All About Schnoodles

Over the last few years as designer breeds have grown exponentially in popularity, somehow Schnoodles, despite a lengthy list of admirable qualities, have somehow managed to stay relatively low profile. Even though Schnoodles may not be the first Doodle breed to come up, by name, in a casual conversation about finding “the perfect dog”, over the last few years they are quickly becoming a world wide favorite among very happy dog owners. Obviously, that’s why you are here!

It’s possible that you’ve only just heard about Schnoodles or maybe you’ve longed to have a Schnoodle for years. Either way we hope to offer you some insights into this playful, loyal, friendly and well mannered pup here in our All About Schnoodles – The Guide: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Schnoodles.

Here we will look into the breed’s origin, nature, diet and helpful tips for Schnoodle lovers everywhere!

History of Schnoodles

You see, every dog (Breed) has its own personality, very much like humans do, but some traits are inherent to it from its breed type, so you need to take that into account. Since the Schnoodle is a mixed Breed consisting of partially Schnauzer, and partially Poodle, it seems appropriate to break the “History of Schnoodles” down into two parts: the schnauzers history and poodles history.

History of the Schnauzer

The breed has had its early beginnings in Germany, as it was evident in Durer and Rembrandt’s Renaissance paintings. Schnauzers’ were standardized in the middle of the 1800s, and it was initially a cross between black German poodles and the gray Wolfspitz. The standard Schnauzer was then matched with other similar breeds to develop the miniature Schnauzer, and later on, the Giant Schnauzer.

A Hunter by Nature

Known for their hunting prowess, territorial nature, and high intelligence, the Schnauzer is noticeably distinct with its stiff and wiry furs on its limbs and face. It also has a full face of hair, particularly on the brows and the mouth – a hallmark look for the breed. Because of this physical feature, it was initially called the Wirehaired Pinschers up until the 1800s.

The name “Schnauzer” was a mere adaptation of a dog’s name with a similar breed after it won an International Show at Hanover way back in 1879. The name proved useful as well because of its recognizable beard and mustache, which was generally called a muzzle, with its German translation as “schnauze.”

Because of its energy and intuitiveness, it had served a good deal of time assisting with police work in Germany and carrying dispatches and aiding Red Cross workers during World War I. Although it can be stubborn, it moves with initiative when exposed to socialization early on.

While Schnauzers are continued to be deemed working dogs in Germany, the breed’s perception changed when it was brought to the US, where they were considered mischievous rat and mole hunters. In America, the breed was classified as terriers, and it remains so up to date.

More About this Breed

Evidently so, the Schnauzer has always been purposeful to human groups’ aims, whether large or small. The dogs were aware of this also.

These dogs are incredibly confident, alert, and aware, making them good herders, retrievers, watchers, and trackers. It is because of their high adaptability that made them good assistants, especially in the modern age.

Aside from that, they make for great therapy dogs, perimeter watchdogs, and rescue dogs. However, one thing to watch out for is that Schnauzers tend to prey on the weaker because of their strong sense of self and power trip owners and other dogs around them. This tendency stems from its self-reliance and leadership, so look out for that to keep your dog in line.

History of the Poodle

Prominent worldwide for its distinct physicality, lovable demeanor, high intelligence, and enduring energy, the Poodle has earned its reputation deservedly. This breed has had its exposure through cartoon depictions and films, and its silhouette being a common logo and branding material. It can almost be considered a celebrity amongst the rest of the dog breeds, but it can offer more than aesthetics.

The Classy Purebred

This may not be common knowledge, but the Poodle is actually one of the oldest breeds that more or less retained purity. There are debates about whether the breed first originated in France or Germany, but it was more famously linked with the former.

There were even beliefs that its real and earliest descendants were the Asian herding dogs of the Ostrogoth and Germanic Goth tribes. However, its name has the German origin of “Pudelhund” or “Pudel,” which loosely translates to English as “to splash around or about.” With that, the breed was initially bred as water retrievers, swimmers, and bird dogs.

