Hair: These dogs are relatively easy to care for and maintain, as well. Scoodles don't shed much and are also hypoallergenic dogs. Therefore, brushing on a per-week basis would be enough to keep your dog looking beautiful. In case the coat is longer than usual, then extra care should be taken, and brushing should be done daily to remove any tangles.
You can also take your dog to a professional groomer to trim the excess hair. Furthermore, you should not bathe your dog unless it's vital to do so.
Teeth: Proceed to brush your dog’s teeth daily, which will keep their gums and teeth in good condition.
Eyes: Eyes need to be wiped at regular intervals to prevent any staining from tears.
Ears: Also, check your pooch’s ears for any signs of dirt or infection.
Nails: It's recommended that you clip your dog's nails only if they get too long.
Recommended daily amount: It's suggested that you provide your Scoodle with at least 3/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry dog food every day. In case your dog weighs more than 20 pounds, then the amount of food that needs to be provided should also be more and vice versa. In case you're unsure how much amount you should be feeding to your dog, you can consult your vet for the same.
What food to choose: You can keep your Scoodle in perfect shape by measuring the amount of food that you give it per day. Moreover, try to feed it twice per day (dividing the whole day's Meal amount into two) rather than keeping dog food out in the open at all times. Since Scoodles are prone to being overweight, you need to keep the food amount in check.
How to keep them fit: Regular exercise with a balanced diet will keep them fit.
How many times to feed your dog: Twice a day is highly recommended.
Like with any pedigree breed, there will be several health problems that you need to know because the same can easily affect your Scoodle. The following are some of the common health concerns the Scoodle faces:
Achondroplasia
Condition: A situation where there is an abnormal development of the cartilage present in the joints of bones, which can manifest to dwarfism in some dog breeds. However, when it comes to the Scottish Terrier, it leads to a shorter body shape.
Treatment: No such treatment is available for such a health condition.
Atopic Dermatitis
Condition: It's an allergic skin disease which is quite prevalent in most Terrier breeds out there. Usually develops when the dog is a few months old and can be a persistent problem for a lifetime.
Treatment: If treated at a nascent stage, medications are enough to solve the problem.
Bladder Cancer
Condition: Generally occurs due to transitional cell carcinoma, which is 20 times more prevalent in the Terrier breeds than other ones. Females tend to be affected twice as more than males. Symptoms include increased urination and passing of blood in the urine. The disease is also seen in older dogs.
Treatment: Medication is required for mild cases. For severe cases, surgery is necessary for the removal of the tumor. Chemotherapy is also crucial.
Cystinuria
Condition: Increase in cysteine levels, which is defined as an amino acid, in the dog's urine. It can cause hard deposits of such amino acid in the bladder, which can later develop into stones. Ultimately it'll lead to difficulty in urination.
Treatment: Mild cases must be treated with regular medication. Otherwise, surgery would be required to remove the stones.
Demodicosis
Condition: A condition where mite infestations cause in the paws of the dog. Generally occurs due to immune deficiency when it comes to the Demodex parasites.
Treatment: Medications will be required to treat the mites and to improve the immunity power of the dog.
Training Scoodle will be an easy process since they're mainly known for their playfulness and energy. Moreover, their loyalness will help in creating a strong bond with their owners. Even though they're intelligent, they can be somewhat stubborn and challenging to work with if not taken care of correctly. They'll also become vocal when they don't want to be trained.
With the help of obedience and behavioral training, your Scoodle will grow up to be a fantastic pet. In case you feel that your dog has aggressive behavior towards other animals, then it's better to socialize your dog as early as possible.
When training your Scoodle, try to use a firm yet patient approach. Furthermore, these dogs always respond to praise, positive reinforcement, and rewards (including treats).
The overall energy levels of the Scoodle is very much reflective of their parents, which is why you should at least exercise your dog for 30 to 60 minutes daily. Moreover, enjoy brisk walks with your dog as they make perfect jogging companions. Scoodles can quickly adapt to varying residence sizes and can even adapt to an apartment. They should not be left outside or kept in a kennel. Since they're companion dogs, they always like to be indoors alongside their owners.
This dog breed may suffer from separation anxiety, which may lead to destructive behaviors and even persistent barking. Scoodles are not a noisy breed, and they can become bored if left for long periods.
