I think I'd have to disagree about the schnauzers being great with kids. If you know how to properly educate and train your dog, then everything mentioned about loyalty and intelligence is true.
Whether or not they're trained well, they are loyal, but leaving that loyalty unchecked can result in aggression, either towards strangers or other dogs. Schnauzers are very proud dogs, and make a decent guard dog where noise is concerned. They're generally alert and naturally suspicious of anything out of the ordinary, and are always ready to bark. They are extremely intelligent dogs, so much that their intelligence can often be mistaken for stubborn-ness in a first time owner.
I don't want to scare you off of the breed; schnauzers are at worst my 2nd favorite small breed dog, but I would say if you've never been a dog owner you might think twice about getting one.
As for the poodle part, I have mixed opinions about them. They're another fiercely loyal dog, and almost all of the poodles I've met have been downright nasty because they were never socialized with people or other dogs. They're good to their owners/family, but noone else. On the other hand, a couple of the properly trained poodles I've met have been quite charming.