Schnoodle

Schnoodles are a cross between a pedigree Schnauzer and a pure-bred Poodle whether Toy, Miniature or Standard. Since these charming dogs first appeared on the scene, they have become one of the more popular cross breeds around, both in the UK and elsewhere in the world. Not only do they tend to inherit their parent breeds adorable looks, but they also inherit many of their character traits which means Schnoodles are usually highly intelligent and quick-witted dogs that are a pleasure to have around.

With this said, because they are so smart, Schnoodles are quick to learn bad behaviours too which is why anyone who gets a puppy needs to start as they mean to go on. A Schnoodle puppy's education must start early and they need to be well socialised from a young age too so they grow up to be well-balanced and nicely behaved in all sorts of situations and when they meet other animals and dogs.

Schnoodles have been bred for quite a while because people have always tended to cross Schnauzers with Poodles. However, it was only in the 1980's that these charming dogs were developed because more people have started to show an interest in owning dogs that are a little out of the ordinary and which had low shedding coats. As such, Schnoodles have become popular here in the UK and elsewhere in the world, thanks to their charming looks and their kind, loyal and affectionate natures. In short, they make wonderful companions and great family pets.

As previously mentioned, they are a cross between pedigree Schnauzers and Poodles whether their parents are toy, miniature or standard size dogs with responsible breeders always matching the size of the dam and the sire accordingly. Most Schnoodles are first generation dogs which means that puppies from the same litter can look quite different from one another and the same can be said of their personalities because it depends on which of their parent breeds they throw to.

For the moment, Schnoodles are not recognised by The Kennel Club, but breed clubs have been established around the world with an end goal being to breed Schnoodles responsibly and to always have parent dogs tested for any known hereditary and congenital health issues that are known to affect Schnauzers and Poodles whether toy, miniature or standard. Today, Schnoodles are among some of the most popular dogs being ranked 75 out of 238 other breeds on the Pets4homes website.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Schnoodle a vulnerable breed? No, they are among some of the more popular designer/hybrid dogs to appear on the scene over recent years
• Some Schnoodles have very low shedding coats, whereas others may shed a bit more because they have thrown more to the Schnauzer than the Poodle
• In 1993, a law was passed preventing anyone other than a vet from carrying out the procedure, but this was further changed when The Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) came into effect in 2006 which invoked a total ban on tail docking unless for medical reasons. In other parts of the UK, the Animal Welfare Act came into effect in April 2007 which meant that dog's tails could no longer be docked unless they fell into the category of a specific "working" dog or for medical reasons providing the correct paperwork has been submitted by a qualified vet who would undertake to carry out the procedure. There is a heavy fine for anyone who has a dog’s tail docked without submitting the necessary paperwork to the right authorities

Height at the withers:

Toy Schnoodles: Males 25.4 - 30.48 cm, Females 25.4 - 30.48 cm at the withers

Miniature Schnoodles: Males 30.48 - 38.10 cm, Females 30.48 - 38.10 cm

Standard Schnoodles: Males 38.10 - 66.04 cm, Females 38.10 - 66.04 cm

Average weight:

Toy Schnoodles: Males 2.72 - 4.53 kg, Females 2.72 - 4.53 kg

Miniature Schnoodles: Males 5.89 - 9.07 kg, Females 5.89 - 9.07 kg

Standard Schnoodles: Males 9.07 - 34.01 kg, Females 9.07 - 34.01 kg

Schnoodles can look quite different from each other and this includes puppies from the same litter because it depends on which or the parent breeds a puppy throws to. Some puppies look more like a Poodle and others more like the Schnauzer whereas others can be somewhere in between. However, because both parent breeds are of similar size, whether toy, miniature or standard, puppies tend to be the same size as their parent breeds. Some Schnoodles can have quite curly coats much like the Poodle and other dogs inherit a Schnauzer type coat. Then there are some puppies that have coats that are half way between, being wavy rather than curly.

The one consistent is that Schnoodles usually inherit both parent breeds charmingly shaped heads which are nicely in proportion with the rest of their bodies. Their eyes are round and dark in colour being nicely framed by a dog's profuse eye brows. Their ears are set high on the head and quite wide apart, hanging forwards when dogs are excited or alert, but dropped by a dog's cheeks when relaxed or resting. Some Schnoodles have longer ears than others, but the shape typically remains the same.

Muzzles are short and slightly concave with dogs having large, dark coloured noses which adds to their charming appeal. The hair around a dog's muzzle is often trimmed so it forms charming moustaches and whiskers. The Schnoodle has a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones.

