Snorkies are crossbreed dogs – they have one Miniature Schnauzer parent, and one Yorkshire Terrier parent.
Generally, this hybrid is friendly, affectionate, and playful.
Because of the size of the parent breeds, they will be a small mixed breed. Snorkies can weigh up to 25 pounds as adults, growing to between 7 and 14 inches.
This article is all about what to expect from a Schnauzer Yorkie mix puppy – their appearance, personality, health, and how easy they are to train.
What’s In This Guide
Snorkie FAQs
Here are our readers’ most popular and frequently asked questions about the Snorkie.
- Are they good family dogs?
- How much exercise do Snorkies need?
- Are Snorkies healthy?
- Will a Snorkie be friendly?
Ideally, the Snorkie is the perfect combination of a friendly Miniature Schnauzer and an affectionate but sassy Yorkshire Terrier.
But does it always turn out that way? Is Snorkie temperament a dead cert?
Snorkie: Breed At A Glance
- Popularity: Growing!
- Purpose: Companion
- Weight: 7 – 25 pounds
- Temperament: Protective, friendly, intelligent
Considering how adorable the name Snorkie is, you could almost expect it would be hard for the pup itself to measure up.
However, looking at that fluffy beard and deep eyes, it’s hard to say that it doesn’t!
Snorkie Breed Review: Contents
- History and original purpose
- Fun facts about Snorkie
- Snorkie appearance
- Snorkie temperament
- Training and exercising your Snorkie
- Snorkie health and care
- Do Snorkie make good family pets
- Rescuing a Snorkie
- Finding a Snorkie puppy
- Raising a Snorkie puppy
- Snorkie products and accessories
Let’s start by taking a look at the history of the Snorkie.
History and Original Purpose
As for the Snorkie itself, no one really knows the exact date that a Yorkie and Schnauzer first came together to create the designer breed.
But this is common with mixed breeds of all sorts! Especially those done naturally without artificial insemination.
In fact, Schnauzer Yorkie cross litters probably cropped up for decades without mention before the catchy Snorkie moniker caught on.
To get a better idea of where it comes from, we need to take a look at its parents.
Yorkshire Terrier History
You may assume that the Yorkshire Terrier was originally created for English women of Yorkshire who wished to have a cute lapdog to show off in photos.
While this may have eventually gained an element of truth, it’s not the beginning of the cute breed’s history.
The Yorkie was actually created to be a hardy rat-catching dog, small enough to fit into the nooks and crannies of mills and coal mines.
Miniature Schnauzer History
As for the Miniature Schnauzer, it was bred from the Standard Schnauzer as a smaller version of the German farmhand.
At first Miniature Schnauzers were destined to become rat catchers too, but like the Yorkshire Terrier they quickly gained popularity as companion dogs instead.
This meant breeders began to favor dogs with great pet personalities, and now the Miniature Schnauzer is known for being more obedient and less fiery than its Giant and Standard sized cousins.
Fun Facts about Snorkies
The Snorkie is a cross between Miniature Schnauzer and a Yorkie.
Since it is a crossbreed, that automatically makes it a breed for controversy.
Let’s talk more about that.
Designer Dogs
When someone takes two purebred dogs and purposely breeds them together, it’s sometimes known as a designer dog.
This is where you find Pomskies, Labradoodles, and the Cockapoo as well.
There are many differences between designer dogs and purebreds, which start with the differences in purebreds and mutts.
Pedigree breeders can be scathing of designer dogs, because they have invested many years breeding litters of puppies which consistently and reliably have the best features of their breed.
The Other Hand
However, pedigrees aren’t always perfect in every way.
Many pedigree breeding programmes contain a limited number of individual dogs.
If one of those dogs has an inheritable health problem, that problem can easily spread and become fixed in a large proportion of their descendants.
Are Mixed Breeds Healthier?
In fact, according to Carol Beuchat PhD at The Institute of Canine Biology, inbreeding (breeding dogs that are related) is a bigger contributor to canine health problems than cross breeding.
That said, when comparing purebreds and mixed breeds, the mixed breeds are usually less predictable in every way.