This was mainly because of the coarse and wiry texture of its coat, which is also strong, thick, and resistant to moisture. With that, even when it was continually portrayed as a spoiled and pampered lap dog in pop culture, it truly remains as a working dog with much energy to burn and strong instincts to use.

The entertainment industry is generally at fault for Poodles’ portrayal as elegant pets that accompanied the American elite of the French aristocracy. Other dogs given this same status are the Dalmatians, Spaniels, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians, to name a few.

However, this perception had changed over time with the realization that dogs, like human beings, have physical needs to attend to and are more than just mere accessories. This fashionable “statement” eventually waned in popularity around the 1900s, and Poodles were ultimately adopted into homes as loyal pets and into work as reliable companion dogs.

More About this Breed

Playful but dignified, this breed is such a trainable dog that it can be considered one of the few A – students in the dog world. This is very much so when it comes to agility, hunting, and obedience. They have a good memory, generally good health, and adopt good canine manners when trained at an early age, making it an excellent pet for the family. They also come in 3 size varieties that can suit any home – the toy, the miniature, and the standard.

The real reason behind its distinct fur trimming style is another thing that makes Poodles more of a water retriever than a pop-culture symbol. The real reason behind this is not only to lessen the weight of their coat but also to avoid underwater debris from clinging on to the hairs. The hairs around the joints and the vital organs are strategically kept long and minimally trimmed to protect the Poodle from extremely low temperatures.

Schnoodles and the Birth of Mixed Breeds

Just as the name indicates, the Schnoodle is a cross between the Schnauzer and the Poodle, both intelligent dogs with high energy and innate loyalty. This mixed breed has gained a lot of popularity as a “designer breed.” It has also earned its reputation as a reliable therapy dog, an endearing family dog, and a competitive performance dog.

This one can bring so much fun in every place it goes, but we’re way ahead of ourselves. You see, there are other reasons why this mix was even thought of, and why crossbreeding was initiated in the first place. History would seem like a viable place to start to understand it all.

Purpose of Crossbreeding

There are several reasons why mixing dog breeds became an exciting activity in the communities of dog enthusiasts and breeders, and it goes beyond just having pets with unique physical attributes. In fact, crossbreeding leads to a mix of their capabilities and enhanced immunity to many pre-existing diseases genetically inherent to purebred dogs. This practice has also dampened the stubbornness and aggression of many purebreds, as well as increase their willingness to socialize, making mixed breeds easier to train and discipline.

Crossbreeding comes with its respective advantages and disadvantages, but it all boils down to each dog’s individuality. While any disease can be prevented, and any trait can be disciplined, your efficiency as a dog owner can greatly benefit your dog’s overall health and temperament and your relationship.

The Schnoodle as a Crossbred

The Schnoodle breed was developed as early as the 1980s, a century after the Schnauzer was standardized. This crossbreed became instinctively suitably done between the Schnauzer and the Poodle because of their similar coat textures and size varieties.

The significant similarities in their energy levels needed for exercise, and attachment to people also paved the way for less chaotic temperaments. Aside from the initiative being incredibly viable, this crossbreeding was also an attempt to produce a smaller – sized low – dander mildly shedding dog that can make for practical and manageable pets in small homes.

Given that the practice of crossbreeding can merge their parents’ temperaments and capacities, they can develop the need to socialize while being able to put a distinction between family from strangers.

The Schnoodle is also one of those mixed breeds that develop a hybrid vigor, so you may evidently see certain traits become more pronounced. Both of the parents are territorial but trainable, so this is a breed that can guarantee you with loyalty and reliability.

All About the Schnoodle

The Schnoodle is a designer dog that is more widely known for being “happy” than being fashionable. They are also characterized by their average adaptability and trainability, with high sociability and energy. This companion dog has a great love for activity, very much like both of its parents, and it makes for a wonderful family dog for its affection and need for company.

However, there are a few things you need to look out for to care for this hybrid dog breed properly. There are also many things to look forward to, especially when you’re getting a Schnoodle as a pet for the first time.

