Scoodle Basics
Also referred to as the Scottish Shoodle, the Scottish Terrierpoo, and the Scottish Terrierdoodle, the Scoodle is a really cute little dog that has loads of energy. You will never get bored around this lovable pooch, who is extremely loyal and protective of those he loves.
There are some things that you should consider before you introduce a Scoodle to your family. Keep reading to learn a bit about this breed and to determine if this dog would be the right fit in your household.
The Scoodle is a cross between a purebred Poodle and Scottish Terrier.
Origin
The Scoodle is a designer crossbreed from the United States. This is a fairly new designer dog breed that was recognized by the International Designer Canine Association in 2009.
Pedigree
The Scoodle is a cross between a purebred Poodle and Scottish Terrier.
Food / Diet
A Scoodle should be fed a high quality canine-appropriate diet. If you are opting to feed your dog dry food, you can provide him with around ¾ cup to 1½ cups of canine dry food each day, but split this amount up into at least two meals per day.
If you are planning on including canine wet food in your dog’s diet, simply adjust the amount of dry food appropriately so that your dog will not gain too much weight. And if you have any questions regarding how much you should feed your pooch, simply as your vet for some pointers.
The Scoodle is a breed that is known for its energy and playfulness, but it’s also a loyal breed that will form a strong bond with its owners.
Training
Training a Scoodle can be easy because these dogs are intelligent, but they can also be somewhat difficult to work with. These dogs could exhibit assertiveness and they can be stubborn. They can also become vocal when they don’t want to be trained.
Behavioral and obedience training will ensure your Scoodle puppy grows up to be a fantastic pet. If you wish to reduce your dog’s aggressive behavior towards other dogs and other animals, you should socialize your Scoodle puppy as early on as possible.
When training a Scoodle, always use a patient yet firm approach. These dogs respond better to positive reinforcement, praise, and rewards, such as treats.
Weight
A small to medium-sized breed, the Scoodle weighs between 9 and 20 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
The Scoodle is a breed that is known for its energy and playfulness, but it’s also a loyal breed that will form a strong bond with its owners. Once your Scoodle establishes an attachment to you and your family, he will be sure to do whatever it takes to protect you from anything that might harm you.
Because Scoodles love being around their human family so much, they can become stressed and upset when they are left alone at home for extended periods of time. Therefore, this is not the right breed for you if you travel a lot or you have long work hours.
These dogs enjoy playing, and they are also great with children when kids know how to treat them well. Scoodles don’t like being teased, and they snap, bark, and react aggressively if they are disturbed. If small children will be interacting with your dog, you’ll have to supervise and teach the kids how to handle the animal with care.
A Scoodle will get along well with other dogs once he gets to know them, and he will be wary of strangers until he knows that they are safe. Also, even though this breed only occasionally barks, your dog will always be on the alert for suspicious activity and will start barking if there is someone intruding on your property. These dogs can also bark excessively when they are around other dogs or other animals, but training can help get that behavior under control.
Common Health Problems
Because the Scoodle is a hybrid dog breed, there is a chance that your dog will be prone to the health ailments that commonly afflict its parent breeds. However, hybrid dogs can be surprisingly healthy and hardy, and there really is no guarantee that every Scoodle will be prone to these health problems. Also, it is impossible to determine an individual dog’s long term health, so the best that you can do is feed your dog a high quality diet, allow him to be active every day, and have him regularly checked by your vet.
Some of the conditions that the Scoodle’s parent breeds are susceptible to include hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, Cushing’s disease, bloat, patellar luxation, eye ailments, craniomandibular osteopathy, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, Von Willebrand disease, Scotty cramp, hypoglycemia, liver shunts, lymphangiectasia, pancreatitis, and skin ailments.
Life Expectancy
The Scoodle has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
Scoodles are energetic and fun-loving dogs that need regular exercise. If your dog is spending time in the house, provide him with toys and games to stimulate both mind and body. When outside, your dog will enjoy going for brisk walks, and an enclosed yard is a great place for your dog to play with toys and run around or play fetch.
Scoodles enjoy playing, and they are also great with children when kids know how to treat them well.
Recognized Clubs
The Scoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
This breed features a medium to long length coat that could be curly, wavy, or straight. You should gently brush your pet’s coat several times a week in order to keep it smooth and tangle-free. Shedding will be low to moderate, and because the Scottish Terrier and Poodle are hypoallergenic, the Scoodle will also be hypoallergenic.
If your Scoodle’s coat is more like a Poodle’s coat, you will need to brush it more frequently. And if his coat is long, you will need to hire a professional dog groomer to trim the coat regularly.
Puppies
Scoodle puppies need to be handled with care, and they should be trained and socialized from a young age so they can learn to be comfortable around a variety of people and pets.
Photo credit: Dreamr OKelly/Flickr; kazookah88/Flickr; Elizabeth Michelle Johnson-Crumpler
