If you are looking for a new dog to bring into your home, you have probably realized by now that there are so many different breeds to choose from. One of the breeds that you might have come across during your search is the Schnoodle, which is a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Schnauzer.
Schnoodles are funny, smart, and charming dogs that are small in size and can make the perfect addition to almost any home. It is easy to fall in love with their personalities, and we can understand why you might be considering this breed.
This is why we have done the research, so you can sit back and find all of the information that you need to know in one place.
There are lots of things that you will need to know about this breed, both good and bad, and you can find out all that you need to know in this ultimate guide to the Schnoodle breed.
This is going to help you to make sure that this is the right breed of dog for you, and if so, prepare you for a future of living with a Schnoodle. Just keep reading to find out more.
Schnoodle Key Facts
Before we get into detail, it is important to consider some of the key facts about Schnoodles, like their average lifespan, the amount of exercise that they need, and how much they are going to cost you each month. We are going to explain each of these things in more detail below.
Average Lifespan
On average, the Schnoodle will live to between 14 and 16 years of age, which is a long time to commit to a dog. So, you will need to be sure that this is the right dog for you before you make a decision.
Minimum Exercise (Per Day)
Both of the parents of the Schnoodle are working dogs, which means that they have a lot of energy. They are going to require between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise per day in the form of a walk, playtime, and other tasks.
Many people choose to take them for two shorter walks, like one in the morning and one in the evening to make this more manageable.
Without the right amount of exercise, these dogs can easily become frustrated, which is something that can quickly lead to destructive behavior. One game in particular that these dogs love is fetch.
Coat Length
Schnoodles are much more likely to inherit the curly coat of the Poodle than the wiry coat of the Schnauzer, and their coats are usually short to medium in length. The Schnoodle coat can be black, gray, silver, brown, white, apricot, sable, black and white, black and tan, and even parti-color.
Minimum Cost (Per Month)
You can expect to pay a minimum of $55 a month on caring for your Schnoodle, so you will need to ensure that this is an amount that will comfortably fit into your budgeting.
Appearance
These dogs are usually black or grey in color, and they can have grey or white markings, but not all of them do. They typically have soft and wavy coats, and they are absolutely adorable.
The one thing that is consistent is that all Schnoodles will usually inherit their parents charmingly shaped heads that are nicely in proportion with the rest of their bodies.
They have dark and round eyes and profuse eyebrows, and their ears are set quite high on the head and are quite wide apart. The ears will hang forward when the dog is excited or alert, but they will drop when they are relaxed or resting. Their muzzles are short and slightly concave, and they have dark colored noses.
The Schnoodle also has a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. They feature compact, strong, and well-muscled bodies and the shoulders are well laid back, with their front legs being straight and strong.
Their backs are straight, adding to their athletic appearance, and they have strong and well-muscled back legs. Their feet are round and covered in hair with firm pads and strong nails, and their tails are set high.
Size
These are dogs that are medium in size when they are fully grown.
Average Height
The average height of a Schnoodle is between 45 and 65 cm.
Average Weight
The average weight of a Schnoodle is between 30 and 45 kg.
Temperament
The well-bred Schnoodle is a wonderfully happy, loyal, and intelligent companion. He enjoys having fun and aims for a life filled with love and play. He’s protective of his family, makes a great watchdog, and loves to participate in all aspects of family life.
He can have the terrier’s suspicious attitude toward people and dogs — or not, depending on the genetic dice roll. A Schnoodle can have a strong temperament but generally is loving and loyal to his people.
As with every dog, the Schnoodle needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they’re young. Socialization helps ensure that your Schnoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills.
Apartment Living
A small Schnoodle can do well in an apartment, but the larger Schnoodle does better in homes with fenced yards.
Good for Novice Owners
These dogs are relatively easy to handle and train, which is why they can be great for first time dog owners. As long as you have done your research and know what to expect from life with a Schnoodle, you should get along with them just fine.
Sensitivity Level
Schnoodles can be quite sensitive at times, which is why you should avoid scolding them or using any harsh tones when addressing them.
Tolerates Being Alone
This is a breed that isn’t the biggest fan of being left alone as they love to be close to their families. They are more prone to worrying or even panicking in the absence of human company at home, and this can lead to destructive behavior, like chewing, barking, and general chaos at home. They should not be left alone for more than a few hours at a time.
Tolerates Cold Weather
Schnoodles do not tolerate cold weather very well as they do not have an undercoat to keep them warm. You might even find that they need a jacket to keep them warm when you take them out for walks in the winter.
Tolerates Hot Weather
On the other hand, their lack of an undercoat makes it much easier for them to tolerate the hot weather. Although, you should ensure that they are not in direct sunlight for too long and that they are drinking plenty of water.
Affectionate With Family
Schnoodles are the opposite of independent, and they just love to be in your company. They are highly affectionate dogs and this will display their affection and devotion to you in lots of different ways.
Kid-Friendly
Schnoodles make excellent family pets, and they absolutely love to play with children and be the center of attention. Both of the parent breeds are good with children, but all Schnoodles should be properly socialized with children when they are puppies, so they can get comfortable with them. When they are exposed to children from a young age, they will get along with them really well.
However, just like with any other breed, you will need to teach your children how to properly approach and touch dogs. You should also always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any unwanted behavior from either side.