Schnoodle Sizes

Generally, there are four sizes, including all the parents’ varieties, with the Schnauzer having the miniature, standard, and giant; and the Poodle having the toy, miniature, and standard sizes. Their respective height and weight info are as follows:

• Toy Schnoodles have a height under and around 10 inches, with the weight around 4 – 6 lbs.
• Miniature Schnoodles, on the other hand, are a bit taller, around 10 to 15 inches, weighing around 10 – 20 lbs.
• The Standard Schnoodle is usually higher than 15 inches reaching up to 20 inches in height while weighing from 30 to 60 lbs.
• Lastly, the Giant Schnoodle is taller than 20 inches in height and will weigh more than 60 lbs.

This can serve as a general guide in determining the variety of Schnoodle you have, and this can as well help you determine the amount of exercise, diet, and other needs you have to prepare for.

Coat Texture Colors

The Schnoodle’s parents had various coat colors to pass on, especially the Poodles’ whopping palette of 10. While the Schnauzer has a coat that is distinctively just varying shades of grey, it can be dialed down to 3 colors. Combined altogether is an interesting set of textured and solid colors that can bring a whole lot of personality to your pet.

Although these possible coat colors cannot be particularly defined before birth, you can have your guesses by looking at the parents. These coat colors include:

• Black
• Silvery black (or black with strokes of silver)
• Salt and Pepper (or black with dashes of white)
• Bluish black or gray
• Gray
• Brown
• Reddish-brown
• Apricot
• Dirty or Silvery White
• Silvery Beige
• Cream or Beige
• White

However, the coat’s texture is predominantly Schnauzer than Poodle in this case, since they are most likely to inherit the rough, wiry type instead of the fleece-like type. It will also be generally wavy than distinctly curly like the Poodle parent. Even when it is commonly believed that having a Schnoodle will require tedious grooming and maintenance, a regular bath and brushing can do the trick.

Temperament

Another thing that is usually mentioned as a disadvantage of crossbreeding is the unpredictability of temperament. However, that can be a case to case basis, and it does not apply to the Schnoodle.

It is also given that each dog will have its quirks and tendencies that make them unique. Socialization is great in this kind of breed, so they can do great with children and in the family setting, while some share healthy interactions with other family pets. Like both of their parents, they are also very intuitive and intelligent, but a few are inherently particular to either the Schnauzer or Poodle.

The Schnauzer trait you need to look out for is one that mainly classified it like a terrier. That is its knack to prey on smaller animals or anything that it deems weaker. Your Schnoodle can adopt this trait of playing rough with puppies or kittens and the like and may become resentful if you discipline them harshly, so you need to take note of this.

On the other hand, Poodles are highly active and alert, so the barking trait may also be attributed to this breed. They are as well very keen on attention, so leaving them on their own can raise their anxiety levels.

With that, Schnoodles are known to be people pleasers and would experience separation anxiety; therefore, isolation can make them aggressive and destructive. Having other pets to keep them company on the times when the family is busy can be effective in staving off needy behavior.

Trainability

When it comes to exercise, practice, and training, a Schnoodle will not disappoint. Not only does this breed have so much energy to burn, but it also has this apparent need for physical and mental stimulation, as it has inherited from both parents.

A large lawn for your dog to run on can come with a great advantage, but a Schnoodle can roll with just apartment space. Having some outdoor activities ready on the calendar, bonding with your pet in new environments, and helping your Schnoodle grow into a well–rounded dog.

Alongside all that, this breed will most likely adopt both of its parent’s high intelligence, good memory, and willingness to learn. Exercise and training can be introduced as playtime in the earlier years, and the firmness can be gradually injected as your dog grows older.

You can start with the basics like “sit,” “down,” and “stay” to practice comprehension, and you can regularly assess how it responds to “go” and “no” for obedience. From there, you can establish eating habits, potty training, and focus practice.

