Miniature Schnauzer Dog Breed Information | Dogs 101 Miniature Schnauzer

Barky, friendly, and obedient. Those are three words that best describe the Miniature Schnauzer. This little dog breed originated from Germany as a farm animal. It was employed to chase and catch vermin in the barnyard. But his ratting days are over. Today, the Mini Schnauzer is among the most popular companion dog breeds in America, Germany, and England.

Aside from its size, its appearance is not far from the Standard and Giant Schnauzer. It has a wiry coat outer coat and soft undercoat that can be pure black, salt and pepper, or black and silver. It has a very expressive face with dark beady eyes and thick eyebrows that are usually trimmed at an angle in show cut. It has a full beard that accents its rectangular muzzle.

It may be small but it has a robust and sturdy body with strong muscular legs. Imagine what it would be like owning these dogs. Not only will you have a friend but also a guard dog, other times an alarm dog at that. But these are not the only characteristics that the Miniature Schnauzer offers you.

History

The Miniature schnauzers were first developed in the 19th century by Germans when they crossbred the Standard Schnauzer with smaller breeds such as the Miniature Pinscher and the Affenpinscher. Some archives even show that the Standard Schnauzer was paired with the Poodle and the Pomeranian.

Until now, there are no exact records that show how the Miniature Schnauzer was developed. However, it is clear that it is created to be the smaller version of the Standard Schnauzer. Thankfully, breeders were successful in raising the first of this breed named Findel, born in October 1888. Seeing that it’s possible, breeders from Germany formed the first club that aimed to perfect the Schnauzers and generate the friendly dogs people have today.

Other Names

The miniature schnauzer is also known as the Zwergschnauzer in Germany, which means the “dwarf” Schnauzer. No other names have been assigned yet but as they grow more famous, people could assign more nicknames that describe the personality and the size of this dog.

Size

You can fit these dogs inside your designer bags. Regardless if it is a male or female, the Miniature Schnauzer can grow from 30 to 36 cm and can weigh from 5.4 to 9.1 kilograms. They say that you can’t bring your therapist anywhere. But with a schnauzer as your companion, you can bring them wherever you go and feel happy whatever you do. This is one of the reasons why people love having a Miniature Schnauzer around despite their barky nature.

Personality

Do not let the small packaging fool you. This dog has a big personality that will keep you on your toes. It’s playful and sociable but can be very feisty and suspicious toward strangers. It will alert you to trespassers and burglars at full volume. Nonetheless, this spitfire is also affectionate and shows its love through physical contact. Once you earned his heart, it will follow you anywhere and take ownership of your lap.

Mini Schnauzers can be stubborn and mischievous. Once you let them get away with something, you will find their naughty behavior escalating. They are very intelligent. Sometimes, they use their cute adorable faces to get you to do what they want. To avoid this, you have to be firm with your rules and let them know who is boss.

Pet Compatibility

Mini Schnauzers are social animals. They do well living with other dogs even cats though they may occasionally chase after them for fun. But with strange dogs, they can be suspicious and scrappy. Sometimes, these dogs forget that size matters and will engage in a barking session with larger dogs. This will get them in big trouble.
While they have been trained and socialized as companion dogs in recent years, Mini Schnauzers were initially bred to be ratters. They are hardwired to chase and kill gerbils and other small mammals. So, think twice before putting them together in one house. You wouldn’t want your pooch to display its prey drive to your smaller pets.

Temperament

Like all puppies, Mini Schnauzers have varying temperaments. They can be goofballs, serious and suspicious. Some can also be calm and sweet-natured. Often, they grow up to have a bit of all. It all depends on the traits they inherited and the environment where they grew up. This is the reason some prefer to adopt an adult because they already see the traits of the Schnauzer. Still, adopting puppies is great too. Mini Schnauzer pups are very trainable. Plus, you will miss half of your life if you didn’t see their cuteness at a young age. All you need to do is give time for training and socialization. This way, they can suppress their aggressive behavior an inclined towards their friendly and even-tempered nature.

Family Life

Adaptable and flexible, Mini Schnauzers can live in urban or country environments. They are a great addition to any family. Their attentiveness and fun-loving personality will bring joy and happiness to any household. They love to interact with family members and like to be in the thick of the action. You will find them actively participating in outdoor and indoor family activities. Sometimes, they even start plays by lunging at you on the sofa or playfully biting at your toes. With these dogs, expect a fun and loving environment seeing that their only goal in life is to make you happy.

Children Compatibility

Mini Schnauzers are excellent companions for children, especially if they grow up with them. This dog breed is very loyal and will be protective of your little ones. Their playfulness will match your child’s and they will help each other burn off energy.

But you must teach your children how to approach and handle a dog. Always supervise them during plays no matter how friendly your dog is. A simple tail pulling or an ear tugging can lead to a dog bite. So, be attentive.

Owning a Miniature Schnauzer

Despite being brave dogs, the Miniature Schnauzer is prone to various diseases such as Pancreatitis, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Cushing’s Disease, and many more. Veterinarians usually administer blood, urine, and heart tests, liver ultrasound, blood, and general health examinations. This keeps their body in check and protects against infection.

Even though these dogs are small, it’s harder to groom them. Their coats need brushing two to three times a week. Not to mention their need for professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to keep their coat healthy and lush. According to expert handlers, it’s important to check their ears and clean them regularly. Brushing their teeth is also needed to avoid oral problems.

Believe it or not, these creatures require moderately intense exercises. Walking them at least 30 minutes a day will give their minds sharp and their bodies healthy. Despite their activity level, they only need one cup of dry food a day split into two meals. However, this can increase or decrease depending on the appetite of your pooch.

Caring for the Miniature Schnauzer usually cost 300 to $500 annually. This includes their consultation needs, dog food means, and grooming needs. However, this amount can decrease with proper handling.

This cost does not amount to the happiness that the Miniature Schnauzer can give you. Not only will you have enough standing therapy dog but also an amazing guard dog. Do you think you can care for this pooch? If so, there’s no stopping you from getting one of the most adorable and friendliest dogs of all time.