7 Questions About the Schnoodle Crossbreed Answered

The Schnoodle is a cross of a purebred Minature Schnauzer and a Poodle, also known as the Schnauzer Poodle Mix. The standard-sized Schnoodle is about 15 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing between 20 to 75 pounds. The lifespan of this crossbreed is around 13 to 17 years.

If you’ve never heard of the Schnoodle before, we answer your possible questions in this post. Then, you can decide for yourself if this breed is the one for you.

1. What is a Schnoodle?

It can resemble an Ewok from Star Wars, a bear cub or a cute stuffed animal that you held close as a child. The Schnoodle is no doubt a cutie. But its appearance, especially size, is unpredictable.

Since Schnauzers and Poodles come in varying sizes, this obviously affects Schnoodle offspring.

For Poodles, you have Toy, Miniature, and Standard. For the Schnauzer, you have Miniature, Standard, and Giant. Hence, the combinations mean endless size possibilities for the Schnoodle.

To date, there are three sizes associated with this hybrid:

• Toy Schnoodles can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and weigh up to 10 lbs (4 kg).
• Miniature Schnoodles can grow up to 15 inches (38 cm) tall and weigh up to 20 lbs (9 kg). These are most common.
• Standard Schnoodles can grow up to 26 inches (66 cm) tall and weigh up to 75 lbs (34kg)

The Schnoodle coat can vary as well. It is considered a low-dander, low-shedding breed since its parents are both hypoallergenic, but the texture varies from soft and curly like the Poodle to coarse and wiry like the Schnauzer.

Coat colors include black, white, brown, gray, apricot, sable and parti.

The parents hold the key to how a Schnoodle puppy might turn out. Let’s take a look at what they’ve got to offer genetically.

The Poodle is the smart & athletic one

You earn a heap of hype when you hold the status of being the second most intelligent canine of them all.

With smarts comes talent, and the Poodle has that in spades.  Agility, quick wit, the ability to learn quickly and obey commands makes it an impeccable show and therapy dog.

When it comes to temperament, it’s a devoted companion that loves to be around people. A friendly personality makes it coveted family dog, not to mention a favorite for those who suffer from allergies.

The Schnauzer is the watchdog

This whisker-faced cutie hailing from Germany is also above average when it comes to intelligence.

Bred to be a rat catcher and guard dog, it certainly displays protective qualities.

Extremely loyal, the Schnauzer will stick by your side and alert the family with a melodious bark if anything strange comes around. Sometimes, the barking tends to be a bit excessive, which can be annoying for some.

This breed has been known to become more attached to one particular individual in its household compared to other family members. This is a trait that has been noted in Schnoodles as well.

2. What is the Schnoodle’s Temperament Like?

If you’re looking for workout motivation to get that beach body or you need a friend that’s going to help you get your mind off the daily grind, then this is the dog for you.

When you’re feeling blue, she’ll make you giggle with what’s called “butt tucks” or the Schnoodle 500. This is a distinctive trick where they’ll run in a circle with their bottom popped up in the air.

If you see your Schnoodle pull this curious stunt, don’t think she’s gone mad. It means she is happy as can be and wants to play!

You can see “butt tucks” in action here:

Be aware that temperament can vary depending on the parents. They must be carefully selected or else the energetic Schnoodle can become unpredictable, destructive and difficult to control.

Without careful consideration when shopping for a Schnoodle and lack of training from a young age, the Schnoodle will dig up the yard when unsupervised or develop separation anxiety when you’re away at work.

3. Does This Crossbreed Do Well With Children?

Generally, the Schnoodle makes a wonderful family dog that loves to be around kids and other members of the family.

It can be suspicious of newcomers though, and that’s when the watchdog switches on and some barking might occur.

This is also true when it comes to other dogs. This crossbreed loves people, but it takes a little bit of socialization to be comfortable with friends of the four-legged variety.

4. What Training Works Best For a Schnoodle?

Come on, every dog breed has its quirks, and with the Schnoodle, it’s no different. With the intelligence, agility, and loyalty this dog has is enough to fill one’s heart to the brim. For the rest, well, there’s nothing like training to do the trick!

When training your Schnoodle, you’re going to want to start at a young age and stay consistent.

