Mini Schnauzer x Yorkie's UK? Questions

Hi there!

I am new here and looking into getting a dog. My husband and I have been researching and have come across the crossbreed of Mini Schnauzer x Yorkie, or Schnorkies.

The breed fits all of our requirements very well, but it has been hard to find. The only one I've found in the UK is a breeder in Blackpool and I am in Surrey.

Does anyone know a breeder in the South or have any helpful info for us?

Thanks in advance!

Gennie

Hello and welcome to Dogsey!

I think it's great that you are researching the type of dog that you want but at the risk of playing devils advocate, the rescues are full to bursting with lovely crossbreeds. The type of cross that you are looking at would no doubt be going for big money when infact it is only a crossbreed. You may not be getting health checks or much history of the dogs ancestors even though you will be paying for that.

Sorry to throw the 'rescue' line at you, but if you look at the rescue section on here, you will see dozens and dozens of gorgeous dogs desperate for a good home.

I agree with above.

Have a look on Many Tears rescue site, they have some Yorkies and Schnauzers looking for homes

Hiya

Any particular reason why you want this cross? the problem with people who purposely breed crossbreeds is that they do so generally for the wrong reasons; to line their own pockets. The best interests of both breeds are therefore not at heart.

Both the breeds you mention are wonderful in their own right, and of course I'm going to be a little bit biased as I have one those breeds myself.

Maybe narrow your search to one of the two breeds, rather than a cross? you shouldn't have any trouble locating a responsible breeder of either of those breeds.

I agree with most that has been said, Its great that you are researching before taking the step to owning a dog.

There are a few problem with cross breeds;

- You will find it hard to find a decent breeder that is cross breeding, so no thought would have been put into the mating, health tests or the pups.

- You say that this cross fits exactly what your looking for, but this may not be the case, when crossing two dogs together you dont know what you are going to get, in the litter there can be 5pups all totally different in 'looks, tempermant ect'...

If its a pup that you want, and you want to go down the breeder route then please research a little more into breeds that you like (maybe a pure bred Schnauzer or Yorkie)!! and then look around at breeders that test and breed for the betterment of there choosen breed and not for money.

I believe Yorkies have eye problems to, Infact alot of toy breeds have eye problems..and the breeders should be testing for it!

Good luck with the rest of your research though..

Hi Gennie

I'm afraid I agree with everyone else. You say that the mix would fit your requirements very well, but I'm not sure how you can be sure? A cross of two breeds can take the best of both breeds, or the worst of both breeds or something in between....the results are therefore unpredicatable.

And many of the breeders of these crossbreeds make their money on the statement that they are healthier than a purebred. Now its likely that that two healthy well breed dogs will produce healthy pups. But if both breeds have potential health issues (e.g. say one breed has bad hips and the other bad eyes) and the breeder doesn't test to see that their dogs are ok (which the majority of breeders who breed these crosses don't), you are actually less likely to get a healthy pup than if you go for a purebred from a first class breeder.

Ultimately it is your choice, and I wish you luck whichever way you go, I just don't like the number of people being sold such crossbreeds at extorionate prices and on false pretences.

Wow, that's a lot to digest!

Thank you all so much for your input. I really respect your opinions as dog owners.

The crossbreed of schnauzer & yorkie is more popular in the States (where I'm from), and I figured it just hadn't hit here yet. Our reasons for choosing it ate that my husband has allergies and we have a cottage with a small enclosed garden. We narrowed to mini schnauzers, yorkies, and bichon frise. Then we came across the crossbreeds.
I thought that mixed dogs had less likelihood of developing health problems as purebreds. Is there any truth to this?

I have a few questions for you all. Of those who have one or more of these breeds, which would you recommend and why? The important things to us are the non-allergic factor, being happy in a small home, and getting on with children if we have them ( in the next few years).

Thanks again! G

Its difficult to know for sure about the mixed-breed v purebreed health debate. Evidence from insurance companies would seem to suggest that purebreeds are more problematical, but many many owners in the uk, particularly the owners of mongrels, don't have pet insurance, so the figures don't give an accurate reflection.

My own opinion is that a 100% heinz/mongrel/bitsa (i.e. a mix of lots of different breeds) is probably less likely to have the inherited problems seen in many purebreeds - e.g. bad hips, eyes etc. But for first crosses, I can't see at all how this can make the pups healthier than their parents...it will be pot luck. They might get none of the health problems from both breeds, they might get them all.

Re the allergy thing - again it will be pot luck with a crossbreed. Many people bought labradoodles believing them to be non-shedding and therefore good for allergy-suffers - and many found this wasn't the case.

That helps me understand the issue a lot better. In our case, since the non-allergy factor is v important, I'd go back to our first 3 options of purebreds.

The way i see it is, Yes pure bred dogs can be un healthly and pass on genetic issues hence testing should be done!
If we didnt test our cresteds for say PLL and both dogs were effected, then pups would go onto be.

If we tested and both parents were clear, pups can not go on to develop PLL or be carriers of it..So that problem would not be passed to off spring, Do you see what im getting at?

The cross you have suggested (to my knowledge) both suffer eye diseases, if these are not tested for, just like the the example i gave, if both dogs suffered from the disease pup would go on to get it..(You can only know of the problems by testing)..

So its not about what breed the parents are its about what status they carry for known health issues..

I hope that post makes sense

Hi Gennie, welcome to Dogsey.

A first cross like this is just as likely to suffer from hereditary illnesses as its parents are. If you think about it if you have a Schnauzer with eye problems mated with a Yorkie with eye problems the resulting pups are in no way less like to inherit this condition. So the most important thing is to ensure that both parents have had all the health tests they need and you see the documentation to prove this. Don't be fobbed off by people saying 'oh, we've never had that in our pups'.

The trouble is finding a breeder who breeds crosses that bothers with any health testing is like finding hen's teeth.

I do happen to have a Mini Schnauzer and can confidently say she meets all your criteria! (Even though she's a tinker!) I have a small house and 2 kids and can safely say she is fine with both. As for the allergy thing, Schnauzers don't shed but some people are actually allergic to the dander (tiny skin flakes) or saliva so it would be best for your OH to visit with some to see if they set him off.

I love Yorkies but they are quite small and more squashable by a well-intentioned, but clumsy toddler, a Schnauzer is that little bit bigger and more robust.

J.

P.S. Sorry for being repetitive, those guys type faster than me!!!

I think I understand you here. If I found a breeder that crossed these two, and each of the parents were tested and cleared of eye issues or other prospective health risks, that wouldn't be a problem.
And I guess this method of checking the parents will have to apply whether we chose a purebred or a cross, right?

Yes what ever you go with cross breed or pure bred, the parents should be tested! When going for a cross breed, each parent should be tested for the problems in that breed just like the pure bred! - Although i do still find that you may have a problem finding a cross breeder that does this.
Im not a fan of cross breeding, but if you can find an ethical breeder doing the tests then fair play, although i would question their reason for the mating, as its mainly for money and me personally would rather give a rescue shelter a donation and adopt a dog than give them type of breeders what they want

I have to say that I have no idea what would happen if you crossed two non-allergic breeds...it is probable that the pups would all be ok, I just can't think of any examples to prove or otherwise.

Can I just add that its lovely to see a new member willing to listen I know that sometimes Dogsey can come across as anti-crossbreeds, but that isn't the case. Most of us on Dogsey love all dogs no matter what size or shape or breed - its the breeding practices of some (both purebreed and crossbreed) and the misleading of potential new owners that we get upset about!

Glad you have come to a very sensible decision.

Of course I am going to recommend Yorkies as ours is a much loved family member. She loves to swim, run, retrieve (ball OBSESSED - possibly a Border Collie in a former life? ), keeps up with my two big dogs no problem, easy to train, low cost, loves people (major lap dog) and doesn't shed. Very very hardy too for such a little dog.

Good posts, I agree. I don’t think any breeder, breeding crossbreeds is ethical. There are hundreds of breeds who have been bred for a specific purpose, and so there is really no need to breed crossbreeds (the breeders just see the £££s). the exception being the likes of the lua dalmation, which was for health reasons, and therefore does something for the breed. I personally think if you want a pup from a breeder, then get a pedigree but if you aren’t bothered and want a crossbreed, then a rescue would be great (there are thousands of dogs desperate for a home up and down the country). I really hate hearing of people lining the pockets of unethical breeders. I think it is great though that you are listening to what people are saying and are open to the opinions and views of the members on the forum.

Btw, I am not against crossbreeds. I have one, and he is, in my biased opinion , the best dog ever… but he was from an accidental mating and I got him from the SSPCA. I personally love crossbreeds, and would happily own them for life, but I would never buy one from a breeder.