The Snickerdoodle dog breed is extremely popular for its appearance as well as its sharp features that it has. If you are someone who fancies dog breeds that are not excessively big and muscular, then this is the ultimate option for you!
Although it is not a purebred dog and is a cross between a Poodle and a Schnoodle, this variant is quite a treat to watch.
The appearance of the dog is like that of the Snickerdoodle cookie and hence it gets the name from there.
- Are you planning to get a Snickerdoodle at your home to keep as a pet?
Here are some important things that you need to know before you bring them home. After all, a dog is more than just cuteness and brings in a lot of responsibility, right?
What is a Snickerdoodle dog?
The Snickerdoodle is the right mix of a Poodle and a Schnoodle. Although it is not a very big and muscular dog, the breed has become extremely popular for its distinct features.
They are typically a mid-sized dogs and an ultimate option for those who want to keep the dogs in an apartment or small residential accommodations.
The mini Snickerdoodle dog is another variant that is smaller than the original Snickerdoodle. However, they are not very popular and are often a result of extensive cross-breeding which is not desired as well.
Origin and history of the breed
The Snickerdoodle dog originated in the 20th century and this happened due to a result of cross-breeding to bring about new types of variants.
Why was it done?
Well, the ultimate agenda was to get a breed that has the best of both worlds and stood apart from the rest. The dog soon gained popularity all over the world and you will see a lot of them portrayed in most movies and TV series as well.
Soon the demand for the Snickerdoodle also increased and today they are one of the most desired family dogs.
The popularity of the Snickerdoodle Dog
What makes them so popular? There could be a number of reasons attributed to the popularity of this breed
- Compact Size
As we have mentioned, the Snickerdoodle is a medium-sized dog and hence it does not need a very big space to live freely. With the modern problem of space crunch, they are an ideal option who do not have big villas or mansions to live in.
- Easy Maintenance
It does not take a lot of effort for anyone to maintain the Snickerdoodle. Although the extreme fur on the coat can seem to be intimidating, in reality, it is much easier to maintain.
- Ideal For Those Who Are Working
And finally, the dog also serves as a great option for those who are working all day and cannot possibly spend a lot of time taking care of the dog. The easygoing attitude of the dog makes it a great option.
Physical Characteristics
Wondering what a Snickerdoodle dog looks like?
As you can make out from the name, they are one variant that got its name because of its resemblance to a cookie. But is that all?
Here are some more details that you need to know about the appearance and some common questions that people have.
Q1. What is the Size and Weight?
The breed is considered to be one which can vary between small to medium and this usually depends on the extent of the crossbreed.
They tend to weigh anywhere between 20 to 25 pounds. The height on the other hand for a full-grown dog breed Snickerdoodle is 12 to 24 inches.
Usually, you will notice that the male dogs are a tad bit more muscular and bigger than the female dogs.
Q2. Do the Snickerdoodle Dog Variants Vary In Colour and Coat?
Yes, there are different colors of the Snickerdoodle as well although the black Snickerdoodle dog and the golden Snickerdoodle dog is the most popular one.
The coat can be wavy and curly depending on the lineage that they belong from. Some of the most common colors that you can expect from the Snickerdoodle dog are like:
- Cream
- Apricot
- Silver
- Dark Brown
- Mix of all
Q3. What Are the Distinctive Physical Features of the Snickerdoodle dog?
As we have mentioned earlier, it is a cross between two variants. That’s why it gets the best of the two. Some of the features include:
- A round head with a strong muzzle
- Large eyes which are dark in color
- Ears are usually floppy and one can crop them if they want to
- The tails usually are naturally long however there are some variants that have curly tails.
Personality traits
The cross between two variants like Poodle and Schnoodle has made the dog highly intelligent.
Before you bring a Snickerdoodle dog home, it is really important to have an idea about temperament and behavior.
This will help you to understand if it will be a good match for your atmosphere.
They have a tendency to please the owners and get the attention of themselves. They have an extremely friendly attitude and this is usually the nature of people of all ages.
The dogs are extremely energetic and friendly and hence they bring in a positive environment. They enjoy having a lot of people at home and love to go for walks as well.
The dog can be easily attributed as a “happy-go-lucky” variant. They are extremely adaptable and hence will blend in with your family.
Training and socialization tips
Training a Snickerdoodle dog is not extremely difficult and this is because of their intelligent brain. There are quite a few things that work wonders with them like;
- Reinforcement Training – In this training the dog is given positive reinforcement which could be a treat or a walk every time they show a desired behavior on command.
- Leash Training – The most common pattern with the Snickerdoodle is that you will not have to train it much for leash walking as well. They are usually quite well adapted.
- Clicker Training – The method of clicker training is also quite popular and here you use a clicker to mark the behavior which is desired. The clicker helps the dog to understand the pattern better and then increases the behavior.
