Snorkie vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Snorkie is originated from United States but Irish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland. Snorkie may grow 29 cm / 11 inches shorter than Irish Water Spaniel. Snorkie may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Irish Water Spaniel. Snorkie may live 3 years more than Irish Water Spaniel. Snorkie may have less litter size than Irish Water Spaniel. Both Snorkie and Irish Water Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance.

History

The Snorkie is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Miniature Schnauzer.

The exact origins of this dog are unknown, but it is believed that it is a designer dog from the United States. Known also as the Schnerrier, this toy breed is a popular pet as he can slot into life in the city or the countryside, in small homes or large.

The Snorkie’s history is short and unknown but both the parent breeds each have a long history.

irish water spaniel - historyThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Gun dog
Origin:
United States
Ireland
Height Male:
14 - 30 cm
5 - 12 inches
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Height Female:
14 - 30 cm
5 - 12 inches
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
4 - 12
Size:
Toy dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Schnerrier
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Colors Available:
silver, Grey, black., tan
Dark Brown, Liver
Coat:
Short, medium or long - silky or crisp
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

Coming from two small dog breeds, the Snorkie will be small too, and will measure anything from 14 to 30cm and weigh anything from 3 to 6kg.

The Yorkshire Terrier and the Miniature Schnauzer are fairly similar to look at and you will no doubt get high set erect ears, a small, compact body and a medium length tail which will be thickly furred.

The coat of the dog will be longish and could end up being the silky hair of the Yorkie or being the crisp coat of the Schnauzer. Colors of the coat can be grey, tan, silver, black. Shedding will be minimal.

Temperament:

When you get two purebred dog breeds being used to bring about a new dog breed, you cant really say what the temperament of the dog will be – because it could actually be a mix of characteristics from either breed. Either way your little pet will be social, playful, loving, loyal and companionable and make a great little watchdog.

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

Characteristics

Your Snorkie will be a sociable little dog who loves hanging out with his human family. He is loyal and loving towards them. He gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

Small he may be, but he makes a great watchdog and will alert you to suspect behavior with his constant yapping.

Suitable for life in the city or the countryside and also a great choice for first time dog owners, the Snorkie promises to make you an awesome family pet.

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

Health Problems

Because a Snorkie is a mixed breed, they can inherit any one of the health issues from each of the parent breeds – the Yorkshire Terrier and the Miniature Schnauzer.

Because this is a small dog, you can probably expect dental problems - overcrowded teeth and pancreatitis. The idea is to make sure you feed your little pet excellent food to minimize health issues.

Pancreatitis:

The pancreas has many functions, one of which is the production of digestive enzymes which are critical for food digestion.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and then digestive enzymes, normally inactive until they reach the small intestine, become active in the pancreas instead. This brings about swelling and pain. Obesity, medications, high-fat diets and a disease such as hypothyroidism can cause pancreatitis.

Your dog will lose his appetite, be lethargic and restless and be vomiting too. He will have to get to the vet.

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

Caring The Pet

Being a small dog, the Snorkie will be fairly easy to care for, and for anyone on a low budget who badly wants to own a dog, he won’t cost you a whole lot of money in food.

Let’s look at how to care for your Snorkie -

♦Give him exercise – walks, ball games and indoor games.

◆Brush the coat twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs. The Snorkie isn’t a heavy shedder but he loves the grooming session. His coat may need to be professionally trimmed.

◆When you brush him, check for fleas and ticks. Check inside the ears for redness and make sure the eyes are bright and alert.

◆The Snorkie is small but will be a handful if left untrained. He is intelligent and will make a superb pet if he is trained and socialized.

◆ Provide your Snorkie with his own quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

◆Keep his vaccines up to date to eliminate killer canine diseases and get him to the vet if he appears to be ill.

◆Have your Snorkie spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.

◆Feed your Snorkie the best food there is. The commercially manufactured dog foods can be a good, convenient choice. Read the labels and buy the food appropriate to your pets size, age and energy levels.

Try and give him some home-made food. You can add a little bit of home-made food to the dry kibble to enhance it. You can do this twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a tasty healthy choice for your little pet. Just chop it all up for him.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Snorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Snorkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Snorkie vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  4. Snorkie vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  5. Snorkie vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  6. Snorkie vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  7. Snorkie vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Snorkie vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Snorkie vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Snorkie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Snorkie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Snorkie vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Snorkie vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Snorkie vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Snorkie vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Snorkie vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  17. Snorkie vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Snorkie vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  19. Snorkie vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  20. Snorkie vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  21. Snorkie vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Snorkie vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  26. Pudelpointer vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Water Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Water Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Water Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Water Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Water Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Water Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Water Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Stabyhoun vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Vizsla vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Large Munsterlander vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Tyrolean Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds