The Possible Colors in our upcoming Schnoodle Litter

Phantom is the term for two-tone color

I wrote in a recent post about how you get beautiful Apricot colors from the breeding of a Red to a White.  Although this is very true....There is so much more that I was about to discover.  This is my first litter with this combination, so I have continued to research genetics to get as much information for my customers as possible.  

Genetics is very confusing to say the least...especially with color because White actually is a 'mask' over many other colors.  For this reason, our White Dixie can throw Phantoms (a two tone color) and Blacks.  White is also a 'lightening' color which lightens the red color to apricot.  And sometimes changing to white!

To make it all more confusing, the puppies coat may or may not lighten as it matures.

I consulted with another breeder of Schnoodles and she confirmed that in her experience of breeding Reds to white the color is a wait and see proposition!   "You will get some of the sires color and some of the dams color. Red and white can give you anything from apricots to reds that fade to whites. Sometimes the colors will revert to the base color...and you will get a litter of blacks. It is just a gene toss. Sometimes I get phantoms....sometimes I don't."

 I hope everyone is as excited as I am.  I have found that a combination of color gives my customers a variety of choices.  In 2009 Dixie gave birth to 7 white puppies. In 2010 she birthed 3 white, 1 Salt n'Pepper and 1 black.

It will be so much fun to help Dixie birth her puppies, not knowing where the color genes will fall.  It's like opening gift on Christmas morning!  And you know they will all be beautiful!

Apricot Schnoodles Pups at Various stages.

A very young pup about 2 wks.

About 3 wks

6 weeks

8 weeks

Cute, cute!

12 weeks

We are so excited about our upcoming litter of Schnoodle puppies, due March 11, 2011.  Many folks are not sure what an Apricot Schnoodle looks like, so I have compiled some pictures here so you can see them at various stages of puppyhood.  I know you will agree they are absolutely adorable, and such a gorgeous color!

About Litter box training of Puppies

Here are Papillon pups with a litter box option.

   I've been educating myself more and more about litter training a new litter of puppies.  I am so excited about it!
    The litter training does not replace outdoor potty training, but it gives the puppies a better alternative when they can't get outside.
    The advantage for the new owner is tremendous.  If he or she has to go to work, and cannot be home to let the puppy out to the potty, the puppy is already in the habit of using the litter box, instead of the corner behind the living room chair!  For winter puppies, it is so much easier on the owners, then trudging their puppy out in the cold, ice and snow.  Even in the summer, if your puppy needs to use the potty at night, this is a great alternative to a middle of the night routine.
  Of course as time goes on and your puppy bladder matures, it is likely that most people will not need the litter in the house too much. So the regular potty training is still important.
    If you are thinking of trying litter training with an older dog, I understand many people are not too successful.  But for puppies given litter as an option at 5 wks old, the use of litter is very natural.
    There is a great post, Forever Litter Box Training, that shows the litter box training with Papillon puppies.
     I can't wait to litter box my Schnoodle litter since it will be so much cleaner for me than messy newspaper.  The problem with newspaper lining in pens, is it doesn't absorb very quickly, so pups get pee all over their paws, and the ink on the newsprint also gets on the paws.  I will still continue outdoor potty schedules with my litters, since most owners will prefer an outdoor potty spot.  But having a litter box alternative will save everyone involved a lot of house breaking frustration.

The Apricot Schnoodle

Here is an example of the color of our upcoming litter of Schnoodles.

Have you ever seen a red Schnauzer...the answer is no, because schnauzers only come in black, whites, and greys.  But when you mix a White Schnauzer with a Red poodle, you get a beautiful apricot color, quite uncommon in the Schnauzer world.  Few dog breeds come in this color, but poodles do!

Now all Schnoodles do not look exactly the same.  Within a single litter some may lean toward the look of the poodle, whereas others may have a little more Schnauzer look in them.  In particular, some may have curlier fur than others.  This little guy looks like he has the straighter Schnauzer fur.  But the Schnoodles in the post above, have more of the curly poodle fur.

But I should also mention, that because this is a first generation litter we have the greatest opportunity to have the  most even mix of the poodle/ schnauzer gene pool  That is why it is not acceptable to breed a Schnoodle to a Schnoodle.  The genetic balance is thrown way off and you don't know what traits will be accentuated.
Whether they favor the Poodle or the Schnauzer, they will NOT shed!

About the Schnoodle

 The Schnoodle is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Schnauzer and the Poodle. When looking for a Schnoodle pup, one should always purchase a 1st generation Schnoodle. Not all Schnoodles are being bred purebred Schnauzer to  purebred Poodle.  This is necessary if you want to have the 50/50 mix of the two breeds.  Our upcoming litter is a 1st generation Schnoodle.

Because the Sire is an AKC Toy Poodle and the Dam is an ACA Miniature Schnauzer, the resulting pups will be registered with the ICA (International Canine Association).  This is the only registry that currently registers the pedigrees of the most popular designer breeds.  It is important to have a registered Schnoodle because then you will have a record of his parentage.

