Schnoodle Dog – Your Complete Guide to the Schnauzer Poodle Mix Breed

The Schnoodle dog is also known as a Schnauzer Poodle mix. Whether you choose a mini Schnoodle or a giant Schnoodle, you’ll get a dog that’s intelligent, loyal, and friendly.

Both parent breeds come in three size varieties, so the exact size of your Schnoodle will vary depending on what parents they have.

Quick Stats: Schnoodle Dog

Popularity:	On the rise
Purpose:	Family companion
Weight:	Anywhere from 4 – 20 pounds for smaller varieties, or up to 85 pounds for a giant Schnoodle mix
Height:	Anywhere from 10 to 27.5 inches, depending on parents
Temperament:	Intelligent, loving with family, potentially aloof with strangers
Coat:	Soft, fluffy, teddy bear coat

Common Schnauzer Poodle Mix Questions

Follow the links to find out more!

Are Schnoodles good family dogs?	Yes, as long as they receive proper socialization and training
How much is a Schnoodle puppy?	$1000 – $1600 depending on size varieties, demand, and location
Are Schnoodle dogs hypoallergenic?	No dog breed is hypoallergenic, but the Schnoodle dog is low shedding
Do Schnoodles bark?	Yes, if they take after their Schnauzer parent, most often when needs aren’t met
How long does a Schnauzer Poodle mix live?	10 – 18 years on average, depending on size

Pros And Cons of Getting A Schnoodle

Pros	Cons
Perfect companion for an active owner	May be a little stand-offish due to Poodle parent
Very loyal and loving to family	Can be aggressive if not properly socialized
Large range of sizes	Very active, will need lots of exercise
Low shedding	Unpredictable appearance and temperament

What Else Is In This Guide

• History of the Schnauzer Poodle mix
• Fun facts about the Schnoodle dog
• Training and exercising your Schoodle
• Schnauzer Poodle mix health
• Rescuing a Schnoodle dog
• Finding a Schnoodle puppy

Schnoodles come from two very distinguished and popular breeds. Let’s take a closer look.

History and Original Purpose of the Schnoodle

The Schnoodle dog is a mix between a purebred Poodle and a purebred Schnauzer.

As the mix is still climbing in popularity, not many specifics are known about the original time and purpose when the Schnoodle first came on the scene.

But, the cross was likely first developed in the 1980s in the United States.

Like most Poodle mixes, the goal was most likely to achieve the perfect dog for people who suffer from allergies to dog dander. As well as those who prefer not to have dog hair coating their clothing and home.

The Poodle is often considered a “hypoallergenic” breed. So, it’s no wonder that this cross came about!

The Parent Breeds

Looking at the parent breeds can be a good way to find out a little more about the history of a mixed breed dog.

Interestingly, although many think of the Poodle as being French in origin, the breed actually got its start in Germany.

That means that both of the Schnoodle’s parent breeds originated in Germany, as the Schnauzer is commonly known to be German in origin. “Schnauze” is even a German word, meaning muzzle or snout.

So, the Schnoodle dog has a history that spans from Europe to the USA!

Fun Facts About the Schnauzer Poodle Mix

The term “Schnoodle” is amusing in and of itself. But the Schnauzer Poodle mix also basks in the name “Schnoodle Doodle!”

“Doodle” is a common term for any of the many Poodle mixes.

This mixed breed can also come in a number of different sizes, depending on its parents. From as small as the mini Schnoodle to the giant Schnoodle!

The Schnauzer Poodle mix is one of the Poodle mixes that people seek for its low-shedding coat and teddy bear qualities.

One look at a cute and fluffy Miniature Schnauzer Poodle mix, and you’ll understand why they’re known as teddy bear Schnoodle dogs!

We will take a closer look at this coat in the next section.

Schnoodle Dog Appearance

The basic appearance of this mixed breed can be hard to pinpoint. This is because there is so much potential for variety!

