A beautiful little dog, the Skypoo, also known as a Skydoodle, is an intelligent dog that can be trained to a high standard and usually have unique behaviors. Because of their small size and relatively low exercise requirements, Skypoos are becoming more and more popular pets for busy families living in cities.
Breed Overview
Height:
8-15 inches
Weight:
35-70 pounds
Lifespan:
12-15 years
Colors:
Cream, White
Suitable for:
Those living in apartments, families with children, first-time dog owners
Temperament:
Intelligent, loyal, friendly, playful, social
The loving Skypoo is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Poodle (Standard or Miniature) and Skye Terrier that comes in various colors and shows a wide range of hair colors and shades. The easiest way to identify a Skypoo is through their bizarre ears, which typically resemble the Skype Terrier’s and tend to be covered in long, silky hair.
The dog is extremely loyal and has much to offer the right home. They are faithful and charming personalities make them much-loved members of the family. The Skypoo is easy to train, so it is perfect for almost everybody but will require early socialization to help them interact more positively with kids and other pets.
Skypoo Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
Skypoo Puppies
The Skypoo is one of the latest crossbreeds and has not yet settled on a solid, consistent price among breeders. These intelligent and loyal dogs are perfect for someone living in an apartment.
You can check your local rescue for a Skypoo to adopt. Remember to consider the long-term cost of nutritious dog food, dog toys, vaccinations, regular vet visits, heartworm prevention, a neuter/spray fee, and flea treatments.
When it comes to temperament, Skypoos are great dogs to have around. Extremely loyal to their owners, they will always be glad to be the center of attention, but, in turn, they love pleasing their human families as well. Their adorable appearances and affectionate nature make them ideal for both families with several members and single individuals.
Besides being excellent dogs, they are also great friends and companions for people. If they get enough opportunities to socialize with other people and pets at a young age, they have excellent chances to get along well with kids and other pets when they are adults. Skypoos are relatively easy to train, though they sometimes have a stubborn streak.
Patient, consistent training, and socialization are tools that generally bring out the best in a dog. In addition, these are the critical aspects for a dog’s later development and have a significant positive impact on their behavior as adult dogs.
However, it is good to teach your kids how to interact with these dogs and supervise their interaction with other pets even with the proper socialization and training. They are an active breed, though their exercise requirements are moderate.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Adorable in behavior and appearance, Skypoos are excellent family dogs, both for families with several members and for individuals who stay alone. Gentle in nature, they love being in the humans’ company for as long as possible, and they get along well with kids and other pets. However, to achieve this, you must socialize with them at a young age.
Train your kids how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise interactions between a Skypoo and young kids to prevent any nipping and tail or ear pulling on the side of either party. No matter how good-natured, no dog should ever be left unsupervised with a kid.
Image Credit: caseyjadew, Shutterstock
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶😽
Skypoos do well with dogs and other pets if they are adequately trained and socialized. They prefer to spend time with humans, soaking up attention and exhibiting their hunting prowess. Chasing and searching for sticks or balls is a perfect way for a Skypoo to satisfy its need to catch prey.
The Skypoo can be aggressive towards dogs they don’t know, but they should get along well with dogs and cats they are raised with. If you have a bird or cat, or any other small animal as a household pet, you will have to guide them carefully from your Skypoo.
Things to Know When Owning a Skypoo
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Skypoo is a medium to large dog that needs a high-quality kibble depending on its size, age, and activity level. Since the dog may inherit joint problems later in life, make sure your dog remains at its optimum weight by choosing a food rich in protein and low in fillers to avoid overheating, which may result in satiety.
Feed your Skypoo 1.5 to 3 cups of nutritious dry kibble, divided into two meals per day. The meals’ separation will keep your dog satisfied and full for a long, so they will be less likely to beg for food from your plate.
Avoid feeding your dog table scraps. This bad habit could lead to negative behavior, such as food stealing and constant begging. It may also result in rapid weight gain or related health problems.
Consult your vet to learn more about what you need to feed your Skypoo. Some dog food brands use fillers and by-products to enhance their kibble. Avoid such chemical-loaded brands, and instead, look for wholesale brands that use whole grains and lean meat in their dry dog kibble.
Image Credit: Kuredo, Shutterstock
Exercise 🐕
With moderate exercise requirements, the Skypoo makes an excellent pet for those with a quite inactive lifestyle that might not have time available to go on long runs and hikes every day. One daily jog or walk outside the local park or green for 20 to 20 minutes is often enough for the Skypoo.
