How to Groom a Schnoodle Dog

Miniature Schnoodle

Schnoodles, the adorable mixture of Schnauzer and Poodle, have a unique fur type. These dogs have a pleasing blend of their parents' fur types. Most Schnoodles have silky, wavy, fine-textured fur that is non-shedding and hypoallergenic. The Schnoodle is very easy to groom at home.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing dog shampoo
• Cream rinse for dogs
• Olive oil
• Ear wash
• Cotton balls
• 2 towels
• Clippers
• 4F blade
• 10 blade
• Slicker brush for fine fur
• Dog comb for fine fur
• Blow dryer

1. Schnoodle before grooming

   Wash the dog. When the dog is in the tub and has been wet down with warm water, apply the shampoo. Pour a moisturizing dog shampoo to your hands and rub them together to mix and apply the shampoo into the fur. Rinse thoroughly. Now add a conditioning cream rinse. Schnoodle's fur and skin can get dry without conditioning. Pour a generous amount of cream rinse in your palms. Rub hands together and spread the cream rinse into the dog's fur. Let the rinse stay in the fur for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

2. Dry off your dog with a towel. Apply a dog ear wash to remove excess water from the ears. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Gently wipe the ears with a cotton ball. This can be critical for a Schnoodle prone to ear infections.

3. Pour a small amount of olive oil into your hands. Rub hands together and spread the olive oil into the dog's fur. The olive oil adds a lot of moisture and softness to the fur. This is important for the Schnoodle's sensitive skin.

4. Blow dry the dog's fur with low heat on a medium setting. After the dog is dry, brush the fur with a slicker brush to remove all tangles. Be careful not to overdry the fur because Schnoodles often have relatively thin coats and dry quickly. They also have sensitive skin that can dry out easily. Now you are ready to cut the fur.

5. Grooming the back and sides of the coat. Start cutting the dog's fur with the #4F blade on your clippers. Shave in the direction that the fur grows. Start with the back and then move to the sides. This will help you determine the length you want and makes it easier to get an even look.

6. Grooming the chest fur. Use a #10 blade on your clippers to shave the chest area. This will create a closer shave. It is best to keep the Schnoodle's chest fur short because the fine-textured fur in this area tends to get matted easily. Examine the under arms and inner legs to make sure there are no small mats in this area. If mats are present, carefully snip the mats away with grooming scissors.

7. Grooming the legs. Don't use clippers on the legs. Grooming scissors work much better. Use a slicker brush to fluff the fur and determine how short you want to trim the leg fur. Carefully trim the fur to the desired length on each leg.

8. Grooming feet. Carefully trim the fur growing between your dog's foot pads with the #10 blade on your clippers. Trim the fur to the desired length on the feet.

9. Grooming the tail and anal area. Carefully shave the anal area with the #10 blade on the clippers. The dog stays cleaner with less fur around the private area. Trim the tail with grooming scissors to the desired length.

10. Grooming the face. Use grooming scissors specially designed for trimming the ears to trim around the ears and eye area. Regular grooming scissors can be used to cut the beard and trim the fur on top of the head. Scissors make it easier to shape the face fur. The Schnoodle's wavy fur often looks best left a little longer at the top and shorter everywhere else on the face.

11. Cut the nails. Use dog clippers to trim the nails. Most Schnoodles have black nails, making it hard to find the quick. Be very careful not to trim too much.

12. Schnoodle after grooming

    Brush the Schnoodle with a soft bristle brush and give him a dog treat. Your dog is now freshly groomed and ready to play.

Tips & Warnings

• Brush your dog daily. A schnoodle's fine fur easily accumulates fairy knots. Brushing will keep this problem under control.

• Use a leave-in conditioner designed for dogs on your dog's fur whenever it feels dry or to eliminate tangles.

• Always be sure to rinse all shampoo out of your dog's fur. Shampoo residue can irritate a Schnoodle's sensitive skin.

• Be extra careful when using scissors during grooming. Only use grooming scissors because they have blunt tips.