Schnoodle - A Designer & Hybrid Cross of Schnauzer and Poodle Breeds

Schnoodle - More about This Happy and Cheerful Breed

Also known as ‘teddy bear Schnoodles’, they are best described as ‘forever happy’ creatures as they are very intelligent and they make a happy addition to any household. These canines have simple joys in life that include playing, sitting in your lap and giving you companionship, and going out with the entire family.

Being intelligent and active, they make excellent jogging partners and do well in dog sports also. The breed got its loyalty from its Schnauzer parent and fun-loving personality from its Poodle parent. They are naturally protective, and they make great guard dogs also.

Though there are a number of other breeds that make the best guard dogs for your house, these small packages could also work fine if you can do with a small guardian. He is very smart and affectionate also, like his Poodle parent, but has the tendency to bark a lot. However, this could be controlled and minimized in his puppy years.

Schnauzers are stubborn, independent, and loyal, while Poodles are high-maintenance, agile, and very high energy. A Schnoodle is a happy and more settled mixture of its parents’ desired traits. He is less stubborn than a Schnauzer and has medium energy levels.

They love to travel also and car drives are their favorite outdoor activities. Besides, they also like to play ‘fetch’ and, interesting, fetch is not the only game that they like. They love to play anything, and they are quite famous for their signature game that some call ‘butt tucks’ while others refer to it as ‘Schnoodle 500’.

In the said game, these little guys run fast in a circle with their butt tucked up in the air. And the ones who saw them actually do this. A very few things come close to the same level of cuteness.

They love the entire family but they have their favorite person. Since both the parent breeds come in a variety of sizes, the Schnoodles could also have a wide range of size variations. A Schnauzer comes in sizes ranging from mini, standard, and giant, while a Poodle comes in the toy, miniature, and standard sizes.

The size of the dog plays a big role in defining its personality. A Giant Schnauzer is a dominating dog that needs a firm handler. A large-sized Schnoodle should have a milder temperament but no one could say anything for sure. Therefore, do proper research before opting for one.

They need ample exercise and at least a 30 to 60 minutes workout is needed to keep them happy, tired, and healthy. Since they are quite intelligent, they need mental stimulation also and some dog puzzles and interactive games will keep their mind sharp.

History & Origins - How did these Dogs Come into Being?

A Schnoodle was created in the 1980s when the breeders noticed an increase in the demand and popularity of the Poodle mixes. The aim of creating Schnoodle was to get a dog that does not shed a lot, is suitable for people with allergies and could be a great companion for the entire family.

This makes them one of the most hypoallergenic dog breeds also.

The history of crossing different types and breeds of dogs is not new. People have been doing it for centuries and the main purpose behind it is to achieve a certain look, temperament, and ability in a dog.

This is how many of the purebred dogs got their start and this is how a Schnauzer came into being.

Originally, a Schnoodle is a result of breeding between a Schnauzer and a Poodle but some breeders are experimenting by breeding multigenerational Schnoodles, a Schnoodle bred with another Schnoodle.

Since it is a relatively new breed that is not recognized by AKC also, there are no breed clubs and official breed standards for it.

Both the Schnauzers and Poodles come in a variety of sizes, which means that the Schnoodles also come in a variety of sizes. A small Schnoodle is a common sight but the breeders are experimenting with breeding Giant Schnauzer and Standard Poodle also.

Size Variations, Structure, and Breed Standards for Schnoodles

Schnoodles come in different size variations and their size depends on the size of their parents. Interestingly, both the parent breeds, Schnauzer and Poodle, come in a number of different size variations, which means more possibilities for size and appearance variation.

One of the perks of getting a hybrid is that you have a number of possibilities and can expect a lot from how your dog would turn out. Talking of the shape and structure of the body, Schnoodles have the following kind of structure.

• They have a square body and a straight back that slopes slightly from the shoulders to the tail.
• The head is medium in size and width and the shape narrows down when reaching towards the muzzle.
• The muzzle is also medium in shape, not as wide as the head and not as narrow as the snout of the Poodle.
• The eyes are also medium in size and have an oval or round shape. In colors, the eyes are usually dark brown in color.
• The ears are also medium in size and they fold over in a distinct ‘V’ shape.
• The teeth have and should have a scissor bite.