Consistency and patience are extremely important to train and socialize your Snickerdoodle.
To make them social, the best thing to do is to let them mix with as many people and other animals as possible.
Try to let them socialize from an early age which will build their habit for the future.
Health and Care
Just like any other breed of dog, the Snickerdoodle dog also has some predispositions to health issues which one needs to be careful about.
Common health issues
Q1. Which are the most common health issues that one can find in Snickerdoodle?
They are a small variant of dog and hence it is prone to some common types of diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems as well as allergies.
- Hip Dysplasia – It is a genetic disease and in this case, the hip joint is not well developed which causes balance problems for the dog.
- Eye Problems – The Snickerdoodle is usually prone to some common types of eye problems like cataracts as well as progressive retinal atrophy.
- Allergies- It is possible that the dog is allergic to some kind of food and hence in this case your vet will be able to guide you the best.
Tips for Maintaining Good Health
You can take care of your Snickerdoodle dogs and maintain their health in tons of ways. Some of these are:
- Make sure that you take them to the vet at least once in two months. This will keep their regular check-up in flow and ensure they don’t develop any serious diseases.
- Take them out for walks and help them exercise regularly. This is because dogs can be overweight very easily. Pay special attention to nutrition.
- For the good health of your dog, grooming is exceptionally important. If you cannot do it alone, get someone who is a professional and can help you.
Grooming needs
The coat of a Snickerdoodle is such that you will need to maintain them very regularly so that they don’t develop any kind of tangles. Some simple ways are:
- brush their coats at least once every day.
- Bathing once a week or two weeks is suggested depending on their cost length and density.
- Don’t forget to clean their ears. Take a clean cotton swab and gently clean their ears.
- Nail trimming is important.
Feeding and exercise requirements
Dietary and exercise contribute to the overall health and build-up of their structure.
You have to feed them a high-balance diet with nutritional values as it will help them grow.
Usually, vets will suggest incorporating meat, rice, curd as well as some selected vegetables in the diet.
Portion control is extremely important as the dog has a tendency to put on weight very easily.
Usually, most vets will suggest you take them for a walk at least once a day for half an hour. This will keep them not only physically but also mentally healthy.
When feeding treats, be sure that you do not give them extra as it can impact their health negatively.
Training and Socialization
Basic obedience training
Training your Snickerdoodle with the basic obedience training is not difficult and this is because of their intelligence.
You can easily train them at home if you know a little bit about the behavior of your snickerdoodle and what are the treats they like.
Make sure that you give them the same verbal or visual cues every day so that they do not get confused.
It will take some time to train them properly with the basic obedience training, however, consistency is the key.
Socializing with other dogs and people
Socializing your dog with other dogs and people is extremely important and this is what makes them social in their approach. You need to start this early so that it becomes a regular habit for them.
- Start with your immediate family members and then spread the horizon more. You can also choose to take them for play dates at the park with other dogs.
- Try not to keep them closed when there are other people in your house. This will allow them to get rid of inhibitions and mix better with people.
Advanced training options
There are advanced training options for your Snickerdoodle as well. However, it completely depends on whether you want to train them that way or not.
For this kind of advanced training, the best thing to do is consult a professional trainer who can guide you the best.
The earlier you start the training, automatically it is going to be better for the dog to learn.
Living with a Snickerdoodle dog
Snickerdoodles are extremely compatible and hence it is most often a delight to stay with them.
Usually, if you have comfortable living conditions, it will not be difficult to keep the Snickerdoodles. They tend to adjust to the living conditions very easily.
Suitable living conditions and environments
The right living conditions for the Snickerdoodle dog is to keep them in a healthy and adaptable environment with people around them.
They are not used to living alone and hence the more people you have around, it is going to be better.
They are adaptable and do not need a large space to move around or sleep as well.
Child and family compatibility
They are extremely friendly and gentle in nature and this will make sure that they do not hurt the children in any way.
Along with that, they are playful and hence if you want a partner for your children, this is the perfect option.
But make sure that there is someone to supervise. The dog is also quite compatible with older people and hence makes the perfect match for your family members.
Traveling and transportation considerations
As we have already mentioned, the size of the Snickerdoodle dog is extremely popular for its appearance as well as the sharp features that it has. If you are someone who fancies dog breeds that are not excessively big and muscular, then this is the ultimate option for you! the dog is not very big and hence you will be able to travel with it in your personal cars. However, if you don’t have one, then choosing a cab could help you.
They can sometimes create a scene and hence it is best to avoid public transport.
You will be able to travel with them via airlines as well as railways because they love to explore new spots and are adventurous.
