Schnauzer Poodle Mix (Schnoodle): History, Appearances, Temperament, Grooming, Training, and More!

Originating in the second half of the last century, the Schnauzer Poodle mix, also known as Schnoodles, are designer dogs developed by the crossbreeding of Schnauzer and Poodle. They inherit the most sought-after looks and demeanors from their parents. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, just like both of their parent breeds, and have a fantastic sense of smell.

Schnoodle Parent Breeds

Bot parent breeds of Schnoodles are quite popular among dog lovers—where Poodles are ranked as the 6^th most popular dog breed in the U.S., Schnauzers are in the 19^th position, according to the AKC.

The Schnoodles parents—Schnauzer and Poodle—originated in Germany around the 15^th century and are classified as German dog breeds. The former was bred as guard dogs and vermin catchers, making one think they must be aggressive dogs. However, they are friendly and loving, especially with the children. The latter was also bred for hunting, but their role diversified, and they gradually became a popular pet choice.

Because of their soaring popularity, Poodles are crossbred with other dog breeds to create interesting dog mixes. You can find poodle mixes like Borderdoodle, Irish Doodle, Great Danoodle, Aussiedoodle, Yorkipoo, Cavoodle, etc. Both Poodles and Schnauzers are known for their hypoallergenic status, and thus their mix is one of the most popular hypoallergenic dog mixes.

Now that you have familiarized yourself with its parent dog breeds, let’s move on to Schnoodles.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Breed Overview

Characteristics of the Schnauzer Poodle Mix

Schnoodle Appearance

The Schnauzer Poodle mix dogs have strong bodies with round heads, upon which they have almond-shaped eyes, hanging ears, and a short muzzle with a black nose on it.

The Schnoodle dogs are somewhat unique because of the variety of colors they have. Mostly, they are black or gray. Other common colors include white, brown, red, and sable. They can also either have a solid appearance or a spotted (particolored). So, like Parti Yorkies, you can have particolored (tri-colored Schnoodles as well.

The size and weight of the Schnoodle dogs depend upon that of their parents. For instance, if one parent happens to be the Giant Schnauzer, the resultant Schnoodle will also be large in size and weight. Based on this variation, the Schnauzer Poodle mix breed can be divided into three sizes:

1. Toy Schnoodles
2. Miniature Schnoodles
3. Standard Schnoodles

Schnoodles Growth

All three types of Schnoodles that are discussed above have different growth rates. Similarly, they reach their full size at different ages. The following chart will illustrate the difference clearly:

Schnoodle	Height (inches)	Weight (pounds)	Age of Full Growth (months)
Toy	10 to 12	4 to 10	6 to 7
Miniature	12 to 15	10 to 20	7 to 10
Standard	15 to 20	20 to 60	12 to 18

Schnoodle History

Though some conflicting opinions exist, the first appearance of the Schnauzer Poodle mix breed is believed to have occurred in Minnesota in the United States during the 1980s. The breed was designed to form a hypoallergenic dog mix that shed very little and make good companions with intelligence inherited from its parents.

The Schnoodles have gained popularity over time, and many celebrities have them as pets. However, no club is currently dedicated specifically to this hybrid dog breed. And like most hybrid dog breeds, they are not recognized by the AKC.

Did You Know?

The American actors Dakota Fanning and Claire Danes own a Schnauzer Poodle mix.

Schnoodle Personality and Temperament

The Schnauzer Poodle mix dogs inherit desirable characteristics from both of their parents—they are highly intelligent, cuddly, and loyal. Schnoodle is overall a happy dog breed—they love their owners and like to tail them around the house. Their high energy and love for owners are always up for interactive family activities like good companion dogs. Taking car rides and playing fetch are their favorite activities. 

Schnoodles are highly social dogs. They love to play around with children, but you should never leave them alone unsupervised with children, especially if your Schnoodle is of medium or large size. That said, when it comes to strangers—humans or dogs—they are not much welcoming. But with early socialization, they can learn to develop good relationships with other pets.

These dogs also have some undesirable dispositions. To begin with, they are fond of digging and barking. These destructive tendencies are exacerbated when they are not getting ample mental and physical stimulation. In such cases, you may observe your dog barking at nothing or being aggressive to cats—if you got in your home. Likewise, they are prone to separation anxiety as well. But puppy crating can help your dog cat take refuge in his crate whenever he is feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Calming dog treats can also be a great way to calm an anxious dog.  

While training, they can often become stubborn; nevertheless, they are not as stubborn as their parent breeds. Dog treats like dog biscuits can help you keep your Schnoodle puppy focused on training.

