Terripoo 101: Intro To The Australian Terrier-Poodle Mix

The Terripoo might be one of the newer and more of a rarity Poodle mix, but nonetheless a wonderful companion pet for loving families. In this guide, we’re going to talk about everything there is to know about the Terripoo, including their appearance, size, health, personality, and grooming requirements. So, whether you’ve been thinking about expanding your family with this precious Dood or you’re simply curious to learn more about them, then this guide is the place to start. 

Table of Contents

• Terripoo 101: What is a Terripoo?
• Terripoo Physical Appearance
• Terripoo Pictures (Puppy & Adult)
• Terripoo Size
• Terripoo Variations & Generations
• Terripoo Temperament & Personality
• Terripoo Health & Lifespan
• Terripoo Exercise & Training
• Terripoo Coat & Grooming
• Where Can You Get Terripoo Puppies?
• Terripoos 101: FAQ

Terripoo 101: What is a Terripoo?

The Terripoo is a hybrid cross between the Australian Terrier and Poodle. You may also know them by the names Terridoodle or Terrypoo. As with many other crossbreeds, the varieties are almost endless, and it doesn’t just include their choice of names. 

Terripoos are small-sized pups like their purebred Australian Terrier parents. This makes the Terripoo an excellent pet for people who live in more modest-sized homes, not just in huge mansions. But if you do have the space, even better! These Doods are quite active and will surely enjoy plenty of space to roam around, as both the purebred Poodle and Australian Terrier are rather high energy dogs. 

Terripoos have the perfect combination of being affectionate with their families, yet independent enough to not get too clingy with their favorite humans. They tend to get along well with children and with proper socialization they should also have no problem interacting with other pets. 

But let’s not forget, Terripoos are also highly praised for their allergy-friendly and low-shedding qualities. Like other Poodle mixes, they make excellent pets for people who are looking for a pup that doesn’t trigger allergic reactions and won’t leave behind a trail of dog hair everywhere they go. 

Although it might be a bit tricky to get your hands on a Terripoo at this point, we can expect this crossbreed to gain more recognition in the near future. After all, Poodle mixes are here to stay – we can certainly vouch for that! 

Terripoo Physical Appearance

Color

The Australian Terrier-Poodle mix can inherit a wide variety of coat colors from either side of their lineage. 

From the Australian Terrier, Terripoos may inherit colors like solid red, sand, or a pattern consisting of various shades of blue and tan. 

From the Poodle’s side of their lineage, they may get various solid coat colors, including black, blue, gray, silver, brown, cafe au lait, silver beige, apricot, cream, or white. In addition to that, Poodles also flaunt coat patterns, such as phantom, multicolor, abstract, sable, parti, or even merle. 

As a result, Terripoo pups may inherit either of these coat colors and combinations. 

Coat, Shedding, & Hypoallergenic Level

As we all know, one of the best things about Terripoos (and other Doodle breeds) is that their Poodle genes are to thank for their low-shedding and hypoallergenic qualities. However, we cannot stress this enough that there isn’t actually such a thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog! Still, the Terripoo does come pretty close – that’s why Doodle breeds are so in-demand. 

Purebred Australian Terriers have a wiry double coat, which means that they do shed some hair. But, thanks to their wiry coat texture, the shedding isn’t as prominent as with some other double coated breeds. And as you probably know, the Poodle is a single-coated breed that’s highly praised for being hypoallergenic. So, by combining these traits, we get a low-shedding Terripoo that’s usually a safe choice for moderately allergic people. 

Nonetheless, as we’re talking about a crossbreed, it’s important you keep in mind that Terripoos may come with different coat types and potential for shedding. Terripoos can come with three coat types – curly single coat, wavy coat, or a straight double coat. 

Most commonly, Terripoos inherit a wavy combination coat that’s not too curly nor too straight. However, they may have an undercoat. Then some Terripoos may inherit a more curly coat type, which means that they’re genetics are mostly inherited from the Poodle. Meanwhile, it’s not uncommon for some Terripoo pups to take after their Australian Terrier parent with a more straight and wiry double coat. 

Terripoo Pictures (Puppy & Adult)

Terripoo Size

The Terripoo is a small-sized dog that usually doesn’t grow beyond 20 pounds as an adult. Again, with crossbreeds it’s important to look at the size of their parents to try and predict their potential adult size.

The Australian Terrier is a small breed with an average weight of 15 to 20 pounds and a height between 10 and 11 inches. Because of their small size, they’re usually crossed with Miniature Poodles that weigh between 10 and 20 pounds and stand around 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. 