Usually, Schnoodles are bred to be small but they are found in other sizes also. Below are the available size variations.

Schnoodle Personality - Are Schnoodles Aggressive?

No, Schnoodles have earned the reputation for being ‘forever happy dogs’. They need early socialization and training to grow into a well-rounded, loyal, intelligent, and happy companion. They make very good guard dogs and they love to have fun and frolic all day long.

Since they are hybrids, they could either have a terrier-like personality of their Schnauzer parents or the high-energy and fun-filled attitude of their Poodle parents. In either case, they make great companions and house animals. Due to their protective and affectionate nature, they make a great emotional support animal.

To make sure that your Schnoodle puppy has the desired traits, start training him as soon as you bring him home. Puppies are always learning and when trained properly, they would understand and soak up everything you teach them. Ideally, start the training when he is eight weeks old. Once he is six months old, he will be too stubborn to learn anything.

Do some research and learn how to train your dog to stay in the yard if you have a house with a fenced yard. They are very energetic and they would love to have a yard to run and play comfortably.

A less time-consuming way of training and socializing your puppy is to enroll him in a puppy kindergarten class. For the admission, you will have to stay updated about his vaccinations and make sure that he is vaccinated for some rabies, distemper, and parvovirus.

Schnoodle Health Conditions - How Healthy are these Dogs?

‘What is the life expectancy of a Schnoodle dog?’

The lifespan of a dog depends on the size of your dog. A Miniature Schnoodle would live for about 10 to 18 years, a Standard Schnoodle has 10 to 16 years and a Giant Schnoodle would have 10 to 15 years.

To make sure that you get a healthy puppy, it is important that you get yours from a responsible breeder. He must be able to show you health certificates from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Auburn University, and Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF).

Here are some common health issues among these dogs.

Care and Feeding - What is the Recommended Amount of Food for Them?

The recommended amount of daily food for a Schnoodle is between 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dog food. You can choose from dry and canned dog food but make sure that you get it after talking to the vet first. Vet recommended dog food is better for your dog than if you choose anything by yourself.

You can also make some homemade dog treats to treat your lovely companion every now and then.

Schnoodles shed less than many other dogs and their fur should be either clipped or trimmed. Ideally, they should have the hair of their Schnauzer parent but they could have the curls of their Poodle parent also.

The puppies could have coat color variations including black, gray, silver, brown, white, apricot, sable, black and white, black and tan, and parti-color. The grooming depends on the kind of coat they have. If the dog has a soft and wavy kind of coat then once or twice brushing would be enough.

Bathing should be done on an as-needed basis and for better results and easier brushing, brush the coat after bathing him. Use a dryer to dry it and prevent hair mats.

Schnoodles with wiry coats would need less grooming than those having silky coats. Weekly brushing would be enough to keep them in shape and free from dead skin cells. The ones having the Poodle’s curly coat will need regular brushing and they should be clipped after every six to eight weeks.

Check the ears once or twice a week and make sure that they are free from dirt, and any bad odor. Wipe and clean them every week with a damp cotton ball and a gentle DIY cleaner made by mixing equal parts of ACV and warm water.

To keep the teeth healthy and clean, brush them at least once or twice a week. This helps in removing tartar and plaque and for better cleaning, brush them daily or use dental chews.

Trim the nails regularly to avoid any infection and difficulties in movements. Use good quality dog nail clippers and be careful that you do not cut near the top of the nail. When grooming, check for any sores, rashes, redness, itchiness, dry patches, inflammation, and signs of any infections.

The eyes should be clean and clear from any kind of redness, infections, and dryness.

Schnoodles make excellent pets and emotional support animals for any household and person. They are smart, affectionate, and they live to please their owners. When getting one, do not get yours from a puppy mill but check local rescue groups and shelter homes. Many of them are in these places.

To bring one home as your own ESA, you will need a valid ESA letter, signed by an LMHP.

Fill the questionnaire now and see if you qualify.

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