Schnoodle Lifespan – How Long Do Schnoodles Live?

The Schnoodle is a cross breed between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. As it is a cross breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the size, generation, gender as well as genetics of the puppies.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Schnoodles, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Schnoodles are expected to live for.

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How Long Do Schnoodles Live?

The average Schnoodle lives for 10 to 16 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Schnoodle including size, gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average. Give your Schnoodle the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, giving them healthy food and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Schnoodle Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Schnoodle. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Toy, Mini, Standard or Giant)
Generation (F1, F1b,F2 etc.)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact

How Size Affects Schnoodle Lifespan

The size of a Schnoodle greatly impacts upon their lifespan. Toy Schnoodles have the shortest lifespan as they often suffer from size related health issues. Generally, Miniature Schnoodles live the longest as they are small but not so small that they have size related health issues. Standard and Giant Schnoodles have a similar life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Size	Lifespan
Toy Schnoodle	10 to 14 years
Mini Schnoodle	12 to 16 years
Standard Schnoodle	10 to 15 years
Giant Schnoodle	10 to 15 years

Toy Schnoodle Lifespan

Toy Schnoodles live for 10 to 14 years. They have a slightly shorter lifespan than the average Schnoodle as they often suffer from size related health issues. As there is no breed standard or size regulations for Schoodles, they have a wide range for a lifespan. One Toy Schnoodle may life for 10 years, while another may live for 14 years. It depends upon the genetic predisposition of the respective parents and also the lifestyle of the dog.

Mini Schnoodle Lifespan

Mini Schnoodles live for 12 to 16 years. As a small dog size and also a cross breed, they have a long lifespan as they have a reduced risk of carrying genes for illnesses specific to the Poodle or Schnauzer breed.

Standard Schnoodle Lifespan

The Standard Schnoodle lives for 10 to 15 years. As a larger size breed than the Miniature Schnoodle, they have a slightly shorter lifespan. To give your Schnoodle the best chance of living as long as possible, feed them a healthy diet and give them plenty of exercise each day.

Giant Schnoodle Lifespan

On average, Giant Schnoodles live for 10 to 15 years. They have a shorter lifespan than Miniature Schnoodles as they are much larger. Generally, larger dogs have much shorter lifespans than small dogs as they have slower metabolisms.

How Generation Affects Schnoodle Lifespan

Mixed breed dogs such as Schnoodles are thought to be healthier than their purebred parents and therefore may have longer lifespans. Nevertheless, with each successive generation (first to second to third), the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases so older generations of Schnoodle (e.g. F2, F3 etc.) may not live as long as first generation Schnoodles.

F1 Schnoodles are considered to be the healthiest generations so they may have longer lifespans than the other generations. F2 and F3 Schnoodles may have slightly shorter lifespans than F1 Schnoodles as they are more likely to have hereditary health conditions as they have less hybrid vigour.

Female vs Male Schnoodle Lifespan

Female Schnoodles usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Schnoodles. This is especially the case for desexed female Schnoodles. Nevertheless, gender does not usually have a major affect on lifespan. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Schnoodle Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Schnoodles live slightly longer than intact Schnoodles. It is thought that desexed Schnoodles live longer as the procedure can reduce the risk of health issues like obesity and cancer in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Schnoodle Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Schnoodle’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Schnoodle starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Schnoodle during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Schnoodles may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Schnoodle is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Schnoodle is a teenager.

During this period, your Schnoodle will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Schnoodles will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Schnoodles love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Schnoodle is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Schnoodle may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Schnoodle will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Schnoodle a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also onto furniture.

two schnoodles — Schnoodles via @odinandlokioodle

Extending The Lifespan Of A Schnoodle

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Schnoodle a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

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You should also aim to feed your Schnoodle food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Schnoodle is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Schnoodles need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Schnoodle out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Schnoodle into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Schnoodle is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Schnoodle should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Schnoodle as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Schnoodle is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Schnoodles.

Schnoodles have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If your Schnoodle gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Schnoodle to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Schnoodle’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Schnoodle

As your Schnoodle gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Schnoodle finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Schnoodle has joint issues to ease the pain.