Patterpoo – The Patterdale and Poodle Cross

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The Patterpoo is a crossbreed between the Patterdale Terrier and the Miniature Poodle. Since the 1980s breeders have been crossing breeds with Poodles thanks to their low shedding coats. The Patterpoo is the result of such breeding. 

Patterpoos are a small breed, usually growing between 10 and 15 inches. A healthy adult weight is 4-6kg and they can live 10-13 years. Despite being small, they have a wild and wilful personality, so they can be a handful for inexperienced dog owners.

Coat

Patterpoos have a rough double coat, with longer waterproof hair around the face and ears. Some puppies may develop a curly topcoat like a poodle rather than a rough coat like a Patterdale. Thanks to the Poodle genes, Patterpoos are a low shedding breed and need minimal grooming. Occasional brushing to remove loose hairs and monthly nail trim is all that is needed.

Black is the most common coat colour, however, Liver, Red and Tan are also fairly common. Some Patterpoos may also have small white markings on their chin and/or their chest. Although uncommon, thanks to Poodle coat colourings, shade of grey and cream are also possible. Occasionally, Patterpoo puppies will be born showing two coat colours that appear blended such as Red and Tan or Liver and Tan.

Behaviour and Temperament

Both Patterdales and Poodles are highly intelligent breeds, however, the Patterdale has a high prey drive and is easily distracted. This makes training Patterpoos a little tricky, as they too can show these same traits. Recall can be particularly difficult for this cross breed, so they should only be let off lead in areas where they cannot escape.

Since Patterdale Terriers were bred to hunt, Patterpoos have a tendency to dig, so be prepared to go through a lot of showering! Due to their need to explore and chase, they need a lot of time and space at home to play. They also need at least an hour long walk daily to burn off some of their energy.

This is an affectionate and loyal breed. At home, Patterpoos love nothing more than snuggling up on the sofa with their humans or stretching out in front of the fire. They are great with children and love to play and interact with them. Unfortunately, due to their instinct to chase, they do not do well with non-canine pets.

Health

Patterpoos are a generally robust dog, however, there are a few breed-related health conditions that they are a high risk for. Poodles are known to develop joint problems, so keeping Patterpoo puppies to short walks is very important. They are also prone to digestive issues such as Pancreatitis. To avoid this, Patterpoos should be fed a good quality dog food that does not use carb fillers. It should also be low in fat since Terriers put on weight very easily. Smaller breeds like terriers are also more likely to develop dental diseases, so choose a food that does not contain high sugar content.

Patterpoo – Overall Thoughts

If you are an experienced dog owner and are aware of the need for consistent training, then a Patterpoo could be your perfect dog. You can enjoy long walks or hike exploring the countryside and spend countless hours curled up by the fire.

If you are interested in Patterdale Cross dogs have a read about the Patterjack – a cross between a Patterdale and Jack Russell Terrier.

You might also like to read about Reasons To Own A Patterdale Cross.