They are friendly towards all, but they do need socialization training and exposure to different people, environments, and places from an early age. Besides, their affection can be limited to certain people—they might end up loving a few people of the family more than the rest.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Diet

How much you should feed your Schnoodle is directly dependent on his size and weight. A rule of thumb is that the Schnoodles weighing up to 20 lbs. need three quarters to one cup of high-quality dog food daily, and the dogs weighing less than that should be, consequently, fed a lesser amount. You should also divide the quantity into two different meals daily rather than feeding your dog at once.

The Schnoodles should have a balanced diet rich in protein, carbs, fiber, and vitamins. It is, therefore, recommended to have a look at the ingredients label before purchasing any food.

Since Schnoodle dogs can have both sedentary and active lifestyles, you should choose the food type carefully. Go for food items with less energy if your dog is lazy while choosing energy-rich meals if he is an active dog. Likewise, due to their vulnerability to skin dryness, you should make sure that your dog is getting enough essential fatty acids. You can also try offering dog chew treats to your dog for healthy skin.

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The Schnoodles are foodie dogs and thus prone to overeating. Therefore, you should be careful about your caloric intake. To check if he is obese, regularly perform the overweight test: move your fingers over his ribs, and if you cannot feel them, you need to cut on his caloric intake

Schnoodle Coat

The Schnauzer Poodle mix dogs can have different types of coats. While some Schnoodles inherit their Schnauzer parents’ double coat (wiry upper coat and soft undercoat), others inherit Poodle coat—single but dense and curly. They can also have a mix of these coats. Like their parent breeds, Schnoodles are also classified as curly-haired dogs.

Are Schnoodles Hypoallergenic?

Like most Poodle crossbreeds, Schnoodles are considered a hypoallergenic dog mix. They shed very little, and the hair that they even shed get tangled in their curly-haired coat, making them earn their spot on the list of dog breeds that don’t shed. Moreover, they have very little dander that is responsible for triggering most pet allergies. OS, if you have pet allergies and have been looking for a big hypoallergenic dog breed, you can have a Giant Schnoodle. And if you have a thing for small dog breeds, you can find yourself a small Schnoodle. They come in all sizes except teacup.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Grooming

Coat

To maintain the dapper looks and health of your Schnoodle, you will have to meet his grooming requirements.

In general, you can maintain your dog’s coat by:

1. Bathing him twice a month. However, you can also bathe him just whenever he is dirty.
2. Brushing their coats a few times a week to keep them free of tangles and matts.
3. Preferring a professional groomer to trim the hair rather than doing it yourself.

Teeth

Brushing your Schnoodle’s teeth twice or rice a week can be highly beneficial for his dental health as well as oral hygiene. Nonetheless, it will be better to increase the frequency.

Nails

If your dog makes a clicking sound while walking, it means his nails are too long and need to be trimmed. To avoid any complication in this regard, adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Regular trimming of nails is important not just for good paw looks but also because long nails are hurtful for the Schnoodles.
2. Use a good nail cutter and a nail grinder to avoid overcutting.
3. Use dog styptic powder if nail trimming results in bleeding.

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Other Schnoodle Grooming Tips

1. They can develop reddish-brown tear stains. Hence, frequent face washing is recommended. You should also be observant of the signs of dog eye infection in your Schnoodle.
2. Schnoodles can develop hair inside their ears which can cause infection. You should, therefore, remove them regularly.
3. Remove the hair around the dog’s genital area. It can avoid the buildup of poo and pee stains on the body and smell.
4. Start grooming your Schnoodle as early as possible to avoid resistance when he grows up.

Schnoodle Exercise Requirements

Due to their high energy levels, the Schnoodles need a lot of physical and mental exercise. However, just as in the case of dietary needs, the duration of exercise every day varies according to their size: short daily walks are enough for the small Schnoodles, while the larger ones need an hour of active physical activity.  

As discussed earlier, the Schnoodle dogs that do not get enough physical exercise or mental stimulation often exhibit destructive behaviors. If you are not able to take your Schnauzer Poodle Mix for a walk on a daily basis, consider other indoor games such as ball fetching and frisbee. Because of their excellence in dog sports, you may also try dog agility training.

Given their high intelligence, they get bored pretty easily, and thus you should never leave them alone for a long time. If you have to leave them alone, make sure they have ample interactive dog toys to keep themselves busy. 

