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The smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds, the super smart Miniature Schnauzer is the perfect family dog. Hailing from working-dog heritage, the Miniature Schnauzer breed enjoys staying active and is extremely receptive to commands and training; they have an innate eagerness to please and love nothing more than knowing they are being a good girl/boy.
Miniature Schnauzers like to feel like part of the pack, enjoying close contact and social time with their family, from snuggles and fuss to games and learning new tricks. With their bright, outgoing personality and a fondness for playtime, these sturdy little pups fit right into homes with children and other animals.
In this blog, we delve deeper into the Miniature Schnauzer breed, including all the essential facts about the breed, details on grooming and exercise needs, as well as how to go about finding the perfect pooch for your home.
So, should you get a Miniature Schnauzer puppy? Let’s see, shall we!
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Size
Small - Terrier breed
Weight
11 - 20 lbs
Height
12 - 14 inches
Colors
Salt and pepper, black, silver and black, white
Size of home
Due to their small size, Miniature Schnauzers are well suited to apartments or smaller homes
Exercise
This breed tends to be lively, requiring around 1 hour of daily exercise to keep them stimulated and happy. Miniature Schnauzers should also not be let off the leash when not in a contained area, due to their strong drive to chase prey
Grooming
The breed has a double coat, wiry on the top and soft underneath, which should be brushed or combed regularly to maintain tip top condition. You can opt to have this dog’s coat professionally trimmed every five to eight weeks
Miniature Schnauzers are clever, alert, family-focused dogs with a strong desire to please and an affectionate nature. They were bred as alert dogs, meaning that while they may have a tendency to be a bit more vocal than other breeds, they often make excellent watch dogs - a particular draw for owners with young families.
Schnauzers are known to adapt easily to their surroundings, making a home in either small or larger spaces - as long as they have plenty of company and fuss at home, they won’t mind! Indeed, as family-oriented dogs they should be placed in homes where they will have lots of company and attention.
They do not always cope particularly well when left on their own for long periods of time, and so it is important that they find owners who will be able to spend lots of time with them. Fiercely loyal to their pack, Miniature Schnauzers are known to fit in well with households containing children and other animals, feeding off of love, fuss and playtime.
Their terrier nature gives them a boost of confidence and gumption which can get out of hand if not monitored, but at the end of the day, you will have a strong and loving protector who would do anything for the love of their family.
Developed in 19th Century Germany, the breed came about with the purpose of being ratters and guard dogs, keeping farms safe and clear of unwanted pests.
They were bred from the Standard Schnauzer, who were already firm favorite farm dogs, being made miniature through breeding with dogs such as the Affenpinscher and the Poodle, with the intent of accentuating their rat catching capabilities.
Unlike most terrier breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer differs in the fact that they do not have any British blood whatsoever. This could point to their difference in personality compared with other terrier breeds; Miniature Schnauzers tend to be more friendly than fiery!
Miniature Schnauzers are small and stocky in stature, often sporting big bushy beards and expressive eyebrows. With perky ears that tend to fold over at the top and fuzzy legs that sometimes resemble 70’s flared trousers, these pups are stylish from top to toe!
Miniature Schnauzer coats tend to be monochrome, boasting either pure black or white coats, as well as the classic salt and pepper Schnauzer coloring.
Depending on the cut of their facial fur, their fluffy faces can range from bright-eyed and jolly to grumpy grandpa chic, giving them extremely unique and expressive faces that many cannot resist.
Miniature Schnauzers also don’t shed very much, making them a favorite amongst those with fancy furniture!
Miniature Schnauzers are super smart, confident and affectionate; they love nothing more than spending time with their family, whether that be snuggled up on the couch or in the garden playing games.
Extremely sociable, they thrive when spending time around people, and always want to be included in whatever is going on. They make for extremely loving family pets, adapting well to children and other household animals.
The breed have a liveliness and an eagerness to please which makes them very amenable to family life, however they don’t love being left alone for long periods of time.
As mentioned above, Miniature Schnauzers should be homed by those who will have the time to spend with them. They are also known to be confident and fairly fearless, and can sometimes get a little big for their boots if not properly trained.
Due to their working-dog background they may be prone to barking or chasing prey - they are fiercely protective and make pretty excellent guard dogs.
Their working dog heritage and desire to please their owners makes Miniature Schnauzers particularly receptive to training and discipline procedures. It is also important to remember that they are natural born ratters and alert dogs, and therefore can have a tendency to bark, as well as a strong drive to chase prey.
Barking can be a particularly troublesome behavior, particularly for those living in apartment buildings or conjoined houses. Don’t be particularly surprised if the noise makes you quite unpopular with the neighbors! Training your dog right from young that incessant barking is an absolute no in your house is the best way to tackle the issue - put a stop to it before it even starts.
When it comes to the prey drive of a Miniature Schnauzer, they are not trying to be naughty, they are simply following their genetic instincts. However this can land them in extremely hot water. Not only could they cause harm to other animals and therefore face the consequences of this; they may also mindlessly run out into traffic or get themselves into other dangerous situations where they cannot be recalled in time.
It is always recommended that Miniature Schnauzers are not taken off their lead when in non-enclosed areas, as this instinctual prey drive can unintentionally get them into all sorts of trouble, and maybe even cause them harm.
While they can sometimes be a little bit stubborn, the Miniature Schnauzer breed generally want to be obedient to please their owners, and once the basics of training have been taught, such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, many have found that their Schnauzers can go even further and learn all sorts of fun tricks!
Miniature Schnauzers will benefit from being socialized with other dogs from a young age, as they are known to be pretty fear-free and need to learn how to act around other animals to avoid unwanted incidents and behaviors.
Positive reinforcement is always the way to go when training a Miniature Schnauzer - they thrive off of praise and knowing that they are doing a good job. Getting your dog into a regular training routine that focuses on repetition and reward is the most effective way to achieve long term, sustainable habits and behaviors that will keep your dog safe and out of harm’s way.
The Miniature Schnauzer breed, while not completely hypoallergenic, are a very low-shedding breed, and so can be an excellent choice for people who suffer with regular allergies.
The breed has a double layered coat, which is wiry on the top and soft underneath, both of which need to be regularly brushed or combed to avoid a build up of tangles and keep them looking neat and tidy. Schnauzers tend to have a considerable amount of facial hair (their beards and eyebrows are often the talk of the town!) which can become troublesome if not properly maintained.
The hair can obstruct their vision if left to become too overgrown, as well as food and dirt that can sometimes build up in their beards, causing matting and discoloration if not cleaned regularly.
Many pet parents who own Miniature Schnauzers choose to get them professionally groomed, which is recommended every five to eight weeks for optimum maintenance.
Schnauzers are often a favorite in the show dog world, so if you find your pup is a natural when it comes to tricks and agility, or perhaps they are just super stylish, it is important to maintain a high level of grooming to keep them looking gold medal worthy.Like any dog, their nails must be kept trimmed to an appropriate length to avoid scratching and further injury to both pet and owner. Whilst their ears must be checked and cleaned regularly to avoid debris and bacteria build up.
When it comes to the diet of a Miniature Schnauzer, it is worth noting that they can be prone to high cholesterol, and so appropriate alterations to their diet may be required under veterinary supervision. It is vital to always consult with a professional before changing your dog’s diet to ensure that they are receiving optimum nutrients and not eating things that may exacerbate certain canine conditions.
All different dog breeds will be more or less prone to certain conditions, depending on their heritage, size, physical attributes, and so on. Miniature Schnauzers are no different, with the following conditions being prevalent within the breed:
Also known as Hyperlipidemia, this is a condition in which fat finds its way into the bloodstream and can be caused by a number of issues, such as obesity, endocrine disorders, genetics or even certain types of medications.
Luckily, this issue is very treatable, and can be managed through various methods depending on the cause and severity of the condition, as well as a dog’s individual needs. Once a veterinarian has run blood tests and reached a full diagnosis, management can then be discussed; this may be through a change in diet, or perhaps certain supplements or medications if required.
This condition causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy, and as a result has an affect on a dog’s ability to see, and in some cases can even cause blindness. Cataracts tend to be hereditary in the Miniature Schnauzer breed, however the issue can also occur should the dog experience trauma or contract diabetes.
Urinary Stones occur when a buildup of minerals form small stones within the bladder - the presence of these stones can cause cloudy, bloody or strong smelling urine, and urination can become more frequent yet difficult. If the stones are small then they will often pass on their own. However, if you suspect your dog may be suffering from Urinary Stones of any kind, it is recommended that you consult your vet.
When a dog presents with Liver Shunts, their blood flow is essentially bypassing their liver, meaning that their blood is therefore not being detoxified. This of course causes significant symptoms within dogs, such as a reduced appetite, an increase in thirst and urination, weight loss, bloody vomit or diarrhea, or even mental dullness.
It will depend on if the shunt is outside or inside the liver - once this has been identified, a professional can provide guidance on further treatment and condition prognosis.
An inflammation of the pancreas which Miniature Schnauzers are unfortunately naturally susceptible to. The symptoms of the condition often present as a reduced appetite, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, dehydration, lethargy and can even cause the dog to collapse or go into shock. The condition can be fatal and should be treated with the utmost severity.
Depending on how severe the condition is within the dog, a vet will be able to discern the most effective form of treatment and symptom management - whether this can be given at home or the dog may require brief hospitalization while they are monitored.
This inherited condition is a serious immune disease which can be fatal, with symptoms including reduced appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, as well as weakness and lethargy.
In order to diagnose this condition, a dog will need to undergo professional genetic testing; the best course of action will then be considered upon diagnosis.
So, you’ve set your heart on a Miniature Schnauzer puppy, but how do you go about choosing the right one?
The most important first step is to always choose a reputable breeder or adoption center. Visiting the puppy in person should be a priority, as this way you will be able to see what condition they are in, ensure that they are up to date with all their health checks and ask any important questions directly to their current carer.
Meeting the puppy in person also allows you to see if you have a bond - remember, the dog chooses the owner, and it may be the case that the cute bundle of fur you saw on the website isn’t quite the right fit when you meet them face to face.
When it comes to Miniature Schnauzers in particular, it is important to note that they require considerable contact time with their family and do not do very well if left on their own for long periods of time. If you are thinking of adopting a Miniature Schnauzer, you need to be sure that you will have the appropriate time at home to spend with them - if you know you will be spending a lot of time at home then a Schnauzer is likely a great fit for you!
Miniature Schnauzer puppies tend to sit around the $500 - $2800 mark if you are looking to buy, however this of course can differ depending on the breeder.
It is always vital to ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder, and that you are able to see the puppy before you take them home. It is advised to get a full rundown of the puppy’s history, including health records and any genetic issues that may rear their head at a later date.
We would always encourage anyone looking for a Miniature Schnauzer puppy to consider rescuing if they are able, as there are many pups that need good homes that have perhaps had a tricky start to life - you could be just what they need to thrive and be the best they can be.
So there we have it, an overview of the loyal and lively Miniature Schnauzer breed - the perfect candidate for a fun family with lots of time and love to give. Smart, protective and affectionate, your little buddy will guard you with their life and give you all the cuddles you can handle!
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