Toy Schnoodle Puppies Nursery 2

~~ Schnoodle Information ~~

Schnoodle Overview

The Schnoodle is cheerful and intelligent. Described as "forever happy," this designer dog's favorite joys in life are playing and hanging out with his family. Bred to be a companion dog, he's proven that he can do well in agility and as a therapy dog. He makes a terrific jogging companion and his love of activity can get you off the couch. He will fill your life and lap with love and laughter.

The Schnoodle is loyal like the Schnauzer and fun-loving like the Poodle. Like his Schnauzer parent, a Schnoodle has a protective nature and makes a good watch dog. Like his Poodle parent, he's smart and affectionate. He will bark, sometimes too much (a trait that should be nipped in the bud when he's young).

Schnauzers are solid terriers and tend toward being a bit stubborn and independent but extremely loyal. The Poodle is smart, agile, and active with a high-maintenance coat. In the best examples of this hybrid, there's less of the Poodle's high energy and less of the Schnauzer's stubbornness.

A Schnoodle loves car rides (particularly when he's going to visit someone he likes), playing fetch, and just having a good ol' time. Fetch isn't the only game he loves; he likes to play and play. He's a silly boy and will do what some refer to as the "butt tucks" and others call the Schnoodle 500--running fast in a circle with the hind end tucked up. It's just a form of play that means he's happy.

He also has an unusual propensity to use his front paws as hands to hold toys and blankets. There's a terrier in there, and some Schnoodles like to dig more than others. Unfortunately, some really enjoy digging. Some really enjoy barking, too.

There are three different variations of both Schnauzers and Poodles, making for a wide range of sizes in the Schnoodle. The larger ones are still relatively uncommon. Schnauzer varieties include Miniature, Standard, and Giant; Poodle varieties include Toy, Miniature, and Standard.

As with any hybrid, there's also a huge difference between a Schnoodle whose purebred parents have been carefully selected for temperament versus a dog from an irresponsible breeder who slaps a litter together simply because she has a purebred Schnauzer and lives down the street from a purebred Poodle. When the parents are carefully selected, the Schnoodle is a great dog. Unfortunately, the hybrid has become popular enough for puppy mills to get on the bandwagon, and unscrupulous breeders who don't give a hoot about the puppy's health or temperament are everywhere.

If you want the temperament that the hybrid is meant to provide, get a puppy from a responsible breeder who has taken care in selecting the parents. Hybrid vigor can work wonders, but poor parent selection can result in the worst traits of both breeds with none of the good ones.

The Schnoodle should have plenty of exercise every day, at least 30 to 60 minutes. Both Schnauzers and Poodles are smart, so this hybrid requires daily mental stimulation as well. A Schnoodle who isn't properly exercised or stimulated can become destructive and difficult to handle. Contemplate the combination of smart, problem-solving, and bored out of his mind, and you'll get the idea.

A Schnoodle loves the people in his life and thrives when he's with them. A small Schnoodle can do well in an apartment, but the larger Schnoodle does better in homes with fenced yards. Schnoodles shouldn't live outdoors or in kennels, since they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods at a time.

Schnoodle History

The Schnoodle was developed in the 1980s, when the interest began to grow in Poodle crosses. The original goal with the Schnoodle was to create a low-shedding, low-dander family dog. Although the Schnoodle hasn't quite gained the popularity of other "designer" breeds, there's a strong following that has created a demand for Schnoodle puppies.

Coat, Color & Groooming

Schnoodles are low-shedding dogs and must be clipped or trimmed. The Schnoodle coat is meant to resemble a Schnauzer puppy's: soft and wavy. Generally, first-generation litters have a wavy coat that's soft in texture and remains soft throughout the dog's life.

The coat shouldn't be wiry like an adult Schnauzer's nor have the tight curls of a Poodle. Second-generation Schnoodles are more likely to have either the Poodle's curly coat or the wiry Schnauzer coat; the wavy coat occurs in multigenerational breeding.

The Schnoodle coat can be black, gray, silver, brown, white, apricot, sable, black and white, black and tan, and even parti-color.

Men and dogs look terrific in beards, as the Schnoodle proves. Keep it clean by trimming it and making sure he doesn't carry crumbs around in it.

The amount of grooming needed for a Schnoodle really depends on the coat of the individual dog. If your dog has the soft, wavy type of coat, brush once or twice a week to prevent tangles and mats. The Schnoodle will also need to be bathed on an as-needed basis to keep the coat soft. The best time to brush is after a bath. Drying the coat with a hair dryer will help prevent any mats from forming.

A Schnoodle with the rough wiry coat of the Schnauzer parent will not require as much grooming as the silky-haired variety, but weekly brushing is best, with some trimming to keep it tidy and free of dead hair. A Schnoodle with the Poodle's curly coat needs regular brushing and should be clipped every six to eight weeks.

No matter what coat your Schnoodle has, check the ears once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. Also wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent problems.

Brush your Schnoodle's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

Trim his nails regularly if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they're too long. Short, neatly trimmed nails keep your legs from getting scratched when your Schnoodle enthusiastically jumps up to greet you.

Schnoodle Size

The size of the Schnoodle depends on the size of the parents: a Standard Poodle bred to a Giant Schnauzer will produce offspring who will be the size of their large parents. If a Standard Poodle and Standard Schnauzer are crossed, than the result could be sizes ranging between both the Miniature Schnoodle and the Standard Schnoodle.

This uncertainty is part of the joy of a mixed breed: the ultimate details can be a welcome surprise.

There are no breed standards for the Schnoodle, so predicting adult size isn't an exact science. Like any mixed breed, the variation involved can eliminate guarantees of size. What follows are ballpark estimates, and while these are fairly reliable, don't bet the doghouse on them.

There are three different variations of both Schnauzers and Poodles: Miniature, Standard, and Giant for the Schnauzer; and Toy, Miniature, and Standard for the Poodle. Mixing and matching can add up to some interesting ranges and the variety is enticing. However, most Schnoodles tend to be 20 pounds or less.

Toy Schnoodles range from 10 to 12 inches in height and weigh 6 to 12 pounds.

Miniature Schnoodles range from 12 to 15 inches in height and weigh 13 to 20 pounds.

Standard Schnoodles range from 15 to 26 inches in height and weigh 20 to 75 pounds.