Want to know whether Schnoodles are good pets? Then you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll show you everything there is to know about Schnoodles, whether they make good pets or not, and more.
- Are Schnoodles Good Pets?
- Schnoodle Breed Information
- Characteristics
- Physical Appearance
- Personality And Temperament
- Ideal Living Conditions
- Health
- Exercise
- Feeding
- Are Schnoodles Hypoallergenic?
- Are Schnoodles Aggressive?
- How Hard Is It To Potty Train A Schnoodle?
- Are Schnoodles High Maintenance?
- Should You Get A Schnoodle?
Are Schnoodles Good Pets?
You’re in for a treat fur-parents! Schnoodles do make good pets!
This adorable hybrid has many faces. They can be family dogs, therapy dogs, lap dogs, and even show dogs!
Schnoodles are unique both in appearance and attitude. They can be your best buddy and your guard dog.
They may even outrun and outsmart you at times! They are an all-around dog.
These furballs make great family pets since they are known to be loving, devoted, obedient, and clever. Let’s find out more about this rising star of the Designer Breeds.
What Are Designer Breeds?
Designer Breeds or “Hybrid Dogs” are the offspring of controlled cross-breeding between two purebred dogs.
Each variety of dog is usually called a name that combines both parts of their original breeds. For example “Labradoodle” (Labrador / Poodle), “Cockapoo” (Cocker Spaniel / Poodle), and of course “Schnoodle” (Schnauzer / Poodle).
Do Designer Breeds Make Good Pets?
Yes, the Schnoodle Designer Breeds make good pets. They are bred to combine the best qualities of two Purebred dogs, so most of their offspring carry these traits.
Designer breeds also look beautiful like those with the luscious curls of the Poodle hybrids. They were made to awe potential owners and maybe even partake in competitions.
Schnoodle Breed Information
The Schnoodle isn’t as popular as other Poodle mixes, but it’s catching the eye of dog-lovers. Keep yourselves glued to the screen to decide if this is the dog for you.
Characteristics
The Schnoodle is the result of a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. They were developed in the 1980s when Poodle mixes started gaining popularity.
There is no breed standard for the Schnoodle, so the appearance of your puppies will always be a surprise. They are generally classified into Toy, Miniature, and Standard.
Most Schnoodles are small because the most common cross is between a Miniature Schnauzer and Poodle. That is why they are always perceived to be that way.
They need constant mental and physical stimulation, so you can expect that your puppy will always keep you company and ask for your attention.
One fun fact about them is that they are dextrous, meaning they can use their front paws to manipulate or “pick-up” objects. Quite similar to what cats can do.
Other names that Schnoodles have are Schnauzerdoodle, Schnauzerpoo, and Mini Schnoodle.
Currently, the Schnoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club as it is still considered a hybrid. However, there are others like the Designer Dogs Kennel Club that do recognize it.
Breeders are also pushing on making the Schnoodle a breed in itself. Let’s hope they will be able to give this adorable pooch the attention it deserves.
Physical Appearance
Toy Schnoodles can weigh up to 10 pounds. They can be 12 inches tall on all fours.
Miniature Schnoodles can weigh up to 30 pounds. They can reach 15 inches in height.
While the Standard Schnoodle can weigh up to 75 pounds, they can reach 26 inches in height. See how different each variety of the Schnoodle is?
They have long legs and a lean body. This shows how athletic they are and it is inherent of the Schnauzer.
Their physique is perfect for their stamina and energy. That is why exercise is a very important part of their daily routine.
Personality And Temperament
The Schnauzer and Poodle are both very vivacious dogs. The Schnoodle brings out both of their traits perfectly in a little furry ball of joy.
The Poodle is a dog that loves attention and is always willing to please its owners, while Schnauzers are active and sturdy. Combine these two, and you get a dog that is very playful and friendly.
They are especially friendly towards kids. This is another reason why Schnoodles make good pets.
Sometimes they can inherit the tendency of Schnauzers to have a “favorite” family member. Don’t feel bad, your puppy loves all of you, there will just always be a special family member in its heart.
They are also moderately friendly towards strangers and other dogs, so you won’t have to worry about them being hostile in the dog park.
Ideal Living Conditions
Schnoodles are more adaptable to warm weather than cold weather. They must also be able to get enough exercise, about 30 to 60 minutes every day.
