Schnauzer Yorkie mix or the Snorkie is a hybrid dog that results from crossbreeding a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature Schnauzer. Like other designer breeds, the origin of the Schnauzer Yorkie mix is pretty unclear, but it is estimated to have originated in the US around the 1980s. Snorky’s are small-sized dogs, well known for their endearing and zestful personality. They are very fond of their pet parents and try to steal their attention with funny antics.
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Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Good companion dogs.
Sensitive around children.
Can adapt to small spaces.
Difficult to train due to their stubborn nature.
Low Shedders
Frequent barking
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Basic Information
Name: Schnauzer Yorkie Mix
Height: Male: 5 to 12 inches, Female: 5 to 11 inches
Weight: Male: 5 to12 pounds, Female: 5 to 11 pounds
Coat: Double coated, silky, long
Color: Combination of blue, black, tan, silver, or white
Energy: High
Activities: Family dogs, companion dogs, watchdogs, ratter, agile
Breed recognition: ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club, DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club, DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc., IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®, DBR = Designer Breed Registry.
Schnauzer Vs. Yorkie – A Comparison
Features
Miniature Schnauzer
Yorkshire Terrier
Image
Origin
Germany
England
Height
13 – 14 inches
8 – 9 inches
Weight
11 – 20 pounds
4 – 6 pounds
Size
Toy
Small
Group
Terrier dogs
Companion dog
Children Compatibility
Medium
Low to medium
Family Compatibility
High
Medium to high
Pets Compatibility
Medium
Medium
Barking Level
Medium
Medium
Shedding Level
Low to medium
Low to medium
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Low to medium
Low to medium
Overall Health
Medium
Medium to high
Energy
High
High
Exercise Needs
High
Medium to high
Trainability
Medium to high
Medium
Activities
Family dogs, companion dogs, watchdogs, ratter, agile
Family dog, companion dogs
Complication in breeding
No
No
Litter Size
3 – 8 puppies
1 – 5 puppies
Lifespan
12 – 14 years
12 – 15 years
Other Names
Mini Schnauzer
Yorkie
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Personality
Schnauzer Yorkie mix inherits a lean and athletic body from his Schnauzer parent. However, his characteristic black button eyes, floppy ears, a black nose, a square head and well-spread whiskers are borrowed from his Yorkshire parents. All these features make his face closely resemble a Yorkie. In addition, he has straight and silky fur. The Snorkies reach full growth at the age of 12 months. Hence, they weigh around 3 pounds when they are seven weeks old.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Low to Medium
Pet-friendly
Medium to High
Stranger -friendly
Low to Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Medium to High
Good to new owners
Medium to High
Sensitivity level
Medium to High
Tolerates being alone
Medium
Cold-tolerance
Low to Medium
Heat-tolerance
Low to Medium
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Temperament
Snorkie is an affectionate, friendly, loyal, playful, attention-seeking companion dog who thrives on human interaction. This breed is blessed with the most appealing characteristics of its ancestors. Hence, these canines love to please their pet parents and entertain them with amusing tactics. Thus, they make the best choice for singles and seniors. In addition, they are great at chasing pets who love running around for fun. However, they get irritable and moody when tired. In addition, Snorkies suffer from separation anxiety due to their attention-seeking nature. With a fearless and alert disposition, these dogs make excellent watchdogs.
Snorkies inherit a pleasant nature from their Schnauzer parents, they get along well with other pets. However, they are pretty sensitive when around kids because of the fear of being stepped on. It is also why they tend to bite or get aggressive with kids. Hence, supervision is necessary when these canines are around toddlers. Additionally, early socialization helps them to overcome this fear. These canines are excellent show dogs who require quiet downtime to replenish their energy. Snorkies love to snuggle, and they communicate through barking. As a result, they are pretty good barkers who will alert you in case of an approaching stranger.
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Training
Schnauzer Yorkie mixes are highly intelligent dog breeds. Hence, they can quickly recognize commands and learn tricks with frequent training sessions. Due to their high IQ they can be stubborn at times. Furthermore, they respond well to positive reinforcement. In addition, you can shower them with a lot of affection, praise, and treats to obey your commands. However, their obstinate nature can make the training sessions challenging. Therefore, it is essential to begin training them at a very tender age. In addition, it is important to potty train them, as they have to empty their bladder frequently due to their smaller size.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
Medium to high
Intelligence
High
Mouthiness tendencies
Low
Barking and Howling tendencies
Meidum
Prey drive
High
Wanderlust tendencies
Medium
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Exercise Needs
Schnauzer Yorkie mixes are high-spirited, mischievous, and blessed with abundant energy. Hence, they require exercise to expend their energy and be mentally stimulated to defer boredom. For this purpose, you can indulge them in indoor playtime. However, always put your pup on a leash when you take him out due to their strong prey drive.
In addition, a 30-minute walking routine is an ideal workout for these canines. Alternatively, you could let them enjoy themselves at the dog park with other dogs or play a game of Frisbee, chase and fetch in your backyard. To improve their socialization skills with other dogs, you can enroll them in obedience classes which is also an excellent way to learn manners. Additionally, your Snorkie is prone to bark when he is deprived of your attention or alerts you in case of approaching strangers.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
Medium to High
Intensity
Medium to High
Playfulness
Medium to High
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Grooming
Snorkies are low shedders but have high grooming needs to prevent mats and tangles. For this purpose, you have to brush their hair daily using a slicker brush. In addition, their ears have to be cleaned once a week using a soft cloth and lukewarm water. They look bright and elegant with short hair. Further, short hair eases their maintenance. Hence, it is prudent to trim their hair every two or three months. Some of the popular Yorkie Schnauzer mix haircuts you can try are:
The Snorkie is a healthy dog breed, but regular vet visits and checkups help identify any potential health issues pretty early. Some of the occasional tests which you will do include:
Blood And Urine Analysis
Wellness Check
Eye Examinations (both internal and external)
Abdominal Ultrasound
Health Overview
Overall health
Medium
Weight gain tendencies
Low to Medium
Size
Small
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Specific Health Conditions
Like any other breed, this breed is also prone to certain specific health conditions, some of which are major. They include:
Cataracts: This condition is caused due to the thickening of the eye lens, leading to cloudy vision in dogs. Although it occurs primarily because of their age, you can treat this condition either with medications or surgery.
Diabetes: A dog can become diabetic in two forms they are:
When a dogs’ pancreas is damaged, he doesn’t produce enough insulin. This condition leads to insulin deficiency. Hence, the deficient insulin has to be replaced with insulin shots. This type of diabetes is the most prevalent among canines.
When the glucose in a dog’s blood is not converted to energy despite the proper insulin secretion, your dog is said to suffer from insulin resistance diabetes.
Here are some of the symptoms to look out for in diabetes in dogs.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs
Excessive thirst
Increased Urination
Weight Loss
Increased appetite
Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is a life-threatening emergency condition that results from the inflammation of the pancreas. It requires immediate medical intervention. It is caused due to the below-mentioned factors:
Take your pet to his vet immediately if you notice the above symptoms.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye, is caused due to drying of the cornea and surrounding tissues, leading to its inflammation. It occurs when the lacrimal gland supplies inadequate levels of aqueous portion to the tear film.
Causes of Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
When a dog’s immune system attacks its cells involved in the production of the aqueous portion, it decreases production, drying the cornea and its tissues.
Certain medications
Systemic diseases
Hypothyroidism.
An inner ear infection that disturbs the nervous system.
Symptoms of Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
painful, red, and irritated eyes.
Excessive squinting or blinking of the eye or holding their eyes shut.
A thick, yellowish, mucoid discharge in the eye
Corneal ulceration
a history of recurrent eye injuries, ulcers, or conjunctivitis.
Some of the minor health concerns include:
Allergies: Snorkies are prone to allergic reactions. They can develop allergies in three ways they include:
Food-based allergies: If your pet is allergic to certain food ingredients, you can adopt an elimination diet that involves deliberately removing the suspected components your dog may be allergic to.
Contact allergies: When your dog’s immune system reacts adversely to certain topical substances such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals, he suffers from contact allergies. However, eliminating the cause of the allergy reduces the symptoms. These allergies often show up on the skin in the form of red or dry patches.
Inhalant allergies: If your canine who accidentally inhales airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew suffers from any symptoms, then he is said to have inhalant allergies. Treatment for these allergies varies with the severity of the disease. Often, ear infections accompany these allergies.
Bladder Stones: Your dog’s diet or a previous history of disease from a bacterial infection or a change in his body’s metabolism can lead to elevated levels of a stone-forming crystalline compound. This condition leads to the formation of bladder stones. These stones may be either small or large. Although smaller stones called gravels can pass out through urine, larger stones can block the urethra. This, in turn, can impede your dog’s urinary tract, which, if not treated timely, can be fatal. To prevent this condition, you must supply your pet with sufficient water. Additionally, you can help your pet follow a diet not high in peas.
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Diet and Nutrition
Your Schnauzer Yorkie’s dietary requirements vary as he progresses from puppyhood to adulthood. In addition, a change in living arrangements drastically impacts your dog’s eating pattern. Consequently, you must consistently place his food and water bowls at a specific location for 3 to 5 days. Additionally, since Snorkies are smaller dogs, they have to be fed smaller portions of a meal three or four times a day. This way, you can ensure he is not overfed, digests his meal correctly, and is not prone to obesity.
Snorkie Puppy Food
While your Snorkie is still a puppy at eight weeks, you must refrain from free-feeding him. Hence provide his dry dog food with treats in between meals. While you choose a food for your pet, ensure it contains the below nutrients that have the said benefits:
It enhances your puppies eye and brain development. Hence, it helps fend off cataracts in the long run.
Protein
Promotes the growth of muscles and strengthens joints.
Vitamin C and E
Promotes a healthy immune system to avoid allergies.
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
Lusters your pet’s coat and give him the energy he needs to explore and play.
Snorkie Adult Dog Food
When your Snorkie reaches the age of 12 months, he matures into an adult. Hence, you need to shift him to adult dry dog food. You have to feed him with 1 to 1 ½ cups of high-quality dry dog food split into two equal meals. While you choose a food for your adult pet, ensure it contains the below nutrients that render the said benefits:
It helps maintain strong muscles, joints and cartilages.
Vitamin A
Promotes eye health
Omega 6 fatty acids
It helps luster your pet’s coat and give him the energy he needs to explore and play.
Calcium
Promotes strong teeth and bones
Limited fat
Supplies the required energy without the risk of obesity.
If your adult dog is prone to allergies, you can choose a limited ingredient diet to help settle his condition while providing him with the required nutrients.
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Living Condition
Snorkies are an excellent choice for people who live in apartments. However, they are sensitive to kids’ loud noise. When they sense danger, they may bite or nip in self-defense. They adapt well to cold and dry climates. However, they are pretty uneasy with snow.
Adding a Schnauzer Yorkie Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breedinga Schnauzer Yorkie Mix to Your Family
To avoid owning a weak hybrid pet, always ensure to buy from a reputable breeder. You can always check the health records of the puppies parents and their lineage to gain good insight on your pup’s health.
Cost of a Schnauzer Yorkie Mix Puppy
The average price of a Snorkie puppy ranges between $500 to $600.
