Ears: Snorkie, like other dogs, gets small amounts building up inside the ears. It's good hygiene practice to remove any debris with a warm towel at least once a week.
Eyes: With his long hair, this breed tends to have some around the eyes. Such needs to be trimmed once in a while just to make sure it doesn't obstruct his eye view. In addition, wipe clean at least thrice a week with a soft wet cloth to prevent eye infections.
Teeth: Though this breed is not prone to serious dental problems, brushing his teeth after every three days or more is advisable. It will give your roommate good breath and remove plaque.
Nails: The terrier genes make it active on the ground and will wear his nails naturally. However, if he doesn't go out regularly, you have to keep clipping them long nails that make him uncomfortable and destructive.
Hair: The Snorkie needs daily brushing as it's prone to matting and knotting if not taken care of. Lucky for you, the hair is silky and soft, making your work easier with a slicker brush. You may also need to take him to a groomer every 8 to 10 weeks as his hair can grow very long. Finally, only bathe him when dirty. Otherwise, he is generally clean.
Recommended daily intake: Snorkie is a small dog with a small tummy but very active and will need to be fed carefully. He is recommended to take one cup of high-quality kibble per day. This amount is neither too little for energy needs nor too much to cause bloating.
What food to choose: By week eight, your puppy is good to be on a dry dog food diet. Kibble is nutritious, convenient to feed, and tasty. In between meals, you can offer some treats with vitamins and minerals, especially for strong bone formation.
How many times to feed your dog: The daily one cup portion should be given in two servings for the small tummy to comfortably digest and to avoid bloating. He often relieves also, and some water will keep him hydrated.
How to keep the good shape: Daily exercises such as walks and more play with toys of up to thirty minutes daily are necessary for mental and body fitness.
The crossbreed is likely to inherit some health issues associated with Miniature Schnauzer and Yorkshire Terrier. Hence, a good breeder should have a medical history of the parents to enable you to have an idea of which health conditions that could be inherited.
Common diseases
Diabetes
This condition is a result of a high amount of sugar in the blood. Your pup will experience abnormal thirst and hunger and will later begin to lose weight. He may also develop neuropathies.
Treatment for diabetes may include a change in food to a special diet combined with regular insulin injection to balance the sugar levels. Also, keep your dog exercised to lessen the risks.
Pancreatitis
Poor feeding, especially fatty foods, can cause overweight problems that may lead to inflammation of the pancreas. Your dog will begin to experience pain in the abdomen, and severe cases may lead to the death of Snorkie.
Treatment involves intensive care with strong pain relievers, intravenous fluid, and antacids. Feeding also has to be supported due to loss of appetite.
Bladder stones
This condition results in inflammation of the bladder, severe urinary infections and your dog will experience difficulties in urinating; a condition called dysuria. There may also be blood spots in the urine.
Treatment depends on the type of stones identified through urinalysis and may involve diet management and surgery.
The Schnauzer-Yorkie crossbreed is not a dumb little canine and would be easy to train. However, a trainer needs not to forget that their Yorkie genes can also make them stubborn. Some patience and consistency will hence yield better positive results and Shorkie will quickly learn new tricks and master commands. He is also affectionate and loves attention, and scolding him when he wrongs as this will water down your efforts.
The small nature of this breed's puppy demands that you handle it with extra care. The way you relate with it at a young age will determine how it grows socially. When playing with your kids, let them be supervised and let them know that they have to be gentle. Only bring this breed home if you got sufficient time to spend and train.
The Snorkie will do with a small space, but being an active terrier, it will need a good space outdoors for his walks and play. Exercise him on a regular basis to work out that extra energy and to remain in good shape and mentally healthy.
