Schnoodle Lifespan: How Long They Typically Live + 6 Common Health Problems

Although still a relatively new breed, the schnoodle has already captured the hearts of thousands of people across the globe. Since their introduction, they’ve exploded in popularity, making them one of the most sought-after designer breeds. However, if you’re planning on adding a schnoodle to your family, it’s important to educate yourself on their health. We know it might not be pleasant to think about, but every owner should be aware of the average life expectancy of their dog. Today, we’ll explore the average life expectancy of schnoodles and discuss six health problems they are commonly diagnosed with.

Schnoodle: A Brief Introduction to the Breed

As their name suggests, the schnoodle is a mix between a schnauzer and a poodle. This breed is still relatively new compared to other designer breeds, and because of this, finding one can be challenging. They are best known for their teddy bear-like appearance, sharp intelligence, and unwavering loyalty. Just like both of their parent breeds, schnoodles make excellent house pets. They are sweet-natured and loving, but also highly athletic. It’s important that owners keep their schnoodle active as this will play an influential role in their lifelong health. On average, this breed requires between one and two hours of exercise per day. Taking walks, playing with toys, or running around a backyard or a park will be sure to give your schnoodle what they need in terms of activity.

Those with allergies will love this breed as they are hypoallergenic. Their short coats don’t shed much, and grooming is relatively easy. On the other hand, schnoodles are very needy. This breed is highly attention-seeking, and failure to provide your schnoodle with adequate amounts can result in behavioral issues. Those who work long hours or find themselves away from home frequently should reconsider this breed. However, their high intelligence makes them very trainable, and oftentimes any undesirable traits can be eliminated with ease. The types of schnauzers (miniature, standard, and giant) and poodles (standard, miniature, or toy) schnoodles are crossed with will play a role in their health, personality, and appearance as well.

Average Life Expectancy of a Schnoodle

Schnoodles are a very healthy breed, and many exceed the general health of their parent breeds. On average, schnoodles typically live to be between 10 and 16 years old, but in certain cases, they can exceed this range. With proper nutrition, exercise, and frequent vet checkups, many can live up to even 20 years old. The key to ensuring that your schnoodle has a long and happy life is making sure they get enough exercise and feeding them a high-quality diet, which we’ll talk more about later.

Something that can impact the life expectancy of your schnoodle is purchasing them from an unethical breeder. Although puppy mills might be able to offer lower prices, this often comes at a great risk. Backyard breeders do not perform genetic testing on their animals, and congenital disease often runs rampant. These conditions are expensive to treat and painful for the dogs they affect. In some cases, puppies die prematurely due to complications that stem from these diseases.

In contrast, ethical breeders with strong reputations typically offer health guarantees for their animals. This is a promise from the breeder to the buyer that they have done the due diligence in performing genetic testing. Because they feel so confident that their animals are healthy, they offer some form of monetary compensation in the event that your puppy does receive a diagnosis covered by the agreement. Purchasing from an ethical breeder may cost more upfront, but the peace of mind it provides is invaluable. In addition, it also helps put puppy mills out of business, which is beneficial for both animals and animal lovers!

Health Problems Common in Schnoodles

While schnoodles are very healthy, they are susceptible to certain medical conditions over others. The most common of these is dysplasia of the elbow and hip. This condition is characterized by bones that do not fit properly in their joints, which causes pain and eventually leads to arthritis. Treatment options vary depending on the severity, such as medication and surgery. Although ethical breeders will usually monitor their animals for this condition, there are cases in which it is not caught.

In addition, vision problems are also commonly diagnosed in schnoodles. Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy are two of the most common. However, these are non-life-threatening, and the severity will differ from dog to dog. Schnoodles are also at risk of developing canine epilepsy. Although this might sound frightening, The American Kennel Club states that “An epileptic dog can have a happy and long life, as long as the seizure activity is well under control. Seizures can have a very dramatic appearance but are not painful.” Finally, schnoodles are also at risk for obesity and diabetes. However, with proper nutrition and exercise, the risk of developing these conditions is greatly mitigated. Every dog is different, so talk to your veterinarian to seek personalized recommendations for your schnoodle.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, pet insurance is a wonderful safety net to have in the event of a medical emergency. It is relatively affordable, and many plans start at just $20 per month. After your schnoodle ages out of their health guarantee, this is a great contingency plan. Reducing financial stress during a time of medical hardship gives you and your family more time to focus on the well-being of your furry best friend.

How Your Schnoodle Can Live a Long and Healthy Life

Health starts from within. That being said, providing your schnoodle with adequate nutrition is the first step in preserving their overall health. Choose brands that fit the guidelines provided by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and The World Small Animal Veterinary Association. The weight of your schnoodle should dictate the amount of food you give them per day. On average, this breed will weigh between 15 and 75 pounds. Where your schnoodle falls within that range will depend on the particular varieties of schnauzer and poodle their parents were. Follow petMD‘s feeding chart to determine how many cups of dry dog food your pet should eat daily.

In addition to feeding them the correct amount of food, it’s also important to feed them high-quality food. In recent years, the raw diet has exploded in popularity for the nutritional benefits it provides. This diet seeks to emulate the natural, unprocessed foods dogs would eat in the wild. Benefits include silky coats, improved dental health, increased energy levels, and decreased allergies. Taking your schnoodle in for an annual health screening is also very important. Often, dogs put on a brave face when they’re not feeling well. By the time they begin showing symptoms that something is amiss, it might be too late. A yearly vet visit can help mitigate the risk of letting a medical problem advance too far. Try to schedule one around your dog’s birthday so you can easily remember it.

Final Thoughts

Overall, schnoodles make a great addition to any family. On top of all their wonderful personality traits, their health is generally good, and they have a longer-than-average life expectancy compared to other breeds. As long as owners are diligent in preserving the health of their animals, there isn’t much to worry about. Proper nutrition and exercise combined with pet insurance will go a very long way. However, it’s important to restate that each schnoodle will have different needs. If you’re unsure at all about specifics, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local veterinarian to ask questions.

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