Although the Poodle does come in a larger Standard Poodle size category as well, Australian Terriers are rarely crossed with them due to their size difference. In addition to that, many people do prefer the smaller size that’s inherent to Australian Terriers.

Moreover, as the Australian Terrier-Poodle mix becomes more popular, we can expect Toy Poodles introduced into the mix to achieve smaller Mini Terripoos. 

So, how big does a Terripoo get? Here’s a helpful overview:

	Standard Terripoo
Weight	10-20 pounds
Height	9 to 15 inches
When Full-Grown?	9-13 months

*A dog’s height is measured at the highest part of its shoulder blades, not from the top of its head.

Terripoos generally weigh between 10 and 20 pounds once fully grown, with an average height between 9 to 15 inches. Thanks to their small size, they also tend to reach their adult size quite fast – some time between 9 and 13 months of age. 

Terripoo Variations & Generations

The interesting thing about hybrid breeds is that there are so many ways we can produce them. That’s why Poodle mixes like the Terripoo are categorized by generations – a generation tells us how a litter of puppies was bred. By the way, with various generations there’s also the possibility to achieve more control over the puppies’ appearance, size, coat type, potential for shedding, and other traits.  

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Australian Terrier*	% Poodle*
F1 Terripoo (first-generation)	Australian Terrier	Poodle	50%	50%
F1B Terripoo (first-generation backcross)	F1 Terripoo	Poodle	25%	75%
F1BB Terripoo (first-generation backcross backcross)	F1B Terripoo	Poodle	12.5%	87.5%
F2 Terripoo (second-generation)	F1 Terripoo	F1 Terripoo	50%	50%
F2B Terripoo (second-generation backcross)	F1 Terripoo	F1B Terripoo	37.5%	62.5%
F2B Terripoo (alternate cross)	F2 Terripoo	Poodle	25%	75%
F3 / Multigen Terripoo	F1B Terripoo or higher	F1B Terripoo or higher	Varies	Varies

*These are generic calculations only – genetics are rarely mathematically accurate.

As we can learn from the Terripoo generational chart above, there’s so much variety of how these pups can be produced. However, as they are quite new and rare at this point, breeders mostly specialize in first-generation (F1) and first-generation backcross (F1b) generations. 

And although a certain generation doesn’t guarantee specific traits, it does give us more control over the outcome. For example, if a breeder wants to produce very low-shedding Terripoos with curly coats, they’ll opt for backcross generations like the F1b, F1bb, F2b, and F2bb. 

Terripoo Temperament & Personality

Terripoos are intelligent, playful, outgoing, and loving pets. The Australian Terrier-Poodle mix is a friendly and non-aggressive hybrid cross that makes a wonderful family companion. And as they usually get along very well with children, they’re also excellent pets for families with more than two household members. 

Additionally, since both the purebred Poodle and Australian Terrier are active breeds, the Terripoo also tends to be quite energetic. Both of these purebreds are also highly intelligent and eager to please their humans, which means that the Terripoo surely inherits this excellent trait.

On the other hand, as both of the Terripoo’s purebred parents can be vocal, it’s not uncommon for a Terripoo to bark and otherwise express their needs and concerns. It’s just in their DNA! Another thing to consider with Terripoos is that they can be quite protective by nature – this trait is inherited from the Australian Terrier. 

Furthermore, Terripoos may have a stubborn streak from time to time, so that’s worth keeping in mind. Although they’re generally easy to train thanks to their high levels of intelligence, their stubborn nature may require a tad bit more patience from you. 

All in all, Terripoos are playful, loyal, and friendly dogs that love spending time around their humans. They can get a bit mischievous, but that’s all part of their charm! They also tend to form strong bonds with their owners. However, this also puts them at risk of developing separation anxiety. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend the Terripoo to people who have to spend much time away from their pups. 

Terripoo Health & Lifespan

Terripoos are generally healthy dogs with an average lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. And if you’re lucky and do your part by taking good care of your pup, they could even live beyond the 15 year mark! 

Like with any other breed, Terripoos are prone to certain health conditions that are common in purebred Australian Terriers and Poodles. But! One of the perks of hybrid breeds is that they’re thought to benefit from something called hybrid vigor. This indicates that crossbreeds tend to be healthier than their purebred parents thanks to their more diverse genetic makeup. 

Of course, there’s no way to guarantee with absolute certainty that a dog will never experience any health issues. However, you can greatly minimize any potential health risks by feeding your Terripoo a high-quality and nutritionally balanced diet, making sure they get plenty of exercise and mental enrichment, as well as spoiling them and pampering them with your love and affection on a daily basis. 