You should also teach them to never approach any dog while they are eating or sleeping. Even the friendliest dogs can have a bad day or be caught off guard.
Dog Friendly
Schnoodles can be quite hit and miss when it comes to other dogs. Some will tolerate them well, and others will not. Schnoodles can be quite territorial at times and they might not be the best at sharing their things with other dogs. Generally, they should be good with other animals, but this isn’t always the case. It mostly comes down to how well they are socialized when they are puppies.
Socialization from puppyhood will make all the difference in your Shnoodles attitude towards other pets. Ensure that they are introduced to other dogs and animals when they are still young, so it won’t be something that is unfamiliar to them when they are older.
Friendly Toward Strangers
Schnoodles tend to get along well with strangers, but they can be weary around them in the beginning. However, their friendly and loving nature means that they will warm up to new people quite quickly.
Health And Grooming
Now that you are aware of everything there is to know about the appearance, temperament, and personality of the Schnoodle, it is time to take a look at their potential health concerns and grooming requirements, so you can be as prepared as possible.
Shedding
Schnoodles are a low-shedding breed, and they are actually considered to be hypoallergenic. This means that the Schnoodle could make the perfect family pet, even if someone in your household suffers from allergies.
Drooling
Schnoodles do not typically drool, which is why if you notice that they are drooling excessively, you should take them to see a vet. It could be a sign that they have an underlying health condition.
Grooming
These dogs are known for their beards, and the Schnoodle facial hair around the mouth will need to be trimmed and cleaned to ensure that they are not carrying around old food and bacteria. The amount of grooming that is needed for a Schnoodle will depend on the coat of the dog in question.
If your dog has the soft and wavy type of coat, you will need to brush them once or twice a week to prevent tangles and mats. They will also need to be bathed when they get dirty or start to smell, and this will help to keep the coat soft. One of the best times to brush your dog is after a bath. Drying their coat with a hair dryer can even prevent any mat from forming while they dry out.
A Schnoodle that has a rough and wiry coat that comes from the Schnauzer parent will not need to be groomed as much. It is usually best to brush them once a week, with some trimming needed from time to time to keep them tidy. On the other hand, a Schnoodle that has the Poodle’s curly coat will require regular brushing and should be clipped every 6 to 8 weeks.
Regardless of what type of coat your dog has, you should always check their ears once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. You will also need to wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball and some gentle dog ear cleaner. Their teeth will need to be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a day to remove a build up of tartar and any bacteria. However, daily brushing is best for preventing things like gum disease and bad breath.
General Health
Generally, Schnoodles are healthy dogs that don’t encounter too many issues. However, just like with any other breed, there are some health conditions that they are at a higher risk of developing. It is important to be aware of these conditions, and we will explain more about them below.
Common Health Problems
Some of the most common health problems for Schnoodles are:
- Bladder stones – a collection of minerals that form in the bladder
- Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome – a specific type of follicular dermatitis
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy – the gradual deterioration of the retina of the eye. Symptoms can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness.
- Atopy – hypersensitivity to certain allergens, causing itching and skin trauma.
- Urolithiasis – stone formation in urine.
- Cushing’s Syndrome (Hyperadrenocorticism) – a hormonal disorder which results in the production of too much cortisol.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease –an abnormality of the discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae (back bones).
- Dry Eye – Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) occurs when one or both eyes don’t produce a normal amount, or type, of tears. This leads to the eye becoming very dry, which in turn can cause infections and ulcers.
- Cataracts – opacity of the lens of the eye – giving a ‘cloudy’ appearance.
- Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas – a painful condition that varies from being mild to severe, commonly causes vomiting
Potential For Weight Gain
These dogs have been known to gain too much weight, but this is most commonly due to overfeeding. This is why you should avoid giving your dog any leftovers from dinner, and instead stick to a balanced and complete diet that is providing them with everything that they need.
Make sure that you are reading the packaging to find out the correct amount to feed your dog based on their weight, age, and activity levels. Finally, make sure that you are only giving them treats in moderation.
Trainability
Due to the fact that the Schnoodle is the offspring of two intelligent breeds, you will usually find that they are easy to train as long as you keep them both motivated and challenged.
Easy To Train
Schoodles are very easy to train, and they take after their Poodle parents in this respect. They will pick up new tricks and behaviors quickly, and they love to learn new things all the time.
Intelligence
Schnoodles are highly intelligent, which is one of the main reasons why they are so easy to train. However, this intelligence also means that they need lots of mental stimulation to keep their brains active.
Potential to Bite
As long as they are trained properly, Schnoodles don’t tend to bite later in life. This is a habit that they can develop as puppies, and you will need to teach them that this behavior is not okay. Otherwise, it could become a bigger issue later in life.
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
These dogs are unlikely to bark or howl excessively. They are most likely to bark if they feel threatened.
History
The Schnoodle was developed in the 1980s, when interest began to grow in Poodle crosses. They wanted to create a low-shedding family dog, and they were successful. The Schnoodle is generally the result of breeding a Schnauzer with a Poodle, and due to the varying sizes of both of these breeds, you can get toy, miniature, or standard Schnoodles.
Costs
As this is a designer dog breed, you can expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 for a puppy from a reputable breeder.
Schnoodle Fun Facts
- Schnoodles can have a wide variety of color combinations
- The Schnoodle is classed as a designer breed
- You can get 3 different sized Schnoodles
