BREEDER FAQ

As with all breeds, as popularity and demand increases, more and more people begin breeding. In the dog world, there will always be less-than-reputable breeders, so ask lots of questions and be persistent until you receive answers and explanations with which you are comfortable.

If a breeder has the best interests of the puppies at heart, he or she should "interview" you as a potential buyer, ensuring that you will provide a safe, healthy, and loving home. Most private breeders, including us, have restrictions as to who can adopt their puppies.

We've assembled these Frequently Asked Questions to help you select a breeder. You can use this set of questions to interview any breeder, not just us. Whether you buy a Schnoodle from us, or from another breeder, we want to make sure you get a healthy, well-bred pup.

Why are you in the business of breeding puppies?
We decided to breed Schnoodles when we were looking for a pet after the deaths of two beloved Schnauzers. At that time, Schnoodles were very hard to find. We enjoy both the Schnauzer and the Poodle, so we decided to adopt our female Schnauzer, Sasha, and breed Schnoodles ourselves. Of course, that was just the beginning…now, we love the Schnoodle more than ever!

What are your breeding practices?
A breeding mama is happiest when pregnant or with babies! Having said that, we monitor each mama closely and make the decision to breed on a case-by-case basis and always in her best interest. We typically breed two times then skip a cycle or breed every other heat. This allows mama to fully recover and be healthy and ready for her next litter.

Do you have both parents of the puppies you breed?
Yes. Nicki and Rusty are our male studs. We currently have seven female Schnauzers.

Where do the parents breed?
When breeding, we allow "mom" and "dad" to be relaxed, and we usually give them some privacy. If they feel comfortable and are given the time, nature just seems to take its course!

Where are the adult dogs kept and socialized?
Our dogs are part of our everyday life and activities. They may be in our home, the nursery, yard, or car with us. We now have a country place in North Carolina with woods and a creek and room to play and run. Our dogs all get along well, play together, and consider themselves "part of the family."

What do you recommend for spaying and neutering?
On the day that new owners come to pick up their squirming bundle of joy, we require them to sign an agreement stating that they will spay or neuter the pup at the age recommended by their veterinarian.

Can you show me pictures of some of your other puppies?
Like all parents, we're proud of our "children" and are happy to show pictures of puppies who have been adopted out to loving homes. This Web site has a photo album of puppy pictures.

What range of size are your puppies as adults?
While Schnoodles come in all sizes, our Schnoodles are just the right size to fit in your lap. Since our Schnoodles are created by breeding a Toy Poodle with a Miniature Schnauzer, they average 12 to 15 pounds and 9 to 13 inches high (at the shoulder) when full grown.

Do you dock the tails and remove the dew claws? Why or why not?
Yes, when we take our newborn pups to see the veterinarian at two days of age, we have the tails docked and dew claws removed. We prefer the look of a docked tail and the vet recommends dew claw removal. Both procedures are quick and straightforward and recovery time is minimal.

How many breeds or mixes do you breed?
We only breed Schnoodles. How did we come to fall in the love with the Schnoodle? Read our story.

Are there any health issues that I should know about for either of the "parent breeds" (Schnauzer and Poodle)?
Every purebred dog has different types of health issues that may appear in the breed. The healthier the parents are, the healthier the puppies will be, whether those puppies are purebred or mixed. Of course, any breed-specific problems with either Poodles or Schnauzers are lessened by nature of the fact that the resulting puppy is a mix of the two breeds. Our overarching philosophy is that only healthy, well-bred adults from high quality breeders be used to create the next generation of dogs.

How long have you been breeding?
We have been breeding Schnoodles since 2000. Renee's parents bred Schnauzers for many years so Renee grew up around newborn puppies and became familiar with the litter raising process from a young age.

Do you have a written list of references?
We maintain contact with the families that have adopted our puppies over the years. Many adoptive families have given us permission to use them as references. We’re happy to supply email addresses of these families upon request.

Do you provide a health guarantee? And, if so, what purpose does the guarantee serve and for how long is it good?
We provide a one-year guarantee against genetic defects for each puppy that we place. This guarantee certifies that the pup was examined by a vet at two days of age, that their first puppy shots have been given, and that the puppy is worm-free and healthy. Each pup is examined again just prior to adoption.

We tell our owners that if, at any time in the future, they can no longer provide a home for their pup, they should notify us and return the pup.

What kind of care do you provide for the puppies prior to adoption?
We deworm the puppies and monitor their weight every week. We also trim their toenails, brush their hair, and trim any excess hair around their eyes and their behind. This weekly routine is a very important ritual; not only does it keep our pups looking and feeling great, it also prepares them for future grooming and handling.

What do you look for in a family that wants to purchase one of your pups?
We look for a family that will provide a safe, healthy, loving home. We only adopt our puppies to people that understand the commitment involved with owning a dog and are willing to spend the necessary time training and nurturing the puppy. We take into consideration the ages of young children, whether other pets are in the home, the size and type of house and yard, previous experiences with pet ownership, and training philosophy.