anyone have a schnoodle?

**banana** · 07-07-2006, 02:02 PM

My son has been talking about getting another dog already. Hubby feels empty and wants another pet as well. I want to make a good decision and not rush into anything. Does anyone here own a schnoodle? It is a cross between a schnauzer and a poodle. My son fell in love with a puppy he saw at the mall, but I wasnt anywhere ready for another addtion. I want to do some homework and make a wise decision.

**justmeD** · 07-07-2006, 05:43 PM

I don't own one myself. However, last year I had a sweet little schnoodle at my home for 9 days. (i was pet sitting). I LOVED LOVED LOVED that dog. She was sweet, friendly, and oh my goodness SO smart. She was a pup but understood everything. She was great with my children. As with any breed, some dogs are wonderful some aren't...but i had a terrific experience with this one.

**slowtypinwoman** · 07-07-2006, 08:46 PM

Dog fancy had an article on designer breeds last year. The schnoodle was one that was talked about. Perhaps you could go to the online mag. and look up the article.

**PrairieRose** · 07-07-2006, 09:27 PM

We had a schnauzzer that lived to be 12 (had to be put down b/c she had cancer

) and she was a wonderful, loyal, loving friend and member of the family. The only bad things about schnauzzers is when they get loose they will run like the wind, with you in hot pursuit yelling profanities at them

We have a poodle now (3 years old) and I've had one in the past and I can tell you can't beat them in the smarts and funnies. They're loyal, loving, demanding, stubborn, loving, possesive......So I'm sure a schnoodle would be the best of both worlds. I just can't wrap my head around what they look like. Good luck deciding.

**justmeD** · 07-08-2006, 10:05 PM

Lisa, Here is what our Friend's looks like...she has an underbite, cutest thing ever!

**autumnlynn** · 07-08-2006, 11:45 PM

Diane,

Your dog is absolutely adorable!!! Love that under-bite!!

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-09-2006, 03:23 AM

Schnoodles are a nice cross but don't go the pet store route, many mixes are great dogs, if you can save a pup from your shelter and know you're saving a life

I have a problem with those that are just crossing breeds now and asking huge prices for them, many times there is no real thought regarding genetic problems and hereditary problems of the breeds being crossed and the problems they can cause.

We have 4 rat terriers, a bloodhound and a lab/pitt cross (he was from the humane society and we THOUGHT he was a lab/boxer until he grew up) this cross is the BEST farm dog I've ever known!

Somewhwere out there will be the perfect addition for your family, you'll know it when you meet it.

kj

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 07-09-2006, 04:16 AM

The designer dog fad is a hotly debated topic on the dog forums I belong to. There is nothing wrong with a mixed breed dog of ANY sort, but paying designer prices for a mutt is ridiculous( I love mutts too--used ot have one myself--so I am NOT bashing them!). Labradoodles (Lab/Poodle crosses) cost about $2500.00 in my neck of the woods. However, you can go to the county shelter and pick up a Lab/Poodle mix (same thing, different term--Ahhh, the joys of marketing!) for about $100.00.

If you understand genetics, you will laugh yourself silly over the back yard breeders' (a term used for people who breed their bitches just to make money with no regard for her health or for the puppies' welfare) claims that they are hypoallergenic and nonshedding. When you get a mixed breed puppy, this is a true crap shoot. You MIGHT get a dog that is more Poodle-like in that it doesn't shed and must be clipped every couple of months. OTOH, you may get one that sheds like crazy (like a Lab) and will make every allergist clap his/her hands with glee ("Oh, I AM getting a new Mercedes this year!").

Another thing to remember is that no reputable registry will EVER register these dogs. This isn't a problem if you only want a pet, but many unscrupulous breeders claim that "the AKC will recognize this HYBRID (note the different term here) in a few years". This is NOT so becasue these dogs do not breed "true", meaning that the puppies will not grow up into a uniform, recognizable dog. For example, we ALL know what a Boxer, a Pug or a German Shepherd look like since they breed true. There are variations within a breed of color, general build, etc., but everyone knows a Poodle when s/he sees one. A Cockapoo, OTOH, MIGHT look like a heavy coated Poodle or a curly-coated Cocker Spaniel or a Cocker with a wavier than usual coat or a Poodle with a banner-style tail. There is no uniformity in what one expects when seeing a Cokapoo. This is why Cockapoos have been bred (purposely) for over fifty years and they are STILL not recognized by the AKC, UKC or Canadian KC.

Also, other posters are correct in stating that pet stores are not the best place to buy puppies (or kittnes, for that matter). Rescue your puppy from a shelter, get one free when the neighbor's bitch gets out and ends up with cute mixed breed pups eight weeks later or, if you want a particualr bloodline, buy from a RESPONSIBLE breeder of purebred puppies. Many, many pet store puppies come from puppy mills, horrible places where kennels are stacked several high and urine and feces drip down into the lower kennels. The animals are NEVER socialized, bitches are bred EVERY season and NO health screening is done! Also, puppies from reputable breeders (NEVER found in newspapers) will actually cost LESS than the puppy mill puppies from a pet store.

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-11-2006, 12:22 PM

Lori I agree that mutts are GREAT, but those breeding the "designer doggies" are so often using dogs that they picked up cheap and then you have the hip dysplasia, bad temperment, etc that you just don't know what will show up.

My VERY BEST dog is a mutt, I'd LOVE to have another one as he's 9 and slowing down a bit, he's actually what they'd call a "hog dog" in FL, and I call him that for a different reason. He's a Pitt/lab cross and THE BEST farm dog in the WORLD! He takes care of mice, rats, ground hogs, possum, racoons and chases of neighbors cats. He won't touch my chickens, peeps, cats, kittens, cows or horses, he knows better! Heck, my rooster beats him up lol.

But I'd never want to encourage anyone to breed this cross between the bad reputation that Pitts get and all the problems with poorly bred labs.

And in my younger years I worked for a pet store chain, and yep, they order the puppies weekly from a huge puppy mill and get them CHEAP! These pups are either flown in or brought in in a trailer and dirty, filthy, wormy and just sad. I'd spend a lot of time bathing these pups and getting them ready for sale. We'd get cocker pups for 50 bucks and sell them on special for only $299.00. I also saw quite a few that had to be put down when we got them, it was really sad.

OH! A THOUGHT! Even better, if you know the breed you're interested in look into a rescue group! They take in specific breeds and match them to families to rehome, a friend of mine does Corgi rescue.

kj

**guest32** · 07-11-2006, 01:57 PM

I agree totally with Lori and frugalfarmwife. Go to your local shelter and save a life. You will never have a more loving, loyal pet than one that has been rescued.
My friend bought a shih tzu from a local ad for *only 450.00* What a deal!!! However, this dog is less than a year old and she has put thousands into all kinds of wierd medical problems. My shih tzu was an 8 year old rescue from the shelter who was in deplorable shape.....I've had her for 6 years....a few hundred dollars in medical, but absolutely the sweetest dog ever. And I know she will live out her years with me in a good, safe, loving home.

**MirandaK** · 07-12-2006, 10:11 AM

Not much of a dog person, but I want to second everyone who suggested adopting from a shelter. It is so rewarding to find an animal that needs the love and attention you have to give it. They really do make the best pets. All of my cats were adopted from shelters and I would highly reccommend it. Also, if you are looking for a specific breed of dog, breed specific rescues are great. DH and I are talking about rescuing a greyhound once we have a house with a yard. Costs the same as a shelter but we are getting a breed with the type of temperment we want.

**banana** · 07-12-2006, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate it!

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-12-2006, 11:39 AM

If you live near me an Amish friend of mine has some of THE CUTEST pups for sale right now! He has two TINY male toy fox terriers that are being raised with his 8 kids, lol, they are friendly and ADORABLE! If I were going to get another dog right now I'd have one in a heart beat! These little guys are TINY but think they're HUGE!

kj

**3pups** · 07-12-2006, 02:07 PM

I have three mutts that I got from the humane society. They cost me $90 each, and this included the first set of shots and being spayed or neutered. I have never had any health problems with any of them. I work at a vet's office and I can't tell you how many pure breeds come in with health problems. It's a shame to pay so much for a dog you intend to have around a long time and then have to pay hundred (if not thousands) in vet bills.
I do agree with the other ladies that you should definately look around. There are good pure breeds also, but research the animals online. Do some homework as if you were buying a car. Animals are an important part of our lives and you want to make sure you are bringing the right one into your home. Good Luck!