And that’s because there’s no way to predict what blend of qualities a mixed breed puppy will inherit from each parent.
So naturally, to apply this to the Snorkie, we need to start by looking closer at both sides of their family tree.
Snorkie Appearance
A Yorkshire Terrier generally weighs about 7 pounds and stands 7-8 inches tall at their shoulder blades.
A Miniature Schnauzer is a bit bigger than the Yorkie with a weight range of 11-20 pounds. Miniature Schnauzers are a little less than twice as tall as Yorkies.
With this knowledge you can safely assume that a Snorkie will be somewhere in the range of their parents. Statistically, most Snorkies will end up at a weight halfway between their parents.
But some outliers could be very small like a Yorkie, or as big as a Miniature Schnauzer. There could even be a lot of variation among siblings in the same litter!
But they will hardly ever reach 25lbs unless overfed.
Snorkie Coat
As far as appearance goes, the Yorkie is often seen as the “feminine” side of the Snorkie and the Schnauzer the “masculine” side.
The biggest difference between a Yorkie and a Schnauzer’s appearance is the length of their coat.
The Yorkie has a long, silky coat that is parted down the middle. Their muzzle is short and their eyes very dark.
The Mini Schnauzer coat is very different as it’s rough, coarse, and much shorter than the Yorkie’s.
So What To Expect
As designer dogs are unpredictable in appearance, a Snorkie puppy can have with the color and texture of either parent, and even something in between.
One thing Yorkshire Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer coats have in common is a high grooming requirement, and we’ll come back to that in just a bit.
Snorkie Face
The Miniature Schnauzer muzzle is long and squarish.
Their eyes also have a larger range in appearance, but can be much lighter than the Yorkie’s.
The Yorkie has a shorter muzzle and small V-shaped ears.
Your Snorkie can inherit any mixture of traits from its parents. So there’s really no way to guarantee what it will look like before it arrives.
Snorkie Temperament
As small as it may be, the Yorkie makes a wonderful watchdog.
They are courageous, spicy, and inherit the traits of many other terriers.
They have big personalities and can come across as a bit bossy, but the right owner can use this to their strength with the right training.
The Mini Schnauzer is likened to the Yorkie in that it is brave and fierce when it feels that it, or his family members, are in danger.
Though both breeds are brave and fiery, neither are aggressive, so Snorkies are usually friendly dogs who get on well with others.
But There’s More!
Both of the parent breeds for the Snorkie are friendly pups, but they also both require regular exercise.
Yorkies are intelligent dogs with a hearty appetite for “work”. They need physical and mental exercise everyday.
Mini Schnauzers have similar energy levels as Yorkies and a strong prey drive. They do well with predatory games and love to chase their owner for fun.
Training and Exercising your Snorkie
As far as training goes, the Snorkie can be rather unpredictable.
The Mini Schnauzer is very eager to please and easy to train – they are very responsive and always paying attention. However, the Yorkie can be rather stubborn and requires greater patience.
To get the best behavior from your Snorkie, you’ll need to commit to ongoing training with positive reinforcement techniques.
Obedience classes and advanced classes for Snorkie adults will help you with technique, and also give your dog a place to “work”.
Exercise Needs
Because the Shorkie is one of the smaller mixed breeds out there, it isn’t the most high maintenance for exercise.
It will need daily exercise. But this could come in the form of walks and short intense periods of play, like chasing a ball!
Keeping a Shorkie fit will contribute to its overall happiness and health.
Shorkie Health and Care
Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers are both pedigree dogs, which inevitably means that they are more than averagely predisposed to some inheritable illnesses.
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Some of these illnesses can also be passed on to Snorkie puppies.
Pancreatic Problems
One of the biggest major health concerns for the Snorkie (inherited from the Schnauzer) are pancreas-related diseases.
These include diabetes and pancreatitis.
It’s important to keep your dog healthy, exercised, and well-fed throughout its life to lessen the risks of diabetes.
Watch for symptoms including changes in appetite, increased urination, vomiting, cataracts and skin infections, and take your dog to the vet regularly.
