Video: Giant Schnoodle and Mini Schnoodleing in the morning
The Schnoodle is a hybrid between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. The heritage of the Schnoodle is believed to have started in England, where Poodles have been bred with Terriers in order to create Truffle dogs, which were mainly used to help in hunting for truffles. At present, modern Schnoodles are not bred to be truffle hunters anymore, but to be great companion dogs who can also be watch dogs and therapy dogs with proper training. With the luck that he gets and both of his parents’ great characteristics, the Schnoodle will surely fill your household with fun.Breed CharacteristicsAdaptabilityAbove AverageTrainabilityAbove AverageHealth and GroomingAbove AverageAll Around FriendlinessHighExercise NeedsHighDog Breed Group:Hybrid DogsHeight:Generally 1 foot, 3 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulderWeight:Generally 20 to 75 poundsLife Span:10 to 15 yearsThe Schnoodle’s history can be said to have started in England where poodles were cross bred with Terriers in order to create dogs which can be used to hunt for truffles. It was only in the 1980s though, that the Schnauzer plus Poodle breed, hence Schnoodle, was created in America. The goal with the breeding of Schnoodles in America wasn’t really to create truffle hunters anymore, but to create a good companion dog that is suitable for people with dander allergies.Schnoodles are very playful and fun-loving. They are also alert and attentive, and with proper training, they can serve as good watch dogs and therapy dogs. Schnoodles love playing with kids, but it is important to get the dogs (as early as when they’re still puppies) acquainted with the kids for them to feel familiar and comfortable.The Schnoodle’s size can vary, depending on his parent’s sizes. He can stand around 2 feet tall at the shoulder, and weigh from as little as 6 pounds to as much as 75 pounds. The Schnoodle’s coat can be wiry like the Schnauzer’s, or curly like the Poodle’s.The Schnoodle has lots of energy (thanks to his parents), and this means that he also needs regular exercise. He also loves being with his humans, so much that if left alone, he can exhibit destructive tendencies and develop this into a habit. Your Schnoodle can be quite a social creature, so it’s not advisable to lock him up in a kennel or lock him out of your house. He can always use some company!Main HighlightsThe Schnoodle is a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. The dogs stands at around 2 feet tall at the shoulders and can weigh up to 75 poundsThe breed’s heritage can be traced back to England, where Poodle-Terrier crosses have been used for truffle hunting. It was the 1980s that Schnoodles were first bred in America.Generally, Schnoodles are healthy, but may acquire health conditions that are common to Schnauzers or Poodles.Schnoodles are hypoallergenic and can be ideal pets for people allergic to dander. However, because Schnoodles don’t shed a lot, it is important to groom them regularly.Schnoodles are very intelligent and they always need to have mental stimulation. They are also very active and would require regular exercise. If they become bored or lonely, they can become noisy and exhibit destructive behavior.A poor selection of the parents can result in an offspring who has the worst of the parents’ traits. Therefore, it is important to find a responsible breeder who will ensure you that the Schnauzer and Poodle parents have been carefully selected.Breed HistoryThis breed has been cultivated for more than 40 years now. The Schnoodle breed’s roots can be traced back in England, with the creation of what were called Truffle Dogs. Truffle Dogs are believed to have come from the cross of Poodles and small dogs from the Terrier Family.The Truffle Dogs, as they were named, were used to hunt for truffles. Truffles were precious, and most of the time, gathering them meant trespassing on other people’s property. Truffle hunting was mostly done during the night, and these Truffle dogs were very efficient in finding truffles in the dark.Although the identity of the first breeder of the Schnoodle is unknown, it is believed that it was first bred in the 1980s, and this breeding occurred in Minnesota. And while the first Schnoodle-like dogs have been created for the purpose of hunting for truffles, the Schnoodles in America were bred mainly to serve as companion dogs. But apart from this, Schnoodle breeders had a special goal to create a family dog suitable for people allergic to dander.The Schnoodle, being a designer Poodle hybrid, has created a following, with its popularity increasing over the last 20 years.SizeA Schnoodle’s size can vary, depending on its parents’ sizes. There are four Schnoodle classifications based on size: the Toy Schnoodle, Miniature Schnoodle, Standard Schnoodle, and Giant Schnoodle. However, most of the time, Schnoodles weigh 20 