pieces. You won’t be able to predict what the finished puzzle will look like. That’s essentially what happens when you breed “designer” dog breeds.
All this to say, Irish Wolfadoodles—and all mixed-breed dogs—come in lots of shapes, sizes, and coat types. Let’s take a look at the colorful variety of Irish Wolfadoodles!
1. Oliver
Oliver is a three-year-old Irish Wolfsdoodle from Colorado who likes to spend as much time lounging as possible! Handsome Oliver inherited a lot of his looks from his Irish Wolfhound side, but when his coat grows out you can see more of his Poodle side.
2. Havok
No, that’s not a mini sink Havok is drinking out of! Havok the Irish Wolfadoodle is tall—really tall—and why bother with a dog bowl if you have fresh water within reach? We can thank those Irish Wolfhound genes for Havok’s height!
3. Finnegan
Finnegan is an almost four-year-old black Wolfadoodle from Minnesota whose looks lean heavily on the Poodle side. You might notice that Finnegan has some color variation in his coat—and I’m not just talking about the white patch on his chest. Wolfhounds often have slightly mottled fur, and Finnegan is showing some of those Irish Wolfhound genetics in his coloring!
4. Olive
Beautiful Olive is a mottled gray and black Irish Wolfadoodle living in Silicon Valley. Olive’s family includes two adorable kiddos, and she loves snuggling and playing with her tiny humans!
5. Theo
Irish Wolfhound Poodle Mix Basic Info
The Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix—Irish Wolfadoodle for short—is an uncommon “designer” dog breed. Examples of this mix are becoming increasingly common, but this combination is still considered rare. Irish Wolfhounds are notoriously not a good beginner dog and require experienced, dedicated care. Do Irish Wolfadoodles have the same unique needs, or could this be your chance to own a lower-maintenance version of the Irish Wolfhound?
Bad news first: Doodle breeders use the idea that their mixed-breed dogs are “upgraded” versions of purebreds as an advertising trick to increase demand for their puppies. Mixed-breed dogs aren’t always healthier or easier to manage than purebred dogs.
Now, let’s get into the good news: Irish Wolfadoodles are adorable. Their parent breeds each have unique and amazing traits, and many Irish Wolfadoodles inherit the best parts of their parents. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works, so it’s important to learn as much as you can about a mixed-breed dog’s potential before you decide to make one your family pet.
Before we dive in, remember that breeders can’t control which genetic traits their mixed-breed puppies inherit, so the adult size, color, coat type, temperament, and health of designer dogs are always unpredictable. I’ve included general information about what traits most Irish Wolfadoodles might possess, but there are plenty of outliers.
Irish Wolfadoodle Temperament
One of the issues with breeding designer dog breeds is choosing parent-breed temperament compatibility. In the case of Irish Wolfadoodles, these considerations may not have been taken very seriously.
Irish Wolfhounds are part of the hound group of dogs, once bred specifically to hunt wolves. Poodles are non-sporting dogs, and though they have retriever origins, they have primarily been used as pets and companion animals. These two breeds have very different motivations and social needs.
Some Irish Wolfadoodles can be social and eager to interact with humans, while others may tend more toward shyness and aloof behavior. Protective of their families and deeply attached to their inner circle, Wolfadoodles can be a bit territorial and possessive. Most Irish Wolfadoodles are content to spend their days with their humans and other animals in the family, but might not greet strangers with as much friendliness.
Intelligent and a quick learner, Irish Wolfadoodles are capable of picking up on training quickly but can be a little stubborn or disinterested in listening. A sense of independence and quiet confidence can make the Wolfadoodle a tough nut to crack.
Irish Wolfadoodle Size
Irish Wolfadoodles are big dogs, standing 15–32 inches tall and weighing in at 80–180 pounds.
Irish Wolfadoodle Health
Irish Wolfadoodles can inherit breed-specific health issues from both sides of their parentage, and both Irish Wolfhounds and Poodles share several common health problems. No matter what breed you own, dog owners should always educate themselves on the potential health risks facing their dogs. For Irish Wolfadoodles, these health problems are the most likely to come up:
- Eye and vision problems (e.g. cataracts, retinal ulcers, glaucoma)
- Joint problems (e.g. hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease)
- Von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder)
- Bloat
- Heart problems (e.g. dilated cardiomyopathy)
- Cancers (e.g. osteosarcoma, lymphoma)
Where To Find Irish Wolfadoodle Puppies For Sale
Irish Wolfhounds are a somewhat rare breed, and it is highly unlikely that an ethical Irish Wolfhound breeder would knowingly or purposefully allow their dogs to be bred to a Poodle. People producing Irish Wolfhound Poodle puppies and similar “exotic” mixes are almost exclusively backyard breeders and puppy mills. For this reason, there are no ethical ways to purchase Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix puppies from a breeder.
If you have your heart set on an Irish Wolfadoodle, your best path to owning one of these dogs is working with a breed-specific rescue. IDOG specializes in finding adoptive homes for abused, abandoned, and surrendered Doodles and Poodle mixes—a good place to start if you are interested in Doodles in general. If you’re most interested in owning an Irish Wolfhound or Irish Wolfhound mix, check out the national Irish Wolfhound rescue directory created by the Irish Wolfhound Club of America.
Irish Wolfhound Poodle Mix FAQ
Dog lovers online are asking lots of questions about the Irish Wolfadoodle! Here are some quick answers to the most common queries about this rare mixed breed.
What is an F1 Irish Wolfadoodle?
Doodles are classified by their generation, or how far they are from a 50/50 mix of their two parent breeds. An F1 Irish Wolfadoodle is a dog whose parents were two purebred dogs—one Irish Wolfhound and one Poodle.
Do Irish Wolfadoodles shed?
Yes. Most Irish Wolfadoodles shed at least a little, even though they are part Poodle.
Do Irish Wolfadoodles bark a lot?
No. Irish Wolfadoodles aren’t particularly vocal dogs. Most likely to bark as an alert or in response to unexpected stimuli, these dogs rarely bark out of boredom.
What is the life expectancy of an Irish Wolfhound and Poodle mix?
The average Irish Wolfadoodle lifespan is between 8–12 years.
What is the average asking price for an Irish Wolfadoodle for sale?
Breeders advertising an Irish Wolfhound Poodle mix for sale usually ask between $1,000–$3,500, but you should not purchase a mixed-breed puppy from a breeder.
Are Irish Wolfhound cross Poodle mixes easy to train?
Sometimes. Some Irish Wolfadoodles are easy to motivate with treats and praise. Others have a strong sense of independence and may be less biddable or willing to follow commands.
What is the official name for Irish Wolfhound x Poodle mixes?
There is no “official” name for this designer mixed breed, but the most common name is Irish Wolfadoodle. You may also see people call this mix an Irish Wolfhound Doodle, an Irish Wolfoodle, or an Irish Wolf Doodle/Irish Wolfdoodle.
What is the difference between an Irish Wolfadoodle and an Irish Doodle?
An Irish Wolfadoodle is a mix of an Irish Wolfhound and a Poodle. An Irish Doodle is a mix of an Irish Setter and a Poodle.
What is the difference between an Irish Wolfadoodle and a Wolf-Dog Poodle mix?
A Wolf Dog is a hybrid of a domesticated dog and a wolf. In theory, a Wolf Dog could be bred with a Poodle to create a Wolf Dog Poodle mix, but that would be highly ill-advised.
