Do you know what a schnoodle is? Neither more nor less than the result of crossing schnauzers and poodles Regardless of their size, schnoodles are curious puppies that you are sure to be dying to meet. For this reason, in this article on our site we talk about the characteristics of the schnoodle dog, its origin, its care and its possible he alth problems.
Schnoodles have characteristics as relevant as the fact that they are considered one of the most appropriate dogs in case of allergies. This is because it is considered that, because they lose little hair and do not develop dandruff, they are known as hypoallergenic dogs. Do you want to know more about them? Keep reading and discover all about the schnoodle
Origin of the schnoodle
Schnoodles are mixed breed dogs that come from crossing dogs of the schnauzer breed with standard poodles. This hybrid breed has an unknown origin, that is, It is not known exactly in what year the first schnoodles were born. What is known is that, like other hybrid breeds, the schnoodle is not recognized as an independent breed by international cynological entities, being considered as the mixture of two already established breeds.
Schnoodle Features
There are five types of schnoodle, which differ according to their weight and size, traits that vary depending on the size of the parents:
- Giant Schnoodle: with an average weight of 30-32 kilograms and a height at the withers of up to 66 centimeters. Usually the original cross is between a giant schnauzer and a standard poodle.
- Standard Schnoodle: weighs between 20 and 30 kilograms and is approximately 50-66 centimeters tall at the withers. It is the result of a cross between a standard schnauzer and a standard poodle.
- Medium Schnoodle: It has a body weight between 12 and 20 kilograms, and its height is between 40 and 50 centimeters at the cross. They are the most common and arise from the cross between medium schnauzers and small poodles.
- Miniature Schnoodle: weighs between 6 and 12 kilograms, with a height at the withers of between 30 and 40 centimeters.
- Schnoodle toy: also called teacup schnoodle, It weighs only 3-6 kilograms, being its height from 20 to 30 centimeters. It arises after crossing a toy poodle with a miniature schnauzer.
After reviewing the different types that exist, let's go with the general characteristics of the schnoodle. Thus, the schnoodle has a compact body, with short limbs and abundant fur Its tail is long and resembles that of a schnauzer. The head is balanced in size and shape and in proportion to the rest of the body. The muzzle is covered with hair, neither too wide nor too fine, with a nose that can be gray, brown or black. Their eyes are round and they are also covered with hair, their ears, medium, are similar to those of poodles, being slightly taller and shorter.
The coat of these dogs is abundant and is longer in the area of the face, some specimens having eyebrows and beards like the schnauzer. Their hair is usually rough and hard, although schnoodle dogs are also born with a softer coat, depending on the type of hair of the parent poodle. Likewise, the hair of the schnoodle is usually of a considerable length, curly or wavy, since on very rare occasions specimens are born with a smoother coat.
Schnoodle Colors
The most frequent colors for this mixed breed dog are: grey, black, white, brown and gold, as well as the different combinations of the colors mentioned.
The puppy schnoodle
In the case of the schnoodle, each puppy is a world. As with all hybrid breeds, the same "rules" cannot be established regarding what dogs of that breed are like or how they behave, something that is usually done with pure breeds. This is the case of the schnoodle, because, depending on which of the parent breeds is genetically predominant, the characteristics of the puppies vary considerably.
In general terms, it can be said that schnoodle puppies are active and energetic, something totally normal and normal in most dogs during this stage. Therefore, we must be prepared for endless hours of games before our puppy is completely exhausted.
The shyness of this breed also stands out, which is why early socialization of the schnoodle is essential. To do this, it is best to expose them from a very young age to different environments, as well as to different people and animals. This way we will help them overcome their shyness and be more extroverted
Schnoodle Character
Schnoodles have a very mild temperament. These are some incredibly friendly dogs, who don't skimp when it comes to showing their affection to those around them. They are very active, so they love to play, jump and run all the time, something we can use to teach them fun games or agility courses. We can even practice water games with them, as they love water.
In addition, they are extremely intelligent, a characteristic they inherit from the poodle. This trait combined with their highly developed curiosity makes them excellent learners, as we will see when discussing their training. They are dogs that will definitely do anything to please those they love, always trying to make others happy, something they perceive in a surprising way, as they are sensitive and very intuitive.
Without a doubt, the temperament of the schnoodle stands out for uniting the most positive traits of the parent breeds. However, this does not mean that they cannot develop certain destructive behaviors, as happens precisely with poodles and schnauzers, if they do not receive the attention they need or proper education.
