Manual for Caretakers of Lucy the Schnoodle

Lucy the Schnoodle at 1 year

LUCY

Table of contents

iii

Table of contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1-Schnoodle origins ......................................................................................... 1 Schnoodle Origins ...................................................................................................... 3 The Poodle .................................................................................................................. 3 Poodle social needs ................................................................................................. 3 Poodle talk .............................................................................................................. 3 The Schnauzer ............................................................................................................ 4 Schnauzer social needs ........................................................................................... 4 Schnauzer bark ....................................................................................................... 4 Schnauzer travel ..................................................................................................... 4 Schnauzer Temperament and Small Dog Syndrome ............................................ 4 The schnoodle ............................................................................................................. 5 Favorite things........................................................................................................ 5 Hair care and nails ................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2-Feeding ......................................................................................................... 7 The basics; food and water ......................................................................................... 9 Chapter 3-Walks and exercise..................................................................................... 11 Walk the dog ............................................................................................................. 13 index ............................................................................................................................. 15 Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 17

Introduction

Introduction
This manual is intended for current and future caretakers of Lucy the schnoodle. The manual highlights the particulars of Lucys habits and best practices for optimal enjoyment of her company. The manual discusses the origins of the schnoodle and the breeds that they are derived from. The proper type of food that is required to keep Lucy the schnoodle from contracting kidney stones is described in chapter 2. It also demonstrates day to day care to keep her healthy and happy. Your enjoyment of Lucy will be plentiful when the information given is followed.

Chapter 1-Schnoodle origins

Happy schnoodle

Chapter 1

Chapter 1Schnoodle Origins

Schnoodle Origins
The Schnoodle is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Schnauzer and the Poodle. Because each dog may not be 50% purebred poodle and 50% purebred schnauzer results on schnoodle temperament will vary. This manual will demonstrate common characteristics for poodles and schnauzers to assist in a basic understanding of the schnoodle hybrid.

The Poodle

Brown colored poodle

The Miniature Poodle is an intelligent, joyful companion dog. It can be trained to a high degree and is very willing and happy to please its handler. Comical and clever, it is often used as a circus dog. The more intelligent a dog is, the more it needs its mind occupied. This breed cannot live outside in a kennel.

Poodle social needs

It needs to be part of the family. It can be high-strung if not given the proper type and amount of exercise. Do not allow this dog to develop Small Dog Syndrome, where the dog is led to believe it is alpha over humans. It can cause the dog to become sensitive and nervous, and not very trustworthy with children and possibly strangers, along with many other behavior issues. Socialize your dog well. This is a very good watchdog for its size, seldom becoming aggressive.

Poodle talk
Dogs may start to bark a lot without proper human to canine communication, rules to follow and limits to what they are allowed to do. Poodles are friendly with other dogs and non-canine pets. Be sure you are this dogs firm pack leader to avoid any unwanted behavior problems.

Manual of Lucy

The Schnauzer

Grey colored schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent, loving, happy dog. It is energetic, playful, gets along well with children and likes to be with its people. Affectionate, keen, devoted and docile. With proper leadership it can get along with other dogs.

Schnauzer social needs

Socialize this breed well. It makes a good companion and family pet. The Mini Schnauzer will not listen if it senses it is stronger minded than its owner. Owners need to be calm, but firm, possessing a natural air of authority.

Schnauzer bark
These dogs do not have a yappy bark, but rather they make sounds like a low, carried-out howl of a voice. This breed makes a good watchdog and vermin hunter.

Schnauzer travel
An easy dog to travel with. Some can be reserved with strangers if the humans do not provide stability in their lives, but most love everyone.

Schnauzer Temperament and Small Dog Syndrome

Do not allow this little dog to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog runs the home. This can cause a varying degree of behavior problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety, being willful, nervous, barky, guarding, bold, sometimes temperamental, and not hesitating to attack much bigger dogs. A well-balanced dog that gets enough mental and physical exercise will have a totally different personality. These are not Miniature Schnauzer traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around them. It is all up to the humans. As soon as the humans start being true pack leaders, the dogs behavior will change for the better.

Chapter 1

The schnoodle

Schnoodle

The Schnoodle is very loyal to his family, affectionate, extremely intelligent, easily trained, clever, friendly, fun loving, with plenty of personality! They are good with children and get along fine with other animals. They are great watchdogs because they will let you know when someone is near, but they are non-aggressive. They are not yappy dogs unless you allow them to take over your home.

Favorite things
They love car rides. This great companion dog excels in obedience, agility and makes an excellent therapy dog, but they are first and foremost a loyal and loving companion! They would be fine in an apartment or on a farm, as long as they are with their family. These dogs are so loyal and affectionate they would not be happy kept outdoors. As far as exercise, the Schnoodle is very adaptable. A game of fetch played in the house or a 5-mile jog, either one is fine with them.

Hair care and nails

Because the Poodle and the Schnauzer both do not shed, the Schnoodle does not shed so they must be brushed weekly and clipped every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the length of hair preferred. Their nails should be kept trimmed. The Schnoodle sheds little to no hair and is considered good for allergy sufferers.

Chapter 2-Feeding

Lucy's water bowl

Chapter 2

Chapter 2-Feeding
The basics; food and water
Lucy has had problems, as others in her breed, with kidney stones. It is a common health issue with schnauzers. Before her first birthday she had to have surgery to remove 9 kidney stones. She must have a ready supply of water available to assist in minimizing the risk of her getting kidney stones again. Lucy also receives a special dog food that is designed for dogs with a predisposition for kidney stones. The dog food reduces the minerals that can create an ideal environment for the formation of kidney stones.

Dog food kibble picture

Lucy's perscription dog food

Hills prescription diet c/d dog food can be purchased at Petsmart or similar pet vendor. A prescription can be easily obtained from your local veterinary office.

Chapter 3-Walks and exercise

Schnoodle ready for a walk

Chapter 3

13

Chapter 3-Walks and exercise

Walk the dog
Lucy loves walks. She is accustomed to going on a 2 mile walk daily. She does not run off but will wander a distance away if not reminded that you would like her to stay closer. She often will go the whole walk session without a leash at all. Lucy stops often to smell her surroundings and likes to mark her territory. Normally male dogs are notorious for marking but Lucy has found that she likes to let other dogs know she was there. Below is our common route that she is accustomed to.

Maps.Google.com map of walk route

Lucy likes to end her walk at Fairview Park. She gets a chance to run in an open space and expend the energy she has stored throughout the day.

Index

15

index
bark ............................................ iii, 3, 4 dog ................................ iii, 3, 4, 5, 9, 13 dog food................................................ 9 exercise ....................... iii, 3, 4, 5, 11, 13 hybrid .................................................. 3 intelligent .................................... 3, 4, 5 loyal ..................................................... 5 Lucy ................................... 1, v, 7, 9, 13 Poodle ......................................... iii, 3, 5 purebred .............................................. 3 Schnauzer ............................... iii, 3, 4, 5 Schnoodle ..................... 1, iii, 1, 3, 5, 11 Small Dog Syndrome ................. iii, 3, 4 walks ................................................. 13

Works cited

17

Bibliography
No author. n.d. Miniature poodle. www.dogbreedinfo.com. 16NOV13 No author. n.d. Schnauzer. www.dogbreedinfo.com. 16NOV13 No author. n.d. Schnoodle. www.dogbreedinfo.com. 16NOV13 No author. n.d. Hills prescription diet. www.hillspet.com. 16NOV13