A dog breed can arise for many reasons. Sometimes it is done by selecting a series of dogs with the same characteristics for centuries, but on other occasions two breeds are crossed to obtain the best of each and a new one emerges .
With the schnoodle we are having the luck of witnessing the birth of a breed “live”, something that is complicated, so much so that whenever we discuss the birth of one of them we have to go back centuries.
- Size : from 20 to 66 cm depending on the variety.
- Weight : from 3 kilos of the toy to 32 kilos of the giant.
- Hair type : long. It can be curly or hard.
- Character : affectionate and sociable.
- Health : iron thanks to the fact that it is a cross.
- Life expectancy : between 12 and 15 years
Origin of the Schnoodle
In this case we should not go back to Ancient Egypt or look for representations of the Middle Ages. Nor dive between several competing theories or take sides with one of the countries that claims to be the one that started breeding.
The origin of the schnoodle is very recent, contemporary with us, although it also has a certain aura of mystery, since the year in which someone thought of crossing a poodle with a schnauzer is unknown.
In fact, it is possible that this crossing was carried out by chance and then continued intentionally because someone liked the result, which is certainly good.
Right now it is being raised in many countries and although we are talking about breed, for the moment the FCI continues to consider it as a mestizo .
Despite this, it is possible that over the years and as the litters become more uniform, in the end this breed will be recognized as has happened with others, although we do not believe that its owners care much about the opinion of the Federation.
Schnoodle Features
The characteristics of this breed are very variable. We are talking about a mixed breed, so some specimens have a typology more similar to that of poodles and others to that of schnauzers .
Right now, although not all fans of this new breed admit this, it seems that the poodle size table is being copied and there are up to five types of schnoodle, although if we consult other sources they will tell us that there are three.
Both breeds have several well-differentiated sizes, three for the schnauzer and five for the poodle if we admit the existence of the toy, so obtaining dogs of different heights and weights has not been complicated.
In this way, we can find schnoodles with weights ranging from 30 to 3 kilos and in giant, medium, standard, miniature and toy sizes.
Its coat is strong in all varieties and its body is compact, something that comes from the schnauzer, as is its tail, which is long. As for the head, there is a clear proportion with the rest of the body.
The coat is very abundant, as could not be less, and it is very abundant on the face, similar to the beard and eyebrows, which give the schnauzer that peculiar appearance, by which they are immediately recognized.
Specimens with straight hair are not usually born , since neither of the two breeds from which it comes have it and it can be hard or softer, which is not possible to know in advance, since here genetic variability does its work.
Colors
As it is not recognized as a breed, all colors are accepted for the moment. The schnauzer gives little variety, but the poodle does provide some more, so we can see schnoodles in black, gray, brown, white and gold .
Furthermore, there are also combinations of all these colors and none of them are considered less desired.
schnoodle puppy
As with mixed breed dogs, each puppy is different and here everything depends on luck, on the breed that most predominates in our dog.
They are playful like any animal of this age and their behavior will be one or the other if it is more similar to the poodle or the schnauzer, mixing the way of being of the two breeds, or in other words, a complete surprise.
What is advisable is to start socialization as soon as possible, which will ensure that we have a sociable and affectionate dog, this being more important if our schnoodle is one of the largest, since it is already a dog of a respectable size.
What character does the Schnoodle have?
Neither of the two breeds from which it comes is aggressive, so this dog is docile, very sociable with both people and animals , although in some cases it can be cautious with strangers.
With his family he is faithful and affectionate, which makes him one of the best breeds to live with children, especially because of how active he is, since he will never get tired of playing with the little ones in the house.
The poodle is one of the most intelligent breeds in the world and the schnauzer is a working dog, so the schnoodle is easy to train and will always be willing to learn so that we are happy.
Basic obedience or agility could be good sports for the breed, disciplines in which it will stand out for its physique and intelligence. We won't win prizes, but we're sure to have a great time.
Their only problem is caused by poor education when they are small or because we do not give them the necessary attention. In that case they will develop what is called “destructive behavior”, destroying everything that is at hand.
What care does this breed require?
A schnoodle is characterized by having a lot of energy , especially if we have opted for the larger sizes. In this case, you will have to go out to exercise daily, because the giant will not be satisfied with a short walk in the park.
It is very important to take this into account, since otherwise they are dogs that accumulate a lot of energy, which can be transformed into anxiety and the destructive behavior that we mentioned before.
Thus, in the case of not being able to go out to play sports daily, it is best that we opt for one of the smaller sizes, which are made up of several exits to evacuate and play a little outdoors.
Another specific care for the breed has to do with the hair, since it will have to be brushed daily , otherwise the coat can become tangled and dirty, so recovering a clean and beautiful coat would be impossible.
In this aspect it has a particularity and that is that it does not shed hair or it does not do so in an appreciable way. This forces us to go to the hairdresser once or twice a year to have it removed and its coat cleaned.
That it does not shed hair can be an inconvenience, which pushes us to go to the hairdresser, but at the same time it is a huge advantage for allergy sufferers, since they will be able to have a schnoodle at home without suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, etc., characteristic of this condition.
How to train the Schnoodle?
Training a schnoodle is very simple, since they have a huge desire to please their owner and that makes them learn quickly, something that is also helped by the fact that they are curious dogs.
Given this predisposition, we are going to take advantage of positive reinforcement techniques, such as petting, praise or food every time they do something well, which work great in this breed.
We must work with him daily in short sessions when we begin his education, since although they will be willing to learn there are no miracles and they will not do it alone.
Punishments, which never work well with any breed, are more than prohibited with the schnoodle, since he will immediately get scared when he does not understand why his owner treats him this way, going back in a while everything we have advanced in weeks.
In this section, those who have a dog of this breed insist a lot on socializing it well from a very young age, since that is the best way to have a balanced adult dog that will not have fears of any kind.
Schnoodle Health
Of all the diseases that attack schnoodles, the most common are those that affect the ears, and it even seems that congenital deafness sometimes appears.
Thus, you have to be especially careful with your ears due to the shape of your ear , which does not allow air to enter inside and also has hair inside, which favors infections such as otitis.
When they suffer from this infection it is very easy to notice, since they walk with their head tilted and shake. In addition, they can cry and if we touch the area they will show pain, and it is not unusual for them to try to bite us because it hurts them.
If we clean them regularly we will prevent these infections from occurring , which although they are not usually serious, they are painful.
Otherwise, there are no diseases that appear more in this breed than in other dogs and this good health is due to hybridization, since the "blood mixture" makes this breed much more resistant than the two that give it origin. , although the truth is that the poodle is one of the oldest dogs that exist.
What should I take into account if I want to adopt a Schnoodle?
The main thing is to be willing to provide them with the necessary physical activity, especially in larger sizes such as giant and medium, because if they do not do sports they will have anxiety problems.
We must know that it is not a toy and that it is normal for it to live with us for twelve to fifteen years, during which time we will have to give it love, feed it and deal with any possible health problems it may have.
Conclusion
It is unknown whether the schnoodle arose spontaneously or was a sought-after crossbreed, although that does not matter, as it has become very popular throughout the world and it is possible that over time it will be recognized as a breed.
It combines the best of the poodle and the schnauzer, making it a perfect dog for the most athletic and also for families with children , who love this pet.
He is not aggressive and training him is very simple, as he always wants to please his owners, so we can teach him basic obedience and all kinds of tricks, which he will enjoy learning.
Given the variety of sizes, each person has an ideal schnoodle . The most homely ones can opt for small-sized schnoodles, while athletes can choose the larger ones, which will be perfect companions for running or going out into the countryside.
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