Schnoodle care
The schnoodle dog, as we have mentioned, is particularly active, so he needs to exercise daily If he does not channel all the energy he wastes in a he althy way, such as playing, walking or running, this energy may turn into restlessness. This can become a problem, as the schnoodle can suffer from disorders such as anxiety or even show destructive behavior if a minimum of activity is not maintained.
On the other hand, and continuing with the care of the schnoodle, we must give it a quality food, adjusted to its nutritional and energy needs and in the right amount. If you don't know how much food you should give your dog, this interesting article may serve as a reference: "Amount of daily food for dogs".
As for his coat, it will need at least 3-4 weekly brushings, being better to do it daily. This is important, because given the characteristics of the schnoodle's hair, if it is not brushed it tends to get tangled and dirty. In addition, we are dealing with a dog that does not shed its hair, for this reason it is a perfect dog for allergy sufferers, so it will be necessary to visit the dog groomer to remove the accumulated dead hair. Likewise, baths should not be frequent, limited to those circumstances in which they are essential.
Schnoodle education
When we try to train a dog of the schnoodle breed, we will be surprised by the ease with which they can learn. This is explained by the characteristics mentioned above, as they are very bold dogs and eager to learn because they are very curious. In addition, a key piece is added to all this: his desire to please his humans. For all these reasons, if they notice that doing such a thing makes us happy, they will not hesitate to do it.
With the dogs of this hybrid breed they work especially well techniques based on positive reinforcement Whether in the form of a treat, a caress or Simply warm and loving words, rewards have a great effect on them and their learning. As we say, they are dogs that love to please their owners, which is why this type of training technique works even better with them than with the rest. Of course, it is essential to be constant, because if we do not set a work schedule or do not comply with it, no matter how intelligent they are, they will not finish learning everything we want to teach them. Likewise, the sessions should be short, 15 minutes maximum, so as not to bore the dogs with exercises that are too long.
On the other hand, we must emphasize that techniques based on punishment or shouting are never adequate, neither to educate a schoondle nor to train any other dog. These methods only generate frustration, fear, stress and anxiety in the animals.
Finally, as part of the education of the schnoodle, it is very important to socialize it correctly To do this, some relevant details are: start as early as possible, expose them to different environments, get them used to being in contact with different people, both known and unknown, get them to know other dogs and animals, keeping their distance and not forcing them into contact. However, if you have adopted an adult schnoodle you should know that you can also socialize it by following the advice in this article: "How to socialize an adult dog?".
Schnoodle he alth
The schnoodle can exhibit some of the conditions typical of both parent breeds. However, it has been shown that the diseases that usually affect poodles and schnauzers, although they can attack schnoodles, do so in a much smaller proportion, and are also less serious in most cases.
Some of the diseases that schnoodles suffer from are those that refer to the hearing apparatus This is due to the anatomy of their ears which, combined with their special coat in that area, makes the ear of these dogs very exposed to fungal and bacterial infections. For this reason, it is vital to check the schnoodle's ears frequently, cleaning and exploring them. We must also be attentive to whether symptoms of pain and illness appear, such as crying, continuous tilting of the head to one side, pain to the touch or even aggressiveness.
It is important that we keep our pet protected against as many diseases as possible. To do this, it is best to vaccinate him when he is a puppy and follow the recommendations of the veterinarian. In the same way, it is important to keep them dewormed both internally and externally.
If we give the schnoodle all the care it needs, it is estimated that the life expectancy of schnoodles is between 12 and 15 years.
Adopting a schnoodle: what to consider and where to do it
If after meeting these little ones you have decided to make one of them part of your family, you have to take into account some considerations. To begin with, you have to be very sure that you can deal with the upbringing, in case you adopt a puppy, and the maintenance of the animal before even considering how and when to adopt it. In addition, it must be taken into account that an animal feels and suffers and that it can get sick when least expected. Therefore, you must be willing to take care of him in case he falls ill, adopting the necessary medical measures even if they are expensive or laborious.
To continue, you must always take into consideration the particular characteristics of the animal to be adopted. In this case, as we have already mentioned, we are dealing with an energetic and lively breed This, which is adorable for many, can be inconvenient for others, so You have to consider that these dogs need daily physical activity.
If, taking into account all the needs of the schnoodle, you decide to adopt one of them, it is best to go to animal associations and sheltersof your area. I'm sure they can help you find your long-awaited companion.