pounds or less. On the average, Schnoodles stand at 1 foot, 3 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulders.Personality and CharacterThe Schnoodle truly makes a great companion dog. With his playful and fun-loving nature, he can surely brighten your day as if he just ate a spoonful of sunshine! If you yourself are in need of some exercise or physical activity, the Schnoodle just might be able to make you grab your kicks and go out for a jog with him. He’s just a very active dog like that!The Schnoodle can be very alert, making him capable of being a watchdog, which can be attributed to his Schnauzer and Poodle parents’ own attentiveness. He’s also very protective of his family, and most probably, he’s going to bark at the sight of an unfamiliar face at the door. Apart from this, he may also inherit the Schnauzer’s loyalty, as well as the Poodle’s intelligence, and affectionate nature. The Schnoodle loves all the members of his family, but it is likely that he will display a greater fondness for a specific member every now and then.Remember that friend of yours who just really loves having a good time? Yup, that’s like the Schnoodle, as a human. This dog is all about fun, fun, fun! This dog loves playing so much that you can probably create your own game and he’ll be up for it. That’s right, he can play games other than fetch. This dog can be quite a clingy dog, but that’s just because he loves his humans and likes to be with them most of the time. If left alone, they can get get anxious and sad, which may cause them to bark a lot.Schnoodles are generally mild-tempered dogs. However, it is important to note that a careful selection of the parents plays a vital role in bringing out the best traits of both breeds and passing it on to the Schnoodle.Health and Potential ProblemsSchnoodles, just like any other breed, are prone to having health concerns. But since they are generally healthy creatures, it’s safe to say that not every Schnoodle is automatically bound to have any of these conditions. However, it is still important to know and understand the conditions that may arise, such as the following.Cataracts: This is the most common eye problem among dogs. In the Schnoodle’s case, if cataracts would occur, they would usually come with old age. The fibers in the lens of the Schnoodle’s eye break down, causing the lens to be cloudy. This can eventually lead to your dog’s blindness. Cataracts are generally painless, and can be corrected through eye surgery.Progressive Retinal Atrophy: In this condition, the eye’s retina deteriorates, causing the dog limited vision during nighttime, and eventually during daytime as well. In most cases, affected dogs will be able to adjust to their impaired vision.Epilepsy: This is a problem in the neurological system that is inherited most of the time. Because of this, seizures may occur which can be characterized by unusual unsteady movements, stiff extremities, or even loss of consciousness. If these symptoms occur, it is crucial to bring your Schnoodle to the vet for treatment.Addison’s Disease: This condition, as known as hypoadrenocorticism, results from the reduction of the secretion of corticosteroid from the adrenal gland. Most of the time, the ones affected by Addison’s disease are middle-aged female dogs. However, it can also develop in any dog of any age and sex.Symptoms of this condition are vomiting, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, anorexia, and lack of energy. When this disease attacks, the dog collapses in a state of shock, and this episode may be fatal. It is important for the dog to be taken to the vet if these symptoms are present in order to have proper diagnosis and treatment.Diabetes: Diabetes in dogs is usually caused by the lack of insulin hormone. Symptoms of diabetes in dogs include frequent urination, unreasonable weight loss, and increased thirst. The diagnosis of diabetes can be made through urine or blood tests, and this condition can be addressed by proper diet and insulin shots.Gastric Dilatation Volvulus: This condition is more commonly known as “bloat.” This usually occurs in large dogs, so it is unlike to affect toy and miniature Schnoodles. However, if your Schnoodle is on the bigger side, the occurrence of this condition might be probable. Bloat happens when the stomach is filled with food, liquid, or gas, causing the stomach to expand. This is a dangerous condition because once the stomach expands, it puts pressure on other organs, causing laborious breathing, limited blood flow to his stomach lining, and a tear in his stomach wall.Symptoms of bloat are restlessness, drooling, a swollen stomach, and anxiety. If this persists, the dog may collapse, be short of breath, or feel weak. The chances of bloating in dogs are increased by giving your dog one large meal a day, having a lot of strenuous physical activities right after eating, stress, as well as eating and drinking too much. If bloating happens to your dog, it is best to take him to the vet to be treated accordingly.Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: This is a condition involves the disintegration of the hip joint. Here, the head of the large rear leg bone doesn’t receive adequate blood flow, resulting in its disintegration. Early symptoms are characterized by limping and withering of the leg muscles, and usually occur in 4 to 6-month old puppies. This disease can be treated by surgery.Patellar Luxation: This condition occurs when the patella, more commonly known as kneecap, slides in and out of the groove of the thigh bone. This is common for small dogs and can be painful. It is often recommended to have the dog undergo a surgery upon diagnosis of Patellar Luxation.Care FeaturesSchnoodles tend to have high energy levels and enjoy a lot of physical activities. Some Schnoodles need less exercise and some need more, but most of the time, they would require around half an hour to a whole hour of exercise per day.As for their housing, Schnoodles can be quite adaptable. However, because they differ in size, larger Schnoodles may not thrive in tiny spaces, whereas toy and miniature Schnoodles can. Generally, Schnoodles will do well if they live in places where they can have enough space to play around. Now, you might be thinking that it might be great to keep the Schnoodle outside of the house because he would have plenty of roaming space there.Please, for the sake of your Schnoodle’s happiness, don’t do that! Schnoodles can get very anxious if left alone for a long time. Also, they are a very intelligent breed, and that means they always need mental stimulation. Put together an energetic, intelligent, playful, and alone/bored dog, and you get an agitated dog. This can result in your Schnoodle exhibiting destructive behavior. It can also cause excessive barking which can be difficult to stop once it turns into a habit.Feeding ScheduleRecommended daily amount: 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into 2 meals.The recommended amount is applicable to Schnoodles weighing 20 pounds (most common weight). If your Schnoodle is smaller or larger, you need to feed him less or more than the recommended amount. To be sure about the serving size, you can consult with your Schnoodle’s vet. To maintain a good shape, it is best to feed your Schnoodle two times a day instead of just letting him eat whenever he wants to.Coat, Color and GroomingA Schnoodle’s coat can either be soft and wavy, rough and wiry, or soft and curly. Schnoodles’ coats can come in an assortment of colors: brown, gray, black, white, apricot, black and white, black and tan, or multi-color.Schnoodles need to be clipped and trimmed since they don’t shed that much. The frequency of grooming needed is dependent on your Schnoodle’s kind of coat. Wavy coats need to be brushed once or twice a week. It is best to brush their coats after bath and to dry them with a hair dryer in order to prevent tangles. Rough and wiry coats don’t need as much grooming as the wavy coats do. But it is best to brush them once a week. Curly coats need to be brushed on a regular basis and be clipped every after about 2 months.Schnoodles are prone to developing hair in their ears which must be removed because they can cause an ear infection. Schnoodles’ ears must be checked regularly to see if there is any dirt, redness, or unpleasant odor, which are indicators of an infection.Children And Other Pets CompatibilityBoth the Schnauzer and Poodle are good with kids, and it goes without saying that Schnoodles are too. They love playing with kids! They are playful, energetic, and affectionate when they’re with them. However, it is best to introduce a Schnoodle to kids as early as puppyhood in order for him to feel comfortable with them. Schnoodles and children can get along pretty well if they have been accustomed well. It is still important to note though that children should be taught how to interact with dogs, and it would be much better if these interactions are supervised.As with the Schnoodle’s compatibility with other pets, they are able to socialize well with other dogs and animals like cats and smaller pets. As a matter of fact, they even sometimes tend to give in to pet cats who act more superior. Some problems may arise though if there are toys involved. Schnoodles aren’t that good in sharing toys with other dogs, but then again, an adult Schnoodle’s attitude is greatly affected by the way he has been socialized since he was a puppy.Schnoodles, being attentive, energetic, intelligent, and affectionate, can be great family pets. They’re suitable for people with allergies too! If trained adequately, they can also serve as watchdogs and therapy dogs. Generally, Schnoodles are good with children and will love playing with them. Having a Schnoodle usually means having a clingy pet, but his clinginess just means he loves you!