Schnauzer, Schnoodle or Poodle?

[capthooksmom]

DH and I have just started talking about getting a dog. We have a 4 year old to keep in consideration.

We're looking for a small dog that doesn't shed much or at all (if there is such a thing). We were told by someone that was told by a vet that mini schnauzers, schnoodles and toy poodles are easier on people with allergies. Some of the research I've done on the Internet seems to support this.

DH had a mini schnauzer growing up and loved it. My brother and his family have a female mini schnauzer now, and other than being a little promiscuous she's a really good dog.

Another SIL and family had a male mini schnauzer and he was a terror! I might attribute some of that to the family, though.

I don't know anyone who has a toy poodle.

So, do any of you have experience with these breeds? I know they will require frequent grooming but are there other things I should know about? How about diseases, excessive barking, temperment, or anything else general to the breed that I should take into consideration?

DH thinks we'd be much better off rescuing a mutt (and I agree) but DS and I have severe allergies and if we're going to get a dog, we have to take that into consideration. Whatever we get, it will be female and will primarily be inside.

Oh, and if you have pics, please post!!

 

[antmaril]

We had a schnoodle at home when I was a teenager. She was such a good dog. She didn't shed, she had a wonderful disposition, she was smart and she didn't have a mean bone in her body. From our experience, I can highly recommend. Just thinking about her now, brings a tear to the eye.

 

[Tiggeroo]

My mother has a schnoodle. He is an absolute sweetheart. Even my father who is not a softie is completely attached to him. My mother got him at a shelter so she didn't have much history. The only thing is he doesn't take to men very well. If my dh goes over there in his work clothes it especially upsets him. But this has something to do with his background I'm sure.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I have a toy poodle. They are incredibly intelligent, quick learners and great lap dogs. Petey is so smart that when I was going through chemo and I'd get sick he'd start barking to get DHs attention to let him know. They can be pretty territorial though. Petey barks whenever anyone comes over, barks at other people when we are out and he thinks they are getting too close to Mommy. Poodles have a reputation for being high strung and that can be the case. Petey is a nervous little guy. As for kids, he's wonderful with my nephew who's 5 but then he was raised with him. Nephews friends, not so much. He doesn't shed but he has to be groomed monthly. Poodles will bond very very strongly with one person in the family and be merely fond of everyone else. He'll be glued to that one person at all times. He also gets along very well with other animals including cats. I'd give poodles a big thumbs up if you can get a puppy and raise it with your child. An adult would have to have been highly socialized with children.

 

[Aimeedyan]

There are several breeds that don't shed, I have terrible allergies and asthma as well, so we adopted a Shih Tzu =)

Maltese, Bichons, and Yorkies are also breeds you might want to look at, as well.

 

[Sonya]

We had a schnoodle growing up and she was the best dog ever. So sweet and smart. The only problem I remember was that we would have to clean out her ears from time to time. Too much hair.

 

[PrincessDeb]

I have a Bichon Frise and she is wonderful! We have two people with dog allergies in our house so we had the same choices you do. She is a very hyper little dog but her favorite place is lying right by you while you sleep or sit on the couch (or hopping into the spot you just vacated!). She has some very funny nervous tics, too. She is territorial-she will bark out the window at people coming near the house but once you introduce them to her, she is fine. She has never bitten anyone or even tried to (except for playful gnawing). We were told she would be a great family dog (we had very small children when we got her) and she is. The only health problems she has are very common to Bichons and not serious-she has a collapsing trachea (she gets excited and coughs alot-doesn't need treatment) and she has needed one professional teeth cleaning where they removed a few teeth. Thankfully, with the right care and diet we haven't had to have another one scheduled for her. I would highly recommend Bichons!

 

[Jennifer S]

What about a mini-goldendoodle. I have a Goldendoodle that is wonderful with children (DS4 & DS8). Great temperment - non-shedding and hypoallergenic. The minis are smaller than the standard. I absolutly LOVE this dog and would never get any other kind. It's poodle/golden retriever mix.

