Breed overview
The Schnoodle has a plethora of personality traits. They’re enthusiastic and cheerful dogs, yet they’re more than just a happy-go-lucky companion. Like their parent breeds, Schnoodles are alert and active and usually protective over their families. They’re known for their devotion and obedience and are considered easy to train, despite having a strong will. Male schnoodles, in particular, are highly affectionate and loving. As a breed standard, schnoodles tend to be territorial. Still, they’re generally friendly with strangers and other animals (cats included) if they’ve been well socialized.
It’s important to socialize your schnoodle pup early to establish the foundation for how you’d like your dog to behave. Most schnoodles are great family dogs that love to play. Because they’re descended from working dog breeds, they’re not exactly couch potatoes. A standard schnoodle would do best with a spacious, fenced area to get plenty of exercise.
Schnoodles are a generally healthy breed. Still, they’re prone to certain health conditions that are hereditary in standard poodles or schnauzers and can sometimes get conditions from both.
The schnoodle is a designer dog in high demand. Because they’re so highly sought after, they can be quite expensive. Prospective pup parents should consider the cost of adoption, frequent grooming needs, and potential health problems before taking in a schnoodle.
Since schnoodles are a hybrid breed, they have a higher risk of inheriting health problems. Pet health insurance may be a good way to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Owners who sign up their pets early will reap the greatest benefit. Generally speaking, schnoodles are considered to be pretty healthy, so dog parents may consider alternatives like a pet savings account to help with costs.
The popularity of poodle mixed breeds can be traced back to the 1950s and ‘60s when cockapoos and labradoodles were in high demand. Poodle mixes were found to have a coveted temperament and adorable fluff, and the “doodle and oodle” craze gained increasing momentum. In the 1980s, the schnoodle was introduced by cross breeding a poodle and a schnauzer. The result was a charming addition to the doodle family that’s found its way into many homes across America.
Adopting a new puppy of any breed can be a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot to think about before you bring your four-legged-friend to its new house. Pet parents will need to make their first trip to the vet and schedule their dog’s vaccinations. We can even help you puppy-proof your home and prepare for things you might not think of, like teething. Of course, no one likes to think about losing their new dog, but it’s better to be prepared just in case. FidoAlert provides a free Fido ID and tag for peace of mind. For schnoodle parents, it will be important to find a reputable groomer since poodle breed’s coats will need frequent upkeep.
Schnoodles are descended from two working breeds and are an alert and active canine. They’re also highly intelligent, requiring frequent mental stimulation. A bored schnoodle can be a destructive one, so pet owners should plan for 30-60 minutes of daily exercise or more when possible.
Standard schnoodles are very adaptable, and will easily adapt to the activity level of their owners. Because they love to be with you, a long walk or jog with their person will be great fun for the schnoodle and their owner. A good romp in a spacious area is also great for a schnoodle, but don’t plan to leave them outside too much. Schnoodles don’t do well with very hot or very cold weather, so exercise may look different depending on the season.
When it comes to grooming, schnoodles can be on the high maintenance side. People are usually attracted to the dog’s hypoallergenic coat, but it requires a good bit of work. A schnoodle’s wavy locks don’t shed. Instead, they continue growing and can become matted and tangled without proper care. Schnoodle parents should plan to have their dog groomed every four to six weeks to keep their locks in pristine condition.
In between grooming appointments, owners can maintain their pup’s hair at home with a slicker brush, dematter, or pin brush depending on the dog’s specific fur. Normal grooming like nail trimming and teeth brushing are also important to your dog’s health. The schnauzer side, in particular, needs frequent ear cleaning, so schnoodle parents should plan to clean ears weekly.
👉No breed is truly hypoallergenic. Allergic reactions occur due to the protein found in a dog’s dander, hair, and saliva. Dogs that are considered hypoallergenic simply shed less, and thus have a smaller effect on those with dog allergies.
Schnoodles don’t require a special diet. The most important thing is to provide high-quality food that’s balanced with good proteins, carbohydrates, fats and necessary vitamins and minerals. As an active breed, schnoodles need higher amounts of animal protein from sources like chicken, fish, turkey and lamb.
Schnoodle puppies will need three to four smaller meals per day, while an adult schnoodle of standard size should eat twice, morning and night. Amount of food needed will depend on the size of your schnoodle, so refer to your vet for portioning.
When it comes to training, a schnoodle can be a bit of a conundrum. Their strong-will and high intelligence can be a potential obstacle to training, yet that same intelligence mixed with their devotion and obedience makes them quite trainable. Overall, most schnoodle owners report that the breed is easy to train.
Schnoodles love to play and love to please, so incorporating play and positive reinforcement is a good training tactic. They’re also high energy, particularly as puppies, so early training is paramount. An untrained schnoodle is a ball of energy with enough wit to cause a ruckus. Fortunately, training pays off with a schnoodle and pup parents can easily raise a pleasant and well-mannered dog.
Not quite sure that a standard schnoodle is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. First, consider that schnoodles come in toy, mini, standard and giant, each of which has their own pros and cons. Here are a few to get you started:
Schnoodles are prone to excessive barking, and don’t tolerate being left alone for long. Also, there are some genetic health risks stemming from their breed parents.
Yes. Schnoodles are charming, playful, and devoted, and tend to be great with children. To avoid suspicion around strangers, schnoodles should be socialized as puppies.
Yes. Schnoodles are prone to excessive barking, especially when bored. Schnoodle owners can combat barking by giving their schnoodle plenty of stimulation and attention.
A schnoodle is a hybrid breed, created by crossing a schnauzer and a poodle. Schnoodles can be toy, miniature, standard or giant breeds. They’re generally obedient, affectionate, alert and active dogs who love to play and are highly intelligent.
Because of their breed parents, schnoodles can suffer from cataracts, retinal atrophy, Addison’s disease, hip dysplasia, diabetes, epilepsy and legg-calve-perthes disease.
