Skypoo

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
The Skypoo, also known as a Skydoodle, is a medium-sized pup with a Skye Terrier and a Standard Poodle as parent breeds. Both the Skye Terrier and Standard Poodle have a few major health issues, as well as a number of minor ones. Some of the minor health issues that these parent breeds might pass down to the Skypoo include epilepsy, bloat, hip dysplasia, and skin allergies. A few major health problems that might plague a Skypoo are:

Hypothyroidism – Described as a deficiency of thyroid hormones, this condition results in obesity, inactivity, overeating, constant fatigue, mental dullness, hair loss, recurring ear and skin infections, seizures, and general weakness. Dogs with this condition can undergo a series of thyroid tests to make a proper diagnosis and gauge severity. The vet will then assign lifelong hormone injections to bring the thyroid back into working order.

Cushings Disease – Often caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, this condition occurs when hormonal chemicals go haywire. The results are lethargy, fatigue, a severely slow metabolism, lack of immunities, and skin bruising. Dogs might also experience hair loss, insomnia, and obvious abdominal swelling. This condition, while incurable, is manageable with the correct hormone injections and a surgical procedure to remove any tumors.

Despite a long list of health issues that the Skypoo may or may not inherit, these dogs are known to live lengthy, healthy lives. Their average lifespan ranges between 12 to 15 years, with some even living upwards of 18 years. The latter is a rare occurrence, but it could happen. You can strive to give your Skypoo a longer, healthier life with routine check-ups at the vet, a good, nutritious diet, and regular exercise.

Temperament & Train-ability

Loyal, sweet, and obedient for the most part, the Skypoo is a loving, affectionate family dog that craves attention. He is friendly to everyone he meets, including most strangers. If he feels threatened, he may let out a few barks, or even a growl, but these crossbreed pups rarely bite. He is a smart dog, thanks to his clever pair of parent breeds. Both the Skye Terrier and Standard Poodle are known for being intelligent, albeit stubborn and strong-willed, which is something the Skypoo is sure to inherit.

To train the Skypoo, you need patience, dedication, and determination. You also need a clear, firm voice for issuing commands and instructions. The Skypoo enjoys testing the limits of your dominance by being temporarily disobedient. Rest assured that this behavior is normal during training. Stay strong in your convictions and commands, but positive with a gentle tone to your instructions. Never strike or yell at your Skypoo. This could result in destructive, even aggressive, behavior towards you and your family.

The Skypoo is an energetic and active dog most days. He loves being around people, but other dogs might pose a challenge. Due to his mid-sized stature, he might buck up to bigger dogs, challenging them in a show of dominance. Socialize him with other pets early to keep him from getting his butt kicked in a doggy showdown at the dog park. He should be kind and patient with other dogs, if not a bit cautious.

If you want to stray away from the dog park, keep a few toys around the house to better occupy your Skypoo’s mind. He loves to play with chew toys and tug-of-war ropes and you can also send him outside to frolic to his heart’s content in a fenced-in backyard.

Grooming

The Skypoo, like both the Skye Terrier and Standard Poodle, has soft, fluffy fur with either little curls or waves. His coat is thick and plush. You should keep it that way with a daily brushing using a firm-bristled brush. The Skypoo sheds minimally. Bathe him once a month to keep his fur from getting too dirty.

Clean his ears weekly with a vet-recommended solution and a cotton swab. Never stick anything in your Skypoo’s ear canals. This could result in ruptured ear drums or severe ear infections. Use the cotton swab to clean the rim and edges that you can see of each ear. You should also trim his nails bi-weekly, and brush his teeth at least 3 times per week.

Diet

Feed your Skypoo 3 cups of nutritious dry kibble, separated into two meals per day. The division of meals will keep him satisfied and full for longer, so he will be less likely to beg for food off of your plate. Avoid feeding your pup table scraps. This bad habit could result in negative behavior down the road, such as constant begging and food stealing. It could even lead to rapid weight gain and related health issues.

Consult your vet to learn more about what you should be feeding your Skypoo. Many dog food brands use by-products and fillers to enhance their kibble – stay away from those chemical-laden brands. Instead, search for wholesome brands that use lean meats and whole grains in their dry dog food.
 

Find A Skypoo Breeder

Skypoo Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Skypoo

Cost

One of the newer crossbreeds, the Skypoo hasn’t settled on a solid, consistent price among breeders just yet. You could pay as low as $450 or as high as $1,200 for a Skypoo puppy. It all depends on the preferences and requirements of the reputable breeder.

You can always check your local shelter for a Skypoo to adopt. Adoption fees run between $150 and $200 for a mid-sized dog at most animal shelters. You should also think about the long-term costs of dog toys, nutritious kibble, routine vet visits, vaccinations, flea treatments, heartworm prevention, and a spay/neuter fee.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. Despite being difficult to pin a price on, the Skypoo is an adorable, sweet pup that easily ranks a 2 on the integration scale. These dogs are adaptable and versatile, so you can keep them anywhere as long as they have access to outdoor exercise, plenty of good food, and proper veterinarian care.

 

Skye Terrier

Poodle

Rat Terrier

Jack A Poo