Schnoodle

Written by Natalie Decker
Schoodle

The Schnoodle is a hybrid dog and is a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle

The Schnoodle, also known as Snoodle or Schnaupoo, is a mix between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. It’s one of the so-called Designer or Hybrid Dogs, which are not officially recognised as separate breeds by global breeding associations.

Appearance: What is a Schnoodle?

A Schnoodle is a hybrid dog. This means breeders cross purebred Schnauzers and Poodles with the hope that both parent animals will pass on their best characteristics.

Breeding generally does not continue with Schnoodle offspring.

How Big Does a Schnoodle Get?

Strictly speaking, the Schnoodle is a crossbreed. Depending on which size variant of the Poodle or which Schnauzer breed is used for breeding, different variations are possible:

  • Toy-Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer x Toy Poodle): approx. 25-30cm tall, two to four kilograms in weight
  • Mini-Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer x Miniature Poodle): approx. 29-35cm tall, four to six kilograms in weight
  • Standard-Schnoodle (Standard Schnauzer x Klein Poodle): approx. 36-45cm tall, six to twelve kilograms in weight
  • Giant-Schnoodle (Giant Schnauzer x Standard Poodle): up to approx. 60cm tall, up to 45 kilograms in weight

Fur Structure and Colour

Depending on which genes prevail in the coat’s composition, a Schnoodle may have soft curls like a Poodle or the rough, wiry fur of a Schnauzer – and sometimes even a combination of both.

Some Schnoodles exhibit the characteristic Schnauzer moustache, while others inherit the Poodle’s typical topknot.

The coat can come in black, grey, white, or brown. Bicoloured or multicoloured pups are also born. Typical for all Schnoodles are their dark eyes, black noses, and slightly folded ears.

Character: A Balanced Mix Desired

The Schnoodle combines traits of both the Poodle and the Schnauzer. Poodles are generally considered highly trainable, intelligent, and easy to teach. By comparison, Schnauzers are a bit more lively, confident, and headstrong.

The Best of Both Worlds?

The breeders’ wish is to create a dog with a balanced, pleasant character through the mating of these two breeds – but this is not guaranteed.

Ideally, the Schnoodle is a friendly, cuddly, and playful companion, getting along well with children and other pets. However, the smallest Schnoodle variant may exhibit some of the Toy Poodle’s slight nervousness.

Is a Schnoodle Suitable for Beginners?

The Schnoodle is seen as an affectionate, alert dog that can be kept by beginners. However, attending dog training is advisable to socialise the pet from the start.

This can counter any unwanted protective instincts should the genes of the watchful Schnauzer dominate.

Keeping and Occupancy: What Does a Schnoodle Need?

The smaller the chosen Schnoodle size, the more suitable it is for city living. For larger examples, a house with garden or a rural environment is advisable.

Since this dog strongly bonds with its person, it’s best not kept alone for long periods.

The Right Amount of Exercise for a Schnoodle

The spirited hybrid dog enjoys long walks and loves intelligence and food search games. Due to its eagerness to learn, it’s well-suited for various dog sports such as Agility, Obedience, and Dog Dancing.

It’s also feasible to train this loyal, loving companion as an assistance, rescue, or therapy dog.

Training Tips

Schnoodles can be kept by singles, couples, seniors, and families. It’s important that their person takes plenty of time for the Designer Dog, training it with loving consistency and firm rules.

Otherwise, behavioural issues such as excessive barking may develop.

Care and Diet of the Schnoodle

The coat care depends on whether the hybrid dog has more Poodle-like or Schnauzer-like hair. Soft Poodle curls need regular trimming, while the rough, wiry fur of a Schnauzer must be hand-stripped.

Dog beginners can learn how to handle clippers or stripping knives from a dog groomer.

Regular Check-ups for Ears and Teeth

The hairy floppy ears should be regularly examined and cleaned to prevent painful ear infections. Especially in smaller examples, dental checks are routine to promptly identify tartar and gum inflammation.

The Right Diet for a Schnoodle

The food requirement depends on the size, age, and activity level of the hybrid dog. Both wet and dry food may be offered, though smaller dogs need appropriately sized kibble. Raw feeding is also an option.

Health: Robust Companion with Minor Weaknesses

Overall, Poodle-Schnauzer mixes are considered healthy dogs. With hybrid dogs like the Schnoodle, the hope is that gene mixing will result in what’s known as the Heterosis effect.