However, you need to provide your dog with plenty of mental stimulation through puzzles and games to prevent boredom from occurring. Since these dogs are always eager for fun, you can supplement their exercise with fetch in the yard or chase play with the kids.
Training 🎾
The Skypoos training process is an essential aspect of these pups’ lives and needs to be given all the necessary attention to shape the dog’s behaviors and temperament. Despite their average intelligence, Skypoos are known to be relatively trainable. That is partly due to their desire to please their masters, although patience, firmness, and consistency are essential for the training process to be successful.
In addition, you need a clear, strong voice for giving instructions and commands. The Skypoo likes testing the limits of your superiority by being temporarily disobedient. Be assured that this behavior is normal during training.
Remain firm in your sentiments and commands but positive with a soft tone in your instruction. Never hit or yell at your Skypoo. That can lead to destructive or aggressive behavior toward you or your family.
Image Credit: Dan70, Shutterstock
Grooming ✂️
Like the Standard Poodle and Skye Terrier, the Skypoo carry soft, silky hair with some waves or curls. Their coat is dense and plush. To maintain the thick and plush coat, brush your dog daily with a strong-bristle brush.
The Skypoo rarely shed. Bath your pup once a month to prevent their hair from accumulating too much dirt.
Clean your dog’s ears and wipe weekly with a vet-recommended solution. Never insert anything into your Skypoo’s ear canals. That can lead to ruptured eardrums or severe ear infections.
Use the cotton swab to clean the edges and rim that you can see of each ear. In addition, trim your dog’s nails bi-weekly, and brush their teeth at least three times a week.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Standard Poodle has several serious issues and a few minor ones. Some of the trivial conditions that these parent breeds may hand down to the Skypoo include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, skin allergies, and bloat.
A few major health issues that may plague a Skypoo include:
Cushing Disease: Normally lead by a tumor on the pituitary gland, this condition occurs when hormonal chemicals blow out. That leads to fatigue, lethargy, lack of immunity, skin bruising, and acutely slow metabolism. Your dog may also experience insomnia, hair loss, or evident abdominal swelling. Although the condition is incurable, you can manage it with the right hormone injections or a surgical procedure to eliminate any tumors.
Hypothyroidism: Caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormones, this condition leads to mental dullness, obesity, continuous fatigue, inactivity, hair loss, overeating, recurring skin and ear infections, and general weakness. If your dog acquires this condition, take it through a series of thyroid tests to make a proper diagnosis and weigh severity. Your vet will then give long-term hormone injections to restore the thyroid to working order.
Despite all these health problems that your Skypoo can inherit, these dogs are known to live long and healthy lives. The latter is a rare condition, but it can happen. You can give your Skypoo a longer and healthier life with regular vet check-ups, a proper nutritious diet, and regular exercise.
Minor Conditions
Orthopedic
Skins Problems
Serious Conditions
Hypothyroidism
Patellar Luxation
Eye Problems
Bloat
Cushing’s Disease
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
Addison’s Disease
Male vs Female
There is no recognizable difference between males and females in the breed. However, regardless of who their family pet takes after, females tend to be smaller than males.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Skypoo
Here are three little-known facts about the Skypoo pet breed.
1. Skypoos Were Initially Bred as Hunting Dogs
Both the Skye Terrier and Poodle were bred to be hunting dogs. Although modern Poodles are mainly kept as family pets, their hunting intuitions remain. Skypoos also maintain the drive to hunt, and they are usually prone to wondering.
2. Regardless of Their Size, Skypoos are Highly Active Dogs
Taking a hint from their history as hunters, Skypoos owners should give their pups lots of exercises. They are excellent dogs and enjoy a good game of fetch, as well as long walks and jogging. As superb water retrievers, swimming is another great option.
3. Skypoo are Obtained by Crossing a Sky Terrier and a Poodle
The crossbreed produced by mixing a Sky Terrier and a Poodle is known as Skypoo. The most vital characteristics of a Skypoo are the faithfulness and loyalty they exhibit towards their owners while also showing a certain charm. They are highly inclined towards pleasing their owners, and they are always happy when they are in the center of attention.
Conclusion
If you want an intelligent, lively, loyal, fun dog to have around who will get along well with all your family members and other pets, a Skypoo could be the answer.
A Skypoo will live happily in an apartment or a large house with a yard if you are always around to offer them love and attention. The Skypoo believes in a give-and-take relationship. If you give them the respect, love, and attention they deserve, the dog will lavish the same on family members.
They can be suitable for new owners, but you will need to give them regular training sessions and mental stimulation to keep them well-mannered. The dogs are great for those with a pet fur allergy, as Skypoo’s curly coat sheds minimally.
Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
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