Schnoodle

Schnoodle
A 2-year-old male.
Foundation stock	Poodle, Schnauzer
Dog (domestic dog)

A Schnoodle is a small domestic dog. It is a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle, and Schnoodle is a portmanteau word combining the two breed names.

Appearance

A one year old female Schnoodle

Poodles come in five different sizes, Standard, Medium, Miniature and Toy, or three sizes, Standard, Miniature, and sibstancial

and Toy, depending on where they are registered. Schnauzers, come in three sizes, Standard Schnauzer (the original), Giant, and Miniature. The Schnoodle is usually a cross of the smaller sizes.  7  - 16 pounds is typically the size implied when an owner speaks of a Schnoodle, but a puppy buyer must visit the breeder's kennel and see the parents to get an idea of the adult size of their Schnoodle.

A Schnoodle puppy can take on the coat characteristics of either breed, such as developing the rough meat and coarse/wiry hair of the Schnauzer, the softer hair of the Poodle, or any intermediary coat. Some schnoodles develop coarser Schnauzer-like hair on certain parts of the body (most notably the back) with other softer Poodle-like areas. When the Schnauzer is the dominate breed, the fur will have less of the curl from the poodle fur. The beard will also be more noticeable (poodles also have a beard but it is usually shaved off.) Schnoodle colors include black, white, brown, grey and apricot (A caramel color). Multi-colored dogs can include "phantom," which takes on the coloring of a doberman, black & white, sable or parti. Seeing the parents will give an idea of the colors to expect.

See the articles on Poodle and Schnauzer for an idea of the range of sizes, coats and colors.

Hybrid status and recognition

Schnoodles are first-generation crosses, with two purebred parents, one a Poodle and the other a Schnauzer.. According to Newsweek, Schnoodles are "rising to canine stardom"

The Schnoodle is listed with minor kennel clubs and other organizations that require little documentation or that specialize in crossbreeds (although the groups more fashionably call the dogs hybrids.) Major national kennel clubs can only register dogs as one breed, and dogs are registered with major kennel clubs so as to provide a record for future breeding. The Schnoodle is two breeds, and is not usually bred, in order to increase genetic diversity in their relatively small population. Therefore, Schnoodles are not registered with major national kennel clubs such as the Canadian Kennel Club. As with other crosses, the popularity of Schnoodles has led to a rise in puppy mills selling the breed.

Coat care

File:Lucky schnoodle.jpg

Cross between a Miniature Schnauzer and Poodle.

A puppy can take on the coat characteristics of either breed, such as developing the rough and coarse/wiry hair of the Schnauzer, the softer hair of the Poodle, or any intermediary coat. Some schnoodles develop coarser Schnauzer-like hair on certain parts of the body (most notably the back) with other softer Poodle-like areas. Schnoodle colors include black, white, brown, grey and apricot. Multi-colored dogs can include "phantom," which takes on the coloring of a doberman, black & white, sable or parti. These dogs do not shed and are great pets. They are not too small but do not grow that big. Sometimes the dogs' hair will have some gray in it if the mother was white. It will look gray if the dogs are black.

Puppies in the same litter may have differing coat qualities and may or may not exacerbate allergies. Their fur does not shed like other breeds, but grows more like human hair. This requires weekly brushing and grooming every 2 to 3 months to ensure matting does not become an issue. There is no certain "breed" cut for a schnoodle; most dogs receive a general groom (with, say, a #7 shears) with rounded or squared-off (for a more terrieresque look) semi-long hair left on the face.

Hypoallergenic coats

Schnoodles have become more popular as individuals are looking for companion animals that are hypoallergenic, and train easily. Because both poodles and schnauzers are hypoallergenic, or non-shedding, they are guaranteed to have a hypoallergenic coat.

Health and Behavior

A 4-month old Schnoodle.

Like poodles, some schnoodles will develop a large amount of in-the-ear hair. This must be removed by a vet or groomer to prevent fairly persistent ear infections that result. Like both the poodle and schnauzer, the schnoodle may require expression of the anal glands a couple times per year; a vet or groomer can perform this service. It is also a good idea to clean the discharge from under a schnoodle's eyes in order to minimize tear-staining, particularly on animals with a white coat.

Since Schnoodles are directly bred from the intelligent poodle, as well as the intelligent schnauzer, schnoodles are commonly a very intelligent breed. They are often easy to train as long as they have motivation and are constantly challenged. They need a structured living situation or else their intelligence might become overwhelming and they will learn how to control situations. Schnoodles are great family pets and are excellent with children of all ages. They are also very playful and athletic and typically have high energy levels.

See also

• Hypoallergenic dog breed
• Poodle hybrids (meaning crossbred dogs, not Poodles bred with foxes or other canids)
• Genetics (basic diagrams of inheritance)

External links

• Doodle Rescue Collective Inc