Crate training for calmness

Some dog owners are all for it. Others aren’t so convinced. The thought of confining your bundle of love to a cage can seem daunting. But, a cage can really do wonders for obedience and house-breaking if utilized the right way.

For Schnoodles, crate training helps curb watchdog tendencies and destructive behavior.

Here are 3 tips for successful crate training:

• Never leave a Schnoodle in her crate for long hours. Instead, develop a schedule. Use it to help her adapt to potty breaks, when guests come over or when you need to run a few errands.
• Dogs won’t defecate in a space they use to sleep and relax. Choose the right size crate to give your dog just enough space to move freely, but not to make a corner her own private toilet.
• Don’t use the crate as a form of punishment. You want your dog to seek out the crate as a place to de-stress and calm down.

Socialization to reduce barking

The Schnoodle gets her watchdog traits from the Schnauzer, but that doesn’t mean these are negative traits. They just need to be molded and shaped like clay.

Socialization will help control barking and overly skeptical behavior towards strangers.

This means taking your Schnoodle for walks in the park or to the dog park, where she can slowly get accustomed to being around other dogs and people.

When conditioned from puppy stage, socialization is easy. It just takes time and dedication on your part to keep up consistent exposure.

5. How Long is the Average Lifespan of a Schnoodle?

As mentioned above a Schnoodle has a long lifespan of 13 to 17 years. While this hybrid boasts longevity, it does have its fair share of health problems.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A degeneration of the retina that causes vision loss and blindness.
• Cataracts: A condition that impairs the lens of the eyes, causing vision impairment or blindness.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: Disintegration of the hip joint that leads to inflammation.
• Epilepsy: Seizures that result from an unknown cause.
• Patellar Luxation: Kneecap dislocation.
• Diabetes Mellitus: A disease in which the body suffers from a shortage of insulin.
• Addison’s Disease: A deficiency in the adrenal glands that affects cortisol and aldosterone production, affecting stress levels and the regulation of water in the body.
• Gastric Torsion: A disease in which the stomach bloats and twists around its short axis.

As with almost any dog, a healthy, balanced lifestyle with high-quality food and exercise is key to ensuring your Schnoodle lives its best life.

Pay attention to your dog’s size when it comes to feeding

As a rule of thumb, opt for 1 cup of dry food divided into two feedings a day for a Schnoodle weighing around 20 lbs (since that’s the most common size). If smaller or larger in size, increase or decrease the proportions accordingly.

Also, keep in mind that every dog is different and has varying dietary needs. If you are ever unsure about how to feed your dog, consult your veterinarian.

Schnoodles need their exercise

With all of that energy, Schnoodles need a healthy dose of exercise each day- at least 30 to 60 minutes.

Let her run around the yard or take her out for a jog on the beach. She’ll love being by your side as you both get some outdoor action.

6. Is the Schnoodle Hypoallergenic?

Once again, this depends on the genes that a Schnoodle’s parents decide to bless her with. Fortunately, since both are hypoallergenic, the odds of having a puppy with the same coat is promising.

Schnoodles need their fair share of grooming to keep that coat looking sleek. One to two brushings per week is a good guideline to follow.

7. How Much Does a Schnoodle Cost?

A Schnoodle can cost anywhere from $550 to $2,000.

That’s quite the broad range, but for good reason: puppy mills.

These breeders are blinded by fast cash and don’t give a hoot about the health of their puppies, let alone their parental backgrounds. The crushing influx of puppies to meet demand lowers prices.

Take your time when scouting out Schnoodle breeders. Always visit the premises and have questions ready to get information on the parents and health clearances

Adopting a Schnoodle

Go the good Samaritan route and look into adoption. There are homeless Schnoodles waiting to jump into your arms and shower you with kisses!

• Poo-Mix Rescue

Conclusion: Feeling the Schnoodle?

Bright, joyful and ready to play, the Schnoodle is a merry little dog that loves to be around people.

She comes from a top-notch mix that captures the Poodle’s intelligence and agility along with the Schnauzer’s loyalty and protectiveness.

Sometimes a Schnoodle can take that protectiveness and bark a bit too much, but that’s what training is for.

Overall, if you’re looking for companionship, a workout partner or a family friendly pet, then the Schnoodle makes a great choice.