They have compact, strong and well-muscled bodies with dogs having moderately long necks and a nice width to their chests. Shoulders are well laid back and front legs straight and strong. Their backs are straight, dropping slightly over a dog's loins and bellies are nicely tucked up which adds to a dog's athletic appearance. Hindquarters are strong with dogs having well-muscled back legs. Their feet are round being compact and well covered in hair with firm pads and strong nails. Tails are set high which dogs carry gaily when excited, but lower when resting or relaxed.

When it comes to their coat, the Schnoodle can either inherit a more Schnauzer type coat which is shorter with close lying hair, or they can inherit a Poodle's curly, tight coat depending on which of the parent breeds they have thrown to. However, some dogs can inherit a bit of both and have wavier rather than straight or curly coats. The most commonly seen colours are as follows:

• Black
• Black and tan
• Phantom - which resembles the colouring of a Dobermann
• Black and white
• Sable
• Grey
• Silver
• White
• Brown
• Apricot
• Particolour

Gait/movement

When a Schnoodle moves they do so with great purpose and drive always giving the impression of covering a lot of ground and with lots of drive in their hindquarters.

Faults

Prospective Schnoodle owners should be wary of any puppies or dogs that show any sort of exaggeration whether in their looks or conformation and that extra-small Schnoodles often come with many health issues so they are best avoided. A responsible breeder would always ensure that puppies they produce are of a good size and conformation and would avoid breeding extra small dogs for these reasons. Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums.

Schnoodles are known to be happy, fun-loving and intelligent dogs that love nothing more than to be surrounded by their families. They tend to inherit their intelligence from the Poodle and the astuteness and alertness of the Schnauzer. They thrive in a home environment and love to be involved in everything that goes on around them. They form strong bonds with their owners and as such, they will naturally protect them which makes them great watch dogs to have around.

However, much as a Schnoodle can differ in looks, so their temperament can differ too, but as a rule of thumb they are loving, affectionate and extremely loyal dogs to have around. It's very important for these dogs to be well socialised from a young age so they grow up to be confident, outgoing mature dogs. Their socialisation must include introducing them to lots of new situations, noises, people, other animals and dogs once they have been fully vaccinated.

A good way of starting their education in earnest is to enroll dogs into puppy classes where they would get to meet lots of other dogs and people while being trained in a safe and controlled environment. A Schnoodle is never happier than when they know their place in the pack and who they can look to for direction and guidance. If they don't know who is the alpha dog in a household, they may quickly take on the role of a dominant dog which can make them harder to live with and handle. They are a great choice for first time owners because they are so eager and willing to please which means in the right hands and environment, Schnoodles are very easy to train.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Schnoodles are the perfect choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented, loving nothing more than to please and to entertain their families. They are particularly good with children and older people too although playtime can get a bit boisterous at times.

What about prey drive?

Schnoodles have a lot of "terrier" in them and as such they will give chase to anything that moves which includes cats. As such, it's best to keep a Schnoodle on the lead when walking them anywhere near wildlife, farm animals and other dogs they don't already know.

What about playfulness?

Schnoodles have a very playful side to their natures and love to entertain and be entertained. They are known to be a little mischievous when the mood takes them and being so clever, a Schnoodle quickly learns how to wrap an owner around a paw with their silly antics. They adore playing interactive games and are excel at many canine sporting activities which includes things like obedience, agility and flyball.

What about adaptability?

Schnoodles are highly adaptable dogs providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in. A bored Schnoodle can be a destructive dog around the home and one that barks incessantly to get attention.

What about separation anxiety?

Schnoodles form strong ties with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog's way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained.

What about excessive barking?

Some Schnoodles like the sound of their own voices a little too much which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young being careful not to frighten them. Others will only bark when there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on in their surroundings.

Do Schnoodles like water?

Most Schnoodles like swimming and will take to the water whenever they can more especially when the weather is hot. However, if anyone who owns a dog that does not like water should never force them to go in because it would just end up scaring them. With this said, care should always be taken when walking a Schnoodle off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in and then needs rescuing.

Are Schnoodles good watchdogs?

Schnoodles are known to be natural watchdogs that are always quick off the mark to let their owners know when there are strangers about although rarely would a Schnoodle do this aggressively, preferring to keep their distance and bark. Schnoodles are naturally very protective of their families thanks to their loyalty and devotion.

