The Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog and looks just like the standard and giant Schnauzers; however, they are their own breed in their own right. Originally they were bred to hunt rats in Germany. They are a very varied breed; some will be full of life-like terriers, some more mild-mannered.
If that beard doesn’t convince you enough, they are people dogs, fun, loyal and extroverted. If you are looking for a loyal and active family dog or a fun companion, this breed may be perfect for you.
They need plenty of exercise so as long as you have an active life and time to play outdoors and take them on a good daily walk, they are a fantastic addition to your active family. They can cope quite well with apartment living as long as all their exercise needs are met and given plenty of playtimes.
Remember, a bored dog will usually become a mischievous dog, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to make sure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.
They love their families and being with people. They are unsuitable for families with young children as they have their limits to being pulled around. They are playful, so older children and those used to being around dogs will play endless games running around the garden with them.
They make excellent watchdogs; you will always know who is at the door and anything suspicious or exciting outside. They are un-trusting of strangers, and as with most dogs, they will need good socialisation to combat this. They can be a little barky, so if you are living in an apartment or a close neighbourhood, you will need to make sure you train them to be quiet on command.
They should be OK with other dogs, but they may be better as the only dog in the household; you might want to avoid two males together. They have that terrier swagger and think they can take any dog, any size and will rarely back down from a fight. Cats should be fine if brought up in the same household. They were bred to hunt small animals, so they will normally chase neighbourhood cats with delight, ensuring they can’t escape from your garden.
They are intelligent dogs but can be very stubborn at times, you will need to discover their motivation reward early on for the best results, but they should be fairly easy to train and work with. Try to keep training exciting and fun for the best results and avoid being harsh with them. Consistency is key with them. If you let something slip, they will remember and do it more often.
They have double coats, the top one is wirey and they are very light shedders all year round, slightly more in spring and autumn. They require brushing at least weekly. They do need to be trimmed/clipped every 6-8 weeks. You can take them to a professional or you could learn to do this yourself.
Miniature Schnauzer Stats
Miniature Schnauzers were originally bred to be ratters and guard dogs on farms. They were developed in the mid-to-late 19th century in Germany.
- Weight -5kg –9kg
- Size – 30cm – 35cm
- They live for 10-14 years