Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer pictures
Miniature Schnauzer suitability

In my own words

 

I know I look like a grumpy old man, but looks can be deceiving. Actually I’m probably the most fun you could ever have packed into a small parcel. I just love to play!  I take pride in my appearance too, and appreciate being groomed – one of my best friends is the lady at the Beauty Parlour.

But just because I’m such fun to be around doesn’t mean I won’t take care of you – I’m a brilliant guard dog, and will protect you with my fearsome bark (though I’m not awfully into biting, which is a good thing I suppose.)

If I came to live with you I would love to go for long walks, play with the children and learn lots of new tricks. I’m also not bad at Dog Agility, though sometimes my little legs let me down in the show jumping. But you won’t mind that will you, ‘cos I’m just so charming you’ll love me anyway.

My ideal owner(s)

 

Active Families

Active, sporty people

Singles

What they say about me

 

Furry and whiskery

Bright and alert

Childlike and affectionate

Obedient and loyal

Feisty

Please read on to find out more about me, and whether I will be someone you can be happy with for the next 15 years!

Is this Miniature Schnauzer for you?

Test your knowledge about the Miniature Schnauzer

Information essential about the Miniature Schnauzer

 

Kennel Club Group:

Utility

 

Size: Height Male 14” (36cm) Female 13” (33cm) Weight approx 14lb (7Kg)

Popularity:

 

 

Miniature Schnauzers are extremely popular worldwide, because of their handy size and adaptable personality. Their childlike qualities make them irresistible.

Breed History:

 

Miniature Schnauzers originated in Germany during the 19th Century, and bred as barn ratters. They were derived from Standard Schnauzers crossed with Affenpinschers and possibly Poodles or Mini Pinschers. The first official Mini was recorded in 1888, and first shown in 1889.

Character:

 

People who own Minis often say it’s like having a furry child - affectionate and cuddly one minute, up and about demanding a game the next. Your Mini Schnauzer is highly intelligent, always alert, and easy to train. The more you engage with him, the more he will give you. He will also be very protective and a great guard dog. His bark is a lot bigger than he is! However, Miniature Schnauzers are not on the whole inclined to bite so your will be safe with the children. Later in life he may become a bit territorial if he senses a threat, which is where early discipline will help you both from losing control. Your Mini is also almost totally fearless and will take on a much larger dog if he feels he needs to. Miniature Schnauzers have what is called a high prey drive, which means like all ratters, they may go for other small animals such as birds, snakes, rodents and of course rabbits. They will also attack cats, unless brought up with them, or trained not to attack them. If you are an active person, your Miniature Schnauzer will keep you fit as he excels at Dog Agility, Obedience Trials, Showing, Flyball and is an excellent Tracker.

Temperament:

 

Your Miniature Schnauzer is a confident little bundle of energy, and will need lots of exercise, or he will become bored. Most of the time he will be a calm little dog, and lovely company. If you want to play or go for a walk, he will be bouncing to go with you, but if you want a quiet cuddle on the sofa, he’ll be up for that too. However, a Mini with not enough to do, or ignored too much can be destructive and mischievous. Your Mini will be very protective of you, and may be a little remote with people he doesn’t know, but as soon as you let him know they are “ok” he will be friendly towards them. He will also be happy to go to kennels while you’re on holiday, and you should be able to leave him on his own for a few hours without any problems, though as with all dogs, don’t leave him too long. Your Mini will almost certainly bark at strangers at the door, but with training, this should not get out of hand.

Conformation:

 

Your Miniature Schnauzer should be sturdy and strong, with a square shape (as tall as he is long). He should have a broad head, with bushy arched eyebrows over medium sized dark eyes and a powerful blunt muzzle with a bristly moustache and beard. He should have a longish, arched neck and a strong, straight back slightly higher at the shoulder than the hindquarters. The front legs should be straight, the hind legs long and strong through the thigh, with low set hocks with feet set vertically under. His paws should be round, like a cat’s. His natural tail is of medium length and tapering, and should be carried high.

Colour:

 

Miniature Schnauzers can be black, black and silver, pepper-and-salt and rarely, white.