Diabetes takes time, attention, and care, but it is manageable.
It can happen to any dog, but if your Snorkie has a history of diabetes in their family tree, it is more likely to be something you will have to face.
Cardiac Concerns
Miniature Schnauzers are also particularly vulnerable to heart problems, some of which could potentially be inherited by Snorkie puppies.
All Mini Schnauzers should have a full cardiac exam before they are used for breeding – your breeder will have the results of this and should be happy to discuss them with you.
Other Problems from the Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are also prone to eye problems, skin disorders, epilepsy, and renal failure.
You can read more about all of these conditions in our complete Miniature Schnauzer breed review.
We don’t fully understand the inheritance of these illnesses, and how much (if any) protection being a Schnauzer Yorkie mix offers against them.
Keep in mind that with designer breeds, health concerns can often be unpredictable just as any other traits they may inherit.
A good breeder will know the medical history of their puppies’ parents and grandparents, so that you at least have an idea of which conditions could be passed on.
Other Problems from the Yorkie
Now let’s turn to Yorkshire Terrier health, and what conditions a Yorkie might pass down to a Snorkie.
These little dogs are prone to
- luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps)
- Legge Perthes disease (sudden degeneration of the hip joint)
- tracheal collapse (malformed cartilage supporting their windpipe)
- portosystemic shunt (where the blood system doesn’t serve the liver correctly)
- and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
You can read more about all of these here.
Some of these – such as luxating patellas – can be screened for before a Yorkshire Terrier is used to breed from.
Grooming Needs
Both the Yorkie and the Miniature Schnauzer are high maintenance dogs due to their long coats. Neither dogs’ coat sheds much, and nor will a Snorkies, but they will need brushed a few times a week to prevent matting.
If you are brushing, you may still find mats in their coat. Though the breed is hardy, you must still be gentle, and work it out slowly so as not to hurt the pup.
You might also find that Snorkie grooming is easier if you get a groomer to clip their hair regularly, or do it yourself.
Snorkie owners tend to bathe their dog every month or two, but this depends on the dog and whether it inherits more traits from the father or mother.
Yorkies may need weekly baths while the sturdy Schnauzer can go months without being affected.
Do Snorkies Make Good Family Pets
How can you tell if a Snorkie dog is the right fit for you? These are the top factors to consider:
Both of the parent breeds of the Snorkie have lively minds and lots of energy. If you don’t have the time or resources at the moment for lots of exercise and training, a Snorkie might not be the right dog for you.
It’s important to groom Snorkies regularly as they are high-maintenance. If this sounds like a chore rather than a pleasure, you might not enjoy owning a Snorkie at this time.
Will your Snorkie need to get along with children?
Miniature Schnauzers have great reputations as family dogs, whereas Yorkies are more likely to lose patience and snap at clumsy or over-persistent children.
And remember, designer breeds are like boxes of chocolates! You never know what you might get!
Rescuing a Snorkie
Because designer breeds are becoming more popular, it’s becoming easier to find them in rescue centers.
Often mixed-breed specific rescue centers are rare. But you can check breed centers for the parent breeds if you’re looking to rescue a Snorkie.
We’ve created a list of rescue centers for you to take a look at. Click here to jump to the list.
Finding a Snorkie Puppy
The good news is, because the most common health problems of Schnauzers and Yorkies don’t overlap, they are more likely to be mitigated rather than exacerbated in the Yorkshire Terrier Schnauzer mix.
Many genetic illnesses depend on inheriting the faulty genes that cause them from both parents.
A Yorkshire Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer are unlikely to have the same genetic weaknesses. So their puppies might be protected against some of the conditions we’ve listed (unfortunately it will take a lot more scientific research before we can predict exactly which though).
Good breeders make sure both parents have a complete veterinary check up before they mate, and will share all the results with you.
So the best way to find a healthy Snorkie puppy, is to find a reputable breeder.
The Perfect Companion For Life With A New Puppy
What Makes a Reputable Breeder
Since designer breeds aren’t recognized by the AKC, getting a Snorkie can be tricky. However, there are many kennels and breeders out there who want to find perfect homes for their pups!
Though appearance is something to consider when finding “your” Snorkie, remember to ask the breeder about any health conditions that the parents have had. This can tell you a lot about the health of their puppies.
It might not drive you away, but if you don’t have the time or money to care for a dog who may have hereditary problems, that’s understandable.
Dogs are meant to bring us joy, but it’s our responsibility as owners to make sure they receive the care that they need!
Where to Avoid
Finally, bear in mind that sadly the trendy “Snorkie” label means that many puppy farms are currently willing to breed these little dogs in poor conditions to make a quick buck.
Use our guide to finding a breeder to make sure you don’t accidentally support this cruel industry.
Raising a Snorkie Puppy
Caring for a vulnerable Snorkie puppy is a big responsibility.
There are some great guides to help you with all aspects of puppy care and training. You’ll find them listed on our puppy care page.
Take a look at them here.
Snorkie Products and Accessories
Preparing for a new puppy can be tough. Especially when it can have a mixture of qualities from two different breeds.
But, we’ve got some great guides that can help you be fully prepared.
Pros And Cons of Getting A Snorkie
Let’s re-cap the pros and cons of a Snorkie.
Cons
Will need a good amount of exercise every day.
The Shorkie needs a lot of grooming.
If they take after their Yorkie parent more, they may not get along with small children.
It’s impossible to predict exactly what your mix will be like.
Pros
Both breeds love spending time with their family.
When looked after properly, this breed has a beautiful coat.
This breed is also quite easy to train.
Comparing the Snorkie with Other Breeds
The Snorkie is a popular mixed breed. But if you’re still not sure, we’ve got some great other breeds you can compare it to.
Take a look at some of these guides below.
Similar Breeds
If you aren’t sure the Snorkie is going to be quite right for your family, you might want to consider one of these similar breeds:
Snorkie Breed Rescues
If you have decided you want to go down the adoption route, we’ve got some breed centers here for you to have a look at.
USA
UK
Canada
Australia
If you know of any others that we can add to this list, be sure to mention them in the comments.
And tell us about your experiences with the Snorkie!
References And Resources
- Gough A, Thomas A, O’Neill D. 2018 Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats. Wiley Blackwell
- O’Neill et al. 2013. Longevity and Mortality of Owned Dogs In England. The Veterinary Journal
- Adams VJ, et al. 2010. Results of a Survey of UK Purebred Dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
- Schalamon et al. 2006. Analysis of Dog Bites In Children Who Are Younger Than 17 Years. Pediatrics
- Duffy D et al. Breed differences in canine aggression. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2008
- Strain G. Deafness prevalence and pigmentation and gender associations in dog breeds at risk. The Veterinary Journal 2004
- Packer et al. 2015. Impact of Facial Conformation On Canine Health. PlosOne
Felicia Alferos says
Vinnie is my Snorkie. Got him at 9 months old from a lady on CL who needed to rehome him very quickly. Vinnie, formerly known as Bruno, was advertised as a mini schnauzer mix in the ad. When I picked him up from her, she had a female mini schnauzer with her. I’m a mini schnauzer lover and have had them all my life. When I saw him, I immediately saw he was mixed with a yorkie. He has the coloring of a yorkie and is much smaller than a mini. I told her this and she was surprised I knew. She bought him for $900 at a pet store. He was sold to her as a mini. When she took him to the vet, she learned he was a mix. When I picked him up from her, he was still in tact. I’m guessing she got rid of him because he wasn’t a full bred mini and she wanted to breed them.
