Snorkie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

Snorkie is originated from United States but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is originated from Belgium. Snorkie may grow 36 cm / 14 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Snorkie may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Both Snorkie and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) has almost same life span. Snorkie may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Snorkie requires Moderate maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) requires Low 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.

belgian shepherd dog laekenois - historyThe Laekenois, from a variety of 4 Belgian Shepherds, and one of the rarest, is a working- or herding breed of dog which originated in Belgium. It is believed to have been around since the Middle Ages. The intelligent dog was also used for sending messages during the 1st World War. In most countries, all 4 of the dogs are considered the same breed with different varieties in coat types, but there are some instances where they are recognized as separate breeds.

An interesting aspect of these dogs is that until the advent of dog shows in the 1900s, the 4 varieties were intermixed, and today purebred Laekenois can sometimes give birth to smooth-coated puppies which can be registered as Malinois.

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.

Temperament

belgian shepherd dog laekenois puppy - descriptionThe Laekenois is a highly talented dog, highly energetic and extremely intelligent. He will make a superb family pet with owners who are firm and fair with him. The dog is bright, obedient, protective and somewhat territorial. He’ll guard what he believes is his as he is instinctively protective.

He will get on well with children in the home, and he can also be socialized to get on well with other pets in the home. Of course, the way an owner treats the dog, and any other dog for that matter, brings out different temperaments in a dog. To get the best from him he should be trained and socialized from an early age. He will need plenty of exercise if you don’t want him becoming destructive from sheer boredom.

Looks

The body is well proportioned, muscular and sturdy. He has an alert, intelligent face with erect ears, bright brown eyes and the nose black. The hair is dense on the long tail, but with no feathering like with the other breeds. The most common color is fawn with a reddish undertone. The chest is deep and the legs strong and straight. The Laekenois's medium length rough, wire coat can include colors from fawn to brownish and black in between.

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.

belgian shepherd dog laekenois dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Laekenois is an energetic herding breed dog, and even though he will do well in an apartment if he is sufficiently exercised, big gardens and farms would be first choice for him. Wherever you offer him a home, make sure to exercise him regularly and give him plenty of attention, as he loves his human family.

He’ll make an exceptional watchdog and because he is so intelligent, he learns easily, responding readily to his owner’s instruction. He’ll protect his human family with his life. Social, lively, attractive and bright, anybody who has owned a Laekenois will vouch for his loyalty and devotion, making him a splendid pet.

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.

belgian shepherd dog laekenois puppies - health problemsThe lifespan of the Belgian Laekenois is between 10 and 14 years of age, and he is a pretty robust breed, not prone to getting sick easily. However, as with most other dog breeds, he is predisposed to some concerning health conditions.

Epilepsy

A frightening health issue in Belgian Shepherds is inherited epilepsy. It occurs in all four varieties. Your dog will have uncontrollable shaking that can last a few minutes. There are many causes of seizures but it is mostly an inherited disorder.

Eye disorders

The most common eye disease is cataracts.

Hip Dysplasia

This is an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly. He may even have difficulty getting up from lying down.

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

belgian shepherd dog laekenois dogs - caringThe long, double coat of your Laekenois will need to be trimmed about twice a year otherwise he could look dirty and unkempt. Certainly with the coat he has, you will need to brush him at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs.

Feeding

He is a well muscled, athletic, energetic dog and his food, whether home-made or commercially manufactured, needs to be a high-quality food high in protein and packed full of minerals and vitamins. If you’re not sure about food type, speak to your vet, because as a dog expert, they will advise you on food appropriate to this dog breed and his energy needs. Whether you own a male or female Laekenois, feeding should be such that weight for an adult is maintained around 25–30kg.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Belgium
Height Male:
14 - 30 cm
5 - 12 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
14 - 30 cm
5 - 12 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
5 - 11
Size:
Toy dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Schnerrier
Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
silver, Grey, black., tan
Fawn, Black & Tan, Brownish red
Coat:
Short, medium or long - silky or crisp
Rough, medium length
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal, Seasonal
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, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  3. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  5. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  6. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  7. Catahoula Cur vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  8. Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  9. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  10. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  11. Berger Picard vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  12. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  13. Queensland Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  14. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  15. Bohemian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  16. Croatian Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  17. Red Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  19. Blue Lacy vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  20. New Zealand Huntaway vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  21. Norwegian Buhund vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  22. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  26. Snorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Snorkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  28. Snorkie vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  29. Snorkie vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  30. Snorkie vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  31. Snorkie vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  32. Snorkie vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Snorkie vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  34. Snorkie vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  35. Snorkie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  36. Snorkie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  37. Snorkie vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  38. Snorkie vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  39. Snorkie vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  40. Snorkie vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  41. Snorkie vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  42. Snorkie vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Snorkie vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  44. Snorkie vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  45. Snorkie vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  46. Snorkie vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  47. Snorkie vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  48. Snorkie vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Toy Bulldog vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  50. Toy Mi-Ki vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds