Did you know that there is a new hybrid in town? This hybrid turns out to be the Schnauzer Yorkie Mix and it has surged in popularity across the country recently, capturing the hearts of many American dog lovers. So what exactly is this Schnauzer Yorkie Mix?
The Schnauzer Yorkie Mix is a crossbreed between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Yorkshire Terrier. Also known as a Snorkie, this small designer dog is protective, friendly, and has varied coat types dependent on the dominant parental genes inherited. If you are an avid fan of a Yorkie, Snorkie is one other dog you should not miss out on.
This complete breed guide will examine Snorkie’s temperaments, their ease of training, aggression, and how much they bark. We will also discuss your dog’s exercise needs and dietary requirements while identifying health issues impacting its life expectancy. Finally, this guide will advise how best to care for your Snorkie, bathing frequency, tips for effective grooming, and whether your dog is hypoallergenic. We will also recommend a few tools along the way. Before that, let us review the coat colors, patterns, and general physical appearance to expect of an adult Schnauzer Yorkie Mix.
How Big Will A Yorkie Schnauzer Mix Get?
Schnauzer Yorkie Mix doggies are small like their parents. A fully grown adult Snorkie stands at about 6 to 12 inches in height and weighs between 5 and 15 lbs.
Contrary to other mixed-breed dogs, the adult size of a Snorkie is less variable because the parent breeds are of the same relative size. Similarly, both male and female Snorkies have very similar physical attributes.
Physical Appearance
A Snorkie is one of the few doggie breeds whose appearance does not change significantly with age. So, what do these puppies look like? The Schnauzer Yorkie Mix puppy has a lean, athletic body but will likely grow bulkier in the latter years.
However, you can control the adult Snorkie size through proper dieting and exercise. This pooch has more physical features similar to the parent Yorkie, except for the soft-dominant gray coloration reminiscent of the parent Miniature Schnauzer.
A Snorkie dog also has moderately prickish ears, a black nose, and a face similar to that of a Yorkie.
Coat Colors And Patterns
Your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix doggie also has a long and dense double coat. This coat has a straight and silky texture and usually comprises the undercoat of the Miniature Schnauzer breed covered by the thicker topcoat similar to that of the Yorkie.
Similarly, the fur of your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix canine is dominantly black, brown, or gray. However, varied white, silver, and tan rust markings may occur alongside the dominant coat colors.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Snorkie?
The average lifespan of a Schnauzer Yorkie Mix canine buddy is 12 to 15 years. However, your dear Fido will live longer with proper healthcare and sufficient exercise.
Like most dogs, however, the biggest determinant of how long your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix lives is the health issues the canine is exposed to. For instance, you must contend with both inherited health issues as well as other environment-based Snorkie illnesses.
The most common diseases of the Schnauzer Yorkie Mix breed include:
Diseases Pertaining To The Pancreas
Diseases concerning the pancreas of a Snorkie are usually congenital issues inherited from the Yorkshire Terrier parent. Like many other small dog breeds with high energy levels, the Snorkie has a higher propensity to gain excess weight as it eats a lot to replenish the energy loss.
This leaves your dear Fido exposed to weight-related and high-fat level health concerns, such as pancreatitis, diabetes, and even heart conditions. Common symptoms include reduced appetite, vomiting, skin infections, and increased urination.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Popularly called dry eye syndrome or keratitis sicca, this condition occurs when the canine’s eyes cannot produce sufficient tears to keep the eye moisturized.
Often a result of underlying medical issues, the dry eyes syndrome may cause cataracts that diminish the dog’s vision, thereby leading to an eventual loss of sight in severe cases.
Dental Issues
Your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix doggie will likely suffer a variety of dental issues arising from the overcrowding of teeth in its small mouth. Equally, watch out for indications of pain in your Snorkie’s tiny jaws, which can reduce appetite and cause weight loss if it is not treated promptly.
Though less common, Schnauzer Yorkie Mix doggies also suffer from slipping kneecaps (patellar luxation), the sudden degeneration of the hip joint (Legge Perthes), malformations in windpipe cartilage (tracheal collapse), the reduced blood supply to the liver (portosystemic shunt), and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
How To Take Care Of Your Snorkie?
The Schnauzer Yorkie Mix is a low-maintenance doggie, thereby taking care of it can be considerably easy. To provide your furry companion with the best care, we advise the following:
Exercise Routine
Keep the intensity of exercises low because the small Schnauzer Yorkie Mix body is prone to fatigue.
Your Snorkie is a low to medium activity dog. We recommend limiting your canine’s activity levels to a combined 5 miles of exercise per week. Ideally, your doggie should not exercise for more than 30 minutes a day.
A daily walk or light game, like a game of fetch, will suit this playful companion. Include obedience training in the exercises to boost the Fido’s manners and enhance your bonding. While a Snorkie can thrive in apartment living, the occasional trip to the dog park will allow the doggie to run about, play, and interact with other dogs.
