Whoodles vs Sloughi - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Sloughi is an ancient dog breed, dating back to the 13th century, and coming from Morocco, North Africa.

Much of its history isn’t well known. The dog is a member of the sighthound family. They were originally used for hunting purposes.

The world wars saw their numbers declining. The first Sloughi dog was introduced to the United States in 1973. It was in 1989 that the American Sloughi Association was founded. The dog was also recognized by the American Kennel Club as a Foundation Stock Service breed in 1997. The dog has also been recognized by FCI in the Sighthounds group.

They are rare in the United States and if you wanted to buy one of these dogs you would stand a better chance of looking for a breeder, and then there may be a waiting list.

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.

The Sloughi is a big dog, tall and slender. The head is also long and elegant. He stands between 61 and 72cm, both male and female, and he weighs in the region of 18 to 28kg.

Looking much like a large Greyhound, the leggy dog has a noble look about him. Known for his hunting skills, he is fast and agile. In fact he is nicknamed the ‘Arabian Greyhound’.

The short straight hair makes him always look well groomed and clean. He sheds moderately throughout the year. Colors of the coat can be a fawn color, sandy, reddish brown or brindle and some come with the black mask and others without. He has medium length floppy ears and a long tail

Temperament:

The Sloughi loves his human family but is essentially a one-person dog. He is affectionate and loyal but can be quite stubborn, Having him trained and socialized does wonders and makes him amicable and well mannered.

He is quiet and intelligent and would prefer to be in a family with older children, and particularly with children who have been taught how to be kind and respectful with animals.

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.

Sloughis are independent, strong willed dogs who will need a firm owner who is consistent, fair and firm.

They're tall, slender dogs, elegant to look at and low maintenance with their short coats.

They are calm and dignified and when you make one of them your friend, companion and pet, you’re going to enjoy years of devoted companionship and loyalty.

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.

Only a few genetic conditions are found in this breed and these can be the likes of autoimmune disorders such as eye disease, Addison's disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

These dogs are also sensitive to anesthesia as well as some medications. Other illnesses to look out for with this large dog are cancer, bloat and diabetes.

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 Sloughi's coat is short and smooth and he also doesn’t have an undercoat. He is looked upon as low maintenance as he just needs a good brush every now and then to rid the coat of loose hairs and to keep him nice and shiny.

Diet:

The Sloughi dog can be fed dry kibble, but it should be a top quality one – one for large, athletic dogs. The dry kibble is useful in that it helps to keep his teeth clean.

To add some tasty variety to your pet’s diet feed him some home made food occasionally. All chopped up, boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your Sloughi and can be added to the dry kibble. Simple food like this keeps digestive problems at bay.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Sloughis love to be active and to have a good run. If you live near a park, allow him off the leash to have a chance to run. Alwys check first though, that it is safe to do so and that your loughi doesn’t try and fight with other dogs off the leashh or accidentally knock over a small child. If you’ve got a big garden, throw a frisbee or ball for him. It is important for him to get a good dose of exercise.

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.