Why You Should Consider Adopting a Schnoodle
If you’re looking into dog adoption, here’s why you should consider adopting a schnoodle. These hypoallergenic teddy bears make excellent family dogs, they’re incredibly affectionate, easily adapt to homes that already have other animals, and they come in varying sizes so you can adopt the schnoodle–whether it be a giant schnoodle or a miniature schnoodle–that’s the perfect size for you and your family.
What Is a Schnoodle?
The schnoodle breed is a schnauzer-poodle mix that started growing in popularity around 2006. They’re well-known and admired for being a low-shed, hypoallergenic dog breed, and their teddy bear qualities aren’t just a sweet way to show they’re affectionate; it’s also because the schnoodle breed actually looks like big teddy bears! There’s a lot to love about the schnoodle breed, from their personality to their energy levels, right down to their incredible intelligence.
What a Schnoodle Looks Like
This sweet schnauzer-poodle mix is known for its athletic, lean build, round fluffy head, and muzzle that resembles its Schnauzer parent. Using their long lashes to their benefit, it’ll be hard not to hand out extra treats to those little hazel-eyed dogs. When it comes to their ears, it’s possible to find schnoodles that take after poodles, with long floppy ears. It’s also just as likely that you’ll find a more schnauzer-typical ear that stands up and folds down in the middle.
Schnoodle Personalities
When you start scanning your local rescue group websites to adopt a dog, you want to make sure you get the puppy or older dog that will fit well with your lifestyle and your family’s lifestyle. If you’re starting to consider being a schnoodle owner, you’ll be picking a mixed-breed dog that has the robustness and the energy of a schnauzer, and the fun personality and knack for learning that come with a poodle mix. These sweet and versatile dogs are going to need someone to play with them regularly and provide lots of attention.
Family Dogs
This Teddy Bear breed has a friendly personality that is famously great with children and most other animals. Schnoodle temperament is especially nice because it means you don’t have to worry about integrating them into your family with difficulty. These peppy family dogs love to be affectionate, are wicked smart, and are a great choice as the first dog for children.
Active Lifestyles
One thing to keep in mind is that when you adopt a Schnoodle, you’re also getting a puppy or an older dog that likes to be active and has quite a bit of energy. That’s not to say that they need to be run and worked like some of the more famous cattle herding breeds, but schnoodles do love to play and go on walks and jogs with their people. There’s also the added perk of them being incredibly friendly, making them an even better walking companion. If you’re considering adopting a schnoodle, be sure to set aside time to move with them. Otherwise, they might get bored and start acting out in destructive ways. Boredom in dogs can look like chewing on shoes or furniture, scratching up floors and carpets, and excessive howling or barking.
Fun & Games
Schnoodles are incredibly smart, and they enjoy playing games and being challenged. Activities like teaching them to communicate with you through recorded push-buttons, how to rollerblade together, and playing frisbee in the park are going to be an essential part of keeping your new schnoodle puppy active, happy, and healthy.
Companion Dogs
While this dog is an excellent breed for families with children, schnoodles aren’t just meant for large families. Schnoodles are also amazing companions for single-family homes and two-family households as well. Their affectionate and vibrant personalities also make them great candidates for becoming certified therapy dogs or emotional support animals (ESA). Think a schnoodle would be a good fit for you? Talk to your therapist about how owning an emotional support animal can help improve your mental and emotional health.
The History of Schnoodles
The history of the breeds that make up schnoodles really says a lot about why they work for so many different kinds of people and households.
Schnauzers originated from Germany and were bred to be active and friendly dogs that were great companions for farmers, hunters, and sheepherders. Poodles came from Germany as well, but can also be found tracing back to France. They were trained as bird dogs for hunters, but their ability to adjust quickly to new environments and working conditions also made them excellent companions.
Schnoodles really are the best of both breeds, and their ability to acclimate to routines, homes, and family styles makes the question of adopting one a no-brainer.
The Different Kinds of Schnoodles
Another great reason to consider adopting a schnoodle is that they come in a variety of sizes and colors, meaning you can find the one that fits your home and your lifestyle perfectly.
