Schnauzer v Poodle v Havanese

[Veryfinethreadmyfriend]

Hi
Anyone got experience with any of the above? We are looking for 1st family dog, we have 3 kids and have a relatively active lifestyle although we love our relaxing lazy time too!
I have done loads of research and narrowed it down to the above breeds. My youngest son is not allergic to dog dander but has other allergies including dust and pollen. We're also looking for a lovable, affectionate breed thats not too large and won't be aggressive to other dogs (loads of dogs round here). I thought these breeds might be the best option.
I know temperament is largely down to how they are brought up but can I have your thoughts please if you've owned any of these?
Thanks

[BestIsWest]

We have had 3 miniature schnauzers. One never barks, is well behaved though sometimes can be a bit stubborn on recall, is an amazing dog and never puts a foot wrong .

One barks at anything and everything, is very territorial and is easily bored so can be a bit destructive but his recall is great and he’s very cuddly and affectionate.

The other, one sadly departed was somewhere between the two.

[Gloschick]

I don't know if you are still deciding, but we have a Havanese, so happy to answer any questions you may have. He is a great dog, doesn't need masses of walking but loves a good walk in the country. Fine to leave at home for up to 3 hours. You do need to groom them but apart from that, not much in the way of negatives x

[Ihuntmonsters]

To those that asked the dog got out of his (very large) garden into the local farmer's field and chased the sheep which caused the death. Family member went straight to the farmer (who they know well) and paid for the sheep with a promise to do so if it happened again (I am pretty sure it did at least once subsequently but it was a few years ago now, the chicken killing was very recent). I just find it interesting looking at the three Schnauzers and seeing how very different they are. Of course some of it is probably due to training (all dogs bought as puppies and much loved) but some must be just personality.

[PickUpStep]

We had a mini schnauzer. He didn't have an aggressive or snappy bone in his body and never so much as curled a lip towards a person or animal. He was a bit neurotic at times and got a bit stranger as he aged 😀. He was very barky until he was about 12, and we should've called him Tigger because boy he could jump! Needed enough but not excessive exercise. We could never trust him off the lead as he might as well have been deaf for all the notice he took if there was something else interesting going on, although admittedly we could've tried harder with training for this in his youth. He wasn't a 'chaser', more an 'explorer'. He would enjoy a cuddle on his own terms but was an independent chap and not a lap dog. He was a loveable, scruffy 90% of the time, old sod. Would I get another? I think the obsessive barking would put me off, although I do note that some don't seem to do this. Not sure I'd risk it personally.
Anyway, just a few thoughts. 😊

[HotSauceCommittee]

There are loads of really intelligent rescue dogs with a broad gene pool, (meaning that they aren’t as susceptible to hereditary conditions so many overbred pedigrees can suffer from) waiting for a lovely home and some love, Op

[Rustyigloo]

Yes we went through the KC authorised breeder scheme. We visited the breeder beforehand just to chat about the breed and whether they were suitable for us.
The breeder is wonderfully bonkers and had loads of schnauzers at his address but he clearly knew what he was doing. Some of the dogs he had were bred for showing in the ring, some were used for showing in agility and obedience and others were pets.
When we went for that initial visit no alarm bells went off for me and I'll admit to being a highly suspicious person - I was looking for all of the signs of an irresponsible breeder.

[Veryfinethreadmyfriend]

Ipchill I'm just really concerned about finding a reputable breeder of crosses and wouldn't know where to start. I wouldn't want to search online and there don't seem to be breed clubs like with the pure-breeds. The process just seems more of a lottery than with a pure-breed but I may be wrong and I'm certainly not dissing crosses - all of the ones I've met have been gorgeous.

[lpchill]

Have you looked at mixed breeds within your. 3 choices? We have a mini labradoodle and he is everything we wanted he's currently 6 months old and he is great with our toddler DD and cat. He's not as active as a cockerpoo which is also a plus for us. Schnauzers you can get mixes with poodles and other breeds.

[missbattenburg]

I always thought it was standard practice not to allow dogs off leads around livestock.

It is. It's also the law that they not be 'at large' - i.e. without a lead or under very close control.

Mine was not a specific comment on the pp in which the circumstances could have been very different to a dog loose in a sheep field.

However, because so many people thing their friendly dog is not really doing any harm by chasing the sheep because they don't catch or bite them, it's always worth mentioning that dog's kill sheep in ways you might not expect (e.g. fright). No matter the dog, if it's not working in the sheep field then keep the lead on.

[Veryfinethreadmyfriend]

Rusty sounds like you've done a great job bringing up your schnauzer, if I could do the same I'd be very happy. Did you go through kennel club authorised breeders scheme or some other route to find the breeder? I am obsessed with finding the best / most reputable breeder out there even if I have to travel miles!

[Veryfinethreadmyfriend]

Ha ha Stoat yes poodles are pretty good-looking without the silly hair-dos aren't they?

[Rustyigloo]

Oh that's awful! Poor animals.
I always thought it was standard practice not to allow dogs off leads around livestock.
Mainly because it stresses the livestock and secondly I thought dogs faeces could also harm them.

[StoatOfManyColours]

I don't particularly like dogs but this thread has made me google miniature poodle thinking, "ugh, am I missing something, poodles are awful looking things", and holy moly, I didn't realise poodles are so lovely when they're not clipped into pompoms! Their faces look so much nicer!

So, never having owned any of these breeds, I'd say miniature poodle.

[missbattenburg]

How the hell did it get high enough to do enough damage?

Depending on the circumstances, dog and owner are lucky it wasn't shot by the farmer and/or prosecuted (owner, obvs, not dog).

Sheep are not just killed by physical force. The stress of being chased by a dog can be extremely dangerous - triggering heart failure, miscarriage of lambs or the sheep to do something risky and stupid to get away. In one of the more tragic cases, over 100 sheep died of the stress/fright by crushing themselves into a tight herd against a fence in response to a dog. Apart from the animal cruelty, that's the kind of loss that can cripple a farmer and result in them losing their business.

[Rustyigloo]

Oh and killing sheep is definitely not a schnauzer trait!!!!!! How the hell did it get high enough to do enough damage?

[Rustyigloo]

Completely biased schnauzer owner here. He's absolutely no bother and fits in with the family really well (two young DD).
He has two half hour walks a day. Is ridiculously happy when anyone comes to the house and isn't particularly barky. He's also really dog friendly.
We did spend a lot of time socialising him as a pup and I think it's paid off. He's pretty much bomb proof. Love home to bits!

[Veryfinethreadmyfriend]

villainous that clip is brilliant
Thanks for all the advice - I will definitely see if we can go to the discover dogs show, thanks missbattenburg
My concern about crosses is finding a decent breeder, don't get me wrong I know lots of lovely crossbreeds round here but I just don't think I want to go down that route personally.
Anyone out there own a Havanese?

[Retrainingaracehorse]

I have a miniature poodle. He never barks hes not neurotic he’s a very easy going happy little dog, loves everyone that comes in the door, wants to please has brilliant recall and importantly for us not interested in livestock. He’s also excellent with other dogs and cats. Although I have to say I spent time socialising him etc when he was a puppy.
If you decide to get one go through the miniature poodle club expect extensive interrogation as many people want one just to indiscriminately breed a doodle or somethingpoo and rightly they are hostile to this.

[missbattenburg]

OP, not sure how feasible this is for you but it is a great way to meet the breeds and talk extensively to people about them...

www.discoverdogs.org.uk/

[Ihuntmonsters]

There are three miniature Schnauzers in our family. They are all loving, generally sweet dogs but only one could be described as very well behaved. One can be terribly yappy (especially at children), and the third is really best described as naughty. He brings a lot of pleasure too but has strong hunting instincts and has killed not just wildlife but also chickens and sheep. Not sure if the chasing and killing instinct just happens to be strong with him and it's an unusual trait or if that's a Schnauzer tendency. We've only had herding or retrieving dogs before so it came as a bit of a shock.

[doingwhatican]

I think yappiness is partly down to training /environment. There was a lot of yapping at our breeders’ but we don’t let her bark in the garden etc now. ‘Distract distract’ seems to work. So far...

[villainousbroodmare]

www.facebook.com/NetflixUK/videos/1987660878220197/

[DragonmotherKhaleesi]

We have a Schnauzer crossed with a Poodle and he is fantastic. Clever, easy to train, doesn't shed, happy to walk or cuddle, fab with kids and generally gorgeous. He is more Schnauzer like than poodle to look at.

[AgathaF]

I'm not sure about difference between standards and miniatures Veryfine. I know someone who has a miniature and she has just acquired her first standard, from the same litter as our pup has come from. We've chatted a few times and she says she's amazed at how bright her new puppy is, but that could be down to personality or just not really remembering when her miniature was a puppy. I tend to think that in general larger dogs are less yappy than smaller dogs, based on experience when out walking with our larger dogs, and friends who have larger or smaller dogs, but it is a generalisation of course.

[Veryfinethreadmyfriend]

Thanks all. Agatha can I ask if you think there is a difference (apart from size of course) between Standard and Miniature Poodles? Are Standard ones generally less yappy / calmer? Sorry if stupid question!
Jilly your Schnauzer looks absolutely gorgeous! I must admit if it was only down to looks I definitely go for a Schnauzer but am trying to take everything into consideration. Am going round in circles! I think I will probably try to arrange meeting a few breeders and hopefully that will finalise the decision!