Mini Schnoodle
Thinking About Getting a Mini Schnoodle?
The mini schnoodle is, as its name suggests, a cross between a purebred miniature or toy poodle and a purebred miniature schnauzer. The popularity of both of these individual breeds in physical appearance as well as trainability and personality led breeders to believe that a cross between the two would produce a good mixture of all of these qualities—and they were right! Although the schnoodle cannot be registered as a purebred dog due to the fact that it is not recognized as its own independent breed, there are still plenty of reasons to seriously consider getting a mini schnoodle. In order to give you an idea as to whether the schnoodle is right for you, we are going to discuss the physical traits of this crossbreed as well as its personality.
The schnauzer is a sturdy-boned dog that is athletic and high-energy, yet graceful in movement and appearance. Schnauzer dogs require a great deal of exercise or activity in order to stay in shape, however most of this exercise can be obtained indoors if the schnauzer is of the miniature variety. Walking is a great exercise for this breed, but they can also get a fair amount of exercise by simply playing with family members on a regular basis. As far as the physical appearance, the schnauzer has a double coat. The top portion of the coat is coarse or wiry and the underside is soft. The “acceptable” coat colors include black, white, and grey. Although the coat may not be much fun to groom, it is largely considered to be a non-shedding breed, although some report that the schnauzer will shed from time to time. The ears may be cropped but this breed looks just as nice if the ears are left to grow.
The poodle was actually bred as a retriever—specifically for gun sports like bird hunting. They have a fairly sturdy build and are just as athletic as the schnauzer. The poodle needs just as much physical stimulation as the schnauzer and is equally fun for the family to play with. The poodle’s coat is very curly, but contrary to how tough it looks, it is actually quite soft to the touch. The ease with which one is able to brush through their poodle’s hair depends on the type of haircut the poodle has. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that all poodles have to look like a sculpted hedge—in fact, many people find that a 20-minute shave with an electric dog razor is all that is needed to create a “normal” looking ‘do for a poodle. Poodles also only have one layer of fur, and due to the fact that they are a non-shedding breed, they are considered hypoallergenic. That being said, the fur itself might not be 100% allergen free. It is common practice to dock the tail, although it is often left a little longer than the “bunny tail” fashion of old.
Describing the personality of the schnauzer is a little more difficult, as they can vary from one extreme to another. As a whole, this breed can be described as playful, happy-go-lucky, and friendly. However, depending on the way a schnauzer is raised, it can also become introverted and “serious”. Schnauzers raised with other dogs or pets may play around a little, but rarely ever become truly aggressive with other animals. With the right training, a schnauzer can be very sweet and laid-back, but socialization with other pets at a young age is very important. This breed can be noisy, but that is simply part of what makes them great watchdogs.
The poodle breed has been dubbed the second smartest type of dog in the world. In addition to being smart as a whip, they are one of the easier breeds to train and housebreak. Poodles place a great deal of stock on routine, therefore a steady day-to-day routine would be ideal for this type of dog. This is largely due to the poodle’s hypersensitive nature. The poodle can be very affectionate and lively, but can also easily become upset if they sense a disturbance in the household, such as loud noises, arguments, etc. Because of this, many people believe the poodle to be a “sissy” type of do, but that’s simply not the case. They are playful, spunky, and relish a good time!
As you can probably guess, a mini schnoodle will be an active dog that will require both gentle companionship and playful entertainment. They make excellent guard dogs and provide an intense sense of loyalty without becoming overbearing. The mini schnoodle will need to be well socialized with both humans and other pets from a young age to prevent standoffish behavior. Another plus is that they are considered the best crossbreed for people who suffer from allergies, which is definitely something to consider if you or a family member has trouble tolerating pet dander.
If you are looking for a small dog that is loyal, affectionate, and lively, then you should definitely give the mini schnoodle serious consideration!