Terripoo Basics

The Terripoo is a bundle of doggie fun for any family and brings together the intelligence of a Miniature Poodle and the mischievous nature of the Australian Terrier for a people-loving pooch that is playful, loyal and intuitive to his owner’s needs.

The Terripoo brings the smarts of the Miniature Poodle together with the mischievous nature of the Australian Terrier.

Origin

The Terripoo likely dates back to the 1980s when breeders responded to a growing demand for dogs that were smaller, hypo-allergenic, healthier or simply gentler variations on some of the more popular breeds, by creating designer dogs.

Pedigree

The Terripoo doesn’t qualify to be a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) because he is not a pure-bred however both parent breeds are members; the Alaskan Malamute joined the club’s “terrier” group in 1960 while the Poodle became a member of the “non-sporting” group in 1887.

Food / Diet

The Terripoo is a small dog that will require a food that is specifically designed for his size, age and activity level. Look for a nutrient-rich, top quality kibble that will support his need for protein and plan to feed him 2 to 3 times daily versus free feeding to avoid over-eating and obesity. The Poodle’s propensity to bloat means overeating is a big no-no and that any exercise be scheduled at least 1 hour after eating or before.

The peppy little Terripoo doesn’t require long walks or extensive exercise.

Training

Terripoos require early socialization and obedience training to help curb the head-strong, attention-seeking side of their personality. Early socialization will help ensure he learns to play nice with kids and other animals while a consistent, firm approach will establish you as pack leader. As with all dogs, rewards and praise for a job well done will go a long way to achieving the results you want and with the Terripoo, anything that is interactive and fun will help engage his attention.

Weight

The Terripoo typically weighs in between 12 and 14 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

This fun-loving pooch makes a wonderful family pet. His loyal, bonded nature to his human pack makes for a dog that craves attention and loves being involved in all things family. He considered a highly intuitive dog, that responds to his owner’s moods making him a great potential therapy dog. Because of their Terrier background, early socialization is important to make sure he knows how to play well with children and other animals.

Common Health Problems

Designer Dogs are typically healthier than their pure-bred parents because they are bred specifically to cancel out some of the health issues that can plague their parent breeds. However, it’s always important to know what your new pup could inherit and in the case of the Terripoo, that can include joint issues, diabetes, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism and progressive retinal atrophy.

Life Expectancy

The Terripoo has a life span of between 10 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The peppy little Terripoo doesn’t require long walks or extensive exercise, but he does need to get out for a daily strut around the neighborhood and active playtime in his yard, a dog park or even indoors, to keep him stimulated and prevent him from becoming bored and destructive.

The fun-loving Terripoo enjoys being part of all things “family”.

Recognized Clubs

The Terripoo is also known as the Terri Poo, Terridoodle and Terrypoo and is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

The Terripoo’s coat could be short and curly reflecting his Poodle lineage or straighter and shaggy similar to the Australian Terrier. Either way, he is a relatively low-maintenance dog when it comes to brushing – which can be done 2 to 3 times per week. He will need professional grooming to keep his coat looking its best. His coat texture is dense and typically rough and harsh, similar to the terrier and because he is a floppy eared dog he can be prone to ear infections so plan to inspect and clean weekly.

Puppies

Terripoo pups are tiny and because of this dog’s propensity to joint issues later in life, handling by children should always be supervised. Socialization and obedience should begin at an early age and exercise / leash training must begin slowly and progress as he gets bigger to prevent over-stressing tiny legs and joints.

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