Miniature Schnauzers and Poodles are both well-known dogs in the show business. However, that isn’t all they are good for. These dogs are also excellent with families and have a rich past as working dogs.
When bred together, you get a dog lovingly known as a Schnoodle. These dogs are a hilarious mix of both parents.
They are loving and playful, with bursts of energy, and do well as a family dog, working dog, or even an outdoor companion.
Keep reading below to learn more about the Schnoodle, as well as its parent breeds, the Poodle and Miniature Schnauzer.
Table of Contents
Miniature Schnauzer, Schnoodle, and Poodle Comparison Table
| Miniature Schnauzer | Schnoodle | Poodle | |
| Height | 12-14 inches | 10-12 inches | 18-24 inches |
| Weight | 11-20 pounds | 11-75 pounds | 40-70 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years | 13-17 years | 10-18 years |
| Colors | Black Black and Silver Salt and Pepper |
Black Gray Silver Brow White Apricot Sable Black White Black and Tan Parti-color |
Apricot Black Blue Brown Gray Red Silver Beige White |
| Coat Type | Wirey with medium length Double coat |
Wirey or curly with medium or long length | Curly with long length |
| Affection Levels | Very loving | Very loving | Very loving |
| Shedding Level | Average shedding | Minimal to average shedding | No shedding |
| Temperament | Pretty playful Pretty protective |
Pretty playful Pretty protective |
Very playful Very protective |
| Health Issues | Cataracts Hyperlipidemia Pancreatitis Liver shunts Urinary stones |
Bloat Hip dysplasia Cataracts Pancreatitis Liver shunts Urinary stones |
Bloat Hip dysplasia Eye diseases |
| Trainability | Very easy to train | Very easy to train | Very easy to train |
| Exercise | Average exercise needs | Pretty high exercise needs | High exercise needs |
| Friendliness to People | Okay with strangers | Good with strangers | Very open to strangers |
| Friendliness to Dogs | Okay with other dogs | Okay with other dogs | Okay with other dogs |
| Drooling Levels | Little to no drooling | No drooling | No drooling |
| Mental Stimulation | High mental stimulation required | High mental stimulation required | Very high mental stimulation required |
| Barking Levels | Very vocal | Pretty vocal | Pretty vocal |
About Miniature Schnauzers
When you think about Miniature Schnauzers, you may think of pompous show dogs. However, they are more than just for walking down the runway. They have a patient and caring personality and are excellent family dogs.
They were originally bred to be ratters and farm dogs that were smaller than the traditional Schnauzer mixed with Affenpinschers. They made excellent companions because they were fearless, but not aggressive.
More recently, they have also been found to be ideal watchdogs, despite their small stature, but still work great as a family pet with children.
On top of having great personalities, these Miniature Schnauzers are also adorable. they have very human-like faces, with their whiskers being reminecent of beards. In fact, the term Schnauzer means beard.
About Poodles:
When it comes to the Schnoodle mix we will talk about below, you may have noticed that there is a lot of variability in their size and weight. This is because there are actually five sizes of Poodle.
Depending on which one is bred with the Miniature Schnauzer, you may have a vastly different size of Schnoodle than someone else.
These five sizes are the Teacup Poodles, Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodle, Klein Poodle, and the Standard Poodle, in ascending size.
The Poodle is another dog that looks regal, and like it might not be for everyone. However, despite their elegant looks and personality which oftentimes gets mistaken for being aloof, they make great family dogs.
If you look at their history, you will see that they are not as prim and proper as they appear.
Instead, they were originally bred to be hunting dogs, and their fur helps to not hold water and keep them warm, sot hat they can go retrieving even in the coldest waters.
Also, in 1988, though they unfortunately didn’t make it far, a sled dog team made entirely of Poodles entered the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. They were even once used as circus dogs, especially in the 1800s.
Nowadays, though they are still able, most people don’t use them for hunting. However, they make excellent family dogs and do well with other people. Being smart and eager to make their family happy, they pick up tricks and commands well.
Though they enjoy being with their family, they don’t always get along well with other dogs. If you are often busy, though, they might prefer spending time with another dog rather than being alone.
About Schnoodles:
The name ‘Schnoodle’ is an incredibly fun word to say, almost as fun as actually owning one of these dogs.
Due to still being a designer breed, and therefore not very standardized, they have a pretty large range for their height, weight, and color.
Even their coat type can be pretty variable. It can be wirey or curly, and have a double coat that is medium length or long length.
Are Schnoodles Hypoallergenic?
For the most part, Schnoodles are hypoallergenic. Both Miniature Schnauzers and Poodles are hypoallergenic for the most part, though sometimes in very allergic owners, the saliva of the dog can still irritate.
Since both breeds are hypoallergenic, it means that it doesn’t matter how much the offspring takes after one parent breed or the other, they are sure to be hypoallergenic, and safe for those with allergies for dogs.
Are Schnoodles Active Dogs?
While not excessively active, Schnoodles do love having the ability to play. they enjoy playing both indoors and outdoors, but enjoy the outdoors time a lot more.
They don’t need a lot of exercise, but a small hike or a run in the park will make them much happier and less irritated and destructive.
However, it is important to note that these dogs are very intelligent. On top of physical exercise, they also need a lot of mental stimulation.
Feeding puzzles, lots of training, or games help to tire out this mixed breed both mentally and physically.
Do Schnoodles Need a Lot of Maintenance?
As far as grooming, Schnoodles do need a lot of maintenance. They will need frequent trimming, especially around their face, legs, and ears.
On top of that, they need daily brushing and baths at least twice a month, though that can go up depending on how dirty they get when they head outdoors.
By trimming your dog’s fur very short, you can reduce the amount and frequency of care, as you don’t have to brush them as often, and just have to go in to your local groomers for a regular trimming.
What Are Common Health Issues With Schnoodles?
Though for the most part, Schnoodles and their parents are healthy breeds, there are some health issues to be aware of.
They are more common with offspring from untrustworthy breeders, but do appear sometimes even in offspring from selective and careful breeders.
These are mostly things like cataracts and other eye problems, and issues with organs like the liver and pancreas. Being aware of you rdog and taking it in for proper check-ups can help make sure your dog is healthy and safe.
Conclusion
Schnoodles, despite their silly name, are excellent companions. They enjoy a lot of attention and spending time with their family.
While they may not do as well with other dogs, they are excellent pets for families or those that enjoy spending a bit of time outdoors.
Not to mention, they happen to be hypoallergenic, with both parent breeds being safe for those with dog allergies. So don’t hesitat to buy one if you ever come across this adorable combination.