Sizing
The size of your schnoodle will depend on its parents. Let’s break it down into the two breeds that make up the schnoodle; the schnauzer and the poodle. A miniature schnauzer can weigh around 12lbs, whereas the giant schnauzer can weigh up to 110lbs. Then you get into the poodles; a toy poodle weighs in at around 5lbs and a standard poodle can go up to 70lbs, with a miniature poodle ranging between the two.
If your family is looking for a puppy that will grow into a larger dog, the giant schnoodle is what they should adopt. A giant schnoodle would come from a giant schnauzer and the standard poodle. These larger schnoodles can weigh up to 80lbs. If that sounds like too much dog for your home, keep an eye out for the standard-size schnoodle which will stay roughly between 10lbs and 20lbs.
Coloring
Schnoodles come in lots of different color combinations. With their schnauzer-poodle background, schnoodles come in a variety of unique looks and can be solid-colored and even spotted. The most common color combinations of schnoodles include brown, grey, black, and white.
Coat
The coat of a schnoodle is dependent on the parent it took after. Some schnoodle dogs may have a more schnauzer-like wavy or even straight coat, and other schnoodle breeds may have the soft curls that poodles are known for.
Schnoodle Grooming Needs
While schnoodles may not shed much at all, they still need to be groomed. Their coat is quite curly, and if you don’t get it groomed, it can get to be quite long and risk matting. Long hair does require more maintenance as it has a tendency to pick up dirt, prickly burrs, and critters.
Luckily, most dog groomers are quite experienced in working with poodle mixes, so finding someone who is qualified to work on a dog breed like a schnoodle shouldn’t be too difficult. After a bath, a trim, and a brush, your schnoodle puppy will be good as new.
It is recommended that you bathe and take your schnoodle in about once a month for a trim to keep their coats shiny, free from shedding, and mitigate any potential matting spots. Some areas to keep an eye on and watch for possible irritation are their eyes and ears.
Schnoodle Life Expectancy
Of course, when it comes to finding a companion dog, you usually plan to have them in your life for a considerable amount of time. Schnoodles are no different and can be expected to live from 10 to 15 years. However, this will depend on what size you adopt. A giant schnoodle, like most larger dog breeds, will have a longer life expectancy than a toy or mini schnoodle.
Common Health Issues
This sweet Teddy Bear breed is actually considerably healthy! The most common health issues for schnoodles are going to be skin problems like Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome. Other health issues that could potentially arise are Patellar Luxation and High Cholesterol.
Similar to how humans get blackheads or acne, dogs can get Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome. These little lesions are very manageable and can be easily treated with special shampoos, antiseptic wipes, and antibiotics should they ever become infected.
Patellar Luxation is a common orthopedic condition seen in dogs and essentially means a dislocated knee cap.
High Cholesterol in dogs is also called Canine Hyperlipidemia. Keep an eye on your schnoodle’s fat consumption and they should be just fine.
What to Feed Your Schnoodle
An interesting fact to know about schnoodles is that their teeth grow very quickly and need to have their teeth brushed on a regular basis. But another way to keep your schnoodle breed happy, healthy, and orally well is keeping them to a good diet.
Luckily, their diet is pretty standard, and schnoodles will thrive on high-quality dry dog food. When you are shopping for the perfect food for your puppy, be sure to look for a kibble with no fillers or overly processed ingredients. Keeping your schnoodle on a scheduled meal plan will help keep them strong and at a healthy weight, as will lots of fresh water and exercise. Figuring out how much to feed your dog will depend on the food you decide on and is a great question to ask your veterinarian.
Adopting a Schnoodle
Rehoming a dog is always a great option as you start your search for a new dog. Check out your local shelters and see about adopting a rescue schnoodle. Many older schnoodles are listed as being a “poodle mix” or a “schnauzer mix” at shelters and rescue centers.
Online Adoption – Schnoodle Shelters and Rescues
If you’re having a hard time finding a schnoodle in your local shelter, there are many rescues with websites that specifically rescue schnoodles, schnauzers, and poodles that will also have mixed breed dogs up for adoption.
