![]() ![]() For Schnoodle-owning families going out to work during the day, hiring a dog walker or reserving a space in a good doggy day care centre is a must. With their inherited instinct to protect their people and property, they are vigilant, and very noisy, guard dogs, and nuisance barking can be an issue, particularly in those left alone for prolonged periods. In general, Schnoodles are great with children, though again, it must be stressed that some can have the spark of a headstrong Schnauzer, and may not tolerate the poking and prodding that can come from a young child. Given the chance, most will spend a lot of time lying on their owners’ laps or feet for the comfort and contact this provides. They are also known for being very dextrous, using their front paws to manipulate objects in much the same way as a cat. They are fun-loving, and most have a range of “go-to” tricks they will perform to grab the limelight if they feel they are being ignored. Schnoodles are very affectionate dogs that love to be the centre of attention. Though it was never intended to be a working dog, most Schnoodles are excellent guard dogs, showing the Schnauzer’s naturally territorial behaviour, along with a tendency to bark – sometimes excessively. It was hoped by the original breeders of the Schnoodle that mixing the two breeds would create the ideal pet, and in many cases, it does. ![]() Detractors of the Schnauzer will point to its stubbornness and sometimes excessively territorial behaviour, while those that are not fans of the Poodle cite its highly strung, excitable nature as a flaw. The contrasting and potentially complementary personalities of the two parent breeds also make for a good marriage. The Schnoodle first made an appearance in the 1980s, and has always been one of the more popular designer breeds, possibly because of the range of shapes and sizes it can come in. However, whatever the initial reasoning behind their development, there is no denying the good nature and steady temperaments that most of these crosses display, and some of my favourite cross-breeds over the years have been doodles of one form or another. Personally, I think the fact that “-doodle” can be attached with ease to many breed names has also played a part! Labradoodles, Dalmadoodles, and Mastidoodles are just some of the hybrids I come across on a regular basis. ![]() ![]() There has always been a lot of interest in Poodle crosses the breed’s great intelligence is widely known, and its low-shedding, low-dandruff coat is thought by many to be hypoallergenic – though this would be disputed by doctors and immunologists. That said, the “average” Schnoodle is healthier than the average member of the parent breeds, and most have a life expectancy of around 15 years. Anyone thinking of buying a designer dog needs to be aware of any potential health concerns, and to be at least as scrupulous when choosing a breeder as they would be when buying a purebred puppy. While cross-breeding can produce healthier offspring than the parent breeds, this is not universally the case, as the genetic lottery means that pups can inherit many of the health problems afflicting the pedigrees. Many individuals do not do well when separated from their owners, and will need to be enrolled in doggy day care if there is nobody at home for long periods during the day. The Schnoodle is quite an active dog, and needs plenty of exercise, and its high level of intelligence means it needs near-constant contact with its people and plenty of mental stimulation. When somebody tells me they are bringing a Schnoodle into my clinic, I’m never sure whether I’m about to meet a tiny wire-haired creature, or something soft and fluffy that deserves its own postcode! In addition, the coats of the two breeds could scarcely be more different. In the case of the Schnoodle, perhaps more so than any other hybrid, appearance can vary enormously, for both of its parent breeds come in three distinct flavours: toy, miniature, and standard in the case of the Poodle, and miniature, standard, and giant for the Schnauzer. However, cross-breeding is always a gamble, and one can never be quite sure of the outcome in terms of looks and temperament. The best examples of the Schnoodle exhibit these characteristics, while not being as headstrong as the Schnauzer nor as excitable as the Poodle. While the Schnauzer is renowned for its loyalty and fiercely protective nature, the Poodle is a fun-loving and extremely clever dog. They are a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle, and with luck, inherit the best features of both. Schnoodles are one of the growing number of “designer dogs” we commonly see in veterinary practice. ![]()
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