Schnoodle Training

Thanks to the high intelligence of its parent breeds, Schnoodle is one of the smartest dog breeds. So training them is quite easier as they can easily understand what is being asked of them. However, they are also independent, which can make them act stubborn during training sessions, especially when training sessions are longer, or you are not being generous with treats.

They can easily learn basic commands like sit, spin, down, etc., within days. You can also teach your Schnoodle how to roll over and many other enhanced dog tricks.

For training sessions to be successful, you should start with your dog’s early age and always reward him when he does a good job. If your Schnoodle is experiencing weight problems, you can try different ways to train a dog without treats.

Although Schnoodles are very social, you should consider imparting socialization training to your dog. Moreover, you should build his focus so that he is not distracted by anything.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Health Issues

Inheriting from their parent breeds, the Schnoodle dogs are prone to some diseases related to the brain, eyes, joints, and stomach. However, the chances of such occurrences might be lower due to genetic diversity.

Health Issue	Cause	Signs and Symptoms	Cure
Seborrhea	Too much production of keratin. The disease can be either primary (genetic) or secondary (due to different health issues).	Dry and dull coat Dandruff Oily skinItching	Treating the underlying causes Frequent bathing Anti-seborrhea dog shampoos
Patellar Luxation	The displacement of the patella (kneecap) from its normal position. The disease is graded between I and IV based on severity.	Limping in dog Inability to bend the knee Refusing physical activities Swelling in joints	Surgery
Canine Hyperlipidemia	Postprandial hyperlipidemia Medication-induced hyperlipidemia Hereditary hyperlipidemia Secondary or acquired hyperlipidemia	Vomiting and diarrhea Pancreatitis Lipids accumulation on the cornea Skin abnormalities	Low-fat diet Physical activities
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)	The photoreceptor cell in the eye decays. It is an inherited disease.	Loss of night vision, followed by complete blindness Hazy eyeballs Eyes turn greyish Enlarged pupil	No effective treatment is available
Cataracts	The eye lens becomes cloudy. It is mostly inherited.	Change in eye color Cloudy pupil Refusing to jump Scratching eyes	Surgery
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease	The head of the femur degenerate. The exact cause is unknown.	Limping Pain Muscle loss around the affected joint	Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) Surgery Medication Therapy
Epilepsy	It is an inherited disease, and the exact cause is unknown.	Collapsing Muscle twitching Drooling Foaming in mouth	Medication
Diabetes Mellitus	Too little or no production of insulin.	Excessive thirst and appetite Weight loss Increased urination	Insulin injections Exercise
Addison’s Disease	The destruction of adrenal tissues due to immunity problems. Other health complications can also lead to Addison’s disease.	Depression Lethargy Lack of appetite Vomiting and diarrhea Bloody stool	The disease is not curable. However, the following can help: Medication Replacement hormones
Bloating	The filling of stomach with gas and fluid.	Restlessness Dilated abdomen Drooling Collapsing	Surgery Medication

Why You Should get a Schnauzer Poodle Mix?

Following are the reasons why the Schnoodles make great dogs:

They Come in a Variety of Colors and Sizes

Dog lovers have a variety of colors and sizes to choose from when it comes to adopting a Schnoodle puppy. You can have a small, medium, or Giant Schnoodle in a variety of colors.

Schnoodles are Hypoallergenic Dogs

Though Schnauzer Poodle mix dogs are not completely hypoallergenic—no dog is—but they shed very little and have very little dander, so they are considered a great choice for people with allergies.

They Are Good for Children

Schnoodles make great family dogs as they get along well with children. They like to play with children, but it is advised that you don’t leave them alone with small children unsupervised, especially if you have a Giant Schnoodle. You should also provide them early socialization training just to keep any mishap at bay.  

Great Choice for Apartment Dwellers

Despite their high energy levels, Schnoodles can quickly and easily adapt to the apartment or condo lifestyle, provided they get adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation.

They Love to Cuddle

Large or small, the Schnauzer Poodle mix dogs are great at cuddling—they are very enthusiastic about cuddling. Upon that, the soft fur they have makes it extra fun to fondle them.

Why You Shouldn’t Get a Schnauzer Poodle Mix?

The reasons why Schnoodles can be undesirable are:

They Suffer from Separation Anxiety

When left alone for long periods, Schnoodles experience separation anxiety. They eventually become bored, which changes their behavior significantly, and they might become more vocal and start barking excessively, though they are not too noisy in general.

They Have Digging Instincts

Schnoodles love digging, which can easily be controlled with early training and by providing productive ways to expend pent-up energy. However, if your dog is not getting ample exercise, he will start digging into pillows and whatever he can get his paws on.