High-Quality Diet
Only feed your pooch high-quality dog food to reduce the risk of food-related health issues. As your puppy doesn’t need much food, serve small but frequent meals to improve digestion and reduce bloating.
Beyond nine months, serve your mature Snorkie 1 cup of high-quality dog food spread across two meals per day. Ensure any dog treats count towards the daily food rations, as the adult Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes are very susceptible to weight gain.
A dry kibble benefits your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix through a better diet and reduced dental issues. We recommend Pet Plate, a high-protein, fibrous, delicious, and AAFCO-approved grain-free beef recipe made from human-grade ingredients.
Your Snorkie will also need multivitamin supplementation to help combat illnesses. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, for example, are essential in boosting its immune system and maintaining the coat and skin health of your pooch.
Also, consider using dental water additives to improve the oral health of your Snorkie. Simply add such additives to the drinking water fed to your pooch every day, and these additives help reduce the buildup of tartar in its mouth, thereby taking care of its oral health.
Do Snorkies Bark A Lot? Temperaments Of Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes
Snorkies will bark a lot. Inherited from the Yorkie parent, the Schnauzer Yorkie Mix can be pretty vocal, especially when seeking the owner’s attention.
Although Snorkies can become great watchdogs, early training can stymie this barking habit, and they can then be kept in apartments without disturbing the neighbors.
Temperaments Of Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes
The Snorkie canine is very playful and will regularly seek to engage you in games. Your dear Fido is also moderately active and will enjoy taking walks, and can get moody when tired. So, what is the temperament of your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix canine buddy?
Loving
A Schnauzer Yorkie Mix is the dream family dog. Your four-legged furry friend makes a sweet, funny, and loyal companion that requires regular downtime. The Snorkie is also very good with kids but will feel threatened by rowdy children’s activities and nip at them. Snorkies also get along well with other dogs for a limited time before fatigue sets in.
As such, expect your pooch to bond closely with the family, take pleasure in snuggle time, and bark protectively due to strangers or unfamiliar sounds. Your dear Fido also barks a lot to communicate, but the need for rest means the Schnauzer Yorkie Mix is not a clingy dog.
Aggressive
Snorkie doggies are not aggressive in the traditional sense but exhibit subtle microaggression to have their way. For instance, your canine will bark incessantly to get your attention or go outside the apartment, while their stubbornness makes training difficult despite their high intelligence.
The Schnauzer Yorkie Mix doggies are high-spirited and tenacious and show vastly different temperaments within the first generation.
How Often Should I Bathe My Snorkie? Grooming Tips For Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes
We recommend bathing your Snorkie once a month for a healthy look and for spreading the natural coat oils evenly. This is because your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix will seldom go out of the house unaccompanied and thus should not have accumulated much dirt on its coat often.
We also encourage using approved products like the Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo for bathing, conditioning the coat, and relieving allergies and sensitive, itchy skin.
Hypoallergenic
Given that both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Yorkie generally have low shedding coats, your Snorkie is naturally a low shedder, and as such, the Schnauzer Yorkie Mix can be considered to be hypoallergenic.
Snorkies are not care-intensive dogs, but the essential care to administer should include brushing, grooming, bathing, and nail trimming.
Regular Brushing
The double coat and long, straight, and silky fur make the Snorkie prone to matting and tangling. The doggie, therefore, needs 3 to 4 times per week, using a slick gliding brush to keep the coat from matting and tangling.
Alternatively, have a groomer give your Schnauzer Yorkie Mix a short haircut that’s easier to maintain and makes caregiving easier. Use our recommended high-quality tool, like the FURminator Undercoat Tool, when deshedding your dog to help remove any loose hairs easily.
Miscellaneous
Ensure to clean the ears once a week using a warm cloth to remove accumulated dirt and moisture that increase the risk of ear infections. Brush your dog’s teeth every week to improve oral health, clear bad breath, and remove plaque, while toenails need clipping every two months if they don’t wear down naturally.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Snorkie Cost? On average, a Schnauzer Yorkie Mix puppy will cost you about $500 to $600. However, the price varies depending on location, the pedigree of your breeder, and additional costs incurred, like the vet tests performed and mandatory vaccinations. Inquire about all the diseases tested for as well as those afflicting the parents, before taking your pup home.
Do Snorkies Sleep A Lot? Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes are found to sleep a lot and for more than 12 hours. The moderate to high activity levels strain their bodies, resulting in higher fatigue levels than a big dog would experience for similar activity.
Can Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes Swim? A properly trained Snorkie can swim. However, your canine is not a natural swimmer like the parent Yorkshire Terrier dog breed. Schnauzer Yorkie Mixes lack the natural affinity for water despite the ability to doggie paddle while floating in the pool. Also, don’t leave the pooch in water unattended, as Snorkies tend to tire out quickly.