For info go to www.goldendoodles.com

 

[stevenpensacola]

Ours is a schnoodle or a pooter but we just call him "Boomer".

Got him when he was a wee lad from a lady we met at the vet...she was
giving them away.

He's a little over a year old. Does NOT shed. Just needs to be groomed every couple of months.

Very smart, alert, thinks he's human. My FIL says the dog IS human...due to the way he'll look at you. Wants to sleep between me and DW...which is not always OK .

Makes a good watchdog as far as alerting you to something going on.

The kids love him to death.

 

[Nutsy]

We have friends who have a mini poodle.......the most adorable little dog & he even recommed the breed to us when we were looking for a dog as they don't shed & there are no allergy problems.

We, however fell in love with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he sheds is the love of our life & he has plenty of his own allergies. Our children were 5 & 6 when we got him.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I had a mini Schnauzer when I was younger. I think they make great pets and I'm thinking about getting one when I move out. Mine was quite friendly and even tempered.

I had allergies but his fur never bothered me that much ... we brushed him outside and vaccuumed/swept every day. I don't believe that he shed that much to begin with but my mom always wanted the house clean in case we had people come over... she didn't want them gossiping about our furry furniture

Our Schnauzer was pretty smart too, we were able to teach him tricks even when he was older. He never seemed to be able to master fetch the ball but someone else told me that's common with Schnauzers (don't know if that's true or not).

 

[Cindy B]

i have a male mini poodle and he is very sweet. We obtained him when his previous owner (My MIL) passed away.

He is very sweet with the kids, and is a good lap dog. He adores my son, and is very excited when everyone comes home. He is very cat-like in being independent, and somewhat aloof. My kids love him to death!

He doesn't shed, and is fairly quiet.

 

[Buttercup26]

Shi-Tzu's also don't shed and are very good for anyone with allergies. They are extremely smart and much mellower than poodles. The are the calmest, least-yippy of the toy breeds (IMHO). They are also very loving and NOT territorial. We have owned them for years and I highly recommend them, especially for anyone with children.

Our's have had their "nails" painted, hair done with all kinds of ponytails and barrettes, doll clothes put on them, pushed in doll strollers, carried around like baby dolls, carried around on pillow because they are "kings of the world", and have had tails pulled, ears tugged, you name it they have tolerated it.

They do require daily brushing and professional grooming every couple months, but so do poodle, shnoodle, and any other long and/or curly haired breed.

 

[Tiger Fan]

We have a mini-schnauzer and she's wonderful. She's almost 2 and has been very easy to train. She does not shed and we have her groomed about every other month. I had a maltese for 14 years and she was wonderful too. The maltese was more of a lap dog than our schnauzer. Neither of them were/are barkers and both were/are attached to the whole family, although our schnauzer is more attached to my partner. Both dogs are great with DD and have taken plenty of "attention" from her. Good luck and have fun deciding.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[bekkiz]

As you can tell by my pics, I'm a fan of the schnauzer! I think they are great dogs, and really the only commen "problem" is they tend to be barkers. Ours isn't but I know some who are. This is my 3rd (we had them when I was a kid), and I am sooo happy with him. They also have "little man" syndrome, and can be bullys of other, bigger dogs. A problem fixed by lots of socialization.

Poodles can be great as well, but tend be be slightly higher strung, though not always. The problem with the "mixed" breeds like a schnoodle is you're never quite sure which traits will come out on the other side. He may have poodle hair, and a schnauzer body (really cute), or schnauzer hair and a poodle body (not as cute), or any mix there of. Picking one or the other kind of gives you a better picture of what you'll get, and you wan't be supporting any back yard breeder types who charge crazy amounts of money for a mutt. You might as well look at a shelter.

 

[The Princess]

I'll throw the Bichon out to you too. I have one and he is wonderful!!!

 

[capthooksmom]

A shameless bump for the evening crowd!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I have a friend who had a poodle growing up and it was the sweetest dog. I've known this friend since pre-school and she has always had them.

But I think all 3 are excellent.