Do you think that you are ready to get a Schnoodle? The Schnoodle is your dream dog in all ways. And while picking a breed can be difficult, selecting a size can be harder. What? Do they come in different sizes? Yes, my friend, they do. And each Schnoodle size has significant aspects that would make them perfect for your home. Today, we are going to discuss how big do Schnoodles get. Since Schnoodles are a crossbreed, this can be a rather tricky task. So, if you ever have questions about how large your puppy will get, talk with your reputable breeder.
Schnauzer Sizes
Before we dive into what size a Schnoodle will get, it helps to take a look at the parents. Since Schnauzers are a pure breed, their sizes are predictable and down to an exact science due to breeding. Since these purebred pups have been around since the 14th century, their sizes are not as unpredictable as their crossbred offspring.
Schnauzers come in three recognized sizes by the AKC and other breed registries.
- Giant Schnauzers stand up to 27.5 inches tall and can weigh 75-95 pounds
- Standards are 17.5-19.5 inches tall and 31-44 pounds
- And finally, a mini is 12-14 inches tall and 12-20 pounds
All of these sizes have the same temperament and energy levels despite what some owners say. They are witty but stubborn and need a strong-willed owner to match them. Schnauzers are a fearless bunch who are excellent guard dogs. People have always adored their personalities, which made them subject to make the next designer Doodle breed.
Poodle Sizes
The hype about Poodle crossbreeds has a lot to do with personality and their coats. Poodle crosses are intelligent, loyal, and hypoallergenic. It is no surprise that breeders crossed them with a Schnauzer.
Poodles also come in three different sizes that are used in making all breeds of Doodles into smaller and smaller versions. They all act about the same and have the same energy requirements too. These Poodle sizes have had over 400 years of perfecting to get the exact proportions required by the breed standard. While there are some slight differences, this is due to the dogs being male or female. Male dogs are typically slightly larger than females, but not always.
- Standard Poodles are 22-27 inches tall and weigh 45-70 pounds
- Mini Poodles stand 10-15 inches tall and weigh 15-17 pounds
- While Toy Poodles are 10 inches and under in height. And only 6-9 pounds.
As you can see, the Poodle sizes are slightly smaller than the Schnauzer sizes. In most Doodle crossbreeds, the male is typically the Poodle parent. This is because the Poodle sizes are smaller and can not handle larger puppies. Could you imagine a Toy Poodle mother carrying a litter of 12-20 pound puppies? This combination could end in disaster for the mother.
Schnoodle Size
Now that we have taken a look at the parent breeds, we can now look at the Schnoodle. Since Schnauzers and Poodles come in three sizes, the Schnoodle does too.
- Standard Schnoodles range from 15-27 inches tall and 30-75 pounds (A cross of either a Giant or Standard Schnauzer and Standard Poodle)
- Mini Schnoodles are 12-15 inches and 13-20 pounds (A cross of Mini Schnauzer and Mini Poodle)
- Toy Schnoodles are 10-12 inches tall and 6-10 pounds (A cross of the Mini Schnauzer and Toy Poodle)
These sizes can be hard to predict because genetics is not an exact science. Some puppies could take on more genetics of the larger Schnauzer than the Poodle. This would make them larger than what their intended size is supposed to be. With all hybrids, there are no guarantees and no breed standards.
If you would like to take a better guess as to what size your puppy will be, there are a few steps you can take. First, you should already be viewing the breeding pair before making a deposit. Take a good look at their sizes. You can assume that your puppy will be no larger than the Schnauzer, and no smaller than the Poodle. If you are happy with either size, you are good to go. If you want an even better idea, ask to see pictures of past breeds. Most reputable breeders will have a portfolio of all previous litters by the breeding pair in question.
Does Schnoodle Size Effect Temperament?
Some owners will claim that smaller Schnoodles are more energetic, or that larger ones are more stubborn. For the most part, this is untrue. All Schnoodles have the same temperament that comes from their purebred backgrounds. They are a perfect blend of fearless and loyal. Your Schnoodle will sometimes be a little stubborn, but still eager to please. This seems like an impossible combination, but your Schnoodle executes it to perfection.
How you raise your Schnoodle can have more of an effect on their personalities, though. If you have a Toy Schnoodle that is spoiled, they are more likely to be hard-headed when they don’t want to do something. This stubbornness has nothing to do with temperament. They are just used to always getting their way and being pampered. When you try to set your foot down, they will be more likely to resist.
Schnoodle Medical Concerns
Every crossbreed has a risk of getting any medical conditions that their parents are prone to. Most breeders try to reason that since they are crossbreeds, they are actually healthier. And in a sense this is true, but very misleading. If you have two breeds that carry the same genetic marker for cancer, you will have a higher chance of getting a puppy with cancer. While both breeds aren’t necessarily prone to the same illnesses, they can still develop them because these illnesses are not breed-specific.
It is always a wise idea to look at both parental DNA health tests to see what genetic markers they have. You would also make sure that your puppy has been viewed by a trusted vet and passed a health screen. Even with all of these precautions, it is possible for your Schnoodle to develop:
- Eye diseases
- Hip and elbow dysplasia (especially large breeds)
- Knee problems (especially small breeds)
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Addison’s disease
- And bloat
Some of these diseases affect some sizes more than others, but they can happen in every size. Knowing what your Schnoodle is prone to get can help you in a variety of ways. It helps you to double-check your breeder that they are doing all health tests available. It also helps you and your vet to work closely and notice the early signs of each disease. The sooner something is detected, the faster a treatment plan can work.
Schnoodle Lifespan
When you look up the average lifespan of a Schnoodle, you will get that they live 10-16 years. But this is a vast difference. Larger breeds only live 10-14 years, and smaller Schnoodles live 12-16 years. The reason large dogs live a shorter time is that they age at a faster rate than most small breeds.
But there are a few things you can do to lengthen your Schnoodles lifetime. Regular exercise and mental stimulation is key to keeping them active and healthy. When you pair this with a high-quality diet, your dog will be healthier and live longer with fewer medical complications. Speaking of medical, regular check-ups are also important. You will want to have a check-up every six months and one dental cleaning a year. Frequent check-ups will leave no room for medical conditions to worsen or go unnoticed.
Schnoodle Size Pros & Cons
Depending on what your lifestyle is, there are lots of pros to owning a smaller Schnoodle.
- Live longer
- Do well in smaller houses
- Can be better for children (with proper socialization)
- All the personality of a larger dog, in a mini
- Common
- Size is more predictable
But there can also be cons.
- Can easily trip over these Velcro dogs
- Have just as high of energy as larger Schnoodles
- Just as stubborn at times
- More prone to come from backyard breeders and mills
And Standard Schnoodles also have their pros.
- Great guard dogs
- Good for outdoor families
- More likely to come from a reputable breeder
Standard Schnoodle cons include:
- Need larger spaces
- Can be stubborn
- Takes longer to groom (and costs more to groom)
The more common Schnoodles are the toy and mini versions. That is because they are easily accessible and easier to predict. But, there are many reputable breeders out there that have Standard Schnoodles that are healthy and adorable. These Schnoodles might cost just a little more than the more common smaller breeds. But we think this is a price well paid.
What Size Do You Want?
With so many different Schnoodle sizes, there is the perfect Doodle for every owner. No matter if you are looking for a big manly dog, a smaller lap dog, or somewhere in between. There are plenty of Schnoodles to choose from. They have such a great character and calm, loving souls. Anyone would be lucky to have a Schnoodle. Now to decide what gender and color you want!