Schnoodle

The Schnoodle is a cross between a Miniature Schnauzer and a Poodle. Schnoodles are charming, funny and smart, and their alert nature — thanks to that double dose of Schnauzer and Poodle attentiveness — makes them excellent watchdogs. They typically have a curly coat that must be clipped regularly.

The Schnoodle is a crossbreed. Opening your heart and home to a crossbreed is like opening a beautifully wrapped package on your birthday: you never know what’s going to be inside. It’s often assumed that a crossbreed will combine the best of two or more breeds, but it doesn’t always work that way. The way genes combine and express themselves is not always subject to a breeder’s control, even less so when two different breeds are crossed. That’s something to keep in mind before you lay down lots of money for a dog that you have been assured will be hypoallergenic or healthier than a purebred.

The Schnoodle is a charmer. At his best, he combines the intelligence of both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Poodle, plus the boldness of the Schnauzer and the friendliness and, yes, sometimes the vanity of the Poodle. He is usually a small dog, with a weight range of 10 to 20 pounds. Do your homework before buying one of these cute little dogs, and you’ll be well rewarded with a wonderfully funny dog.

Both of the breeds used to create the Schnoodle are smart and learn quickly. Begin socialization and training early and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play, and food rewards.

Other Quick Facts

• Schnoodles are companion dogs. They love their people and enjoy spending time with their families.

• Schnoodles have a moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner’s lifestyle. They need a nice walk or active playtime each day, like any dog. Some Schnoodles love being in the limelight, and (overall health permitting) they do well in such dog sports as agility, flyball, obedience, and rally, all of which are open to mixed breeds and crossbreeds.

The History of the Schnoodle

People have been crossing types of dogs for millennia in the attempt to achieve a certain look, temperament, or working ability. That’s how many well-known purebreds, including the Affenpinscher, Australian Shepherd, Black Russian Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Doberman Pinscher, German Wirehaired Pointer, Leonberger and more, originally got their start.

But crossing two breeds over and over does not a breed make. A breed is a group of animals related by descent from common ancestors. They are visibly similar in most characteristics. To achieve consistency in appearance, size and temperament, breeders must select the puppies with the traits they want and breed them over several generations for the traits to become set.<br /><br />

Crossbreeds such as the Schnoodle have always been bred, but they have become especially popular over the past 20 years as people seek out dogs that are different from the everyday Miniature Schnauzer or Poodle. For instance, it’s often claimed (falsely, by the way) that crossbreeds have fewer health problems or will carry the best traits of each breed.

Unfortunately, genes aren’t quite that malleable. Genetic traits sort out randomly in each dog, so without selecting for certain characteristics over many generations, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the best of each breed. And no matter what his breed or mix, an individual dog may be more or less allergenic or intelligent or healthy.

Whatever his breed, cross, or mix, love your dog for what he is: a unique, special and loving companion.

Schnoodle Temperament and Personality

Temperament is affected partly by inheritance and partly by environment, so it can be variable. A Schnoodle’s temperament depends on several things including the temperaments of his parents, especially the mother, who is more likely to influence a puppy’s behavior; the amount of socialization he receives; and the particular genes he inherits.

Both Miniature Schnauzers and Poodles tend to be friendly and outgoing, although Miniature Schnauzers are generally more protective than Toy or Miniature Poodles.

How your puppy turns out depends on the genetic luck of the draw, what he learns from his mother and littermates, and the amount of socialization he gets before and after he goes to his new home.

Train your Schnoodle with positive reinforcement techniques, showing him what you like by rewarding him with praise, play and treats. He will enjoy learning if you can show what’s in it for him.

What You Should Know About Schnoodle Health

All dogs, whether purebreds, crossbreeds, or mixes, have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. You may have heard that crossbreeds and mixed breeds are healthier than purebred dogs because of something called hybrid vigor. That’s not necessarily the case. In fact, crossing two breeds that share the genes for certain diseases can introduce those diseases to the resulting puppies. Serious breeders of hybrid dogs obtain the same health clearances for their breeding stock as those obtained by breeders of purebred dogs.

Schnoodles may be susceptible to the health problems of both the Miniature Schnauzer and Toy Poodle, but there’s also a chance that the genetic diversity introduced by mixing two breeds may lower the chances of developing certain inherited diseases. The very nature of genetic variation makes this difficult to predict for a mixed breed dog.

These crossbreed dogs are susceptible to the following health conditions:

Luxating Patella: This orthopedic issue is when a dog’s kneecap slides out of its normal position and is common in small breed dogs like Toy Poodles.

Pancreatitis: Miniature Schnauzers are more prone to pancreatitis than some other breeds. This is an inflammation of the pancreas and can cause serious complications if left untreated.

