Havanese Schnauzer Mix
According to the American Kennel Club, the Havanese is the 24th most popular dog in America. It makes sense, then, that many Havanese hybrids are entering the scene. A hybrid is when one parent is a Havanese, and the other is another breed of dog. An example of one of these newly emerging hybrid breeds is the Havanese Schnauzer mix.
Take a look below to learn more about the Havanese Schnauzer mix, including some of its common traits and its breed history, too!
Hava a look at all the Havanese mix breeds.
What Is a Havanese Schnauzer Mix Called?
As the name suggests, the Havanese Schnauzer mix is a breed that comes from crossbreeding a Havanese and a Schnauzer together. The offspring, then, is a Havanese Schnauzer hybrid. Since the Havanese Schnauzer mix is bred from two different parent breeds, it cannot be considered to be a purebred dog like, for example, the Havanese is.
These breeds are combined in order to produce a dog that has the best and most desirable traits of both breeds. It is also important to recognize that, whether the mother is the Havanese or Schnauzer– and vice versa with the father– the offspring is still considered to be a Havanese Schnauzer mix.
As long as one parent is a Havanese and one is a Schnauzer, the breed remains the same. You may have heard the term Schnese as well– this is the breed name given to a Havanese Schnauzer hybrid.
Also Read – Havanese Lhasa Apso Mix
Havanese Breed History
The Havanese is a Bichon type dog that was developed in Cuba. Its ancestors were brought over to Cuba by Spanish settlers in the early 1500s. From there, the Blanquito and other Bichon family dogs like the poodle were bred together to develop the breed that we know as the Havanese today.
The Havanese is also Cuba’s national dog. The breed was popular with wealthy families in Cuba as a companion dog, and it still has these companion dog traits today.
Then came the Cuban revolution. Of course, this was a dangerous time for many Cubans, and some of the wealthy Cuban families fled to the United States– with their beloved Havanese dogs in tow. This helped to bring the breed out of Cuba and to give it more recognition.
There were only a few Havanese dogs that made it to the states, but breeders saw the potential and began to breed these dogs together in the 1970s. This helped the Havanese to make their comeback, and they are rapidly rising in popularity today. After a few decades of breeding, the American Kennel Club recognized the Havanese in 1996.
Also Read – Havanese Pug Mix
Schnauzer Breed History
Unlike the Havanese, there are different schnauzers, and they come in different sizes. The three types of schnauzer are miniature, standard, and giant schnauzer. Here, we will be discussing the history of the miniature schnauzer. The breed hails from Germany and can trace back to between the 14th and 16th centuries there. The miniature schnauzer was bred by crossbreeding the standard schnauzer with other small breeds, with the clear intention to create a smaller version of the standard schnauzer– which was well established at this time. The first record that we have of a miniature schnauzer is that of Findel. She was a black female miniature schnauzer who was born in October 1888.
The first breed club for the miniature schnauzer was created in Cologne, Germany, in 1895. However, it also accepted some other types of dog too. After World War I, the public interest in the miniature schnauzer increased and never died back down. This meant that great strides were able to be taken in regards to the breeding of this dog, and it became a more popular household pet as well. The American Kennel Club has recognized the miniature schnauzer. Interestingly, the miniature schnauzer is a terrier according to the AKC, while the standard schnauzer is classified as a working group dog.
Schnese Appearance
With a hybrid breed, their appearance may vary a bit more than a purebred dog, depending upon which combination of characteristics or traits are passed down from the parent breeds. This is common with Schnese puppies as well. Even a litter from the same pair of parents may differ from the previous litter. Read on for some of the common traits and physical characteristics that you may see in a Schnese.
Size
The Schnese is one of the breeds of dog that is, on average, the same size whether it is male or female. Some breeds do have larger males than female counterparts, but the Schnese is around the same size regardless. On average, the Schnese weighs in between 7 and 15 pounds. As for height, the Schense typically measures between 9 and 14 inches tall. These are, of course, just averages, and a Schnese may end up bigger or smaller than these on occasion. However, this is the average for a healthy Havanese schnauzer mix.
Coat
The schnauzer parent of the Schnese has a very distinct look, with bushy eyebrows and a bit of a mustache. This can be passed down to the Schnese, and the offspring may also have a bushier face, along with a soft, fine coat. Generally, the Schnese has a straight coat that is not very dense. The schnauzer has a fine coat, but the Havanese coat is more of an average density, so the Schnese typically comes out with a fairly average coat density as well. The length of a Schnese’s coat also falls somewhere in the middle at medium length.
Coloring
The Schnese can come in several different colorations. Sometimes, it comes in more than one color as well. Some of the colors– or combinations of colors– that you may see a Schnese in are black, brown, gray, or silver. These are the most common colorations. Usually, they are black or brown but may turn more gray or silver as they grow older– similar to how we humans go gray! A Schnese will also have dark brown eyes that are almond shaped or deep set, as well as a cute black nose and a scissor bite.
Schnese Personality
What is a Schnese like, temperament wise? Since this breed is one that is a blend of two parent breeds, there are certainly commonalities, but the offspring can also inherit different personality traits from each parent breed. And, of course, just like humans, each dog has its own distinct personality. Typically, a Schnese is affectionate and loving, and very in tune with the emotions and needs of its family– after all, its parent breed of the Havanese was meant as a companion dog! However, due to this, the Schnese can also be called a velcro dog and does not do well if left alone for too long. It can suffer from separation anxiety. Like a schnauzer, the Schnese can be stubborn and usually has a high pretty drive, too. Though the breed is typically stubborn, it is also known to be eager to please its owner, so this, coupled with the breed’s intelligence, makes training them fairly easy!
Schnese Maintenance
When we say maintenance, we are not only referring to the grooming and other such responsibilities you have when caring for your pet, but the physical and mental stimulation that your dog requires as well! The Schnese does not need as much maintenance as other Havanese hybrids, but falls somewhere in the middle. If you do not keep your Schnese’s coat short, though, you will need to brush it daily. This is because the Schnese does have a long double coat that it inherits, and is also a moderate shedder. Check your Schnese’s ears for dirt and debris and clean them with an approved canine ear wash. Teeth brushing is something you should do a few times a week to prevent dental issues, too. You will also want to keep an eye on your dog’s nails and trim them regularly, as needed.
For exercise and mental stimulation, the Schnese is a breed that will require a bit more than many other Havanese hybrids. They are a higher energy dog. A Schnese needs about an hour of exercise and physical stimulation every day, and can walk about a mile a day with you. As they are a more intelligent breed, it is also important that you choose activities that are interactive for your pup. The Schnese is a dog that does well with obedience and agility training, for example.
Schnese Health Concerns
It is important to be aware of common health issues that a breed may suffer from before you make the choice to add them to your family. After all, you want to be sure that you know what to expect and are equipped to take care of your pet if these issues end up coming out later in life. As the Schnese is a hybrid, it is important to look at the common health issues that affect both parent breeds– the Havanese and the schnauzer.
Some major health concerns that your Schnese may encounter are urolithiasis, Von Willebrand’s disease, sick sinus syndrome, Myotonia Congenita, and portosystemic shunts. There are several concerns that are more minor as well, such as patellar luxation, deafness, certain heart conditions, liver problems, joint dysplasia, megaesophagus, and Legg- Calve- Perthes disease. Many of these are health issues that may come on later in life, with age. They are something to watch out for– for instance, some of the joint issues that affect the Schnese are common in smaller dogs and can be exacerbated if your dog is overexerting itself or exercising too much. Occasionally, the Schnese may also be diagnosed with eye issues like retinal dysplasia or progressive retinal atrophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mix for Havanese?
The hybrid that is the best mix for a Havanese will, of course, depend upon what you are looking for in a pet. Different people value different traits, after all– so there is no clear cut answer to the question. The answer may change depending upon the person. However, the Puganese (a mix between a Havanese and a pug) and the Havaco (a mix between a Havanese and a cocker spaniel) are both popular options for Havanese hybrids.
Is a schnauzer mix a good dog?
Of course, if you are looking for a new pet, you likely have a checklist of traits that you want your dog to have. This checklist could be a big one or a small one. Whether or not a schnauzer mix is a good dog choice for you will therefore depend upon this checklist of traits that you find desirable. Schnauzer mixes inherit traits from both parent breeds. From their schnauzer parent, they get a high intelligence level and stubborn personality. They are also energetic and need lots of exercise, and usually make good guard dogs because they are very alert.
What 2 dogs make a Havanese?
A Havanese dog was crossbred from different breeds in order to get the Havanese breed that we are familiar with today. However, the Havanese is a purebred dog, not a hybrid. It no longer has two different parents from two different breeds, and is bred from parents that are both full Havanese. It has also been recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Havanese was originally bred from the Blanquito, which is now extinct, and dogs in the Bichon family such as the poodle.
Is Havanese a good house dog?
There are a few different characteristics of a Havanese that make them good house dogs. The first is that they are a toy breed and can live comfortably even in a smaller house as they take up less space. They do not bark very much, either, which can be good if you live close to your neighbors– this also makes them good apartment dogs. Of course, your Havanese will need exercise, but this is a companion breed, so they are happiest close to their owner and can be happy just cuddling on the couch at home with their family.