This hybrid comes in many sizes, as it is achieved by breeding a Toy, Miniature, or Standard Poodle with a Miniature, Standard, or Giant Schnauzer!

Unless otherwise specified, a Schnoodle will usually combine a Standard Poodle and a Standard Schnauzer.

	Standard Poodle	Standard Schnauzer	Schnoodle
Size	Medium to large	Medium	Usually medium
Height	Anything over 15 inches	17.5 – 19.5 inches	15 – 19.5 inches
Weight	40 – 60 pounds	35 – 50 pounds	35 – 60 pounds

Different Size Varieties

To get an idea of the size range that an adult Schnoodle dog may fall into, we’ve listed the average wither height and body weight that the AKC accepts for each type of Schnauzer and Poodle below.

Poodle:

• Toy: 10 inches and under, 4-6 pounds
• Miniature: 10-15 inches, 10-15 pounds
• Standard: 15 + inches, 40-60 pounds

Schnauzer:

• Miniature: 12-14 inches, 11-20 pounds
• Standard: 17.5-19.5 inches, 35-50 pounds
• Giant: 23.5-27.5 inches, 55-85 pounds

So, What Can You Expect?

With the above data in mind, let’s take a look at the expected sizes of some Schnoodle crosses.

• Toy Schnoodle (a Toy Poodle crossed with a Miniature Schnauzer) may reach 10-14 inches tall and 4-10 pounds.
• Miniature Schnoodle (a Miniature Schnauzer crossed with a Miniature Poodle) might reach 14 or 15 inches tall and 10-20 pounds.
• Standard Schnoodle (a Standard Poodle crossed with a Standard Schnauzer) could reach 15-19.5 inches tall and 35-60 pounds.
• Giant Schnauzer Poodle mix (a Standard Poodle crossed with a Giant Schnauzer) could reach 15-27.5 inches tall and 40-85 pounds.

There may be more unpredictability in size if, say, you cross an F1 mini Schnoodle with an F2 or later Giant Schnoodle.

Schnoodle Coat

Unlike other Doodles, Schnoodles aren’t sought after for a “fleece” or Poodle-like coat.

In fact, the teddy bear Schnoodle dog, or one with a soft and fluffy but not necessarily curled coat (an equal mix of the Schnauzer and Poodle’s coats), is highly sought after.

Achieving the teddy bear coat requires careful breeding, though, especially when the cross is also desired for one breed’s coat and the other breed’s temperament.

When you cross a purebred Poodle with a purebred dog which does not have a curled coat, such as the Schnauzer, the offspring (F1 generation) may or may not have a curly coat.

Appearance traits like this are unpredictable, and even puppies in the same litter can have very different coat types.

Schnoodle Colors

These hybrids are usually solid-colored and sometimes have a mask, markings, or points in black or white.

With the Poodle’s ten acceptable coat colors and the Schnauzer’s three acceptable coat colors, there are many possibilities for Schnoodle coat colors.

From the black Schnoodle to the white Schnoodle and every shade in between.

Possible coat colors include:

• Apricot
• Black
• Black and silver
• Salt and pepper (mix of white and black hairs)
• Blue
• Brown
• Cream
• Gray
• Red
• Silver
• Silver beige
• White

Even more colors are possible when the parent stock have non-standard coat colors – parti-colored Schnoodles may be possible in these cases.

Their coat coloring may be easier to predict as later generations are bred with similar generations and back with Poodles (hence the development of the popular apricot

Are Schnoodle Dogs Hypoallergenic?

Schnoodles are often advertised as non-shedding (hypoallergenic), but is this true? Is a Schnoodle hypoallergenic?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic. All dogs shed, even if in very small amounts. You can learn more facts and myths regarding non-shedding dogs in our article about hypoallergenic dogs.

However, we can confidently say that this mix will be a low-shedder. Both Poodles and Schnauzers shed minimally.

Grooming can help to control any small amount of shedding. Owners may also prefer to go to a professional groomer.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Temperament

For the Schnoodle cross, an F1 puppy’s temperament may either reflect the Schnauzer’s or the Poodle’s temperament.

With a first-generation cross like this, it’s hard to predict exactly how the puppies will turn out.

Selecting a later generation of Schnoodle cross may help you get a puppy with breed-specific looks and tendencies. But, you cannot predict every trait with 100% accuracy.

Generally, thanks to the shared traits of the parent breeds, a Schnoodle will be energetic, intelligent, and generally friendly. As long as they are socialized well.

Are They Good with Kids?

Schnauzers of all sizes are excellent with children and people in general. They are extremely active dogs who are outgoing and love to run and play.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends that you supervise play time between Giant Schnauzers and children or other dogs to ensure that the play doesn’t become too rough.

Poodles often have a similar reputation when it comes to children they are familiar with.

Make sure to socialize your Schnauzer Poodle mix well to ensure they get along well with children, strangers, and other animals.

Are Schnoodles Aggressive?

Although Schnauzers are known to be loyal dogs, you generally don’t have to worry about a Schnauzer being aggressive with people.

However, it’s always best to socialize Schnauzer puppies with people and other animals as a part of their overall training.

Some Poodles may not be as outgoing as Schnauzers, but contrary to popular belief, they aren’t all shy and prone to biting.

There is a stereotype which suggests that Miniature and Toy Poodles are especially prone to biting. But realistically, any Poodle could display this tendency.

Because of their sometimes shy personalities, it’s important that you familiarize a Poodle with new faces and smells well before adulthood. This will help prevent their instinct to guard you or to nip at strange hands.

The Schnoodle could inherit any blend of the parent’s traits. So, it’s important to socialize this mix well to avoid any risk of aggression and territorial natures.

Schnoodle Barking

The Schnauzer Poodle mix can be prone to barking, particularly when they aren’t seeing their needs met.

Miniature Schnauzers in particular can be a little noisy, thanks to their alert personalities.

So, choosing a miniature Schnoodle mix could result in a vocal dog.

You can train a dog not to bark in some instances. But, another good solution is to ensure you are meeting your dog’s mental stimulation needs and exercise needs.

Training and Exercising your Schnoodle

Your hybrid will be intelligent and probably very active.

With good socialization and training, he will also likely be friendly with all sorts of people and get along well with children and other animals.

Stick to positive reinforcement methods to create a strong bond between you and your dog. This will also help you to avoid any potential stubbornness.

Like Schnauzers, all classes of Poodles are very active dogs who love stimulating activities that keep their bodies and brains moving. They do not take kindly to being bored.

Poodles also do not like being left out of activities with you or being crated for long periods. They are intelligent, working dogs who want to have something to do or play with, which is why many of them are amazing in the show pen!

Training can be a great way to offer your Schnoodle mix some mental and physical stimulation each day. But, this mix will also need structured exercise.

Exercise Needs

If you do not have the space or time for a high-energy dog, then a Schnoodle is not for you.

These dogs need a job to do or plenty of space to run and play in order to be happy and to stay out of trouble. Schnoodles may also play on the rough side. Make sure that she knows what “down” or “off” means.

As neither Schnauzers nor Poodles appreciate being bored, a Schnoodle may be likely to develop bad habits if you do not give her adequate attention.

You’ll also benefit from a fenced-in yard, as a Schnoodle may be tempted to chase after the wild life that she encounters!

Scheduled time for exercise each day will help to minimise the risk of bad behavior, such as barking and digging.

Schnoodle Health and Care

Like any dog, the Schnauzer Poodle mix may be predisposed to health conditions due to their genetic makeup and/or age.

Schnoodle health risks to be aware of:

Heart:	Heart diseases
Brain:	Epilepsy
Eyes:	Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cataracts
Joints:	Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation
Other:	Liver disorders

Heart Diseases

Heart problems, including patent ductus arteriosus and Mitral Valve Disease are particularly common in Miniature Schnauzers.

So, Schnoodles with this parent could be prone to the same heart problems.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can result in seizures and fits.

Medication is available to help dogs that suffer from this problem.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a group of eye disorders that will eventually lead to blindness.

Dogs affected with this issue will experience deterioration of the cells in their eyes.

Cataracts

Cataracts is another common eye-related disorder in dogs.

A cloudy film will develop over the lens of your dog’s eye, obstructing their vision. In some cases, surgery can help.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia is more common in larger dog breeds. This is a joint disorder that can make walking and moving painful for your dog.

Dogs with this problem will have a malformed joint.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is common in smaller breeds like the Miniature Poodle and Miniature Schnauzer.

This involves the dislocation of the kneecap. It can make walking and movement difficult for affected dogs.

Liver Disorders

Dogs with liver problems can experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, seizures, and more.

Treatments can include a change in diet, or they may be more serious.

General Health of Cross Breeds

Schnoodles will be prone to the same health issues as their parents. So, it’s worth taking a closer look at the known problems for the specific sizes being used in your mix.

To learn more about the diseases and health conditions which may affect Schnauzers, refer to our article on Miniature Schnauzers. To learn more about the diseases and health conditions which may affect Poodles, refer to our articles on Standard Poodles and Toy Poodles.

General Care

By and large, though, Schnoodles can be expected to be fairly healthy dogs. However, health testing is imperative for any breed or mixed breed.

To learn more about what health tests are available and recommended, visit the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals.

Furthermore, both Schnauzers and Poodles can become overweight easily, so a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will be required to keep the dog fit and the joints fluid!

Coat Care

A Schnoodle may inherit its Schnauzer parent’s wiry, hard, and medium-length double-coat, or its Poodle parent’s long and thick curly or wavy coat. Or it may have a wavy coat that falls somewhere in between.

Regardless of a Schnoodle’s breeding, his coat will require some maintenance. Hybrids with a Schnauzer’s coat will require a weekly brushing to keep the coat smooth.

If your mix has a Poodle’s curls, which are kept longer, she will require daily combing, as well as a trip to the groomer once per month to prevent matting.

Schnoodles with the “teddy bear” coat may need more or less of the grooming that we described above.

With that being said, Schnoodle haircuts don’t have to be super short. Keeping curls or waves in check, though, will help to prevent severe matting or tangling.

What is the Schnoodle Life Expectancy?

Poodles and Schnauzers have a generally similar life expectancy, with about 10-12 years for the larger sizes and closer to 14 for smaller.

You can expect your mix to reach somewhere within the averages of the parent breeds, depending on size.

As long as they receive good veterinary care and general care throughout their lives, Schnoodles will often live well into their teens.

Do Schnoodles Make Good Family Pets?

Due to the typical personality traits of the parent breeds, Schnoodles can be recommended as family pets. However, it must be emphasized that all dogs need socialization and training.

For a giant Schnoodle, make sure to supervise smaller children to keep them from getting accidentally knocked over or involved in play that gets a little too rough.

Likewise, for a mini Schnoodle, ensure that small children treat the little dog carefully.

Remember that this breed is going to be very active and will want to be with his family. If no one is at home for a large part of each day, or if the dog will be kept in a small area without room to run and play, this is not the breed for you.

They need families that have plenty of time to dedicate to them. Including to grooming, playtime, and training.

Schnoodle Rescue

We always recommend that people consider rescuing a dog. This has several benefits, both to the potential owner and to the dog herself.

Firstly, it gives you the chance to see what the dog’s temperament will be when she is full grown. This can be especially important with a mix breed like the Schnoodle, as some personality traits may be in doubt.

Secondly, rescuing or adopting a dog from a shelter is almost always cheaper by far than buying from a breeder.

And last but certainly not least, bringing a rescue dog home gives her another chance at life with a loving family.

Finding a Rescue Center

As a mixed breed, it’s unlikely that you’ll find many rescue centers dedicated entirely to the Schnoodle breed.

You can check general rescue centers in your area. But, it’s also a great idea to look at rescue centers dedicated to the two parent breeds of this mix.

We’ve compiled a list of some rescues for the parent breeds, located in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada. These are great places to start your great Schnoodle search.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Breed Rescues

USA:	Carolina Poodle Rescue
UK:	Poodle Network UK
Canada:	Standard Poodles In Need
Australia:	Australian Schnauzer Rescue

Have you come across any other rescues for Schnoodles or the parent breeds? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Finding a Schnoodle Puppy

Before you purchase a Schnauzer Poodle puppy, carefully research Schnoodle breeders so that you choose responsibly.

Responsible breeders use genetic testing to prevent the passage of undesired traits, and they keep their breeding stock at a good weight and in clean conditions.

Mixed breed dogs are growing in popularity. So, it’s likely that you’ll be able to find Schnoodles more easily as time goes on.

Go to breeders with lots of questions, and make sure you see evidence of health testing.

Where to Avoid

If a breeder is reluctant to show you all around their facility, stay away. They may be keeping their stock in deplorable conditions.

Likewise, make sure to avoid backyard breeders, pet stores, and puppy mills.

These places tend to jump on puppy trends, such as designer breeds and Poodle mixes. So, there’s a higher risk that you will stumble across one as the breed gains popularity.

Schnauzer Poodle Mix Price

What is the going rate for Schnauzer Poodle mix puppies?

Schnoodle puppy prices vary based on the puppy’s generation, their coat characteristics, how many puppies are available, and how valuable the parents are to the breeder.

The following are estimates of Schnoodle price based on sizes:

• Miniature Schnoodle: about $1,000
• Standard Schnoodle: about $1,300
• Giant Schnoodle: about $1,600

For later generations of Schnoodles, you can probably expect the above prices to be on the low side, as more work has been done to achieve the “perfect” dog.

Raising a Schnoodle Puppy

Caring for a vulnerable puppy is a big responsibility. There are some great guides to help you with all aspects of puppy care and training.

You’ll find them listed on our Schnoodle puppy page.

Schnoodle Products and Accessories

These dogs may need some very specific grooming tools, depending on the type of coat they have. Here are some of our recommended products.

• Dog grooming supplies
• Best brushes for Poodle coats

Similar Breeds

If you’re not entirely sold on the idea of a Schnoodle for some reason or another, you don’t have to go back to the drawing board.

Here are some similar mixes to consider.

• Newfypoo
• Great Dane Poodle mix
• Dalmadoodle
• Lagotto Romagnolo

The Schnoodle: Summary

The Schnauzer Poodle mix is an intelligent, energetic, and friendly dog, but it can vary a lot in terms of its appearance.

Do you have a Schnoodle at home? We would love to hear about your experience with them in the comments.

References And Resources

• Gough, A. (et al), ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats’, Wiley Blackwell (2018)
• O’Neill (et al), ‘Longevity and Mortality of Owned Dogs in England’, The Veterinary Journal (2013)
• Adams, V. J. (et al), ‘Results of a Survey of UK Purebred Dogs’, Journal of Small Animal Practice (2010)
• Duffy, D. (et al), ‘Breed Differences in Canine Aggression,’ Applied Animal Behavior Science (2008)
• Farrell, L. (et al), ‘The Challenges of Pedigree Dog Health: Approaches to Combating Inherited Disease’, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (2015)
• Oberbauer, A. M. (et al), ‘Ten Inherited Disorders in Purebred Dogs by Functional Breed Groupings’, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (2015)
• Gross (et al), ‘Skin Diseases of the Dog and Cat: Clinical and Histopathologic Diagnosis’, Blackwell Science Ltd (2005)