The schnocker is a hybrid breed that arises from the mixture of two well-known breeds such as the cocker spaniel and the miniature schnauzer. This breed is also called the miniature schnocker, mini schnocker or cockershnauz. Regardless of the name given to it, it is characterized by its energy and physical abilities, as they are really agile dogs. In addition, they are extremely loyal, being ideal as family dogs, although they also stand out for being spectacular companions for those who live alone.
If you are thinking of adopting one of these mongrel dogs, on our site we tell you all the characteristics of the schnocker, its main care and possible he alth problems.
Schnocker origin
The schnocker or cockershnauz breed is a mixed breed of recent appearance, since it has existed for less than 10 years They have not been collected or neither the place nor the exact date of appearance of the first specimens, but it is known that they are a mixture of purebred parents, in this case the cocker spaniel and the miniature schnauzer
Although the two parent breeds are recognized by international cynological organizations, schnockers are considered a hybrid breed, not having their own standard and official recognition.
Schnocker Features
An adult schnocker is a medium-sized, with a height of between 30 and 38 centimeters and an average weight of between the 7 and 11 kilograms. The life expectancy of these dogs varies between approximately 12 and 15 years.
Its body is slender and slim, with limbs and a long tail. Likewise, its feet are elongated and its ears hang to the sides of its head, a trait that it inherits from the cocker spaniel. This head is thin and has dark eyes, as well as a thin black nose and a characteristic beard, like a schnauzer.
The coat can be both short and long, also varying its shape, because while there are specimens with straight hair, there are also those with curly or wavy hair. The hair is longer in some parts of its body, such as the aforementioned beard, around the eyes, eyebrows or ears, also around the legs and feet
Schnocker Colors
As there is no official breed standard, it is not possible to speak of accepted or non-accepted colors, however, we highlight the most frequent in the schnocker: blonde, white, black, brown, champagne and grey.
The puppy schnocker
Schnocker puppies are incredibly adorable, they are small and furry, with a sweet face and clumsy walk in their first days. But don't let their little face fool you that they haven't broken a plate, because this is a breed in which it is essential to start training early, otherwise they can become really uncontrollable.
This is due to their high level of vital energy, which makes them very restless, turning this attitude into mischief if it is not channeled well with games and distractions. It also highlights how difficult it is for them to spend a lot of time alone, as they suffer a lot from loneliness, requiring constant attention and affection. This is so because both the cocker and the schnauzer are buts that do not tolerate loneliness.
Schnocker Character
Coming from breeds as intelligent as the Cocker or the Miniature Schnauzer, these dogs have brilliant mental abilities. For example, they stand out for having an incredible memory and learning at breakneck speed.
The schnokers are a loyal race that creates very strong bonds with the humans they live with. They are one of the most recommended hybrid breeds for people who live alone, because being so attentive and affectionate, they provide unlimited love and company to their family. They get along great with children and love to enjoy their company. They are really patient and understanding dogs with them.
These canids are tolerant, patient and very sociable, so they tend to interact even with strangers. The only thing they do not tolerate at all is loneliness, as they require constant company to be well, which is why they are not recommended for people who spend a lot of time away from home. Prolonged loneliness can cause them to develop pathologies such as separation anxiety, excessive barking or destructive behavior.
Schnocker care
A schnocker does not require much specific care to be in the best condition. One thing to pay attention to is the nutritional requirements of the breed. In the case of schnocker, it is recommended to distribute the amount of daily food in three meals, as this way blood sugar levels remain constant throughout the day, favoring good he alth. Likewise, it is essential to provide quality food, whether it is feed or homemade food. For the latter case, you can opt for the BARF diet or lightly cook the food.
Regarding exercise, the schnocker needs to perform physical activity on a daily basis since it is a very active breed that, if it does not release its energy, can adopt anomalous behaviors and suffer different alterations. In this sense, it is recommended to ensure long walks, at least 30 minutes a day, combined with games and other activities such as running or doing agility circuits
Schnocker education
The schnocker stands out for being one of the most docile dogs out there, which, combined with its notorious intelligence, makes training really easy. Even those less experienced in training can teach a schnocker basic commands and tricks. What it is necessary to keep in mind when educating a schnocker is his intolerance to loneliness Therefore, it is necessary to teach him to manage it and to be alone in home without this being a negative experience for him. To achieve this, it is necessary to make small outings from puppyhood, leaving intelligence toys, food dispensers, etc., to keep it entertained at all times. In case of adopting an adult dog, synthetic pheromones in the form of a diffuser are really useful to create a relaxed environment while he is alone.
On the other hand, although it is a very sociable dog, it is important to socialize it with other people, animals and environments. Likewise, as in all breeds, it is strongly recommended to resort to training techniques based on respect and affection, such as positive training In all cases Punishments and violence should be avoided, as they are harmful and counterproductive.
Schnocker He alth
The schnocker is usually in good he alth, however, it can also inherit the tendency to suffer from diseases typical of the parent breeds. Some examples are hip dysplasia, which in the most serious cases requires complicated interventions, eye problemssuch as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, skin problems and patellar luxation.
Highlights his tendency to suffer from all kinds of allergies. This, combined with his curiosity to sniff out everything that crosses his path, can make the allergy more complicated. If, for example, our schnocker is allergic to mites and sniffs sites with a high presence of them, it is more likely to observe symptoms such as quite accentuated coughing or sneezing.
On the other hand, it is important to take certain precautions, in addition to regular visits to the vet, to carry out the corresponding check-ups. One of these precautions is to monitor the state of the ears of our schnocker, because given its shape, if they are not kept clean, it is common for accumulations to be generated that trigger infections auditory, painful and dangerous for hearing.
Where to adopt a schnocker?
If you have decided that your new companion should be one of these wonderful dogs, we will give you some basic recommendations on how to incorporate him into the family. The first thing is that it is much more advisable to go to animal shelters and associations, as well as shelters or kennels If you adopt an abandoned animal, you help it have a chance to be happy, giving it the fortune of having a home. In addition, you will help combat animal abandonment, something very worrying given the large number of cases of abandonment recorded non-stop.
Of course, before adopting any animal, we have to consider whether we can cope with all the demands that their care implies. We are not only talking about the economic ones, but also the affective ones and those referring to the time that we can dedicate to them. Focusing on the schnocker, it is very important to remember that it is a dog that requires a lot of attention. Although it is true that it can be educated so that it learns to be alone, it is not convenient to leave it for many hours at a time. Therefore, whether you decide to adopt a puppy schnocker or if you prefer an adult, think very well if you can meet this need.
