

Schnese (Miniature Schnauzer & Havanese Mix)

Height: 9-13 inches
Weight: 6-20 pounds
Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
Colors: Black, brown, silver, grey, and white
Suitable for: Families, singles, children, and seniors and as great watchdogs
Temperament: Affectionate, loving, playful, intuitive

The Schnese is a cross between the Miniature Schnauzer and Havanese. There is little known about their exact origin, but we can extrapolate from the history of their parents to find out what this breed is all about.

The Miniature Schnauzer has their origins in Germany and can be traced back as far as the mid-19th century. Miniature Schnauzers were bred from their larger Standard Schnauzer cousins as smaller dogs for ratting and herding on farms. They have a well-known reputation as good guard dogs, but without the tendency to bite. The first recorded Miniature Schnauzer appeared in 1888, and the American Kennel Club finally officially recognized the breed in 1926.

The Havanese is known as the national dog of Cuba, where they have their origins. They are also known as, “Havana Silk Dogs,” due to their long, straight, and silky coats. They are renowned for their springy and lively manner of walking, seemingly hopping around rather than running. Their fluffy tails characteristically curl up over their backs.

The Schnese is a good combination of the two: an energetic dog who loves to be active but loves to cuddle on your lap just as much.Divider 1

Schnese Puppies — Before You Buy

Schnese (Miniature Schnauzer & Havanese Mix) Puppy


What’s the Price of Schnese Puppies?

If you are in the market for a Schnese puppy, you can expect to pay anywhere between $250 and $800. The price will largely depend on breeders and availability, as both parent breeds are fairly rare. Also, breeders will often want a higher price for female Schnese puppies.

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3 Little-Known Facts About The Schnese

1. Hypoallergenic

Both the Miniature Schnauzer and Havanese breeds are known to be hypoallergenic. This makes the Schnese a great choice of dog for owners with allergies. While no dog is really 100% hypoallergenic, as allergic reactions can come from skin and saliva, the Schnese will cause fewer symptoms than other breeds.

2. Whiskered snout

The term “Schnauzer” is German and is loosely translated as “mustache” or “whiskered snout.” This unique trait can often be inherited by the Schnese.

3. Barking

Both Schnauzers and Miniature Schnauzers bark — frequently. They make excellent watchdogs for this reason, but they will bark not only at strangers or intruders but also if they are frightened, hungry, bored, or happy and to exert their dominance. Basically, they will bark at everything!

Schnese - Miniature Schnauzer and Havanese dog mix
The parents of the Schnese. Left: Miniature Schnauzer, Right: Havanese

Temperament & Intelligence of the Schnese

The Schnese is usually an affectionate, loving breed and is often described by their owners as highly intuitive. They are also playful and eager to please and can be energetic at times. They are highly intelligent, which makes them a breeze to train.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

These dogs make ideal family pets. Their playful and lively nature will make them a great pet for kids. They can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods, however, and will become attached to their owners. They are generally non-aggressive dogs, with their bark being far bigger than their bite.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

This is a friendly, sociable, and generally a non-aggressive breed and will get along great with other dogs and pets, provided they are socialized at a young age. They do have a strong prey drive due to their ratting heritage, which will make them hone in on smaller animals. But if they are brought up with other family pets, they will usually form a lifelong bond with them.

Schnese (Miniature Schnauzer & Havanese Mix) Info

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Things to Know When Owning a Schnese

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Schnese is a fairly small dog and won’t require massive amounts of food. The best quality dry kibble that you can find is the best choice for your Schnese — around 1 cup a day is suitable — with added meat or wet food whenever possible. There is an ongoing debate among dog owners about whether to feed your dog raw or cooked meat, as opposed to kibble. This is because commercial kibble can often contain harmful filler ingredients, like wheat, corn and soya, which can be detrimental to dogs. Dairy products, too many grains, sugar, and fatty meats should also not be given to your Schnese, as these can easily lead to health issues like diabetes and obesity. Miniature Schnauzers tend to develop pancreatitis, so fat-rich foods like fatty meats, table scraps, and butter should be especially avoided. A relatively low-fat diet is best for a Schnese.

An essential part of a healthy diet for any dog is protein, and while it can be found in commercial kibble, it is best found in good-quality lean meats and fish. A small amount of fat is essential, as it will help maintain healthy skin and coat and help protect your dog’s internal organs, but it should be kept to a minimum. This breed is also prone to becoming overweight and should not be freely fed. Both their food and fat intake needs to be carefully monitored to prevent this.

Most dogs need around 25-30 calories per pound per day to maintain a healthy weight, so your Schnese will need to get anywhere from 150-500 calories a day, depending on their age and energy levels.

Exercise 🐕

Like all dogs, your Schnese will need regular exercise in order to stay healthy and happy. They are fairly high-energy dogs at times and will need at least 1 hour of exercise every day, preferably broken into two to three sessions. They are animals of high intellect, so it is important to give them both physical and mental activity every day. These dogs love routine, so you should try and schedule a daily walk around the same time. A regular walk is not only a good form of exercise, but the different sights and smells will give them plenty of mental stimulation too.

