Snorkie: Get to know this adorable and devoted dog

Last Updated on April 22, 2023

Looking for a dog that’s totally loyal, loves to play, will guard your house, and has piles of personality, but is never aggressive? Meet the Snorkie!

This Schnauzer and Yorkshire terrier mix is sometimes called a Schnorkie, Shnorkie, Schnerrieror – but whatever you call him, he’s 100% lovable.

Want to know more about this mixed breed? Stay with us and keep reading!

What exactly is a Snorkie?

So we know it’s a mixture of a Schnauzer and a Yorkshire terrier, but what exactly is a Snorkie? 

Yorkie Schnauzers are designer dogs that aren’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), unlike its purebred parents.

No matter, they’re recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Dog Registry of America (DRA), as well as the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Though they’re a unique mix of the two, a Snorkie retains some of the characteristics of its parents. 

Meet the Yorkshire Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer parents

Miniature Schnauzers were bred in German as rodent hunters, and Yorkshire Terriers were bred in England for the same purpose. They definitely retain that hunting instinct.

Yorkies are toy sized dogs weighing about 7 pounds with a long, flowing, silky coat. Schnauzers come in three sizes, with snorkies being bred from the miniature size. Mini schnauzers weigh between 11-20 pounds. 

The snorkie was likely first bred in the U.S., though it’s not clear where they came from or when they were first bred. No doubt someone looked at the two breeds and thought: “wouldn’t they be cute mixed!?”

What do they look like?

The result is a dog that looks something more like a Yorkie than a Schnauzer, with silky, straight hair.

They also have that fox-like face of the Yorkshire terrier.

Their coat is dense, which means be ready to get out the brush!

They’re a low-shedding dog and are considered hypoallergenic – good news for people with dog allergies! 

Snorkies come in blue, black, brown, fawn, red, white, gray, and any combination of these colors.

Their ears can be upright, also known as pricked.

How big do they get?

With such different-sized parents, you may be wondering how big a Snorkie gets.

It’s hard to say exactly because they can vary widely. Most dogs weigh between 5 and 12 pounds (2 and 5 kg), but some are up to 25 pounds (11 kg). They can be anywhere between 5-14 inches (13-36 cm) tall at the shoulder.

That’s quite a range! It all depends on the size of the parent.

Some snorkies are intentionally bred small. You’ll see this referred to as a teacup size dog. These are closer to 5 pounds (2 kg) and 5 inches (13 cm) tall.

What’s it like to live with a Snorkie?

Snorkies are a joy to live with, but they aren’t easy-going and totally slavish to their owners. They can be stubborn and independent at times. Still, they love to work and do best when they have a job.

It can help keep that stubborn streak at bay.

That eagerness to please helps balance out that stubborn streak and keeps their active minds occupied so they don’t think of ways to get in trouble.

Despite being stubborn, they are always friendly and totally loyal. If you want a dog that has your back, this is a good breed to consider.

Watch this video of a Snorkie named Rocky, showing a Bullmastiff who’s boss:

Speaking of having your back, they can be fiery and brave, ready to take on anything to protect themselves and their owners. For such a small dog, they have a ton of courage.

That courageous attitude can also be translated into their being bossy, fiery, and strong-willed, however. This dog definitely isn’t a pushover.

When they get tired, they love to snuggle, but if you try to make them walk or do something, they can be a little bit moody.

For that reason, they need an owner who is willing to be consistent and firm in their training. You need lots of positive reinforcement and patience if you want a (mostly) well-behaved dog.

But even the best-trained snorkie is going to push your boundaries now and then.

Because they’re so loyal and loving, they are also prone to separation anxiety. You’ll need to carefully train them to make sure that this doesn’t turn into a huge problem with urinating, chewing, and barking.

The best way to teach a dog to be okay when you leave is to give them a treat before you step out of the house.

This teaches them that leaving can be associated with good things! Then, when you return, be calm and don’t reward them. Act like your being gone was no biggie.

We mentioned that snorkies are good watchdogs, and they are. They’ll watch your house and yard and alert you if anyone or anything is looking suspicious.

They are right there when the doorbell rings and ready for action when the mailman comes.

The problem with this alert behavior is that it can turn into constant barking.

They’ll also “talk” to you, telling you when they want to play, sleep, walk, snuggle, eat, or just because they want to.

You don’t want that, so you’ll want to train your snorkie to obey your commands when it comes to barking.

You can do this by asking them to “be quiet” and rewarding them when they stop barking. This teaches them that stopping when you ask is a good thing.

You can also teach them the command “bark.” You’ll never stop a dog from barking altogether, so it’s good to let them know when it’s okay.

