Schnauzerdor vs Saarlooswolfhond - Breed Comparison

With these modern day mixed-breeds, there is no history or records of when they came into being so we assume the USA. And so it it with the Schnauzer Lab mix breed. Each of the parent dogs – the Schnauzer and the Labrador, have their own histories.

It is uncertain how the Schnauzerdor came into being. Not so long ago, puppies born from different parents were simply labeled mongrels, but today they have been specifically bred. With these dogs you are never really sure how the puppies will turn out, and even within one litter, the puppies can be different looking.

Dutch breeder Leendert Saarloos began to breed German Shepherds to a European wolf. His goal was to bring out a dog that was more hard working.

The Dutch Kennel Club recognized this dog breed in 1975, and to give honor to the breeder, they gave the name to the dog - Saarloos Wolfdog. The dog was also recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

Today the Saarloos is regarded as a pet and companion. It was in 2015 that a study found that this dog showed more genetic association with the gray wolf.

A Schnauzer Labrador or Schnauzerdor is much the same size of the Labrador if the parents were a Labrador and a standard Schnauzer.

You can expect the height to be roughly between 50 to 62cm and weight could be anything from 20 to 35kg. Everything will depend on the size of the Schnauzer really as there are 3 kinds – miniature, standard and giant.

There’ is no way of knowing what physical characteristics the Schnauzerdor will get from each parent. The coat of these dogs can be anything from smooth to wiry and they can also be in a number of different colors, from yellow to cream, grey, black, brown.

Temperament:

Schnauzers and Labradors are intelligent dogs so the Schnauzerdor is guaranteed to turn out smart. Make sure that your Schnauzerdor receives training and socialization. Clever dogs like this won’t battle with training and it can ensure your pet is obedient and balanced, knowing how to behave around different people and in different situations.

Schnauzers are considered non-shedding and hypoallergenic, so it could be that your Schnauzerdor ends up with a low shedding coat.

Your dog is likely to be social, playful, energetic and a good watchdog. They are loving and loyal to their human family members.

The Saarloos Wolfdog is a large dog standing at between 60–75cm male and female and weighing between 30 and 45kg. He is athletic and muscular with a short, dense coat. Colors are wolf-grey, white and red. The Saarloos has wolf-like expressions so the ears are erect, the muzzle pointed and the tail long and plumed. They eyes are a yellow color. The face is bright and alert, showing how intelligent he is.

Temperament

The Saarloos Wolfhound is full of energy so will be looking toward his owner to come up with good exercise for him.

A walk will always be welcome, but for such a lively dog, he’ll want something more energetic such as a hike, swimming, being allowed to run off his leash in the park and lots of vigorous ball- and rope games.

He is an independent dog and for this reason you’ll want him trained and socialized to make him obedient. He is loyal and loving but some of his wolf-like characteristics might mean that he isn’t a good choice for the first-time dog owner. If the first time dog owner is firm, consistent, strong and kind, then everything will be alright.

The Schnauzer Lab is a crossbreed so this essentially means that your dog can have behavioral traits from either of the parents.

They're social, friendly, loving dogs that can also make good watchdogs. The Schnauzerdor gets on well with children and can get on with other dogs too. With training and socialization he becomes much more amicable and obedient, making a super family companion.

You can be sure that he is going to make your family a great playmate, friend and pet.

The Saarloos Wolfhound is a beautiful wolf-like dog that is full of life and energy. When you bring him into your life, you’re going to to have a wonderful addition to your family.

He is an independent dog that is strong-willed so it pays to have him trained and socialized, and then he becomes a balanced, well mannered dog that is loving and loyal with his beloved human family.

Your Schnauzerdog can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age if looked after well. There are some dog illnesses that many dogs succumb to, regardless of breed or age -

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip dysplasia is when the hip joints don’t develop properly. You notice your dog is reluctant to play and even battles to get up again after lying down. Hip dysplasia can lead to painful arthritis and you will need to get him to the vet for pain relief and a treatment plan.

Obesity:

This dog loves his food, and because you love him so much, it will be tempting to pop treats into his mouth all the time. It is so easy to overfeed these dogs and obesity is a big problem and can contribute to joint problems with a dog as well as strain on the heart and other organs.

A well bred Saarloos Wolfhound is regarded as very healthy, and with good care they can reach up to 12, 13, 14 or 15 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common canine disease which comes about when a dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. For a dog diagnosed with hip dyslasia it can be painful lying down and getting around.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, but diet also plays a part as well as environmental factors. All dogs breeds are susceptible to hip dysplasia. Try and avoid your dog putting on too much weight as then it puts excessive strain on the joints. There are different treatment options to make it more comfortable for your pet.

Check your Schnauzerdor’s ears and eyes for infection. Look inside his mouth and check for bad teeth. When you brush him twice a week, check him over for new lumps.Trim his claws.

Your Schnauzerdor is an active dog and he will require vigorous exercise every day. A daily walk won't be enough for this dog. He will want runs in the park off his leash as well as rope- and ball games.

Give your Schnauzerdor the best chance to enjoy good health by providing him with good food.

There are some good commercially manufactured dog foods out there and they can be a good, convenient choice, especially if you choose the high quality ones known for their wholesome, natural ingredients.

Give him some home-made food too which can be added into the dry kibble twice a week. Boil brown rice and chicken in a pot and add in sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. Chop all this up and as a treat, add some of this into the dry kibble.

Your dog’s wagging tail will be all the thanks you need. Try to also include some raw meat occasionally. Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

He’s an active dog so he will need a good dose of exercise to keep that muscular, lean look.

Grooming:

You will need to brush the dense double coat twice a week to ensure the removal of loose hairs and to keep the coat shiny and glossy. Trim his nails and check inside his mouth as he can’t tell you when he has a rotten tooth which can cause a lot of pain.

Diet:

Feed puppies 4x a day.

Puppies 6 months on can have 2 meals a day.

Always feed your dog premium-quality dry food. Twice a week you can add home-made food to the dry kibble as a tasty treat. Add boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up and a portion added to the kibble. The rest can be frozen and then a portion warmed up for another meal.

Try and add some raw meat to his food occasionally as this helps to keep skin problems at bay.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Your pet needs a warm, dry, comfortable place to sleep to call his own.

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure there is both shade and sun.

Spaying and Neutering – beneficial if you don’t want puppies.

Vaccinations for puppies and adults to stave off deadly canine diseases.