Giant Schnoodle Puppies

Giant Schnoodle Puppies

Of course, you may never have even heard of a Giant Schnoodle, much less encountered one, so you may not understand why you’d want to bring one of these pups home. In the guide below, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about these dogs.

3 Little-Known Facts About Giant Schnoodles

The Schnoodle was specifically developed to be a low dander dog.

Like most designer dogs these got their start back in the 1980s. Breeders decided they wanted to develop a family dog that was low dander and wouldn’t shed a lot, thus the Schnoodle was born.

Giant Schnoodles love to swim.

Believe it or not, poodles were meant to be water retrievers, and their offspring definitely got that gene. Giant Schnoodles tend to be quite fond of the water and enjoy swimming.

Giant Schnoodles may be introverts.

While the Giant Schnoodle is a highly social creature, some of these pups have a tendency to get tired quickly. Like many an introvert, this means they’ll do better in short-term social situations rather than extended situations like an all-day family reunion. Every dog is different, of course, even those from the same breed, so yours might end up being the life of the party!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Giant Schnoodle

• Giant Schnauzers and Poodles are both extremely intelligent dogs, and their hybrid offspring certainly follows in their intellectual footsteps. These dogs are whip-smart and can pick up anything you want to teach them in no time at all.
• However, one consequence of being smart is that there may not be much that interests them. You’ll need to continually try to find new toys, games, and activities to keep them stimulated both mentally and physically.
• This can make training difficult. You may need to continually change it up and challenge them, or else they’ll become bored and unresponsive.
• They’re also good at diagnosing social situations. They can tell when someone’s capable of playing rough, as well as toning it down when they’re dealing with someone more fragile. They’re usually suspicious of strangers until the newcomer proves themselves.
• They’re not prone to aggression and can soak up affection. However, they don’t need it as much as other breeds, so don’t be surprised if they’re just as happy entertaining themselves as they would be interacting with you.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

• Giant Schnoodles make for great family pets due to their friendly and protective nature. They’re particularly good with children, especially if the dog has been socialized from a young age. Plus, they can be silly and goofy, making them highly entertaining. They’ll also be gentler with little kids since they’re aware your toddler can’t play as roughly as you can. That said, you should always be careful with children around larger pets, not leaving the two together unattended.
• Another upside of the Giant Schnoodle is its hypoallergenic nature. If you have family members who suffer from allergies or related issues, you’ll probably do well with this dog.
• Due to their extremely energetic nature, they do require lots of exercise and interaction – approximately 60 minutes a day is recommended – so if you and your family are extremely busy, on the go people, they may not be your best bet.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

• Schnoodles can get along with other pets, but it’s best to start socializing them while they’re young if you want them to be a part of a menagerie.
• That’s not to say that they’re aggressive, because they’re typically not. They just don’t know what to make of other animals at first and will often give them a wide berth.
• You should introduce them to calm, gentle dogs as early and often as possible, being sure to reward them for behaving appropriately. Once properly socialized, Schnoodles will often find that they love their new canine playmates.
• Cats and other small pets should be safe — but they may not be happy. These dogs are descended from breeds designed for herding and retrieving, and cats generally don’t like dogs to do either of those things to them.

Things to Know When Owning a Giant Schnoodle:

Like every potential pet, the Giant Schnoodle has specific requirements you should be well-informed about before adopting.

Food & Diet Requirements

• Giant Schnoodles may love food and want to eat their weight in it, but the “giant” in their name doesn’t mean they actually get to eat like one! While you’ll likely shell out around $75 a month for dog food for this breed, you’ll only be giving them around four cups of food a day. The cost will come more from the fact that these dogs need food of high quality.
• High-quality foods will contain healthy carbs, plus more meat-based protein than plant-based (look for real meat as one of the first few ingredients). The food you buy doesn’t have to be the most expensive, but neither should it be the cheapest thing out there that’s stuffed with filler ingredients.
• Because the Giant Schnoodle is part Poodle, they may develop digestive issues – especially later in life – so foods with added probiotics can also be helpful.

Exercise

• Schnoodles need a great deal of exercise every day — 60 minutes should be your starting point. However, it’s a little more complicated than just mindlessly throwing a tennis ball for an hour.
• These dogs need variety and challenge, so any repetitive activity is likely to get old quick. You’ll need to be present and involved, as they’ll lose interest if they see that you have.
• As a result, any exercise needs a strong mental component as well. This could be playing a game of tag, incorporating a puzzle toy, or learning agility drills.
• Walks are important as well. However, they should be considered essential but not sufficient. You may want to spend more time letting your pup sniff around on a walk rather than trying to push the pace, as you stand a much better chance of exhausting their mind on a 30-minute stroll than their body.
• The good news is that these dogs calm down significantly as they age, so there will eventually be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Training

• Training is important for these dogs, as is socialization, but just like with playtime, you can’t do it on autopilot.
• They’ll pick up on commands quickly, so you need to continually bring something new to the table. Don’t be afraid to push them, as their big brains have plenty of room for whatever you want to teach them.
• If you get complacent in your training regimen, they may respond by becoming unresponsive. These dogs have been known to have a stubborn streak, so you’ll need to be firm, assertive, and present during every session.
• If you feel that you’re not up to the task, enlist the help of a professional trainer. Group classes are a good idea too, especially early in life, when the dog needs all the socialization they can get.

Grooming

As far as grooming goes, these dogs are pretty low maintenance. Brush their fur a couple of times a week to help keep them tangle-free and bathe them about once a month. Give them a quick ear cleaning weekly (especially if they have poodle-style ears) with a wet cloth plus an appropriate ear cleaner. Brush their teeth at least three times a week to maintain dental hygiene and, finally, trim their nails every few weeks.

Health and Conditions

The Poodle is one of the healthiest breeds around, so the Schnoodle shouldn’t have too many issues. The list below is more an indication of diseases that the dogs could possibly get, not ones they’re likely to.

Serious Conditions

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cushing’s disease
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Patella Luxation
• Gastric Torsion
• Hip Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Addison’s disease

Minor Conditions

• Cataracts
• Weight issues
• Ear infections
• Entropion

Male vs Female

When it comes to gender in this breed, there isn’t a lot of difference. The biggest will be the size of the dog as males tend to weigh several pounds more than females and stand a couple of inches taller as well. When it comes to temperament, both male and female Giant Schnoodles will be playful, loyal, and smart to a fault.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a fun-loving, affectionate dog who knows how to play well with children and has the bonus of being hypoallergenic, the Giant Schnoodle could be your new best friend!

However, if you have don’t have a lot of time in your life to devote to a pet, this guy probably isn’t for you due to the need for lots of exercise and constant mental engagement. This breed needs significant time with its owner to fully enjoy life.

If you have the time to dedicate to this pup though, you’ll be looking at years of loyalty and silly fun.