The Schnoodle is a very smart dog and a fast learner having inherited their intelligence from both parent breeds. The downside to this is they are just as quick to pick up bad habits as they are the good as such their training has to begin early with puppies being taught the "basics" and boundaries as soon as they arrive in their new homes. Training must be very consistent and always fair throughout a dog’s life so they know what's expected of them in the home environment.

Schnoodles are never happier than when they are given something to do which is why they are so amenable to learning new things and why they excel at many canine sports which includes activities like flyball, agility and obedience because they thrive on the attention they are given during their training and the one-to-one contact they have with their owners when they are competing.

The key to successfully training a Schnoodle is to make their training as interesting as possible and to avoid too much repetition. It's also a good idea to keep sessions short which helps dogs stay more focused on what they are being asked to do, bearing in mind that the more intelligent a dog is, the faster they get bored.

They do not answer well to harsh correction or any sort of heavy handed training methods, but they do respond extremely well to positive reinforcement which always brings the best out of these intelligent and quick-witted dogs, especially when there are high value rewards involved.

Schnoodle puppies are incredibly cute and it is all too easy to spoil them. However, all puppies must be taught the limits and boundaries right from the word go so they understand what their owners expect of them and it helps establish their place in the pack and who is the alpha dog in a household. The first commands a puppy should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Schnoodles are renowned for being great family pets and love nothing more than to be around children of all ages. They love being the centre of attention and playing interactive games with the kids. However, any interaction between younger children and a dog should be supervised by an adult to make sure playtime does not end up getting too boisterous which could end up with a child being knocked over, albeit by accident.

When well socialised from a young enough age, Schnoodles generally get on well with other dogs they meet and if they have grown up with a family cat in a household, they usually get on well together. However, they would think nothing of chasing off any other cats they encounter because they would see them as fair game. Care should be taken when they are around any smaller animals and pets just to be on the safe side.

The average life expectancy of a Schnoodle is between 10 and 15 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

The Schnoodle has been known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues that affect their parent breeds which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these charming and energetic dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:

• Hip dysplasia - Breeders should have stud dogs hip scored
• Elbow dysplasia - Breeders should have stud dogs tested
• Demyelinating Polyneuropathy - test available
• Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) - test available
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - Breeders should have stud dogs eye tested
• Cataracts
• Demyelinating Polyneuropathy - test available
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
• Patellar luxation
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes mellitus
• Addison's disease
• von Willebrand's disease
• Bloat - gastric torsion

What about vaccinations?

Schnoodle puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold, but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such, it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A lot of vets these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old, but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. With this said, many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

Some Schnoodles gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight it's important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older dogs too are more prone to gaining weight and again it's essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog's internal organs including the heart which could prove fatal.

What about allergies?

Some Schnoodles are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said, a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:

• Certain foods that contain high volumes of grain and cereals
• Airborne pollens
• Dust mites
• Environment
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

Participating in health schemes

All responsible Schnoodle breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues known to affect their parent breeds by using the following schemes:

Toy Schnoodle health tests:

• BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, DNA testing for Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, DNA test – MAC, Hereditary cataracts when dogs are 2 years old
• Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) - DNA test available

Miniature Schnoodle health tests:

• BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, DNA testing for Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, DNA test – MAC, Hereditary cataracts when dogs are 2 years old
• Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) - DNA test available

Standard Schnoodle health tests:

• Hip dysplasia - breeders should have stud dogs tested through the Animal Health Trust
• BVA/KC - DNA testing scheme for prcd-PRA

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Schnoodles are not a recognised Kennel Club breed as such there are no breed specific breeding restrictions in place for them. However, prospective owners should always make sure that breeders they contact have had stud dogs health tested for all hereditary and congenital health issues that are known to affect the Schnauzer and the Poodle whether toy, miniature or standard.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

There are no Kennel Club Assured breeder requirements in place because the Schnoodle is not a recognised KC breed.

More about tail docking

In 1993, a law was passed preventing anyone other than a vet from carrying out the procedure, but this was further changed when The Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) came into effect in 2006 which invoked a total ban on tail docking unless for medical reasons. In other parts of the UK, the Animal Welfare Act came into effect in April 2007 which meant that dog's tails could no longer be docked unless they fell into the category of a specific "working" dog or for medical reasons providing the correct paperwork has been submitted by a qualified vet who would undertake to carry out the procedure. There is a heavy fine for anyone who has a dog’s tail docked without submitting the necessary paperwork to the right authorities

As with any other breed, Schnoodles need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this, dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Schnoodle puppy

Schnoodle puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing, confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said, any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother, the better although it should never be for too long either.

It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.

The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a Schnoodle puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore, as follows:

• Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
• A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on, bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
• Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
• Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
• A well-made dog collar or harness
• A couple of strong dog leads
• A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home, that's large enough for a  puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise including Schnoodle puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out.

Keeping vet appointments

As previously mentioned, Schnoodle puppies would have been given their first vaccinations by the breeders, but they must have their follow up shots which is up to their new owners to organise. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever needed to go into kennels, their vaccinations would need to be

What about older Schnoodles when they reach their senior years?

Older Schnoodles need lots of special care because as they reach their golden years, they are more at risk of developing certain health concerns. Physically, a dog's muzzle may start to go grey, but there will be other noticeable changes too which includes the following:

• Coats become coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Schnoodles can either become overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• Immune systems do not work as efficiently as they once did which means dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs change mentally too which means their response time tends to be slower as such they develop the following:

• They respond less to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a little pickier about their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog can feel disorientated

Living with a Schnoodle in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities, but these are easily managed and should include taking a look at their diet, the amount of exercise they are given, how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

Older Schnoodles need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives all the while keeping a close eye on a dog's weight. A rough feeding guide for older dogs is as follows bearing in mind they should be fed highly digestible food that does not contain any additives:

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Fibre content should be less than 4%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

Older Schnoodles don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog, but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years because they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.

The Schnoodle can have a straight, closer lying coat, a longer wavier coat or a short and tight curly coat because it depends on which of the parent breeds a puppy has thrown to. As such the grooming needs of each dog can differ quite a lot, but as a rule of thumb all dogs need to be groomed several times a week on a regular basis to keep things tidy and to prevent any knots or tangles from forming. They also need to be professional groomed several times a year which is usually every 6 to 8 weeks so they can be clipped or trimmed which makes keeping their coats looking good in between visits to the grooming parlour that much easier. The good news is that Schnoodles shed little hair throughout the year. Because Schnoodles have whiskers and beards, it's important to clean a dog's face after they have eaten to remove any food or debris that might have got stuck in the hair around their muzzles. It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax builds up in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure with ear infections.

Schnoodles, whatever size are energetic, lively dogs and as such they need the right amount of exercise every day combined with as much mental stimulation as possible to prevent them from getting bored. They need anything from 20 to 60-minutes exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible. If they are not given the right amount of mental stimulation and exercise every day, a Schnoodle would quickly get bored and could even begin to show some destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving any stress they are feeling and not necessarily because they are being naughty.

A shorter walk in the morning would be fine, but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must with as much off the lead time as possible. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing must be extremely secure to keep these lively dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence, they will soon escape and could get into all sorts of trouble.

With this said, Schnoodle puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious problems later in their lives.

If you get a Schnoodle puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy eaters, but this does not mean they can be given a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Because larger Schnoodles are known to suffer from bloat, it is very important for them to be fed twice a day instead of giving a dog one larger meal a day. It's also a good idea to invest in a stand for their feed bowls which makes it easier for dogs to eat comfortably without having to stretch their necks down to reach their food. Dogs should never be exercised just before or just after they have eaten either because this puts them more at risk of suffering from gastric torsion.

Feeding guide for a Schnoodle puppy

Puppies need to be fed a highly nutritious, good quality diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide, a Schnoodle puppy can be fed the following amounts every day making sure their meals are evenly spread out throughout the day and it's best to feed them 3 or 4 times a day:

Toy Schnoodles

• 2 months old   - 63g to 78g depending on puppy's build
• 3 months old -  71g to 88g depending on puppy's build
• 4 months old -  75g to 92g depending on puppy's build
• 5 months old -  75g to 92g depending on puppy's build
• 6 months old -  68g to 84g depending on puppy's build
• 7 months old -  61g to 75g depending on puppy's build
• 8 months old -  54g to 66g depending on puppy's build
• 9 months old -  53g to 66g depending on puppy's build
• 10 months old -  53g to 66g depending on puppy's build

Once a puppy is 11 months old they can be fed adult dog food.

Miniature Schnoodles

• 2 months old   - 102g to 135g depending on puppy's build
• 3 months old -  118g to 160g depending on puppy's build
• 4 months old -  124g to 171g depending on puppy's build
• 5 months old -  125g to 174g depending on puppy's build
• 6 months old -  124g to 173g depending on puppy's build
• 7 months old -  112g to 156g depending on puppy's build
• 8 months old -  100g to 138g depending on puppy's build
• 9 months old -  89g to 122g depending on puppy's build
• 10 months old -  89g to 121g depending on puppy's build

When puppies are 11 months old they can be fed adult dog food

Standard Schnoodles

• 2 months old   - 133g to 258g depending on puppy's build
• 3 months old -  159g to 312g depending on puppy's build
• 4 months old -  171g to 338g depending on puppy's build
• 5 months old -  174g to 359g depending on puppy's build
• 6 months old -  174g to 381g depending on puppy's build
• 8 months old -  137g to 345g depending on puppy's build
• 10 months old -  119g to 281g depending on puppy's build

Once a puppy is 12 months old, they can be fed adult food

Feeding guide for an adult Schnoodle

Once fully mature, an adult Schnoodle must be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health. As a rough guide, an adult Schnoodle can be fed the following amounts every day:

Toy Schnoodles

• Dogs weighing 3 kg can be fed 54g to 62g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 4 kg can be fed 67g to 78g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 4.5 kg can be fed 72g to 84g depending on activity

Miniature Schnoodles

• Dogs weighing 6 kg can be fed 92g to 106g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 7 kg can be fed 103g to 119g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 8 kg can be fed 114g to 132g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 9 kg can be fed 125g to 144g depending on activity

Standard Schnoodles

• Dogs weighing 9 kg can be fed 129g to 176g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 10 kg can be fed 139g to 186g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 20 kg can be fed 233g to 307g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 30 kg can be fed 295g to 382g depending on activity

If you are looking to buy a Schnoodle, you would need to pay anything from £500 to over £900 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Schnoodle in northern England would be £25.34 a month for basic cover but for a lifetime policy, this would set you back £45.91 a month (quote as of January 2018). When insurance companies calculate a pet's premium, they factor in several things which includes where you live in the UK, a dog's age and whether they have been neutered or spayed among other things.

When it comes to food costs, you need to buy the best quality food whether wet or dry making sure it suits the different stages of a dog’s life. This would set you back between £20 - £30 a month. On top of this, you need to factor in veterinary costs if you want to share your home with a Schnoodle and this includes their initial vaccinations, their annual boosters, the cost of neutering or spaying a dog when the time is right and their yearly health checks, all of which quickly adds up to over £900 a year.

As a rough guide, the average cost to keep and care for a Schnoodle would be between £50 to £80 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog, but this does not include the initial cost of buying a responsibly bred, healthy Schnoodle puppy from health tested parent breeds.

When visiting and buying any puppy or dog, there are many important things to consider and questions to ask of the breeder/seller.  You can read our generic puppy/dog advice here which includes making sure you see the puppy with its mother and to verify that the dog has been wormed and microchipped.

Schnoodles have fast become an extremely popular breed both in the UK and elsewhere in the world which means that well-bred puppies command a lot of money. As such, with Schnoodles there is specific advice, questions and protocols to follow when buying a puppy which are as follows:

• Beware of online scams and how to avoid them.  You may see online and other adverts by scammers showing images of beautiful Schnoodle puppies for sale at very low prices. However, the sellers ask buyers for money up front before agreeing to deliver a puppy to a new home. Potential buyers should never buy a puppy unseen and should never pay a deposit or any other money online to a seller.  You should always visit the pet at the sellers home to confirm they are genuine and make a note of their address.
• As previously touched upon, Schnoodles have fast become one of the more popular hybrid/designer dogs in the UK. As such, there are many amateur breeders/people who breed from dams far too often so they can make a quick profit without caring for the welfare of the puppies, their dam or the breed in general. Under Kennel Club rules, a dam can only produce 4 litters and she must be between a certain age to do so which all responsible breeders would adhere to even for breeds that are not KC recognised. Anyone wishing to buy a Schnoodle puppy should think very carefully about who they purchase their puppy from and should always ask to see the relevant paperwork pertaining to a puppy's lineage, their vaccinations and their microchipping.
• Prospective Schnoodle owners should be very careful when considering buying an extra small puppy because all too often they suffer from very serious health issues and no responsible breeder would purposefully breed dogs so they are too small.
• In 1993, a law was passed preventing anyone other than a vet from carrying out the procedure, but this was further changed when The Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) came into effect in 2006 which invoked a total ban on tail docking unless for medical reasons. In other parts of the UK, the Animal Welfare Act came into effect in April 2007 which meant that dog's tails could no longer be docked unless they fell into the category of a specific "working" dog or for medical reasons providing the correct paperwork has been submitted by a qualified vet who would undertake to carry out the procedure. There is a heavy fine for anyone who has a dog’s tail docked without submitting the necessary paperwork to the right authorities.