Schnoodle. Carol Bobrowsky
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of where the professional breeding and record-keeping of Schnoodles first occurred in the United States, the original goal among the breeders appears to have been to develop an allergy-friendly, mid-sized, long-lived and intelligent dog that was not prone to the health disorders found in many of the pure-bred lines of the Miniature Schnauzer and Poodle. By the late 1990s, Schnoodle popularity had grown noticeably as the Schnoodle was considered to be one of the up-and-coming new “designer” Poodle-mix breeds.
Intelligent, alert and adorable—just a few of the traits that endear the Schnoodle to many.
Combining the best of two much-loved breeds…into one irresistible Schnoodle package.
Meet the Schnoodle Parent Breeds
The first Schnoodles documented in the United States were derived from breeding Miniature Schnauzers with Toy or Miniature Poodles. The mere use of adjectives like “miniature” and “toy” in describing parent breeds and/or lines of dogs, however, suggests that a thorough background description of each breed (and their variations) is in order to truly understand the Schnoodle.
Two outstanding breeds result in a handsome hybrid with so much to offer.
SCHNAUZERS
There are three unique breeds of schnauzer: Miniature, Standard and Giant. All three breeds were painstakingly developed from multi-generational lines in the neighboring kingdoms of Württemberg and Bavaria in Germany. The outstanding physical conformation and keenness of the original breed (Standard Schnauzer) was maintained throughout the evolution of the schnauzer breeds that followed.
The Standard Schnauzer, which is the medium-sized breed, dates back as far as the 15th century. As its name implies, this is undoubtedly the oldest, and the prototype, of the three breeds. It is believed that the Standard Schnauzer is the product of crossings of the German Pudel, the old Wirehaired Pinscher and the German Wolfspitz. Although classified as terriers in the American dog-show ring from 1899 to 1945 because of their coat and stance, Standard Schnauzers were transferred to the Working Group after authorities contended that the breed had served as cattle tenders, guard and yard dogs and (occasionally) ratters since the breed’s inception.
Standard Schnauzers range in height from 18 to 20 inches at the withers (17 to 19 inches for females), are square in the proportion of body length to body height and are ruggedly built with respect to both muscle and skeletal frame. Their coat is double, consisting of a harsh, hard and wiry outer coat with a soft undercoat. The breed’s coat colors are pepper-and-salt (or similar equal mixtures) and black. The breed’s nature is a wonderful combination of unusual intelligence, reliability and high-spiritedness.
The Miniature Schnauzer, or “Mini,” originated from the crossing of Affenpinschers with small-sized Standard Schnauzers some time in the mid- to late 19th century. The Mini was recognized as a separate breed in 1899 when it initially appeared in its own show classes in Germany, its native land. Minis first came to the United States in 1925 and have grown steadily in popularity. It’s noteworthy that the American Kennel Club (AKC) appears steadfast in classifying Minis as terriers (unlike their ancestor breed, the Standard Schnauzer), yet several authorities claim that there is no reason for this classification. Regardless, the Miniature Schnauzer has endeared himself to many owners as a delightful, attractive companion, as well as an excellent watchdog.
The smallest of the schnauzers, the Miniature, is huge in personality and popularity.
Minis range in height from 12 to 14 inches at the withers (the ideal size being 13.5 inches) and resemble their larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer. Like the Standard, the Mini is large-boned, of sturdy build and nearly square in proportion of body height to length. Miniature Schnauzers also have a double coat consisting of a hard, wiry outer coat and a close undercoat. Coat colors of the Mini are pepper-and-salt, black-and-silver and solid black.
The Mini’s “Giant” cousin…and the schnauzer original, the Standard.
The Giant Schnauzer, or Reisenschnauzer, is the largest and most recently developed of the three breeds of schnauzer. Before further unearthing this breed’s history, it should be noted that virtually all breeds of dog (including the schnauzers) were developed over time in close relation to the occupations of the dogs’ owners. New breeds were carefully fashioned and nurtured with the primary goal of assisting their owners in their day-to-day lives. Geographic region, climate and living conditions of the owners were also significant factors in breed development.
Allure of Designer Dogs
Poodle mixes, like the Schnoodle, Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Goldendoodle and more, have recently come into the spotlight and are quickly gaining in popularity. Each puppy is unique and offers the benefits of the Poodle heritage: intelligence, an easy-care coat and a nice temperament. The more and more people seek out these mixes, the more the breeders will produce them. One must watch out for poorly bred pups, though, as unscrupulous breeders will eagerly mix their breeding stock to fulfill pet-distributor orders. The designer-dog purchaser needs to be just as careful when purchasing his Poodle cross as he would be if purchasing a pure-bred.
A desirable designer hybrid, cuddling its way into the hearts and homes of dog lovers across America.
With regards to the origin of Giant Schnauzers, it has been documented that Bavarian cattlemen journeying to Stuttgart, Württemberg, became interested in the Standard Schnauzer and brought some of these powerful, medium-sized dogs back with them to Bavaria. Because the raising and selling of cattle, sheep and other livestock were major occupations in these regions of Germany, it was necessary for these dogs to assist the shepherds in driving their livestock to the marketplace. Bavarians collectively liked the Standard Schnauzer, as the sheepmen and other small-livestock farmers found that this size of herding animal was quite ample for their needs. Cattlemen, however, discovered that they needed a larger breed for driving their cattle over the countryside to market.
It is believed that their first attempts at modifying this mid-sized terrier line to create a drover’s dog involved crossing Standard Schnauzers with some of the smooth-coated dog breeds used by herdsmen and dairymen, as well as the Bouvier des Flandres. Rough-haired sheep dogs and finally the black Great Dane were then bred into this evolving terrier line to produce the powerful, highly intelligent, wiry-coated drover’s terrier known as the Giant Schnauzer.
A rare litter indeed—giant Schnoodle pups whelped from a beautiful Giant Schnauzer and a Standard Poodle sire.
The Münchener, as the breed was called for many years, was renowned throughout southern Germany from the late 19th into the very early 20th century as an excellent cattle and droving dog. However, with the advent and expansion of mechanized transportation throughout Europe, cattle droving became a thing of the past. Although the breed was still used by butchers,