Vinnie is about 10lbs. He has wirey hair like a mini and big v-shaped ears that flop over like a mini. He just turned 1 in June. He has the temperament of a yorkie and is extremely stubborn. However, he is extremely friendly and loves loves loves to play. He entertains himself for hours throughout the day with chasing balls, chewing on my toddler’s toys that have now become his, and causing mischief. He goes through my son’s toybox and chooses which toys he wants to play with. He goes in my daughter’s room and pulls out random items and brings them into the living room. If I’m not paying attention, my living room ends up in a mess full of my kid’s things. He is my toddler’s best friend. They play together for hours in the evening. Vinnie is a little nippy, but never nips the baby, despite his hair being pulled or being sat on. He rarely barks, which is odd because both Yorkie and Mini Schnauzers are “barkey”. He only barks when he wants to play and is being ignored or when we leave the house and don’t put him in his room…aka kennel. Vinnie has been a part of our family for 4 months now and is just one of the friendliest, playful, cuddly dogs I’ve ever had. He loves to cuddle! I wash him every 4-6 weeks with shampoo, otherwise I just rinse him off when he we take him to the beach or he’s been outside and plays in dirt patches. I groom him myself because I can’t afford to take him in for grooming as much as he needs it. I do keep the mini schnauzer cut on him with a skirt, but a short yorkie face. We got stopped often because he’s so adorable and people want to pet him. He loves it. He knows he’s handsome.
Juli D. says
I have had my snorkie, Piper Angus, for about two years. He was three when I rescued him. He is uncropped, undocked, and absolutely adorable! I was looking to rescue a Yorkie after I had to put my Yorkie/Pomeranian (also a rescue) to sleep. I found a shelter in KS that had an 8-lb ‘Yorkie’ available. I immediately could tell this wasn’t a Yorkie (not a purebred Yorkie, at any rate). He was too tall, the color was all wrong and he was only 8 pounds because he was severely malnourished (he was found wandering the street). He looked gangly and his coat was extremely thin due to a combination of malnutrition, worms, and terrible matting. To be frank, he was…kind of ugly. But he was friendly and happy – despite his circumstances – and something in his spirit connected with me. He smiled at me out of that poor, sad little face and climbed into my lap and I was HOOKED. The first few weeks were, to say the least, eye-opening. My old dog, Woody, was just that; old. He had been quiet, calm, and content to sleep when I was not home. Piper is energetic, yappy, and has severe separation anxiety. I was genuinely unsure if I wanted to keep him. I once put him in his crate and left the house for an hour just because I was so overwhelmed by his big personality and demands for attention (not to mention his mischievous streak). But, he was also loving and cuddly and a wonderful companion who made me laugh so we stuck it out through the growing pain days. With good feeding, a tapeworm treatment, and love, he filled out and his coat came in. It was then that I was able to determine what breed he was. As is mentioned above, training is still an ongoing battle as he has an interesting – and infuriating – combination of eagerness to please and profound stubbornness. Sassy stubbornness, at that. ‘Don’t you shake me off!’ Is something I say daily. But, when he knows I’m really mad, it’s melting-eyes-belly-up time. If I’m eating and have to take a phone call, Piper will often talk to me while trying to get ahold of my food (well if you’re not going to eat it…) and he adores healthy fruits and vegetables as treats. As I write this, he’s snuggled next to me snoring away. It’s been a struggle, there’s no use denying that, but it has been a rewarding struggle and one I wou…might definitely undertake again.
Paula E says
I love my Schnorkie, Snorkie isn’t correct to me. He’ll be there next month and I got himat 1.5 years old. Unfortunately he was abused by the first owners, the second owners were great but she ended up getting cancer so I am the third owner. He’s totally fabulous and I believe more Schnauzer than Yorkie.
Lana says
Looking for a snorkie puppy. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Vickie Martines says
We have had our Snorkie for 4 weeks. He’s 3 months old. He’s so sweet and smart. He has no idea he only weighs 7 pounds and plays with our 120 pound Rottweiler non-stop. He’s so funny and has so much personality. Max talks to me all of the time and we are working on potty training. Love our Max.
Sandy Heal says
We got a female Snorkie (who we named Sukki) when she was 3 months old and weighed 3 pounds. She is now 7 years and 7 months old and weighs 10 pounds. She is by far the best, most fun little dog we’ve ever had. She is very energetic and loves running around outside. She trained very easily and never goes near the road. She loves to chase squirrels, rabbits, moose, chickens or anything else that comes into the yard. She will quickly kill any mice, moles, snakes or frogs that she finds on the property. Thankfully, we don’t have poisonous snakes in Central Maine! She’s very playful and loves everyone. Loves to ride in the car or go kayaking on ponds and calm rivers with me. She goes hiking with me and has climbed several mountains with me! Very loving, cuddly, loyal companion and watchdog.
