Are you like many Americans and wish to have a smaller Doodle? Maybe you have considered a Schnoodle or Maltipoo? These two are exciting dogs to own; you may even have a hard time choosing. Let’s take a look at the Schnoodle vs Maltipoo. Seeing their similarities and differences side by side may help you choose the best breed.
Origins
- Like most Doodles, both the Schnoodle or Maltipoo share a common ancestor in Poodles. These Poodles came from the German and France areas for hunting. They were highly intelligent, which is what started the mass breeding of them.
- Schnoodles are also half Schnauzer. Giant Schnauzers were born to herd livestock and to be excellent guard dogs. Eventually, smaller versions were to hunt mice and protect the farms. The first Schnoodle came about to be the perfect companion in the 80s.
- The Maltipoo is half Maltese. They come from an ancient past recorded in Roman and Greek paintings. They were the perfect companion dog, and even elite children had them. When the first Maltipoo was born, they had the ideal companion in mind.
Temperament
- Schnoodles are a great mix of both of their parents. A Schnoodles temperament is loyal to a fault and eager to please. They love to play and seek attention daily. But they can also be stubborn and need a lot of early socialization. The Schnoodle (especially standard Schnoodles) tend to need a lot more training and attention than the mini or toy sizes. They do require an owner that knows what they are doing. Preferably this breed does better with someone who is not a beginner.
- A Maltipoos temperament is like an energetic lap dog. They want to be right at your heels for everything you do. They are loyal and caring. Your Maltipoo will love to play with you and snuggle at just the right times. The Maltipoo is as intelligent as the Schnoodle and can get a little spunky. They are great for people who are home a lot to give them the attention they crave.
Training
Both the Schnoodle and the Maltipoo are brilliant dogs. But, they both come with their challenges to train.
- Like we mentioned before, Schnoodles can be very hard-headed. They learn quickly and are generally eager to please. But, if anything upsets them or they can’t get their way, they stop everything. To have better luck training them, you will need to have a lot of patience. They respond best to positive reinforcements. Once your Schnoodle has gotten the hang of training, they will come to enjoy a challenge and a task.
- Maltipoos are known to have a little spunk, especially females. This is more apparent in their “teenage” months. But, once you can come over this roadblock, you will have a well-behaved dog. Maltipoos also respond well to positive reinforcement as it tricks them into thinking that they are controlling the situation. They love to please their owners and crave the attention. So, if they think they are going to get positive reactions, they will do the right behaviors.
Energy Level
- Both the Maltipoo and Schnoodle have a moderate to high energy level. Schnoodles tend to be a little more energetic, though. They love to play, and regardless of size, need a lot of exercise. You will need to give them a 30-60 minute walk every day to keep them happy. Without enough exercise, your Doodle may result in chewing or other harmful behaviors. Another sign that your Doodle is not getting enough play is that they seem overly hyper.
- We should also mention at this time the space required for a Schnoodle and Maltipoo. Most of the Schnoodles you see today are mini or toy sizes. These do well in apartment-style living with enough exercise. But, Standard Schnoodles need bigger spaces and yards to make them feel comfortable. Maltipoos only come in mini and toy varieties and also do well in apartments.
Coat Type
- Another way that the Schnoodle and Maltipoo are different is their coats. Schnoodles can have a curly, wavy, or straight coat type. If you want a hypoallergenic coat, then you will want to get either a curly or wavy coat type. Curly hair can be virtually shed-free, while wavy hair is low shedding. Straight coats tend to be more coarse and sheds once a season. And if you are looking for a Schnoodle in different colors, you’re in luck. Schnoodles come in just about every color under the sun.
- Maltipoos have a similar coat to Schnoodles, but they only come in wavy to curly. They are also a hypoallergenic breed that sheds little to none at all. And just as the Schnoodle, they come in every color imaginable.
