A Scoodle, also known in some circles as Scottiepoo or even Scottish Shoodle, is a mixed breed of a Scottish Terrier and a Poodle. The dogs of this breed are medium-sized, highly intelligent, and affectionate, making them loyal companions for life. They also make for an excellent guard dog.
Because of their energy and playful nature, they are great family dogs. They are outgoing and a high-energy breed that gets along well with children, other animals at home, as well as people in the park or walking down the street. They make for excellent family dogs but can suffer from separation anxiety – which can cause an issue for folks living independently and alone.
That is why it is recommended for families or folks who work from home and do not travel too much should opt to bring a Scoodle pup home!
History of Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
As we have already mentioned, this is a mixed breed of the Scottish Terrier and the Poodle. It is a relatively new breed, as the first record of their breeding is found in the early 2000s.
The Scottish Terrier has a long history and is one of the oldest breeds. The first historical records of this breed go back to the 1400s when this breed was used by hunters to track vermin and other smaller animals. However, this breed really became popular after nobles and royalty started owning them. In fact, even Queen Victoria was known to be fond of the Scottish Terrier and owned at least one.
The Poodle is also another very popular dog breed. The long coats of this fully coated dog make it difficult to identify its origins, as no proof categorically states that this breed came from France & has not simply migrated there from Germany.
The Poodle had skills in various things, including hunting ducks, tracking animals, and even performing in the circus.
| Height | 8 to 14 inches |
| Weight | 9 to 20 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Breed Type | Designer Dogs |
| Coat Colours | Black, White, Grey, Brown & Silver |
| Best Suited For | Singles, Families with older children, seniors |
1. Physical Attributes of Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
The first thing you will notice about this mixed breed is that it looks like a great mix of both parent breeds, the Scottish Terrier and the Poodle. It is a medium-sized breed with traits from both of its parent breeds. However, it should be noted that your Scoodle pup’s size heavily depends on the dominant parent. It is a reason why the size of a Scoodle varies so much.
The dogs of this breed also have different colours, such as Black, White, Grey, Brown & Silver. Also, one will find variations when it comes to the size of coats as well. The dogs of this breed can have a coat of all lengths. The coat of this dog breed can either be curly or even straight.
In most cases, the Scoodle would resemble more like the Scottish Terrier, at least in the body shape. However, the legs and length of the Scoodle would resemble more than that of its Poodle parent.
2. Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle Breed Personality and Temperament
The Scoodle is agreeable and friendly to everyone. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behaviour in Scoodles when they are left alone for long periods of time – every Scoodle owner should be aware of this. It is also why it is recommended that only families and singles with a work-from-home job that would not require them to travel much should adopt this breed.
These happy dogs are not just loyal and protective but also alert. They will bark and yelp to warn against potential threats. They are known for their gentle disposition, so they need special training to handle different situations.
They are brilliant dogs, so they will respond well to training but need a firm hand every now and then. Lots of praise & positive reinforcement have proven to produce the best results when it comes to training dogs belonging to this breed. It is advised that you start their training as early as possible.
3. With Family, Kids, and Other Pets
As mentioned already, Scoodles are excellent with families and even kids. The Scoodle will be capable of interacting with all children if they are socialized early. However, they will react badly to rough treatment, so children need to learn how to treat dogs safely.
It is also one of the top reasons why it is recommended that only families with older children adopt this breed. With young children, handling a Scoodle who can hurt this adorable four-legged creature would be tough.
They are always willing to spend time with strangers and love to play, but one would find them cautious initially.
Scoodles can also get along with other pets, but training them becomes necessary. They can learn new tricks and have a great sense of humour. Their playful temperament makes them the perfect pet for any family.
4. Appearance of Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
It is small to medium-sized dog breed that takes on the looks of both parents. Common colours include black, grey, or brown and may have white or silver markings. They weigh between 9 and 20 pounds and reach a height of up to 14 inches. One can find particular markings around their tail or even nose.
The coats, while they can be of any length and type, are usually short or medium length and are more likely to be straight or curly.
Their square-shaped body is pretty similar to that of a Scottish Terrier. They usually have dark brown eyes.
5. Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle Activity
Scoodles are active and energetic dogs who will need hard work to keep them in tip-top shape. They don’t need long walks each day, but they enjoy daily walks and some playtime with the family. They don’t require extensive exercise to stay fit.
