Schnoodle

The Schoodle was first bred in the 1980s to create a playful, personality-filled dog that didn’t shed. Schnauzers, however, go all the way back to 14th-century Germany, where they were farm dogs trained to guard flocks and property, and drive cattle. The Poodle also has German, not French origins, although we closely associate them with the French aristocracy. They were originally water-retrieving dogs, and their haircuts reflected this: the smooth, shaved bodies allowed them to glide through the water while those fluffy areas protected their joints and vital organs. (Fun fact: those are called ponpoms!) Later, poodles became synonymous with the French upper class and were known as circus dogs for their intelligence and quick wit.

If you love teaching dogs tricks, Schnoodles are for you. Smart, clever, and obedient, they love to perform and be challenged and require a lot of time and energy from their owners. They do well with single owners who are around a lot, retirees, and families with older kids, but can adapt to families with young children if a Schnoodle’s boundaries can be respected. They don’t love being home alone for long periods of time, but they can do it. Boredom can lead to excessive barking or chewing.

Schnauzers and Poodles are both high energy, and Schnoodles follow suit. They love being physically and mentally active and enjoy exercising, games, and interactive toys. They won’t say no to joining the family on an excursion. Larger Schnoodles might need up to two hours of exercise a day, while smaller versions can get by with less.

Larger Schnoodles will need more space than smaller ones. While they enjoy being outside and exercising, smaller Schnoodles can get by with less space. Given how vocal they can be about having their opinions heard, they do best in environments where neighbors aren’t too terribly close.

Grooming Schnoodles runs the gamut. They may inherit a more Schnauzer-like coat, or it might be more Poodle-like. While they don’t shed, they do need trimming or brushing. Find a local groomer who can either look after your Schnoodle’s coat or teach you how to do it yourself. Poodles are prone to ear infections, so make sure they are getting regular ear care as well.

Schnoodles are smart and busy dogs, but they love training and should catch on quickly, getting A+ marks. People pleasers, they’ll enjoy learning and getting positive reinforcement from their owners. They love rewards, so stock up! A social Schnoodle is a happy one, so socialize them as quickly as possible. If you have a smaller Schnoodle, it might be worth tapping into their circus history: they might enjoy agility courses and doing heelwork to music.

If you’ve dreamt of snuggling up to a Schnoodle as a family, good news: they can make excellent family dogs with proper training. If you have a larger Schnoodle, it’s important to train them to be aware of small children they might knock over—and for your children to understand the dog’s boundaries so everyone is happy.

The cost of a Schnoodle from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.