Standard Poodle vs Schweenie - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Schweenie is a hybrid dog, with the parent breeds being the Shih Tzu and the Dachshund.

The Schweenie dog has been around for about 4 decades when breeders were looking for a dog that would be free of the health issues of the purebred parent breeds.

Because the Schweenie is a mix breed, it doesn’t qualify to be part of the American Kennel Club. He is however recognized by the Designer Breed Registry and some other clubs.

The Poodle is the national dog of France, and there they are known as the duck dog. The breed actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany. It was known as ‘Pudelin’ which means splashing in water.

The dog has always had a crisp, curly coat to protect it from the elements. It is classified as a non-sporting dog. Soon the French became aware of what a fine dog it was and it became sought after among the elite in France.

It has been known for at least 400 years. While it is still not sure precisely from which country it comes, the poodle is a descendant of the French Water Dog which is now extinct.

The Schweenie will be a smallish dog standing at roughly 27cm to 50cm and weighing 4 – 9kg.

Because of the Dachshund parent, he will likely have a long body. The coat is shortish to medium length and can be a variety of colors – from a rusty color to brown, black, grey and even a cream shade. The ears are floppy and the tail medium length.

Temperament:

He is a small dog who is smart and bright and who wants to please his human owners. He loves people and wants to be around them and involved in their activities.

Small and cute though he is, he can be a stubborn dog and become a little big aggressive too if he is feeling a bit moody. He will need to be trained and socialized if you want him to obey your simple commands such as sit, stay, lie down and come.

He is intelligent enough to learn these simple commands with ease.He is both alert and vigilant, and this makes them good watchdogs.

The Standard Poodle is a medium-sized dog that stands between 35 and 40cm in height and weighs between 20 - 27 kg. The coat of the standard poodle is curly and medium length and it comes in a range of different colors – black, brown, cream, apricot or white.

The ears are medium shaped and floppy and the tail is most times docked to half its length. The muzzle is fairly long and the eyes are brown and alert.

Temperament:

Standard Poodles are full of the joys of living and they are friendly, fun, playful dogs. They love playing games with the children and they make excellent family dogs.

He is quite feisty and stubborn and will require training and socialization. He is smart and is in fact, one of the most trainable of all the dog breeds.

They can adapt to life in the city or the countryside but he will need to be exercised wherever he is. The Standard Poodle isn’t aggressive but he can still make a good watchdog.

The Schweenie can be somewhat reserved and they need exercise regularly as well. If they don’t get enough exercise, they tend to become jittery and this can make them become a bit snappy. The are more prone to be snappy and aggressive with children who haven’t been taught how to treat animals gently and with respect.

They’re small enough to adjust to life in the city or countryside but will still need to be exercised.

The little Schweenie, with the right kind of owner can become a great little pet and companion.

Poodles are clever, easy to train and capable of living well in the city or in the countryside.

They’re adaptable dogs too which makes them excellent family pets. They’re active and social so when you bring one into your home, you’re going to know he is there.

He wants to be involved in every aspect of your life, bonding with all members of the family, loving to spend time with each one.

He is an all-rounder and will also be a great watchdog. Loving and loyal, the Standard Poodle is ready to become your ideal pet and companion.

With good care, your Schweenie can live to be 12 to 15 years of age. Every dog, no matter how healthy, can get some of the health problems that plague many dogs.

Intervertebral Disk Disease:

This is where the cushions between each vertebra come into contact with the spinal cord. It can result in nerve damage and sometimes even paralysis. Because the Shih Tzu is one of the parent breeds, you will need to be aware of this ailment as these dogs are more susceptible to this disease.

Hypoglycemia:

Hypoglycemia is fairly common in small dogs and it is where there is a drop in blood sugar. It can be brought on by stress. It can also be referred to as low blood sugar and it can be deadly. If your pet is hypoglycemic, you will notice a loss in appetite, extreme lethargy, trembling and unusual behavior. You will need to get your Schweenie to the vet immediately for tests and treatment.

The Standard Poodle doesn’t have many health issues to worry about and he can live to a ripe old age of 15 or so if he is looked after well.

However, he can succumb to some of the common dog diseases there are – eye problems, skin allergies, bloat and ear infections.

Allergies:

Allergies in dogs can be caused by pollen, insects, food, and medicines. These allergies can all cause terrible itching, scratching, watery eyes, skin inflammation, and pain.

The ears, underarms, groin and around the eyes are often affected. It can make your pet most miserable. Your dog will have to get to the vet to relieve him of his discomfort and the vet will want a medical history to find out what is causing the problem.

Your Schweenie will need to be brushed at least twice a week to rid him of loose hairs. Because of his floppy ears, you will need to clean them and check for redness. If you don’t like the idea of probing inside the ear, professional groomers or the vet will do it for you.

Trim his nails if they don’t wear down on their own.

Provide him with a nice dry, warm spot to sleep.

Provide him with nice chewy toys that will keep him occupied.

Exercise him every day. Taking him on walks and playing ball games with him will keep him fit and trim but also help with staving off boredom.

Ensure his vaccines against deadly diseases are up to date. See that he gets to the vet when he appears to be under the weather.

He is a small dog so you have to be careful about how you feed him. You need to feed him a nutrient-rich dry kibble. Read the packaging and buy dog food according to his size, age and activity levels.

Try and include some home-made food into your dogs diet. A little bit of boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach all chopped up will do him good and can be added into the dry kibble twice a week. Some raw meat should also occasionally be added in as this can help to prevent some skin problems. Be sure that cool, fresh water is available for your pet at all times.

Grooming:

The Standard Poodle will require regular brushing even though it is a low- or non-shedding breed. The curls can become matted. Some poodle owners choose to have their poodles professionally groomed and clipped.

The nails will need to be trimmed.

The teeth will also need to be checked if the dog will allow you to look inside his mouth. A bad, oozing tooth can cause all kinds of medical problems.

Because of the floppy ears, check inside the ears for dirt and wax buildup and signs of redness and a possible ear infection. If you don’t like to probe inside your dog’s ears or mouth, professional dog groomers will do this for you.

Exercise:

Your poodle is an active dog and he will need regular daily exercise. Chase him on the lawn, throw a ball for him, hide away from him and let him find you. He will also love daily walks.

Diet:

Just like with any other dog, your Standard Poodle needs good, nutritional food to remain healthy. Some of the commercially manufactured dog foods you get are bad for a dog as they don’t have natural ingredients and are devoid of vitamins and minerals.

They’re certainly a convenient way to feed a dog, but try and go for the ones that are wholesome for your pet.

Home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables is a good choice as it is healthy and won’t cause your dog to battle with digestive problems. Avoid spicy, exotic foods and things such as popcorn, onion, peanuts, and chocolate.

Make sure your Standard Poodle always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available.