Those that belong to the small category can fare well in an apartment. The medium and larger ones will be happier in a house with a lawn.
They do best in a secure and structured living condition. This is so that they don´t develop anxiety-related behavioral problems.
If you leave your Schnoodle alone for too long, then they might suffer from separation anxiety. This can result in destructive behavior and excessive barking.
This behavior can be improved upon by leaving them with appropriate toys like IQ balls, snuffle mats, puzzles, and Kong toys.
Schnoodles love kids, but they also make great pets for singles and seniors. As long as they are entertained enough, they can learn to live almost anywhere.
Health
Schnoodles are generally healthy, but they are also prone to certain health conditions. They mostly suffer from eye diseases like Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
Other health conditions they may have are Epilepsy, Diabetes Mellitus, and Hip Dysplasia.
They can also get Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease where the blood supply to the femur is decreased.
Gastric Torsion or Bloat is not much of a problem for Schnoodles, but if they are fed one large meal a day that they eat too quickly, then they also are at risk. This is more common with older dogs than younger ones.
It is important to make sure that you get your puppy from a good breeder who can show you health clearances for the puppy’s parents. Also, make sure that no inbreeding was involved since it can negatively affect your puppies´ health.
If you take good care of your Schnoodle, they can live between 10 to 15 years. So you will have a lot of time to spend with your fur-baby.
Exercise
The best way to keep your Schnoodle healthy is to make sure it has enough exercise. They are moderately active dogs, so regular walks will be able to suffice for their needs.
If you are more on the athletic side you can take them along on jogs since they love to run.
This breed also loves to jump, that is why they do well as show dogs. They will nail that obstacle course for sure!
Feeding
They usually need 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry dog food. It is best to feed them twice a day.
Avoid feeding them one large meal a day as this may cause bloating.
You must adjust the feeding of your dogs based on their needs as well. Make sure not to overfeed them.
You can check if they are overweight by doing the eye-test and the touch-test.
For the eye-test look at your dog and check if you can pinpoint a waist. For the touch-test run your hands along the sides of your dog’s body.
Make sure you can feel the rib cage but not see it.
If you cannot see a waist or feel the ribs then consider feeding your dog a little less. It may be an early sign of obesity.
Are Schnoodles Hypoallergenic?
What is most unique about the Schnoodle is that they are hypoallergenic. This means you can have this dog even if you are allergic to dander.
They take this characteristic after the Poodle that doesn’t shed often.
The Schnoodle’s Coat
Their coat can take after either parent breed. It can be wiry like the Schnauzer’s, or curly and soft like a Poodle’s.
Their coat colors range from full Black, Brown, or Grey, to a mix of colors like Black and White or Grey and Apricot.
The hair-like quality of their coat is what makes them low shedders. This is why the Schnoodle is making waves all around the world.
Are Schnoodles Aggressive?
Schnoodles tend to bark a lot if they take more after the Schnauzer. They may do this as a response to triggers, to assert dominance, to get attention, and even out of sheer boredom.
Don´t worry though, they are an intelligent breed and therefore easy to train in this regard if it is done at an early age.
Their Schnauzer instincts can make them good guard dogs. Once they are familiarized with new people, that is when they show their sweet side.
They make great family pets. They are affectionate and playful but you need to be careful to train them at an early age to not be mouthy.
They do well with owners of all ages, most especially children. They may even tire the kids out with their endless energy.
How Hard Is It To Potty Train A Schnoodle?
Schnoodles love to please, so with the right motivation, the potty training days will be a breeze.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to go about training your Schnoodle. As an inherently intelligent dog, treats will only guarantee more success.
Most dogs respond well to reward-based training since it strengthens their relationship with their owner. It also gives them more motivation to learn.
Negative reinforcement on the other hand will have the opposite effect. Yelling and punishment will damage your bond with your pet.
It is also along the lines of abuse and it must be avoided as much as possible.
Are Schnoodles High Maintenance?
Schnoodles aren’t called “Designer Breeds” for nothing. They were bred to look beautiful and be the pride of their masters.
Most Schnoodles are not very high maintenance though, but there are some things you need to do to make sure they look and feel healthy.