Training:

 

Your Miniature Schnauzer is very intelligent and will love learning. Athletic and powerful for his size, he can be feisty and competitive, so early socialisation with other dogs, pets and children is important. Luckily, your Mini is naturally loyal, so obedience should come easily. He will enjoy a challenge, so make the most of his playfulness and give him lots of opportunities to take part in local competitions, dog shows because he will do well in all of them because he loves to show off.

Care:

 

Some people say that Miniature Schnauzers do not shed, but they do. Their wiry coats have a thick, soft undercoat, and they can get very matted so a good brush every week, or more often ideally, is essential. To keep your Mini looking sharp and smart, his coat will also benefit from being stripped out two or three times a year, which is best done by a professional because you’d be amazed how much hair accumulates on the floor!

Health:

 

Healthy Miniature Schnauzers can live up to 15 years and shouldn’t suffer any problems. However, they can put weight on, giving rise to diabetes, and eye problems and kidney stones can occur. Watch his weight, keep him fit and your Mini should be your cuddly little best friend for many years.

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Advice on choosing your breed »

Find an animal shelter or rescue home where a Miniature Schnauzer is waiting for a new home »

 

The following grid gives a fast track review which covers all breeds. You can apply it to help you decide if a Miniature Schnauzer is suitable for you, the environment where you live, your personality and your lifestyle. On the grid, 1= strongly disagree, and 5= strongly agree. For example, if you are looking for a walking companion, look down the list under Activities, and you will see that Miniature Schnauzers a perfect for the job, scoring 5. If you want a good family dog, look under Role & Suitability and you will see that Miniature Schnauzers are good with children, scoring 5. You might like to save or print off this section and keep it for reference while you check some other breeds before making your final choice.

Be the first to rate this breed »

Noahs Breed Rating | Community Breed Rating

Activities
Good jogging companion4/5
Good walking companion5/5
Likes water/swimming3/5
Likes learning new tricks5/5
Likes to hunt5/5
Likes to fetch5/5
Good gundog/retriever1/5
Behaviour
Barks a lot4/5
Gets easily jealous2/5
Protective4/5
Aggressive3/5
Timid1/5
Friendly with strangers4/5
Cost
Expensive to insure1/5
Expensive to feed1/5
Environment
Happy to sleep outside1/5
Prefers countryside5/5
Suits urban environment5/5
Prefers temperate climate5/5
Prefers hot climate3/5
Prefers cold climate4/5
Grooming
Moults a lot1/5
Hypoallergenic2/5
Requires lots of grooming4/5
Role and Suitability
Ideal for elderly4/5
Ideal for singles5/5
Ideal for couples with no children5/5
Ideal for family with children5/5
Good watch dog3/5
Good guard dog5/5
Sociability
Good with other pets2/5
Good with other dogs2/5
Time and Energy
Happy being left alone for 4hrs4/5
Happy being left alone for 2hrs5/5
Requires lots of exercise5/5
Training and Obedience
Good for first time owners4/5
Good for experienced owners5/5
Good recall5/5
Easy to train5/5
Activities
Good jogging companion0/5
Good walking companion0/5
Likes water/swimming0/5
Likes learning new tricks0/5
Likes to hunt0/5
Likes to fetch0/5
Good gundog/retriever0/5
Behaviour
Barks a lot0/5
Gets easily jealous0/5
Protective0/5
Aggressive0/5
Timid0/5
Friendly with strangers0/5
Cost
Expensive to insure0/5
Expensive to feed0/5
Environment
Happy to sleep outside0/5
Prefers countryside0/5
Suits urban environment0/5
Prefers temperate climate0/5
Prefers hot climate0/5
Prefers cold climate0/5
Grooming
Moults a lot0/5
Hypoallergenic0/5
Requires lots of grooming0/5
Role and Suitability
Ideal for elderly0/5
Ideal for singles0/5
Ideal for couples with no children0/5
Ideal for family with children0/5
Good watch dog0/5
Good guard dog0/5
Sociability
Good with other pets0/5
Good with other dogs0/5
Time and Energy
Happy being left alone for 4hrs0/5
Happy being left alone for 2hrs0/5
Requires lots of exercise0/5
Training and Obedience
Good for first time owners0/5
Good for experienced owners0/5
Good recall0/5
Easy to train0/5

*PLEASE NOTE: All our breed profiles are general, and all dogs are individuals. Always talk to the breeders and meet the owners you are buying from. Try to meet the dog and its parents if it is a puppy in their home environment.

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