Caring for your Schnoodle

It goes without saying that getting a pet will automatically mean having another life and being to look after, but as much as it is a challenge, it is as well a blessing. Looking out for someone or something else aside from yourself can also help you grow to be a well – rounded human being and a better adult. With that, here are the pointers on essential knowledge you need to be aware of when caring for a Schnoodle.

Diet 

The basics of diet entail that dog food comes in formulations that are specific to breed size. This means that large breeds’ formulas aim to enhance growth at a gradual rate while reinforcing bone and joints. On the other hand, recipes for medium – breeds incremental balance growth, metabolic needs, and bone reinforcement. Lastly, formulas for smaller breeds come in bite-sized kibble that caters to high metabolic needs with concentrated nutrition.

The amount of food you will give your dog can be determined by its built, current metabolism, size, age, and activity. Given that, you will need to feed your Schnoodle more than other dogs of the same size, just based on how much energy it can burn at a time.

However, it also helps if you measure their food and only feed them twice a day, not including snacks and treats. Providing them more can lead to them being overweight.

When it comes to the dog food’s nutrition content, choose one with contents that have more meat than grain. Avoid going for labels that indicate only “meat.” Go for ones with chicken, beef, venison, or lamb.

Other ingredients that should be included to show quality are high-quality dairy, eggs, and other protein sources. Also, take note that “human grade” or “organic” doesn’t hold any inherent guarantee to the quality, so always check product reviews to be sure.

If you’re getting a puppy, then expect to feed them around three to four times in a day when they reach the age of eight weeks. Remember to set eating times to establish schedules at regular intervals.

Your Schnoodle can burn so much energy that they are prone to hypoglycemia. Their blood sugars can lower with continuous activity, so giving them something to nibble on can give them adequate sustenance. As they grow older, you might have to start reducing their intake, especially when they reach six months.

Exercise

Given that this kind of dog is highly active, alert, and energetic, the Schnoodle will have a lot of energy to burn in a day. It will also mean that this is an energy that needs to be regulated to avoid any destructive tendencies, especially ones that stem from boredom.

Schnoodles can also develop bad habits once they are not given enough attention, so that’s another reason always to find the time of day for them. Also, having a house full of people can be such a delight to these dogs, so that means less effort on your part than when you’re living alone.

You won’t need to convince a Schnoodle to get up and go for a walk because they love it, but they don’t require anything strenuous like other big dogs. Running around the apartment can also be fun for them, and they can pretty much entertain themselves for as long as they can find another moving living creature within their sights.

Their need to socialize and be with people is also an important consideration. Integrating socialization for them into your daily activities can do wonders. Here are some activities you can do with your Schnoodle to keep them happy and healthy:

• Finding the Treat

Putting a treat in your hand or a cup and having your pet guess helps them focus their attention. Testing your Schnoodle from time to time with a specific reward can keep them sharp and alert. It’s also one way for you to bond without needing much space in the home.

• Agility Training

You can introduce agility training to your routines once your Schnoodle reaches its 1st year. This is immensely enjoyable for dogs with high energy since it challenges their physicality and their minds.

You can start with some forward and lateral running sessions on your lawn. If you have access to a dog park or set up a course in your home, you can have your dog do some jumps as well. This exercise can enhance their joint and limb strengths and put their energies in more focused avenues.

• Hide and Seek

Given that your Schnoodle has a healthy terrier gene, it will be eager to hunt around for anything small and moving. Suppose there aren’t small animals in your home like if you’re living in an apartment, you can play a bit of hide and seek to stimulate this active inclination. Just be careful as the game can get them giddy and cause them to topple over furniture in the home.

• Playing Fetch

Dogs are inherently intuitive, and the reason why playing fetch with them is one of the most recommended exercises for dogs is because it allows them to work their instincts.

You can do it in an area as small as a studio apartment, or as broad as a park. Either way, it’s an excellent way to foster a connection with your pet. Schnoodles are most likely to enjoy this activity since it requires a lot of running.

• Tug of War

An exercise that should be done sparingly, a tug of war, can not only test your dog’s pulling strength, it can also reinforce their jaws and teeth. The playful tugging can help your Schnoodle become more confident and can improve your bond.