Here are the things you need to remember when caring for your Schnoodle:
Coat Grooming
The first thing you think about with anything relating to a Poodle is the coat. How do groomers make it look so fabulous? It must need a lot of care and attention!
Since Schnoodles have the Poodle gene in them, their coats must be just as high maintenance, right?
Well, that depends on what kind of coat your Schnoodle has.
If you remember what I stated before, there is still no breed standard for the Schnoodle. That means you can’t predict the kind of coat your puppy will have until it’s there, jumping on your face.
If your Schnoodle takes after the soft and wavy coat of the Poodle, then you need to brush them once or twice a week to prevent mats and tangles. You can also dry their coat with a hairdryer after bathing to prevent mats.
If they take after the wiry coat of the Schnauzer, then weekly brushing is enough to keep them clean. You may also trim their coat to remove any dead hair.
Here’s a good brush from Burt’s Bees you can use for maintaining your Schnoodle’s coat.
Ears, Teeth, And Nail Grooming
While you brush their hair you must also check their ears once a week for redness, dirt, or bad odor. You can wipe the area with a pH-balanced ear cleaner like Virbac’s Epi-Optic Advanced Pet Ear Cleaner on a cotton ball to prevent any infections.
Besides their hair, you must also brush your Schnoodle´s teeth at least twice a week to prevent tartar buildup. Daily brushing can prevent bad breath and gum disease.
If you hear your dog’s nails clipping on the floor, that means they need to be trimmed. This is to protect your dog’s feet and yourself so that you don’t get scratched when your Schnoodle is jumping on you.
Some puppies may not like the sensation of being groomed at first, but they must be trained to be accustomed to it. You can do this once more by using positive reinforcement and making it a bonding moment between you and your dog.
Should You Get A Schnoodle?
So the question remains, are Schnoodles good pets? You can judge for yourself after reading this article, but I think they make great pets!
Schnoodles have also been dubbed as “Teddy Bear Dogs”. This is because from puppyhood to adulthood, these pooches look like stuffed animals.
If that´s not a big reason to love them then I don´t know what is!
Schnoodles are even popular among celebrities. Hollywood actresses Dakota Fanning and Claire Danes both have Teddy Bear Dogs.
Danes’ Schnoodle named Weegee even accompanied her on the set of filming the political drama Homeland.
Now, I know I have been singing the praises of the Schnoodle to the point where I sound like a broken record, but they really are a great breed. The thing you need to consider though is are they the right breed for you.
Pros Of Having Designer Dog Breeds
Like any breed of dog, there are things you need to consider before you commit to giving it a forever home.
Designer breeds in particular have both positive and negative aspects.
The biggest advantage of having a Designer Breed is that you can get several varieties. There are now over 200 hybrid fusions for you to choose from.
They can also fit any need that you have for a dog. Their range stretches from pocket-sized to hypoallergenic dogs.
They can also improve the characteristics of some Purebred dogs.
An example is a Pug that has breathing problems due to its short nose. When you cross it with a Beagle (Puggle), you get a dog that has the same sweet temperament as both breeds minus the squished nose.
Another benefit of having Designer Breeds is that they rarely inherit genetic defects. Genetic disorders like hip and eye problems are more prominent in Purebreds.
Cons Of Having Designer Dog Breeds
On the other hand, Designer Breeds are quite expensive and you may not have the outcome you were looking for. Take the case of the Schnoodle, you can’t predict what your puppy is going to look like until it is born.
Designer Breeds usually cost at least $700.00. That is more than triple the cost of adopting a purebred from a shelter.
Some of the qualities you are looking for also may not come out in the batch of puppies you have. If you breed a Hybrid with another Hybrid, you run the risk of having one-fourth of the litter not possess the desirable trait.
If the trait is a recessive gene, none of the puppies may have the trait. It is simple genetics based on Punnett Square.
That is why it is best to breed two Purebred dogs to get your Designer Breed.
There is also no certainty that all your dogs will be immune to genetic defects. If a defect is passed down by two Purebred parents, the Hybrid may inherit both.
Now, don’t be discouraged, since Designer Breeds are still great pets. You need to know the characteristics of whatever dog you are going to add to your family.
Whatever breed you end up having, it is important to treat them with love and care. You have made them a part of your family, so you better love them with all your heart!
Hope you enjoyed this post about whether Schnoodles make good pets.
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