And, YES, she is bossy!! She lets us know what she wants and when she wants something, she wants it NOW! She won’t let up until we wait on her…hahaha!
Marisa says
Ok I have owned a snorkel named Maddie for almost a year and I can tell you she took after the Yorkie with the training part.
Ann Byars says
Looking for a snorkie. We lost ours last year to congestive heart failure. We live in Rome GA
Kathy says
I just got my Snorkie about 3 weeks ago and I have fallen in love with her! Her name is Pepper and she just past 12 weeks old. Right now she only weighs 5.8 lbs, so I think she’s going to be a little gal. She’s biting a lot in either play or protection (doesn’t like to cuddle), so I need to get her to puppy training. We are working on the potty training and have made some progress. I’m looking forward to years with Pepper!
Eileen says
Where did you get your snorkie? There doesn’t seem to be many breeders around. I’m in Southern CA.
Thanks
JoAnne Hallex says
i’m looking for one two.. if you get a reply can you let me know, pleas
Maureen says
We rescued ours this week he is 3 YRS OLD chipped and trained. The rescue said he came from Pa.
Sharon Whipple says
What was the name of the rescue. Our mixed rescue passed away last week at the age of 3. We are heart broken. May look around for more “joy ” if it’s a good breeder.
Mike Messmer says
My daughter brought me this little girl who I just discovered was a snorkie. Her game is zoi and she is my copilot as I drive all over the country as a truck driver. She’s particularly attentive to anybody who approaches the truck and alerts me promptly. Great travel companion who makes me laugh daily. Glad I have her and look forward to many miles of traveling
Brooke says
We have a snorkie named Mac and he is 5 yrs old. We got him from my cousin who has his mother and father and grandmother! And now his sister from the same liter. Mac is the best dog! He is so good with kids. A little agressive with other dogs at first but just to establish who is boss. Which is him! He is very loyal and loving but also playful and fun. He was quick to train and never goes poty in the house. He’s a great and extremely important member of our family! We are so lucky to have him! He’s a good boy and does his job of loving his family well. Even our newly added Lab- Catahoula mix. He had accepted her but I do think he prefers being the Top Dog!
Kelly says
I have had my snorkie going on 15 years. Actually 15 yrs as of oct. 1st. Her name is sweetie pie and she is absolutely amazing! Most people look at her to this day and think she is a “puppy” bc of how energetic and aware she is. Not to mention her size.. When i reply she is 15 yrs old while watching her running about. 99% response is “noooo wayyy”! My baby sweetie pie is theerre most loyal. Amazing.. True blessing in my life thus far…
Rosalie Howarth says
Does anyone know a reputable breeder or rescue group in California where I could find a Snorkie? We lost ours at 10, recently to a sudden acute pancreatitis event. I have fallen in love with the breed!
Arlene Weiss says
We recently rescued a Snorkie that just turned 6. You would think he was a puppy. He is so energetic and playful, I’m can’t believe he hasn’t slowed down. He loves to play and chase lizards. He is a true lap dog and loved to be loved. When we got him a month ago and he weighed 11.6 lbs and now is 12.9lbs. The Vet says not to let him weigh. What do Snorkies usually weigh? Our Yorkie that passed in Nov, weighed 5 lbs! Aubrey actually rescued us! He is so funny to watch.
Valerie Snyder says
We are a very lucky family to be owned by a Snorkie! Our girl was rescued from Craigslist “free to a good home”. We couldn’t resist helping to save her, she is adorable! We are all in love with this sweet, gentle, funny, and very intelligent little character. She is very loving and protective, a bit bossy at times, but so good natured-her little tail never stops wagging. I highly recommend the Snorkie. Ours has made our family complete.