However, you will need to establish house rules to ensure that the activity perpetuates no aggressive behaviors. It’s also an excellent way to burn any excess energy.

• Going for a Swim

Your Schnoodle’s Poodle parent will most likely have passed on a water retriever gene, so taking your pet to play fetch on the beach can be an ideal day off.

These dogs love to swim, but they can suffer separation anxiety if you leave them on their own for too long. Doing this as a family event can make your Schnoodle very happy since they particularly love being in the company of many people.

Grooming

Your Schnoodle’s coat is more wavy than curly, but the furs are thick, soft, and somewhat wiry in texture. It will need regular brushing, so dirt won’t easily cling onto them. Very much like its parents, this dog will also need to have its grooming sessions once in a while, especially when it likes rolling on dirt and leaves.

You won’t have to worry about your dog shedding since Schnoodles are low dander dogs, but it is still recommended that you do some trimming and clipping every six to eight weeks.

Meanwhile, bathing should be only as needed to avoid the fur getting dry and the skin getting irritated. If going to the groomer seems too expensive for your budget, you can do it yourself by putting in the time and effort.

A few other things you need to check periodically would be the ears, teeth, and paws of your Schnoodle. Their ears are usually subjected to neglect since they are covered with fur primarily. Still, you need to check at least once a week for some redness, accumulated dirt, or suspicious odors that may indicate bad health or infection.

The teeth should also be inspected for tartar build-up, and daily brushing can prevent bad breath and gum disease. Some dental treats can also help in strengthening the gums and teeth. Lastly, trimming his nails and checking their paws for wounds or accumulated dirt can eliminate unnecessary discomforts.

With that, grooming doesn’t always sound like a good idea to a dog, but it can be if you make it an enjoyable experience with a lot of tenderness and rewards.

Life Expectancy

Based on its parents’ lifespan, a Schnoodle can live for about 10 – 15 years, but this can have minimal variations. The smaller Schnoodles are observed to live longer than the standard sized ones.

Another indicator of lifespan is the breeding purity, with mixed breeds living longer than the pure breeds. The deterioration of the dog’s health, however, can affect their life span.

While Schnoodles are generally healthy breeds, they can still run the risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia, or hypothyroidism.

A degenerative disease that your pet could also develop is Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Cataracts. These could lead to impaired vision, night blindness, and light sensitivity. Conditions like these would not only bring discomfort into your pet; it can also affect their ability to socialize, which could further cause detriments to their mental health.

Another disease to look out for is the Legg – Calve – Perthes characterized by the spontaneous disintegration of the dog’s hip joints, from the femur bone’s head at the hind legs. This can eventually lead to osteoarthritis or inflammation of the bone and joints.

The discomfort can deter your Schnoodle from going about its typical active day of running around. This disability can drastically affect their health and may even put them in a bad mood for lengthened periods.

Although this can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, keeping an observant eye on how your pets act, move, and respond to stimuli can help you determine any health changes. This way, any underlying conditions can be dealt with as soon as possible, before these can worsen.

Commitment

Despite the Schnoodle being a designer breed with a relatively manageable size and a pleasing demeanor, many of these dogs can be found in adoption shelters after being dropped off by wannabe dog owners.

It has been a growing trend that having a pet to parade along makes people seem more authentic, but manufacturing this authenticity can only get you so far. We don’t recommend getting a “low – maintenance” dog to these people either. We recommend them not to get a pet at all.

Having a Schnoodle comes with the struggle that every real dog owner is familiar with, and it is very natural when caring for another living being. Knowing this dog’s personality and physical attributes aren’t just for trivia – it is there to help you determine if this is indeed the dog breed for you.

The Schnoodle’s high energy and frequent barking can be a nuisance to you if you work from home and your peace. Its dietary and grooming needs can also take time out of your day, and that may be time you don’t want to spend on a pet. These are the disadvantages you need to consider.

