Snorkie

A Snorkie, also sometimes referred to as the Schnerrier, is a result of breeding a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature Schnauzer. The history of the Snorkie is unknown, but both of its parent breeds originate from Europe. The Yorkshire Terrier, originating from England, was bred by local mill owners to be a ratter to hunt vermin and was introduced to the U.S. in 1872. The Miniature Schnauzer, originating from Germany, was also bred by farmers to be a ratter and a guard dog in the mid-to-late 19th century. However, there are photos dating back to the 15th century that portray dogs similar to the Schnauzer, which shows that they may have an older history than originally thought.

Snorkies have a friendly, loyal temperament and greatly enjoy following their owner around the house and yard. Not surprisingly, they were bred to be companions. This crossbreed claims the most appealing characteristics of its purebred parents. This breed falls into the hybrid group of dogs.

Mix

There is one type of Snorkie mix. It’s called a Snorkie Poo. This is when Snorkies are bred with either miniature or toy poodles and produce adorable Snorkie Poo puppies.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Snorkie

Size And Weight

A Snorkie male can grow to be 12 inches tall from head to toe, while a female grows to be 11 inches in height. Male Snorkies can weigh as much as 12 pounds full-grown, whereas females weigh up to 11 pounds. At 7 weeks old, a Snorkie typically weighs between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds, depending on the size of its parents. These dogs are fully grown at 12 months old.

Common Health Issues

Snorkies have some common health issues, including cataracts. Cataracts take the form of cloudiness in one or both of the dog’s eyes. They can cause partial or even total blindness. Surgery is a treatment for cataracts in a Snorkie.

Another health issue of this hybrid is diabetes. A dog with diabetes has a high level of glucose in its blood. Diabetes can cause damage to the organs. Though there isn’t a cure for diabetes, the condition can be managed with a proper diet and medication. Some signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, weight loss, or an increase in appetite.

A third common health issue is allergies. These dogs can be allergic to environmental elements such as pollen or dust. They can also be allergic to foods. Fortunately, allergies can be managed with medication.

Temperament And Behavior

Loyalty is one of the most significant traits of a Snorkie. This companion dog likes to monitor the whereabouts of its owner at all times. Snorkies have a playful personality. They enjoy running around and playing with family members as well as with other dogs in the household.

A socialized Snorkie is likely to have appropriate behavior with kids. However, this dog is small and has a reputation for being sensitive around children. A Snorkie is tiny in size and is always worried about being stepped on or otherwise injured by young children who may be unsteady on their feet.

How To Take Care Of A Snorkie

Learning about the dietary, grooming, exercise, and healthcare needs of a Snorkie allows an owner to take stellar care of this pet. Not surprisingly, a Snorkie puppy and an adult dog need different diets. Snorkies need to be brushed and clipped on a regular schedule. They can be hard to train, so you need to be patient and persistent.

The Best Dog Food For Snorkies

The diet an owner feeds to a Snorkie puppy or adult dog can help to prevent various health issues. Look at the different considerations in choosing food for puppies and adult dogs:

Snorkie puppy food: DHA in the form of high-quality fish oil supports a puppy’s eye and brain development. Protein helps muscle and joint development. Vitamins C and E contribute to a healthy immune system, which can fend off allergies. Fat gives a puppy energy to explore and play. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids support the growth of a healthy coat.

Snorkie adult dog food: Adult Snorkies need protein such as lean chicken or pork to maintain strong muscles, joints, and cartilage. Prebiotic fiber helps with proper digestion for this small dog. Vitamin A is valuable for maintaining the eye health of this dog prone to cataracts. Omega-6 supports a healthy coat, and calcium contributes to strong teeth and bones. Feeding an adult Snorkie a diet containing limited fat gives it the energy it needs without adding excess weight to its tiny frame.

Maintenance And Grooming

Snorkies shed a low amount of hair. Though sometimes Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers are categorized as hypoallergenic, they do shed some hair, just like their hybrid puppies. None of the three dog breeds meets the strict definition of hypoallergenic.

Though Snorkies are low shedders, they do require some grooming. They need daily brushing to remove mats and tangles from their silky gray, black, tan, white, or silver coat. A slicker brush is an excellent grooming tool for this dog.

They also need to have the underside of their ears cleaned once each week. This can be done with a soft cloth and some warm water.

Some professional groomers specialize in giving haircuts to Snorkies to keep their hair short and more manageable for owners. These haircuts should be given about once every two or three months.

The allergies this hybrid is prone to often show up in the form of red or dry patches on its skin. A veterinarian can help an owner pin down the type of allergies their dog has and advise treatment.

Training

A Snorkie is a product of breeding two intelligent dogs. However, sometimes Snorkies can be stubborn during training. Keeping training sessions short and using desirable treats can help this unique dog better absorb the day’s lesson.

Exercise

A Snorkie needs around 30 minutes of exercise each day. A walk in the neighborhood or a visit to the dog park are both good ways to give this dog some quality exercise. Playing games of fetch or chase in the backyard is another great way to get this little dog moving!

This breed is a good choice for someone who lives in an apartment. Its small size allows it to be comfortable living in an apartment setting.

Puppies

Snorkie adults only grow to be a maximum of 12 pounds, so it’s no surprise that Snorkie puppies are very tiny. Furthermore, if someone has a teacup Snorkie puppy, it’s going to be even smaller than a standard Snorkie puppy. Teacup varieties of this dog usually weigh no more than 7 pounds. Some say they can fit into a teacup.

These small hybrid puppies need an enclosed place where they can explore and stretch their legs while remaining safe from cars, larger dogs, etc.

Snorkies And Children

Normally, socialized Snorkies are good with children. But it’s important for Snorkie owners to know these little dogs can be very sensitive to the rough or loud activities of kids. If this dog feels it’s in danger of being stepped on or hurt, it may nip or bite as a way to protect itself. This is especially true with teacup Snorkies.

Dogs Similar To The Snorkie

Other breeds similar to the Snorkie include the Schnoodle, Yorkie Poo, and Silky Terrier.

• Schnoodle: Schnoodles and Snorkies are both intelligent dogs with friendly temperaments. However, a Schnoodle is more energetic and needs more exercise than a Snorkie.
• Yorkie Poo: Like a Snorkie, a Yorkie Poo has a coat that can be a combination of brown, black, white, gray, or tan. They are both intelligent dogs, but Yorkie Poos tend to bark more than Snorkies.
• Silky Terrier: Silky Terriers and Snorkies share the same silky hair that can be any combination of black, gray, tan, or silver. One difference between the two is that Silky Terriers are more energetic than Snorkies.