High-intensity play is also a great form of physical and mental stimulation. These dogs were bred for flushing out rodents, and this type of stimulating play will come naturally to them and they will love it. These types of games include fetch with a chewable stick or ball, which is also a great way of bonding with your pooch. Frisbee is another great game, as the Frisbee itself is harder for them to catch than a ball or stick. Both Schnauzers and Havanese breeds are agile, and playing fetch will help encourage their innate sense of timing and coordination. Running or cycling with your Schnese is also a great way to burn off excess energy fast; just make sure your dog doesn’t get overtired or too hot.

Without the required exercise, a Schnese will have pent-up energy that can swiftly lead to behavioral problems. This could manifest in the form of excess barking, digging, and even aggression.

Schnese (Miniature Schnauzer & Havanese Mix) Info
Photo credit: IsabellWolf, Pixabay

Training 🎾

A Schnese has an innate desire to please, and they will usually take well to training. This desire to please and high intellect makes for a highly trainable dog who will love the process and enthusiastically respond to commands. As with most dog breeds, starting training early with your Schnese puppy will set up a strong bond between the two of you and establish correct habits early on. These dogs learn quickly, and it’s far better to get them learning good habits first!

Reward-based training is highly recommended for a Schnese, but it relies on consistency and repetition from the owner. This means you’ll need to do some form of training every day with your Schnese. The basic premise is to reward your dog with praise or a treat when they do something right and to not give them attention when they do something wrong. This method creates a strong bond and cements a high level of trust between you and your dog. Sessions of around 15-20 minutes are ideal, as any longer may lead to boredom and frustration for your pooch.

No matter the style of training you decide on, the keys to good training are consistency, repetition, and most importantly, patience.

Grooming ✂️

A Schnese will require a moderate amount of grooming and will require daily brushing unless their hair is kept short. An occasional bath is recommended, but try and keep bathing exclusively for when your dog is really dirty. Too much unnecessary bathing can cause skin issues and the depletion of your dog’s natural oils. Their nails will need trimming once or twice a month, as nails that get too long can cause pain for your pooch and can eventually lead to infection. Regular teeth brushing, at least once a week, will prevent plaque build-up and dental issues. Their ears should be checked regularly for redness and infection and kept dry as much as possible. If your dog is showing signs of excessive scratching and rubbing around their ears, there may be an underlying infection, and you should take them to the vet immediately.

Health and Conditions🏥

Most of the common issues that can affect Schneses are usually size-related, as they are fairly small dogs. They can commonly suffer from collapsing trachea, which is caused when the rings of cartilage of your dog’s windpipe collapse and obstruct their airways. Patella luxation is another common problem among small dogs. This condition is when your dog’s kneecap slips out of the groove it’s designed to stay in, essentially causing dislocation. It can be genetic, and depending on the severity of the condition, surgery may be required. Dental issues due to the overcrowding of teeth in their small mouths, called supernumerary teeth, are common among small dogs. Unless your dog is displaying signs of pain or discomfort, this condition is not usually a problem. However, they will require extra brushing because food can easily get stuck and cause plaque build-up and dental issues.

Pancreatitis is fairly common among Schnauzers but can be largely avoided if they are fed a mostly low-fat diet. The most common cause of death among Miniature Schnauzers is cancer, but a healthy diet and lifestyle will go a long way in mitigating the risk.

It is widely recommended to neuter males, which will help reduce any aggression issues he may have and will reduce the chance of testicular cancer. This will also help stop him from looking for females in heat. Spaying females also has many associated health benefits, including the prevention of uterine infections, and reduced risk of cancer.

Common Health Conditions of the Boxer
  • Skin allergies
  • Supernumerary teeth
  • Ear infections
Common Health Conditions of the Pug
  • Cancer
  • Patella luxation
  • Pancreatitis
  • Collapsing trachea

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Male vs. Female

There are a few small differences between male and female Schnese dogs, but most of these are prominent only if they are not spayed or neutered. In neutered and spayed dogs, the behavior and personality are dictated more by their upbringing, training, and environment.

The females, particularly if they are un-spayed, are prone to being moodier than males and are usually more protective of their owners. They are also more independent and less needy and won’t follow their owners around persistently, like males tend to. Females can be fussy eaters, while males are more likely to eat whatever is in front of them. Males are highly food motivated and are consequently easier to train with treats. That said, females mature earlier than males and can thus begin training at a younger age.Divider 3

Final Thoughts

The Schnese is a dog breed that makes for a fantastic family pet. Children will love them, and they will love children just as much in return. They have moderate energy levels and love to exercise and play but will love to settle down with you on the sofa just as often. They are fairly low-maintenance and easy to look after and are ideal for owners who live in small houses or apartments due to their small size. They make great guard dogs, as they are one of the most vocal dog breeds. They are also known to be hypoallergenic, so they are ideal for owners with allergy issues.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance, easygoing, and highly lovable dog, the Schnese may be the perfect choice.

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Featured image credit: IsabellWolf, Pixabay