The crossbreeds are expected to be fitter, more robust, and less prone to illness than purebred dogs.

Nevertheless, hereditary diseases can occur. Issues such as joint problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as eye and skin diseases and allergies, are possible. Larger breeds have an increased risk of gastric torsion, while smaller ones may suffer from patellar luxation.

How Long Does a Schnoodle Live?

On average, a Schnoodle has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. Smaller variants often outlive their larger relatives.

History: Designer Dog from the USA

The Schnoodle is a hybrid dog from the USA. There, in the 1980s, the crossing of two selected breeds began to create a dog with the most positive fur and character traits.

In the case of the Schnoodle, a family-friendly pet of compact size was desired. Often Poodles are used in hybrid dog breeding because they shed very little and are considered allergy-friendly.

Whether a Poodle or a Poodle mix can indeed be kept by an allergy sufferer, however, must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Other popular Designer Dogs that include Poodle lineage are the Labradoodle, Golden Doodle, Maltipoo, and Cavapoo.

Not an Independent Breed

Hybrid dogs like the Schnoodle are not officially recognised as dog breeds. There are no uniform breed standards and no regulated breeding. To obtain a litter of Schnoodles, a Poodle and a Schnauzer must be crossed each time.

The Schnoodles produced in this way are typically not bred further.

schnoodle puppy © peter/stock.adobe.com
More of a poodle or a schnauzer? Puppy development is difficult to predict.

Acquisition: How Much Does a Schnoodle Cost?

Since the Schnoodle isn’t a recognised dog breed, there are no uniform guidelines for breeding. It’s even more important to ask the breeder many questions and closely inspect the parent animals.

Responsible breeders only cross healthy animals and provide information willingly. The cost for a Schnoodle puppy generally lies between 1,000 and 1,500 euros.

For those not set on a Designer Dog, visiting a shelter is also advisable. Here, various purebred and mixed breed animals wait for a new home. With some luck, this includes Poodles, Schnauzers, or their mixes.

Conclusion: A Four-Legged Surprise Packet

The Schnoodle is a real surprise packet. It’s hard to predict whether the puppy will later resemble a Poodle or a Schnauzer.

Many dog lovers view the breeding of hybrid dogs with skepticism since the parent animals are not required to meet any health or genetic standards.

Fact Sheet on the Schnoodle

Highlights:Hybrid dog created by crossing a Poodle and a Schnauzer. It’s bred in four different sizes.
Character:friendly, intelligent, alert, playful
Height at Withers:Toy: approx. 25-30cm Mini: approx. 29-35cm Standard: approx. 36-45cm Giant: up to approx. 60cm
Weight:Toy: approx. 2-4kg Mini: approx. 4-6kg Standard: approx. 6-12kg Giant: up to approx. 45kg
Fur:curly or rough and wiry, in black, grey, white, brown, also bicoloured and multicoloured
Coat Care:demanding, regular trimming or stripping needed
Exercise:moderate need for exercise, good for sports like agility or obedience
Suitable for Beginners:yes
Barking:relatively frequent
Life Expectancy:10-15 years
Typical Illnesses:Hip and elbow dysplasia, skin and eye diseases
Price:from approx. 1,000€
FCI Group:not recognised
Origin:USA

Here are some purchase proposals curated by the zooplus editorial team

The products featured have been carefully selected by our editorial staff and are available at the zooplus online pet shop. The selection does not constitute advertising for the mentioned brands.


Natalie Decker
Profilbild Natalie Decker (mit Pferd)

"A life without a pug is possible, but pointless," Loriot once said. I would unreservedly agree and add: "A life without horse, cat and rabbit as well!" My heart beats for all animals big and small and I have the great fortune to be able to write about my passion as a freelance author. With my articles I would like to raise awareness for animal welfare and give useful tips to animal lovers.


Our most helpful articles
11 min

Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle isn't a breed, but a pairing between Golden Retrievers and Medium or Standard Poodles. Marketed as a low-maintenance dog for allergy sufferers, this hybrid is enjoying increasing popularity amongst dog lovers, similar to the Labradoodle.

10 min

Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a pioneer amongst designer dogs. Whilst there are serious endeavours in Australia to establish this Poodle and Labrador Retriever hybrid as a stand-alone breed, most specimens found in Europe aren't bred according to a standard.