Then there’s training. Your dog will need good socialization when they’re young, plus regular training throughout their lives. Signing them up for an obedience class is a good idea.

Thanks to their small size, they do well in an apartment or condo, but again, you’ll have to watch out for that barking. They’re also just as happy on a huge farm with room to roam – and hunt!

So how can you take care of a Snorkie?

Snorkies take a little bit of work. That shaggy mane of hair needs regular grooming and their high energy level demands plenty of exercise.

You can give them a variety of adorable haircuts, but keep in mind that you’ll need to have them trimmed every 6-8 weeks.

You’ll also need to brush them out every couple of days and bathe them every two weeks.

This video shows what’s involved in cutting a Snorkie’s hair. 

Some of the haircuts you can give a snorkie include: teddy bear cuts, snorkie summer cut, snorkie face cut, a puppy cut, cut them short all over, or leave their hair long.

You’ll also need to peak in their ears every few days and give them a good cleaning once a week. Snorkies can have tooth problems, so brush their teeth daily and give them dental chews.

Trim their nails regularly. If you hear clitter-clatter on the floor when they walk, it’s time to trim them up. You can do this with a nail grinder or a nail clipper. 

When it comes to exercise, they need at least 30 minutes a day to work off some of that energy. This can be in the form of walks, chasing a ball, swimming, running, hiking, or playing hide-and-seek.

Good, regular exercise is key to helping you limit the amount of barking your pup does and to rein in that stubborn streak. You want to aim for 5 miles of walking/fetching per week.

Snorkies should get about 1/2 cup to a cup of food a day, spaced out in two or three meals. You want to find a high-quality food that has meat as the first ingredient. Watch out for fillers like corn and wheat.

Good food costs more, but it pays off. Your dog will be healthier, have a shinier coat, and will have smaller stools. That’s nice when it’s time to clean up the yard!

Are Snorkies healthy dogs?

Unfortunately, snorkies have their share of problems, but the good news is that they can live 12-15 years old if they get proper care and don’t have any life-threatening diseases. 

You’ll need to watch out for things like pancreatic problems, heart problems, luxating patellas, Legge Perthes disease, tracheal collapse, hypoglycemia.

The latter problem happens when your pooch’s blood sugar crashes and can lead to collapse or even death. 

To control it, you need to give your dog regular meals and keep and eye out for signs of blood sugar crashes. 

Like most small dogs, they can have some teeth problems, including overcrowded teeth, tooth loss, underbite, and overbite. That’s why tooth brushing is so important. You’ll also want to take them in for regular teeth cleanings. 

Keep an eye on their ears and eyes for discharge or other problems. Head to the vet right away if you notice a bad smell, discharge or redness. 

Want to bring a Snorkie home?

Whether you want to open your home to a rescue snorkie or you’re looking for a puppy to call your own, there are lots of ways to get your hands on an adorable pooch. 

Rescue Organizations:

There are many rescue organizations out there, including Midwest animal rescue and They Deserve Better Dog Rescue. You can also check with local rescue organizations to see if they have a snorkie available.

Some schnauzer and Yorkie rescues will have schnorkies as well. Check out Miniature Schnauzer Rescue or Yorkshire terrier national rescue.

Breeders:

There are also lots of breeders out there, from Florida to Seattle, but you’ll want to make sure to do your research before bringing a dog home from any breeder. Expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $1000. 

Toys in the Garden breeds snorkies in Oklahoma, as does C and K Kennel.

Keep in mind that we don’t endorse either of these breeders. 

There are a few things you can watch for to find a good breeder. First, check out their reviews and do a Google search. Then, be aware if a dog seems particularly cheap. You should steer clear of any business that has a PayPal button. 

The sad truth is that many designer dogs, such as Yorkie schnauzers, are exploited by backyard breeders looking to make a quick buck at the expense of the lives of their dogs. Poorly bred snorkies usually have behavior problems and health issues. 

A cheap dog ends up being not-so-cheap once you factor in the cost of training and health care. 

What other dogs out there are similar to Snorkies?

If you like the idea of a snorkie, but aren’t sure that they’re right for you, there are a few similar breeds you can look out for. 

This includes a snorkie mixed with a miniature poodle, a maltese mixed with a snorkie, a schnauzer poodle mix, or a schnauzer chihuahua mix.

There’s a lot to love about a Schnauzer Yorkshire mix

From their out-sized personality to their loyal nature, there’s a ton to love about Snorkies. With the right training, some regular exercise, and a sprinkle of love, they can be the perfect pet that you’ve always dreamed of.

How about you? What do you think of the Snorkie hybrid? Do you want one? Tell us all about it by commenting below.