But what health problems do Terripoos have? Some of the most common health issues in Terripoos include hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as patellar luxation. These are common joint diseases that can be prevented with proper genetic testing of the breeding dogs and by providing your pup a healthy lifestyle. 

Other health issues that Terripoos are at risk of include eye diseases, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Heart conditions like the mitral valve disease (MVD), and diseases like Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, thyroid problems, and Legg-Calve-Perthes are also something to be watchful of. 

In terms of some less serious health problems, Terripoos are prone to skin sensitivities, dryness, and allergies, food allergies and intolerances, and ear infections. 

Terripoo Exercise & Training

When it comes to their ability to pick up new cues and learn appropriate behaviors, then you’ll be glad to learn that Terripoos are easy to train. On the other hand, due to their stubborn streak and sometimes independent nature, it might take a bit of time and patience, especially if you’re a novice dog parent. 

The key is to start training and socializing your Terripoo puppy from a young age. Preferably, from the moment you bring them home. You should immediately start with potty training, crate training, obedience training, and early socialization. The sooner you start, the easier it will be in the long run. 

In addition to that, all of this greatly benefits your pup’s overall confidence and development. Properly trained and socialized puppies are generally much more well-balanced and well-rounded once they’re all grown up! 

PS! An important thing to consider with such highly intelligent and active breeds is that they require lots and lots of physical and mental stimulation each day to prevent boredom. If your pup doesn’t get to live to their full potential, they’ll soon resort to destructive behaviors – you wouldn’t want that, right?!

In terms of their daily exercise, these active little Doods need to get moving each and every day to stay healthy and happy. But thanks to their small size, they usually won’t need as much vigorous exercise as some other larger Doodle breeds. For Terripoos, about 60 minutes of exercise every day should be perfectly enough – you can break this into two 30 minute walks outside. 

Enroll To An Online Puppy School

We must say, one of the most special experiences of adopting a new puppy is being able to raise them into well-behaved and wonderful companions. It’s only going to make your bond stronger and create a special lifelong friendship than any human (and dog) could ever dream of. 

But training a puppy or dog can be extremely difficult, even if you’ve got the smartest pooch out there! There’s so much to consider and not to mention, the example you have to set for your pup. 

We’ve found the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella such a helpful program, as it covers all aspects of successfully raising a puppy. The great thing about this program is that for a one-time fee you’ll get lifetime access to their fully online program. You can cover all the lessons and resources when and as you please, even from the comfort of your home. 

Terripoo Coat & Grooming

As we already learned earlier, Terripoos can inherit one of the three types of coats – curly, wavy, or straight. Generally, Terripoos are low-shedding dogs that are suitable pets for people suffering from allergies. However, the safest option would be either the curly or wavy coat, as the straight coat may come with a shedding undercoat. 

In addition to that, it’s important to keep in mind that all Terripoos, regardless of their coat type, require regular maintenance and grooming to keep them healthy and looking fabulous. For Terripoos, we recommend daily brushing sessions to keep knots and tangles at bay, and to prevent any mats altogether. That’s especially true for curly-haired Terripoos, as they’re the most prone to matting. 

A good quality dog brush (article not published yet), a dog detangler spray, and a proper dog shampoo should be in any Terripoo’s at-home grooming kit. What’s more, these Doods also need to have their hair cut regularly, about every few months, give or take. So, you’ll either have to be prepared to pay for a professional groomer or instead take the matters into your own hands with the help of our online course on How To Groom A Doodle At Home.  

Keep in mind that the longer hairdo your Terripoo sports, the more dirt and debris gets stuck in it. These pups will need more frequent brushing sessions to prevent matting and to keep their coats clean. 

Moreover, regular bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing should all be part of any Terripoo’s grooming routine. 

Where Can You Get Terripoo Puppies?

So, where can you adopt a Terripoo puppy? And how much does a Terripoo cost? In the US, the average price for adopting a Terripoo puppy can range anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000. The exact price will depend on a variety of factors, such as your location, what size and color you’re after, but also the breeder’s experience and reputation.

That being said, it’s vital that you choose a responsible breeder that’s transparent about their breeding practices. Ethical Doodle breeders extensively test their breeding dogs for genetic conditions that could seriously affect the puppies’ quality of life and even lifespan. These reputable breeders are also well-versed in all things related to raising puppies, including nutrition, exercise, early training and socialization techniques. 

As it can be tricky to find truly ethical Doodle breeders, we decided to create our Doodle Breeder Directory that lists responsible breeders all across the US. By the way, soon you’ll be able to find ethical breeders from Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, and Netherlands there, too! 

Terripoos 101: FAQ