However, if you truly are a dog lover, a Schnoodle can bring so much sunshine into your life. It can boost the family’s mood, teach children to care for something aside from themselves, and help you develop healthier adult habits. We recommend that you get your pup from a trusted breeder that comes with all the guarantees and vaccinations if you want to be sure.

If possible, we also recommend adopting from nearby dog pounds and shelters so that you can give those poor dogs a new and happy home. As mentioned above, many there is a growing trend of Schnoodles being abandoned, and by adopting, you can help save these dogs and give them a decent home and the love and care they deserve.

Schnoodle Facts

Schnoodles have gained the trust of many to be a family pet and a therapy dog, but what does it mean if a dog is a therapy dog?

By definition, a therapy dog is trained to provide comfort to areas of healing and recovery, like hospitals, hospice centers, nursing and retirement homes, and the like.

Although they also offer support and assistance to the community, they have a distinct purpose different from that of service dogs, who stay with a person of particular cases. Schnoodles are considered as great candidates for such an occupation.

Families and Therapy

The Schnoodles’ inherent need to please and be around people makes them suitable to be therapy dogs. Although a dog has to undergo a foundational program to qualify as a therapy dog officially, it has to have qualities that include a well-tempered disposition, low – dander coat, adequately socialized, and pleasing to people.

Mainly there are three types of therapy work that your dog can take on, and they are as follows:

• Therapeutic Visitation

The most common of the lot is this type, which entails that the Schnoodle primarily be household pets that go with their owners as volunteers to comfort patients in facilities. These dogs can also visit people who are in isolation or are unable to go home due to a court order or illness.

This is to provide people the comfort of having a pet for the meantime while they are inside a facility, recovering or doing time.

• Animal Assisted Therapy

In this type, your Schnoodle is required to assist licensed physical and occupational therapists for their sessions in helping a person recover. This is more common in rehabilitation facilities, where the dog is obliged to help in tasks related to motor control and gaining motion in the limbs.

This means that a patient gets the opportunity to relearn mechanisms that can care for pets, so they can still care for animals while recovering from their disabilities.

• Facility Therapy

The last type is focused on dogs working for facilities like nursing and retirement homes, where they can assist in monitoring the elderly from getting into trouble. People with dementia or Alzheimers can be unruly at times and can get resistive towards staff, but they can be more compassionate when a pet offers them help.

This type of occupation will require training and practice, but this can give you enough stimulation and purpose even on just a few days a week.

Are Schnoodles Hypoallergenic?

One thing that makes Schnoodles great for therapy is their low dander coat that is, yes, hypoallergenic. Although we can never really guarantee that any one breed is 100% hypoallergenic, the Schnoodle coat is less prone to producing allergens.

Furthermore, Schnoodles’ coats will less likely spread allergens since they are already low–shedding types. You can check if your Schnoodle’s coat incites an allergic reaction in other family members or to the visitors in your home.

You can also check the health clearances with the breeder if the parents of your dog have inherently high or low allergen producing coats. Remember that this is something you should look into before you have your Schnoodles apply for therapy occupations to avoid any mishaps.

Final Word

Schnoodles are more than just designer dogs. They are hard workers, and they can be great family pets. However, it is vital to note that they are nowhere near perfect, just like other breeds they require consistent training, ample patience and a strong leader to direct them.

You see, every dog has its personality that makes it unique and the ultimate purpose of this Guide is to give you a general overview and a better understanding of the Schnoodle, not only so you will know whether or not this breed will suit your lifestyle, but also to help you discern  whether or not your capacity to love, care and teach your pup is sufficient enough for you to be a great owner.

We hope that this comprehensive article has given you more insight and enough information that can guide your choices and decisions regarding caring for your Schnoodle and giving it a loving place in your home.

Remember that having a Schnoodle, or any pet for that matter, is a responsibility more than anything. You have to take it upon yourself to make the necessary preparations to give your pet a good home.

All that being said, we hope that your decisions are well–guided and compassionate towards these devoted creatures. Not only do Schnoodles WANT a loving home but they NEED a loving home and most importantly they DESERVE a loving home.

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