In addition to their physical activity, the owner of this breed must also focus on the mental stimulation of this breed. A toy would be a great way to go about it, as Scoodle enjoy both mental & physical stimulation.
The Scoodle is the perfect dog for first-time pet owners and folks that live in an apartment because of their activity levels. However, the pet owner is advised to take them out for a walk at least once a day.
The dogs of this breed also tend to chase small animals – something you would need to keep in mind. Leaving them free to wander around at a park, a beach, or any open space unsupervised, is not recommended.
They are not that sensitive to weather, but it is wise to keep them away from extreme cold or hot climates. Try to get these dogs to have an early morning exercise routine.
6. Diet and Nutrition of Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
Maintaining a healthy and happy dog is essential. This breed requires three cups of high-quality dog food every day. It is ideal for this breed since it needs around this much daily food. It is wise to consult a vet before deciding on the proper diet for your pup, as the diet depends on size, activity level, and other factors.
There is no special requirement when it comes to the diet of Scoodle as these dogs can handle both dry and wet dog food. But again, this is something you should consult with your vet.
7. Training Schedule of Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
The Poodle and the Scottish Terrier are highly intelligent dog breeds, but their training requirements differ. Scottish Terrier is more of an independent sort and does not like long training sessions, while Poodle has no issues with such.
Understanding the training of the parent breed of the Scoodle is critical. The ease of their training will depend on which parent breed is more dominant in the Scottish Terrier & Poodle Mix.
The best way to train this dog is with positive reinforcement, as both parent breeds do not respond well to the negative training approach. Since the Scoodle is an affectionate and highly obedient breed (most of the time), a positive training method would work splendidly.
Another thing that would help is keeping the training session around 15 minutes. There is no point in stretching the training session when your dog would lose interest anyway. Remember that Scoodle is a quick learner, so short training sessions will only help them.
It is also recommended that one start the socialization of their Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle from an early age as it would help in a rounded personality development. Also, if you already have a pet in your house or plan to get one, you will need to train your Scoodle how to interact with them.
8. Health Concerns of Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
Scoodles, like all designer dogs, could acquire certain genetic diseases. Certain health issues seen in parent dog breeds can affect puppies.
These are some of the known diseases that can be seen in the Scoodles:
- epilepsy
- L-C-Perthes
- Thyroid
- Bladder cancer
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hypoglycaemia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Bloat
- Dental issues
- Luxating Patella
- Haemophilia
- Cataracts
Pet owners should keep an eye on any such condition so it can be tackled as quickly as possible. In most cases, any reputable cross-breeder would already have done an early health screening to avoid or prepare for any genetic issue the Scoodle might inherit from its parents.
If it has not been done, it is advised that you do so as early as possible. A Scoodle typically has a healthy life, with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
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9. Care for Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle
The Scottish Terrier & Poodle Mix is an agile dog that likes to run solo or as part of a group. They love playing around with humans until they tire themselves out. Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle loves to be involved in all kinds of activities. They’re also great with children because they’re gentle and friendly, making them an ideal family companion.
They will do well in any size home, so long as you have plenty of space to run around. It is also important to keep them exercised and active if they’re going to live a long and healthy life.
It is crucial that one ensures that their grooming needs are met and that they get all the shots regularly to ensure that this breed does not develop any health condition.
10. Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle Grooming
Scoodle is amongst the most suitable dog breed for first-time owners, and one of the reasons for that is that this dog breed grooming is straightforward and would not take much time. By simply brushing the dog a couple of times a week to keep the hair tangle-free and shiny, one can expect to ensure that their dog stays healthy.
However, it is something that is also dependent on the dominant breed of the Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle. If the Poodle side of the family is more prevalent in the dog, then regular trips to the grooming salon might be required.
It is advised that the pet owner brushes the teeth of their Scottish Terrier Cross Poodle on a daily basis and must ensure that the gums are in good condition. It is also advised to prevent any tear staining.
You should also keep an eye on the nails and clip them if they get too long for the comfort of the dog, affecting its movement.
Final Word
Scoodles are cute dogs and make good pets for older individuals. They would be a good choice for families with children but not those with young children. Although they form strong bonds with humans, Scoodles aren’t particularly fond of other species, especially the domestic ones such as cats and fowls, and would need some training to get along.
They are an intelligent dog breed and would make for an excellent companion. And while it is true that one might need to make some efforts in their upkeep, their loyalty and affection are undoubtedly worth it.