Diabetes: While diabetes can happen in any dog breed, Miniature Schnauzers have a higher incidence of the disease. That means Schnoodles may also be more likely to develop the condition.

Schnoodle breeders should be able to produce independent certification that the parents of the dog (and grandparents, etc.) have been screened for genetic defects and deemed healthy for breeding. At a minimum, ask the breeder to show evidence that both of the puppy’s parents have the appropriate certifications from health registries like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Canine Eye Registry Foundation, etc.

The Basics of Schnoodle Grooming

Schnoodles can have different types of fur, ranging from curly to straight to wiry, depending on which genes they inherit, but most have a curly or wavy coat. A Schnoodle coat looks its best with professional grooming every 4-6 weeks, and it requires brushing or combing every couple of days to prevent mats or tangles as well as regular bathing in between appointments with the groomer.

Schnoodles are among the breeds that commonly develop reddish-brown tear stains beneath their eyes. Your best bet is to wash the face daily, carefully wiping beneath the eyes, to prevent stains from setting.

Your Schnoodle doesn’t need a bikini wax, but you do need to trim the genital area for cleanliness or have the groomer shave the lower belly area. This prevents urine from staining and stinking up the coat and feces from getting caught in the hair around the anus.

In addition, trim his nails every week or two, keep his ears clean and dry, and brush his teeth regularly — daily if possible, with a vet-approved pet toothpaste. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease. Start grooming your Schnoodle while he is a puppy so he learns to accept it willingly.

Choosing a Schnoodle Breeder

Schnoodle puppies are adorable, and it’s one of the reasons they are so popular. Cute puppies sell, and that makes the Schnoodle a favorite of puppy mills and greedy, irresponsible breeders.

If you choose to purchase a Schnoodle, select a breeder who has done the health testing to ensure that her puppies won’t carry the genetic diseases common to Schnauzers and Poodles. Buying from a breeder who is smart and caring enough to do health certifications, even for a crossbreed, is your best option. And while there are no guarantees in life, it’s also a good way to minimize the possibility of big veterinary bills in the future.

Avoid breeders who only seem interested in quickly offloading puppies. You should also bear in mind that buying a puppy from a website that offers to ship your dog to you is a risky venture, as it leaves you no recourse if what you get isn’t exactly what you expected.

The cost of a Schnoodle puppy varies depending on the breeder’s locale and whether he has obtained health clearances on the pup’s parents. The puppy you buy should have been raised in a clean home environment, from parents with health clearances. Schnoodle puppies should be temperament tested, vetted, dewormed, and socialized to give them a healthy, confident start in life.

Adopting From a Rescue or a Shelter

There are many great options available if you want to adopt a Schnoodle from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Here is how to get started.

Browse online adoption sites. You can find crossbreed dogs like Schnoodles for adoption on sites like Petfinder.com or AdoptAPet.com. These resources allow you to filter by location, age, personality traits and more to help you find a Schnoodle dog or puppy that fits your lifestyle.

Utilize social media. Social media platforms like Facebook Groups, Instagram, and TikTok can help you put out feelers and connect to local adoption groups and resources. Create posts that detail the type of Schnoodle dog you’d like to adopt and ask friends and family members to share.

Speak to local experts. Groomers, dog walkers, and veterinarians are well connected and may get tips on dogs for adoption before dogs are taken to a shelter or posted online for adoption. Connect with these experts and tell them that you are interested in adopting a Schnoodle dog. They may be able to keep you in mind if they hear of any available for adoption.

Puppy or adult, take your Schnoodle to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Even if the shelter provided a health check and vaccinations, it’s important to establish a relationship with your local veterinarian quickly to ensure your dog gets the best quality of care.

Schnoodle FAQs

What is a Schnoodle?

A Schnoodle dog is a mix between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. It is a considered a crossbreed dog and can have personality and temperament traits of either the Schnauzer breed or the Poodle breed.

How long do Schnoodles live?

The lifespan of a Schnoodle can vary based on the dog’s size. Miniature Schnoodles (which are bred from Toy Poodles and Miniature Schnoodles) live approximately 10 to 18 years. Medium-sized Schnoodles live approximately 10 to 16 years. Large Schnoodles live approximately 10 to 15 years on average.

How big do Schnoodles get?

Schnoodles generally weigh somewhere between 10 and 20 pounds. However, Miniature Schnoodles can weigh less — around 6 to 10 pounds. Schnoodles have a height of 10 to 12 inches.

Are Schnoodles hypoallergenic?

While no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, Schnoodles are considered a hypoallergenic breed. This is because they shed less and have less dander than many other dog breeds. Most Poodle crossbreeds are considered hypoallergenic dogs.

Pictures of Schnoodles