- The great thing about both Schnoodles and Maltipoos is that they are least likely to shed compared to other Doodles. Doodles are hypoallergenic, because of genetics coming from the Poodle heritage. But, since both Schnauzers and Maltese are also hypoallergenic, it makes it almost impossible to get a dog with a short coat that sheds a ton.
Grooming
All Doodles have the same grooming routine required. If you keep your dog’s hair longer, they will need to brushing every day to prevent matting. But, if you keep their hair short, you can get away with every other day. Brushing is the most crucial part of owning a Doodle. Without regular brushing, you will find that their coats become dull and lifeless. And, when you go to get them professionally groomed, they might have to shave down unsavable hair.
- Professional grooming is the other aspect of owning a Doodle. Your dog will need a grooming appointment every 6-12 weeks, depending on how long you keep their coats. Since their hair does not shed, it needs to be cut and sanitary areas cleaned well. Your groomer might also suggest a bath and nail trim during this time.
- These appointments and routines are essential to start early. When you start young, it trains them to be still and good during appointments. If you wait until after your dog is a year old, it will be almost impossible to get them groomed. Waiting is a mistake many Doodle owners make time and again. It’s never too early to start with good habits.
Size And Lifespan
- Next, we will talk about how big these Doodles get and how long they live.
- Schnoodles come in three sizes: toy, mini, and standard. The most popular Schnoodle size is the toy or mini, which can easily be found everywhere. Toy Schnoodles range from 6-10 pounds, and the Mini Schnoodle is 13-20. The Standard Schnoodle gets anywhere from 20-75 pounds. This may seem like a big difference in standards, but it depends on how large the parents are to produce larger puppies. Also, with genetics, you never know which side will become more dominant.
- Maltipoos only come in two sizes: toy and mini. Toy Maltipoos only grow to be 3-10 pounds, while the minis grow to be 5-20 pounds. If you are wanting a smaller Maltipoo, it is best to get one with toy-sized parents. Beware of any breeder trying to sell a teacup-sized Maltipoo, as these are not a real size. The teacup is a gimmick by breeders to charge more for a size they can not guarantee.
- You may be wondering what the lifespan is on these two breeds. A Schnoodle lifespan can be anywhere from 10-14 years, with smaller dogs living longer. Maltipoos have a slightly longer lifespan of 14-16 years.
Medical Conditions
- All breeds are prone to certain medical conditions. While we can’t eliminate them, there are a few things we can do to prevent them. First, good breeding is a necessity. Reputable breeders will have DNA tests done on their dogs before breeding them. They will only use dogs that have a little chance of passing on genetic traits. As a buyer, you are entitled to these documents.
- Second, taking good care of your dog can also prevent diseases. Feeding quality foods and getting regular exercise helps reduce the chance of illnesses. Included in good care means getting regular checkups and dental exams. All of these can help increase your dog’s life expectancy.
Schnoodles can be prone to:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye disease
- Patellar luxation
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Addison’s disease
- And bloat
Maltipoos are prone to:
- Patellar luxation
- Eye disease
- Tiny mouth syndrome
- Colitis
- Low blood sugar
- And liver disease
Cost
- If you are in love with both of these breeds so far, taking a look at the price may help you decide. While both of these Doodles are becoming more and more popular, Schnoodles cost more in general. The average Schnoodle costs $600-$1,000. They can be a little more expensive for a Standard Schnoodle or rare color type.
- Maltipoos, on average, cost $700-$2,000. This price can fluctuate depending on your area and what color you are getting. But, no matter what type you get, make sure that your money means something. Both of these dogs are prone to come from backyard breeders and mills. If you are paying $2,000 for a puppy, you need to see where breeding happens and all genetic testing.
- Another option is to get your Doodle from a shelter. There are lots of Schnoodles and Maltipoos in shelters and rescues all over the USA. If you take a look at breed-specific rescues, often Schnauzer and Maltese rescues will have a mixed breed for a reasonable price.
Are You In Love Yet?
Both of these Doodles make unbelievable pets to own. No matter if you are more of a Schnoodle person or Maltipoo lover, they each have their own delightful ways.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