Common behaviors and how to address them
Snickerdoodles dogs do not have a lot of behavioral problems, however, you have brought them up plays an important role in deciding the same. Some of the common behavioral problems that you should be aware of are:
- Separation Anxiety – This dog is a type that loves to stay around a lot of people. The moment you leave them for a very long time alone they will start to show separation anxiety.
- Stealing – Sometimes, the dogs end up developing a habit of stealing. Although in most cases we cannot blame the lineage for this behavioral problem, you might find them stealing food from your plate.
- Clinginess- The Snickerdoodle gets extremely attached to the family and the environment that they live in. They also have an extremely high people-pleasing attitude which makes them want to seek attention constantly.
Cost
Snickerdoodle dogs are a designer breed and hence it can be somewhat expensive to maintain them. However, if you compare the same with the other variants of dog, it is quite pocket friendly!
Initial costs
The initial cost of maintaining and upbringing a snickerdoodle is at the most and this is because there are a lot of health checkups and vaccination costs.
To add to that, the initial cost also includes feeding them the best quality of dog food which can be extremely expensive.
The initial cost also takes into account the purchase amount that you have to pay the breeder and this can be somewhere between 2000$ to 6000$.
Monthly expenses chart
The monthly expenses of your dog will come change every month and this will depend on the requirement and the health conditions of your dog.
However, on average, the new member will somewhere cost around $250 per month for the basics.
Other than that, you need to keep a buffer amount of at least 100 dollars handy so that in case there are any health emergencies, you can take care of that.
We will always suggest that try to buy small accessories over a span of time like food bowls, kennels, dog leashes, collars, etc.
It is a one-time investment and will last you a long period of time.
Lifetime costs charts
The lifetime cost of maintaining a snickerdoodle includes the grooming charges and this varies from one location to the other.
- Along with that, the food cost and the health maintenance cost will last you a lifetime.
- As your little dog will grow in age the health considerations will also increase and it might invite more cost than the individual.
- There are some people who have got pet insurance which costs somewhere around $45. This is an additional lifetime cost but can help you in times of need.
Choosing a Snickerdoodle Puppy
For a lot of people who do not have enough idea about the field, it can be extremely difficult to choose the right snickerdoodle puppy.
This is primarily because the popularity of the dog is quite widespread and hence there are imposters in the field who might sell you other variants in the name of Snickerdoodle.
Some of the effective ways to combat this issue are:
Finding a reputable breeder
The first thing that you need to do is find a reputable breeder for yourself who will be able to guide you.
As we have already mentioned that are different types of snickerdoodle puppies and hence you need to understand which could be the right one for you.
Don’t forget to check the legitimacy of the breeder and the documents which will testify whether they are legal or not.
This is the first and probably the most important step in buying a Snickerdoodle puppy.
Questions to ask before buying
There are a set of questions that you need to ask not only to the breeder but also to yourself. Some of these are:
- What is the age of the Snickerdoodle Puppy?
- What are the health appointments that the puppy has been through till now?
- What was the bloodline of the puppy like?
- Was the puppy born prematurely?
- Are there any health issues that need special attention?
- Does the puppy have the required documents?
How to choose the right puppy for you?
Choosing the right puppy is a mixture of finding the right breeder, asking them the right questions, and studying enough about this breed.
The more knowledge you have about the breed, consequently it will be better for you to make the right choice as well.
The best thing that you can do in this case is to get in touch with a professional or someone who is experienced and can guide you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Snickerdoodle dog hypoallergenic?
No, they are not hypoallergenic dogs and this is because they do not shed much. Even if you have allergic kids at home, they will not face a problem due to the Snickerdoodle.
Do Snickerdoodles have any health issues?
Snickerdoodles do have a predisposition to health conditions like hip dysplasia, cataract in the eye as well as retinal eye problems.
How much exercise do Snickerdoodles dog need?
The tendency to gain weight is one of the major reasons why you need to help your dog with the optimum level of exercise. Take them for walking every day at least for half an hour which will help them to get rid of the excess body fat if any.
Are Snickerdoodles dog good with children?
Yes, they are extremely good with children and this is because they have got the most friendly attitude. They are jolly and their playful nature makes them the perfect choice for those who have kids at home.
Conclusion
The Snickerdoodle dog, although a newer variant and result of crossbreeding, is quite an exquisite variant. The intelligent eyes and the attitude of the dog are something that sets it apart. It can be somewhat expensive to maintain a designer dog like this however the attitude do the Snickerdoodle will make you fall in love with them.
They do not need a lot of things and can adjust to your living conditions very easily. If you are someone who is looking for a breed with very less tantrums and high levels of adaptability, then the Snickerdoodle is an ideal choice for you. If you train them in the right way, and from the early days, they will pick up cues very easily.
Always make sure that you take care of the basics and give their health the utmost importance. It is the perfect family dog for you and can be a wonderful partner even if you live alone.