- New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue Network
- Maple Creek Miniature Schnauzer Rescue serves Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
- Schnauzer Love Rescue serves several southern states from Alabama to Florida.
- Schnauzer Rescue of the Mid-Atlantic serves Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
- Sheree’s Dog Rescue is based in Texas but allows for out-of-state adoptions, and they focus on rescuing smaller-sized schnoodles.
Questions to Ask During Adoption
It’s important to ask lots of questions when you go in to adopt a dog. Ask about their personality, if they get along well with other animals and kids, or if they have any specific dietary or medical needs. Talk about what questions you want to ask with your family as well, and consider what kind of activities your kids would like to do with your new schnoodle.
Some rescue dogs may be a little scared at first, so asking the rescue you’re working with how receptive they are to being touched is a great question to ask. Other things to consider and ask about are your new family member’s sleeping arrangements, if they’re crate trained, if they’re spayed/neutered, and whether or not they’re up to date on all their vaccinations.
Adoption Medical Records
Something incredibly helpful that you can get when you go to rescue a dog is a record of all of their medical exams, shots, and tests. You’ll usually be able to see when they were last dewormed, given flea or tick medication, any previous pregnancies, microchip information, and sometimes even potential allergies.
When the exciting moment comes where you finally get to start meeting schnoodles, be sure to check the dog’s eyes and ears for any gunk or discharge. Listen for any coughs and wheezing as well. If you’re looking to adopt a puppy, be especially sure to check that they’re vaccinated against parvo (canine parvovirus) and ask if they’ve been exposed to any dogs with kennel cough.
Training Your Schnoodle
These lovable, bright, and sociable dogs make amazing long-term companions, even for dog-owners suffering from allergies and asthma. It’s highly encouraged that you take full advantage of your schnoodle’s intelligence and train their behaviors to not only keep them healthy but to also keep them away from destructive tendencies.
Behaviors like barking, separation anxiety, and being overly protective of their people can be learned early on and can be easily trainable if you set aside consistent time for training and exercise. If you have the time and the space for your schnoodle, you’ll have the perfect dog on your hands.
Fun Fact: Schnoodles tend to be very food-driven dogs. So, make sure to stock up on their favorite treats or kibble so that you have lots of food rewards to offer as you’re training. Remember that when it comes to training, consistency and reinforcing good behavior are going to be key! The more you stick with it, the better your schnoodle will be.
Struggling with Training
If you struggle with dog training, here are a few things that can be super helpful and make training a little easier.
Figure out what motivates your dog. Lots of dogs, and schnoodles in particular, tend to be food-motivated, but for some, a clicker and some belly rubs may be exactly what they need to know they’re doing a good job.
Remember that while schnoodles are very smart dogs that love a challenge, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Don’t forget to take breaks just to play and snuggle or even just to explore your neighborhood. Think about being a kid in school. Sitting still and learning is a hard thing to do when you’re a social creature that just wants to play! So set your schnoodle and yourself up for success by limiting your training time.
It’s also important to be mindful of your tone of voice. You don’t want to yell at your dog or let your frustration get the better of you. Training, whether you’re working with a puppy or an older dog, is going to be frustrating; but stick with it and learn to take it in stride. The time spent is well worth it!
Consider Adopting a Schnoodle
Adopting any dog is a huge responsibility, but it’s one that can bring you closer to your family, help with anxiety and loneliness, and they’re a great excuse to get outside more and take longer walks. That rewarding relationship continues for more than a decade.
Go over where you’re at financially and ask yourself if you have the money and space to take on this affectionate and energetic schnauzer-poodle mix. There are so many benefits to owning a schnoodle, and if you’ve got the time and the dedication to work with them, they can bring all kinds of joy to you and your family. Adopting a rescue dog really is one of the best things that you can offer an abandoned animal, and schnoodles are one of the sweetest breeds you’ll ever meet, so start making a plan to find your new fur-ever family member today.
