Size Chart: How Big Will a Snorkie Get?

Most adult Snorkies land somewhere between about 7 and 15 pounds and stand roughly 8 to 14 inches at the shoulder. That range comes from the two parent breeds: the Yorkshire Terrier standard caps weight at 7 pounds, while the Miniature Schnauzer standard calls for a dog 12 to 14 inches tall. Because no standard exists for the cross, any single Snorkie can sit anywhere between those two ends.

Where the Snorkie size range comes from

A Snorkie is a Miniature Schnauzer crossed with a Yorkshire Terrier. There is no standard for the cross, so the honest way to estimate size is to start from each parent. The two are measured in different ways, which surprises a lot of families:

• The Yorkshire Terrier standard sets a weight limit, not a height. The breed standard says a Yorkie should weigh no more than 7 pounds. It gives no height at all. VCA Animal Hospitals lists a typical Yorkie at about 8 to 9 inches tall.
• The Miniature Schnauzer standard sets a height, not a weight. The breed standard asks for a dog 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder, "sturdily built" with "plenty of bone," and dogs under 12 or over 14 inches are disqualified in the show ring. It does not list a weight. VCA Animal Hospitals puts a typical Mini Schnauzer at 13 to 15 pounds, and Purina lists 14 to 17 pounds.

So one parent is a fine-boned dog of 7 pounds or less, and the other is a solid terrier about twice that weight. A Snorkie can take after either, or land in between.

Snorkie size chart (adult, approximate)

The Snorkie rows are our estimates from the parent ranges, not measurements from any registry or study. Treat them as a guide, not a promise.

Why the numbers you find online disagree

One popular pet site lists Snorkies at 5 to 15 pounds and 7 to 12 inches. Another gives 7 to 12 pounds and 4 to 12 inches. A third puts the top end at 25 pounds. They differ for a few plain reasons:

• No one keeps a standard for the cross. Each writer builds a range, filling the gaps (Yorkie height, Schnauzer weight) with their own estimates.
• Not every parent dog is to standard. A pet-line Miniature Schnauzer can be well over 14 inches and 20 pounds, and some Yorkies are larger than 7 pounds. A bigger parent pulls the litter up.
• First-cross and later-generation dogs behave differently. A Yorkie crossed with a Mini Schnauzer tends to land between the two. When two Snorkies are bred together, puppies can scatter more widely, sometimes even within one litter.

Why there is no Snorkie weight-by-age chart here

We have not found a month-by-month Snorkie growth chart built on real measurements from Snorkie litters, so we are not publishing one. For a mix this variable, it would be a guess dressed up as data. If you want a feel for how the parent breeds grow, our Yorkie size chart and Miniature Schnauzer size chart cover each side. Your best real-world clue is the size of your puppy's own parents, so ask the breeder for their adult weights and heights.

Coat can make a Snorkie look bigger or smaller

The two parents have very different coats. The Miniature Schnauzer standard calls for a double coat with a "hard, wiry" outer coat and fuller furnishings on the legs, muzzle and eyebrows. The Yorkie standard describes a single coat that is "long, perfectly straight, fine and glossy," silky to the touch.

A Snorkie can inherit either texture or a blend. A wiry-coated Snorkie with a full beard and leg furnishings often looks sturdier and taller than it weighs. A silky-coated Snorkie kept in a short puppy trim can look smaller than it really is. Two Snorkies of the same weight can look like different-sized dogs, so trust the scale over a glance. Both coat types are low-shedding, though no dog is allergen-free, and both need regular brushing and trims. Our grooming team can help you find a trim that suits your Snorkie's coat.

How to measure and when to ask a vet

Measure height standing, from the floor to the top of the shoulder blades, not the head. Weigh on the same scale each time.

A few points worth raising with your veterinarian:

• If your puppy is very small, ask about feeding schedule. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that very small Yorkie puppies can be prone to low blood sugar, and a Snorkie that takes after the Yorkie side may be just as tiny early on.
• If your Snorkie takes after the Schnauzer side, ask about ideal adult weight. VCA notes Miniature Schnauzers tend to stay at a good weight or run slightly heavy, so it helps to know what a lean body looks like under that thick coat.
• If growth stalls or jumps suddenly, or your puppy seems tired or off its food, call your veterinarian rather than relying on a chart.

Every Sugar Sweet puppy gets a complete health check from our on-staff veterinarian before going home, and we are happy to share what we know about a puppy's parents.

Is a Snorkie the right size for your family?

A Snorkie that favors the Yorkie side is a true small dog that needs gentle handling around toddlers. One that favors the Schnauzer side is sturdier. If you need a dog that will reliably stay under a set weight, for an apartment lease for example, a mix is a gamble; a purebred with a standard gives more certainty.

Read more on our Snorkie breed page, browse other Yorkie mixes and Schnauzer mixes, or see who is available now.

Common questions

How big do Snorkies get?

Most adults weigh about 7 to 15 pounds and stand roughly 8 to 14 inches at the shoulder. That range is built from the two parent breeds, and an individual dog can land anywhere within it.

Will a Snorkie stay under 10 pounds?

Some do, especially those that take after the Yorkie parent, but there is no way to guarantee it. Knowing the adult size of your puppy's parents is the most useful clue.

Is a Snorkie bigger than a Yorkie?

Usually, yes. The Yorkie standard caps weight at 7 pounds, and most Snorkies end up heavier and taller because the Miniature Schnauzer parent is a larger, sturdier dog.

When is a Snorkie fully grown?

Small dogs generally reach close to adult height within their first year, and many keep filling out a little after that. Your veterinarian can tell you whether your puppy is on a healthy track.

Does a wiry coat mean my Snorkie will be bigger?

Not necessarily. Coat type and body size are inherited separately. A wiry coat with full furnishings can make a dog look larger, but the scale is the honest measure.