     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. Most are not yappy dogs. They love car rides. This great companion dog excels in obedience, agility, flyball, and make excellent therapy dogs, 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.

Hypo-allergetic:  Both the Poodle and the Schnauzer are hypo-allergetic, and therefore the Schnoodle is great for allergy sufferers.

Grooming:  Because the Poodle and the Schnauzer both do not shed, the Schnoodle does not shed.  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.

Hybrid Vigor:  People choose the Schnoodle hybrid because when healthy purebreds with no known genetic defects are bred, the resulting puppies are generally known to be healthier dogs.  Any defects that might be found in either breed are weakened in the hybrid.

Excellent Family Dogs: The poodle is a breed that is generally not recommended for children because its bone structure is somewhat fragile.  But by crossing it with a Schnauzer the resulting pup is sturdy and a great family dog.  Both the Sire and Dam of this litter are known to have excellent dispositions.  This litter will have the genetics to be especially good family dogs.

Intelligent:  Both the Poodle and the Mini Schnauzer are known to be intelligent dogs.  Poodles are considered to be one of the smartest breeds.  Therefore, the resulting Schnoodles will be highly intelligent and trainable.

Schnoodles Puppies coming early March!

Dugan is a 9 lb Toy Poodle.  He looks just like this red poodle. 

Announcement Puppies due March 11, 1011! 

This year's litter will be Schnoodle puppies. Today, I took Dixie, our ACA Registered Mini Schnauzer to Waterford Kennels where I bred her to an AKC registered Toy Poodle.  The poodles name is Peter.  He is a gorgeous red color and 9 lbs.

The resulting litter will be ICA Registered Schnoodle Puppies (International Canine Association).  The ICA is the breed registry for all Hybrid bred dogs.  The Schnoodle is considered a Hybrid breed, also popularly called a 'Designer Breed'.

I decided to breed Dixie this month so that she will have early Spring puppies, rather than waiting 6 mths for Winter puppies.  This is the first time I have not skipped a cycle in breeding, but all was well with her last birth, she is in good health, she is still young and the timing would be better for the puppies this time around.  I chose to breed Schnoodles because they are great family dogs, good for allergies and in high demand  in the current market.

Puppies Vaccination Time!

Hi folks...

Just a reminder that the puppies are ready for their next set of vaccinations!!

Hope your bundles of fluff are happy and well!

Teaching Your Puppy to Follow

Between 8-16 weeks is the perfect time to teach your puppy to walk with you off leash.  The puppy is very insecure at this stage and will naturally follow you like he would his mother.  So take advantage of teaching him that you are the leader. 

To do this, take your puppy to a safe place.  A place where he can walk off leash without any danger of cars.  Perhaps an enclosed park or wooded area is best.   Walk along and let him follow you.  If he wanders in another direction, resist the urge to go after him.  In fact...you should never chase your dog at any time.  That becomes a game of chase that will be a great reward for his running off.  Don't do it!  Instead walk more quickly away from him.  The younger he is, the closer he will stick with you.

As he grows older he will be more and more independent.  At some point he will just wander just out of sight.  At this point, (if you are in a totally safe place), hide from the puppy.  As soon as he notices you are not around, he will worry and try to find you.  As soon as he finds you, give him a treat from your pocket.  Praise him and make a big deal about his being lost and being so good to find you. 

For this to work, you have to be at the exercise consistently from the time they are young.  You don't want to take an older dog out and hide....without any preliminary practice...otherwise you just might not find him again!

If you make the effort to find a time and place for this exercise, from the beginning of 8 weeks and on...your puppy will be much safer in the long run.  If he should get out the door, or you should drop his leash, you won't need to worry that he will run away.  He will be convinced that his poor mom is very prone to getting lost and he had better keep his eye on you or he will lose you.  

Nibbler's family comes to get Chloe!

On Friday of last week, Nibbler from last years litter came with his family to pick up Chloe.  It was so awesome to see how beautiful Nibbler had grown up to be.  He was so friendly and excited to be here.  Of course, I highly doubt that he would actually remember us.  But it was almost as if he remembered Dixie!

A happy family!  Nibbler sure looks excited to meet Chloe.

Nibbler has a beautiful white silky coat.

He was so excited to visit Dixie.

Look at this handsome boy!!  It makes a breeder proud!

Last week....our last pup photos!

The pups were so much fun last week, as they were at the peak of their energy right before they left us.  It was hard to photograph them because they didn't stay in one place too long.  Nonetheless, we managed to take a few pictures of them.  So here are the last photos of our pups before their new families came....

Group Hug!

Jet enjoys a back scratch.

Chloe plays with my son.

Coco wants some love.

Yoshi found a little rope in the grass.

Max at 7 1/2 weeks.

Dixie still allowed the pups to nurse for very short periods of time.  You can see how big they have become, next to her.