Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Goldendoodle: two low shedding, high grooming companions

Neither of these breeds sheds much, which makes them popular with allergy conscious households, but that low shedding comes at the cost of frequent brushing in both cases. The Wheaten brings genuine terrier spirit in a medium frame, while the Goldendoodle offers a larger, typically calmer temperament shaped heavily by its Golden Retriever half.

Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this

	Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier	Goldendoodle
Weight	14 to 18 kg	23 to 36 kg
Height	43 to 49 cm	51 to 61 cm
Life expectancy	12 to 14 years	10 to 15 years
Daily exercise	90 to 120 min	90 to 120 min
Energy	4 / 5	4 / 5
Easy to train	3 / 5	4 / 5
Shedding	1 / 5	2 / 5
Good with children	4 / 5	5 / 5
Apartment friendly	3 / 5	3 / 5

Size and coat

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier weighs 14 to 18 kg (31 to 40 lb) and stands 43 to 49 cm (17 to 19 in), with a single, silky, gently waved coat that has no woolly undercoat and sheds very little.

The Goldendoodle is considerably larger, 23 to 36 kg (51 to 79 lb) and 51 to 61 cm (20 to 24 in), with a coat ranging from flat and wavy to tightly curled depending on how much Poodle coat it inherited, generally shedding little either way.

Grooming demands

Both breeds score at the top of the grooming scale and need brushing several times a week to prevent matting, plus a professional trim roughly every six to eight weeks.

The Goldendoodle's larger coat area means each grooming session takes noticeably longer than the Wheaten's, and curlier coated Goldendoodles in particular need daily attention to stay mat free, especially behind the ears and under the collar.

Temperament and energy

Wheatens are bouncy, cheerful and terrier bold, with a playful streak that persists well into adulthood, and they score high for energy and enthusiasm around family life.

Goldendoodles are typically gentler and more eager to please, drawing on the Golden Retriever's famously friendly, biddable nature, though individual dogs vary depending on which parent breed's traits come through more strongly.

Trainability and family life

Both breeds do well with children and other dogs, but the Wheaten's terrier independence means training benefits from patience and consistency rather than repetition.

The Goldendoodle tends to be quicker and more consistent to train thanks to the Poodle's intelligence and the Golden's eagerness to please, making it a common choice for first time owners who want a biddable family dog.

Health and lifespan

Wheatens live 12 to 14 years and carry a breed specific risk for a kidney condition called protein losing nephropathy, along with some inflammatory bowel issues, so regular blood and urine screening as they age is worth discussing with a vet.

Goldendoodles live 10 to 15 years, and because they are a cross, health outcomes vary with the individual parents, though hip dysplasia and some eye conditions inherited from the Golden Retriever side are worth asking a breeder about.

Cost and daily practicalities

Budget for a grooming appointment every six to eight weeks for either breed, plus a good slicker brush and comb at home, since skipping brushing for even a week or two can mean an expensive de-matting session later.

The Goldendoodle's larger size means higher food and boarding costs, while the Wheaten's mid size frame keeps most day to day expenses closer to the average for a medium dog. That size gap also shows up clearly on the scale, with the Goldendoodle often weighing close to double a Wheaten at a similar age.

Choose the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier if

Prefers a medium sized dog with a bold terrier personality
Comfortable with a coat that needs frequent but shorter grooming sessions
Wants a dog with a playful streak that lasts into adulthood
Fine with an independent streak in training
Interested in the breed's working history as an Irish farm dog

Choose the Goldendoodle if

Wants a larger, typically gentler family companion
Comfortable budgeting more time or money for a bigger coat to groom
Prefers a breed that is usually quicker and easier to train
Drawn to the friendly, sociable temperament inherited from the Golden Retriever
Fine with variation in coat type and size across individual dogs

Are Wheaten Terriers or Goldendoodles better for allergies?

Both breeds are popular choices for allergy sensitive households because they shed very little, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic. Spending time with the specific dog beforehand, or with a relative from the same litter, is the best way to judge an individual reaction.

Which breed needs less grooming, the Wheaten or the Goldendoodle?

The Wheaten generally needs somewhat less grooming time simply because it is a smaller dog with less coat to manage, though both breeds need brushing several times a week and a professional trim every six to eight weeks.

Is the Goldendoodle or the Wheaten Terrier easier to train?

The Goldendoodle is usually easier and faster to train thanks to the Poodle's intelligence and the Golden Retriever's eagerness to please. The Wheaten is intelligent too but carries more independent terrier stubbornness, so sessions may take longer to click.

Do Wheaten Terriers or Goldendoodles do well with other dogs?

Both breeds generally get along well with other dogs when socialized early, scoring highly for ease around other pets. The Wheaten's terrier instincts can occasionally surface around very small animals, so early exposure still matters.