It is the earliest known representative of order Taeniodonta, a specialised lineage of eutherian mammals otherwise found in Paleocene and Eocene deposits.

Schowalteria shares some speciations with later taeniodonts, namely similar canine and incisor morphology, similar facial proportions and zygomatic arch construction, though unlike them its occlusal surface is worn nearly completely flat, and the wear facet completely encompasses the paracone and metacone, leaving only an outline of the buccal side of the bases of these cusps remaining, differing radically from the more "normal" teeth wearing patterns of other taenidonts.

[3] Based on the skull's proportions, it was initially comparared in size to Didelphodon vorax, making it one of the largest mammals of the Mesozoic at the time of its discovery,[1] and posterior measurements have cited larger sizes; Anne Weil posits a range similar (though not confirmed) to Repenomamus giganticus,[2] while posterior analysis showcase it to be as large as latter taeniodonts.

It shares with them similar speciations towards herbivory and possibly fossoriality,[1] but unlike them it also possesses evidence of transverse (ungulate-like) mastication, making it even more specialised towards processing vegetation.

[3] As one of the largest mammals of its time period and a rather specialised herbivore, Schowalteria was a rather spectacular species among the dinosaur-rich faunas of the end of the Cretaceous.