The Sniffon is a relatively new “designer dog” breed. Created by breeding a Miniature Schnauzer with a Brussels Griffon, this tiny dog is packed full of personality. Both breeds from this cross were bred as rodent hunters, so the Sniffon shows this particular talent.

Surprisingly athletic, the Sniffon shows some incredible fitness feats for their size by being excellent diggers and climbers. Regardless the Sniffon doesn’t need extreme levels of activity. They are people-focused, so they love to spend time with their families.

Breed Overview

This loving breed will offer you endless affection. Their brave personalities will have to make them good guard dogs for the home, and they will bravely try their best to defend you. While they are wonderfully friendly, they can be pretty sensitive and require a calm and firm hand for training. They also need plenty of socialization to ensure they will get on well with other animals and children.

Sniffon Characteristics

Sniffon Puppies

Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Brussel Griffon parent breeds are on the expensive side. You can expect a number of factors to affect the cost of a Sniffon. They are a relatively new crossbreed, so their price depends on their characteristics, colors or coat types, and the parent’s genetic lines.

You can try finding one of these friendly dogs at your local shelter. The cost is minimal compared to if you were to buy a Sniffon via a breeder.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Sniffon

The Sniffon certainly is a quirky breed, and you won’t find many other dogs resembling yours in the dog park! They also have spunky personalities that offer endless entertainment. Sniffons make great companions, and they will be happy if they are with you. However, this attachment style makes them more vulnerable to separation anxiety, so leaving your Sniffon alone for long periods is not recommended.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Sniffons are very people orientated, with many others saying that they will ignore other dogs in favor of introducing themselves to new humans. This means they will enjoy being in a household with lots of people for them to interact with.

Just like any dog with proper socialization, your Sniffon can co-exist with young children but will like to have their own space where they can remain unbothered. They do tend to be emotional and irritable, so they have a low tolerance for children. They will do better with kids if they have grown up alongside them. It’s important to teach older children respect for your dog’s boundaries and always supervise your dog with young children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Because of their attachment to humans, Sniffons aren’t really that bothered about having a canine companion. If not properly socialized with other dogs when young, your Sniffon may not have the social skills to get along with other dogs. Luckily, they are submissive, so they won’t be aggressive towards other dogs. If socialized well, Sniffons can happily bond with other dogs in the household.

While genetically, Sniffons have strong hunting instincts, they can be socialized with small animals. They are smart enough to learn and recognize boundaries. But improper training may result in aggression towards small animals from the Sniffon.

Things to Know When Owning a Sniffon:

Food & Diet Requirements

Sniffons do not have any particular dietary requirements. They will do well on any high-quality commercial dog food or properly prepared raw diets. Due to their small size, they may be due to becoming overweight if overfed and underexercised. On the flip side, they eat very little due to their size, so feeding costs are low!

Exercise

While they have great athletic ability and hunting instincts, the Sniffon does not need any excess exercise that high-energy dogs require. Regular walks and playtimes totaling a minimum of one hour will be sufficient.

More than one hour in the day is fine also, but it should be broken up into multiple sessions as the stamina of such a small dog is limited.

These small breeds are often suited to older owners as they tend to get a lot of their exercise from their activity around the home and do not need long expeditions outdoors.

Training

The Sniffons training can be varied. On the one hand, they are extremely intelligent and inherit the Schnauzer’s desire to please. On the other hand, they also possess the emotions of the Brussels Griffon. They may be prone to becoming defiant. They require a gentle tone and relaxed body language to not make them feel scared or intimidated in training sessions. They will benefit a lot more from positive reinforcement than any kind of punishment.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming requirements are moderate for a Sniffon. Many will have a wiry coat that will require a minimum of once-weekly brushing. Bathing is only needed once every couple of months or as needed for odor and dirt control.

Their undercoat will regularly be shed during the change of seasons, and many owners will find it a lot more manageable to take their Sniffon to a professional groomer a few times a year. The Sniffon is also prone to getting overgrown “beards” and “eyebrows,” basically, the fur around the face can become long enough to hinder vision and collect food scraps (and odor!). Hence, a regular facial trim is a must.

Health and Conditions

Sniffons are a generally healthy breed but may inherit a range of genetic disorders. Limit the risk by choosing a puppy from a litter of parents who have been vet-checked and tested thoroughly. The risk of health issues will also depend on which parent breed they most resemble. For example, the Brussel Griffon is prone to breathing issues due to its flat face. If your Sniffon has a similar head shape, then this may be a future concern. If their head and face shape is more closely aligned with a schnauzer, it is less risky.

Male vs. Female

There is no massive difference between a male or a female Sniffon. Both dogs will display the fun and loyal personality of a Sniffon. You will notice some health and behavioral differences if you choose to keep your dog intact (if you do not desex it). Intact male dogs may show more aggression and territorial behaviors, while intact females will have fluctuating moods.

On a very general note, female Sniffons tend to be more independent, while males may suffer from separation anxiety more. Male will also be more eager to please and serve, while females become moody if mistreated. These differences are broad and easily disproven by the individual personalities of a Sniffon. Any unfavorable traits can be managed with good care and training.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sniffon

1. They’re natural-born clowns.

Both parent breeds of the Sniffion, the Miniature Schnauzer and the Brussel Griffon, are thought to have contributing genetics from the Affenpinscher breed in their heritage. This breed is famously known for being hilariously goofy and entertaining, and Sniffon owners also claim this trait is evident in their dogs.

2. They’re surprisingly agile.

When looking at the unimposing stature of the humble Sniffon, they don’t appear as if they would be very athletic. But the Sniffon inherits the physical capabilities of their hunting breed parents. They are proficient diggers like their Schnauzer parent and amazing climbers like their Brussel Griffon parents. While they may look unassuming, they require supervision while outdoors in yards as not to get into too much mischief.

3. They are vocal.

The Schnauzer is known for being a breed that barks a lot, while the Brussel Griffon also tends to bark. This means the Sniffon has an instinct to bark to express their concerns and emotions. This unfortunate habit can be trained by an experienced owner, but it is something to think about for owners with neighbors who may be leaving their Sniffon alone he home for long periods.

Conclusion

The Sniffon is a breed for those looking for a close companion. They can suit people from all walks of life but may be suited for those living in small spaces with low activity levels. While they will need some way to burn off energy, they are mostly happy to just spend time with you at home.

The Sniffon will bring endless entertainment and laughter. Their intelligent and curious nature will keep you on your toes! If you can offer this companionship, the Sniffon may be the dog for you! A genuine people dog, getting a Sniffon is a big commitment as they need a lot of attention and to be left alone as little as possible.

We have lots more miniature dog breeds for you to explore!