A Little About Schnoodles
This adorable breed came about by crossing a miniature Schnauzer and a Poodle.
Anyone who owns one of these dogs agrees that they are delightful, smart and funny. The intelligence comes from the Poodle side, while the cuteness is inherited from the Schnauzer.
As a first-generation cross breed, some kennel clubs have been slow to accept the breed, although some have accepted them to enter certain events such as crossbreed, mixed-breed and agility and obedience.
As with most designer dog breeds, the Schnoodle inherits traits from both parents, which means that your pup may be a little stubborn at times. Some of them enjoy barking, while others love to dig.
At the moment there is no breed standard for Schnoodles, and they are loosely defined as Toy, Miniature and Standard.
Most of them are small because the parentage is Miniature Schnauzer and Miniature/Toy Poodle.
Schnoodles typically have curly coats which need to be clipped frequently. They are delightfully playful and get along with most people. They do not like to be left alone for long periods.
Short History of Schnoodles
Schnoodles were first bred in the 1980’s although the parentage goes back to the middle ages.
The Schnoodle was originally bred to be classed as a hypoallergenic dog for people who suffered from allergies and still wanted pets.
Standard Schnauzers originally came from Bavaria with records showing them being around in the middle ages working on farms.
They were primarily used to hunt, herd livestock and guard the homes. In the 1920’s the breed was introduced to America.
Poodles originated in Germany about 400 years ago. They began their lives as duck hunters although they were adopted by French aristocracy soon after because of their elegance and intelligence.
Poodles have always been natural entertainers, as well as being very smart.
Schnoodles are not recognized by the AKC although both the parents have been recognized with the Schnauzer in the Terrier Group and the Poodle in the non-sporting section.
What is a Schnoodles Coat Like?
There are two words to describe the Schnoodle coat – soft and fluffy! This will vary depending on the genes which each pup inherits.
More Poodle gene will give a short, tightly curled coat, while the Schnauzer will be softer and wavier.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict the type of coat in a pup so you will need to wait a few months before the true coat appears.
The Schnoodle coat can come through in any color, namely black, grey, sable, silver, apricot, brown or a combination of any of the colors.
Again, depending on the combination of genes in the pup, the coat may be longer and wavier or tightly curled.
It can even be a combination of both coats. In fact, this is normally the case with the breed, with ‘poodle curls’ in some places, and Schnauzer waves in others.
Second generation Schnoodles may have either the poodle coat or the Schnauzer coat, and less of one type.
The type of coat your pup has will dictate the amount of grooming it will need, although both fur types must be kept tangle-free. Schnoodles look their best when they are clipped every six to eight weeks.
Do Schnoodles Shed?
| Yes Schnoodles do shed, although they are classed as low shedders. First generation Schnoodles have coats which are mostly wavy and soft but sometimes dead hair collects near the skin and must be brushed out. |
As far as leaving mountains of hair on your floor, they do not do this. You will find little hair on the floor or on furniture.
How much hair is shed depends on the genes and which are more dominant, although both breeds are light shedders.
Because of this low-shedding trait, the breed is considered popular with people who suffer from allergies.
How Much do Schnoodles Shed?
Schnoodles shed little. Even after a good brush you may not find a great pile of hair.
So, do Schnoodles Shed a lot?
Again, the answer here is not, they do not shed a lot. You will not be faced with piles of hair around your house, even in the shedding season which is at the end of summer and the start of winter.
When do Schnoodles Shed the Most?
Of there is a specific time when your Schnoodle sheds more, it will be as the seasons change.
This normally happens at the end of summer when the temperature start to drop, or in spring when it is getting warm.
At these two times during the year you may find more hair when you brush your pooch. Apart from these seasonal periods, the Schnoodle hardly sheds at all
How to Combat Schnoodles Shedding?
Regular brushing to remove any knots and tangles is important to keep any shedding to a minimum although this is not so much about the amount of hair which is dropped but to keep the hair tangle-free.
Because of the Poodle gene, and the tight curls, you will find that your dog gets knots and tangles if the hair is not brushed frequently.
A further way to keep any shedding under control is to have your dog professional clipped every six to eight weeks. This will remove any dead hair and keep the coat shiny and neat.
Your dog will also need to have his hair trimmed to keep it out of his eyes and to keep whiskers and beards clean.
If the face is not kept clean debris such as food particles and dust can get stuck and cause knotting.
Because of the different genes which appear in each pup it is hard to state accurately the amount of shedding they will do but the breed, overall, does not shed a lot.
Equipment Help to Combat Schnoodles Shedding
For your Schnoodle to look its best you need some items in your grooming basket. Let’s look at these.
Slicker brush
These brushes are designed to reach the skin through the coat so it is important that you brush carefully as you may scratch the skin below.
They are especially useful for getting all the way through and taking care of knots under the surface.
Metal tooth comb
This will effectively comb through the hair once any knots are removed. Extremely curly coats will need a wide-tooth comb to get through.
Bristle brush
Natural bristle brushes are best for the Schnoodle because they have sensitive skin.
These brushes, when used after the slicker brush will leave the hair shiny and smooth. They help to evenly distribute the natural oils.
Doggie shampoo
If you decide to bath your dog, then you should make sure that you use only shampoo which is designed for dogs. Do not be tempted to use your own shampoo as it may irritate the skin.
Are Schnoodles Considered to be Hypoallergenic?
No breed is truly hypoallergenic, although the Schnoodle comes awfully close.
They produce fewer allergens than most other breeds and generally work well for anyone who suffers from allergies.
Do some Schnoodles Shed More Than Others?
Depending on the gene passed down, you may find that your long-haired Schnoodle sheds marginally more than the shorter haired pooch.
However, neither type shed very much. You cannot tell at birth which coat type your pup will have but this should not be a problem as far as shedding goes.
Health Reasons for Increased Shedding in Schnoodles
The most typical reason for your Schnoodle to shed more is that the skin is irritated. This is a common condition for this breed.
Poor diet may also cause extra shedding, so be sure to include vital nutrients in the food.
Dogs in heat, pregnant and lactating may shed slightly more, although this will return to normal when pups are weaned.
Final Thoughts
Considering the amount of shedding that does not happen with this breed, it is easy to understand why the Schnoodle is becoming so popular with people, especially anyone who suffers from allergies.