Last Updated on September 20, 2023
The Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest, but he may have the most personality. He packs a lot of Schnauzer swag into his tiny frame. This makes him a great choice for active families. He is cute but independent and feisty. This pup is a great choice if you are looking for a family protector who doesn’t need too much space.
The Mini Schnauzer is a popular choice for dog owners due to its size and their need for grooming. They shed very infrequently, often referred to as hypoallergenic. They are great for allergy sufferers. However, they can be stubborn and drive novice dog owners crazy.
If you are considering welcoming him into your home, it is important to understand exactly what you have signed up for. It is important to understand everything about this breed, from his personality to his grooming requirements, so that it matches your lifestyle. You should also ensure that you are familiar with their nutrition and exercise needs. Let’s dive deeper to learn more about this fascinating German dog!
History
The Miniature Schnauzer is, in simple terms, the miniature version of the Standard Schnauzer . The Standard Schnauzer was created in Germany’s Middle Ages, specifically in the region of Bavaria. The Germans called him the perfect farm dog. They needed a Standard Schnauzer-type dog, but one that was small enough to reach the barns to rid rodents. The Standard was bred by combining the Affenpinscher with the Poodle.
His main goal was to eliminate rats, mice and other rodents from the barns and outhouses. Although his ratting record has earned him the Terrier group, technically he’s not a Terrier. He is also the only Terrier without any British blood.
Despite his exterminating role, this guy is rarely used as a ratter anymore. He is a beloved family pet, and is the most loved Schnauzer breed. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), he consistently finds himself in the top 20 most popular dog breeds in America. Dorris Day and 50 cent are just a few celebrities who have fallen head over heels with this breed.
Temperament
This breed is full of personality. Let’s begin with his fierceness. This boy is full of it. He considers himself the family protect, and will fight off even the most mean-spirited bullies. This dog is a guard and protector dog that will not allow anyone to intrude on your family. You won’t need to change the batteries for your alarm bell ever again. He barks surprisingly loud and can be a very active dog.
He is not a Terrier, but he is Terrier by nature. He’s a hard worker and enjoys playing all day. This guy is a full-fledged nut. He requires a lot attention and mental stimulation. He will return your attention in the form of chewed-up chair legs and boots if you don’t provide it. He loves to chew, and suffers from separation anxiety quite a bit. Don’t leave him alone too long.
He will be most grateful if you keep him company. He will be grateful for the company and will give you lots of doggy kisses, love, and attention. He is seriously affectionate and loves to snuggle with you. Most puppies will love children. He is a great canine sibling for children because of his small, but strong frame. He is a loving, family-oriented dog who enjoys spending time with his loved ones.
He doesn’t show his affection to strangers and will inspect any newcomers before allowing them into his home. He doesn’t like small animals or rats, so he is not suited to a multi-pet household. Except if you have other dogs, he should get along with other puppies. He’ll be the sassiest of all your dogs.
He is a very intelligent canine, but he is also very stubborn. Sometimes he is too stubborn for his own good. He will be enthralled if you don’t make him feel important or aren’t strict enough. He is intelligent and stubborn, making him a difficult dog to train. If he doesn’t get his way, he can be quite grumpy.
Size & Appearance
The Mini Schnauzer is a toy to small-sized dog breed, and he weighs between 11 and 20 pounds. At 12 to 14 inches, he is small enough to fit into your purse. You don’t have to let him go! Under all his hair, he is a strong-looking dog that is athletic and powerful. Dogs are proportionate and look like their larger-sized counterparts.
He has large, round eyes which always appear alert. Sometimes his ears are cropped to prevent them from getting hurt while hunting rats. Most humans have stopped using ear-cropping. You can see his tail sticking out of his hair. His nose should be always black and his eyes dark brown.
Coat & Colors
This breed usually has a medium to short coat depending on the cut. His double coat is soft on the underside and wirey on the top. His grooming is intense if your Mini Schnauzer has been shown. We’ll talk more about this in the grooming section. He is a hypoallergenic breed. despite having a double-coated coat. He is a great choice for people with mild dog allergies. Keep in mind that not all dogs are hypoallergenic.
Officially, the AKC recognizes only three colors. This is solid dark , silver, salt and pepper. The black coat must be solid and contain no other colors. Black and silver are, well, black, and silver. Salt and pepper are where the outer coat of hair is ‘banded’. This means that a strand has multiple shades and finishes in black. It means that his hair appears to have changed color when you cut it. The most common color for a coat is salt and pepper.
Mini Schnauzers can be purchased in other colors such as pure white but they are not allowed in conformation dogs. Their coat color doesn’t make them less valuable for your home. Breed enthusiasts prefer darker, more traditional Schnauzer shades.
Exercise Requirements
Expect to exercise this breed for around 45 to 60 minutes every day. For such a small dog, this may seem excessive. You should remember that he is a hardworking, traditional farm dog. This guy is not the right choice if you want a fluffy, cute lap dog who will sit in your hand all day.
His intelligence, curiosity and exercise must be interesting .. It’s not enough to just walk around the block. He’ll be able to have lots of fun with his friends at the park and on the trails. He is able to do a lot more exercise than people realize. He needs to be surrounded by an active family.
This mischievous puppy will need lots of interaction during the day. This is especially important for him as he is one the most chewy dogs on the planet. You can play with your dog by buying interactive toys like tug of war and rope. Puzzle toys will also challenge his brain. Keep him away from your shoes and chew toys to please his jaw.
Living Conditions
His petite stature makes him a good candidate for apartment life, but only if he gets enough exercise. A yard would be a plus for him. This is not a problem if you get enough exercise. Even if you live in a small space, vocal training is a must. You’ll need to ensure that your neighbors aren’t noisy because they love to bark.
Mini’s who are lucky enough to have their own yard should make sure it is secure. They will chase any and all creatures that come in their path. Their bodies are so strong that they can run through anything in the yard, even if it isn’t their prey.
Training
The Mini Schnauzer is intelligent and stubborn. How do you train a stubborn Schnauzer to be a good dog? Be persistent in your training and don’t give up. This is the best advice we can offer. It is also important to tap into his energy and strengths. Training sessions that are fun and engaging will help keep his brain active long enough to grasp the basics. He might grow up to be arrogant and grumpy, if you let him indulge in his naughty behavior.
Positive reinforcement training is the best way to train any dog. Knowing what motivates your dog can help you keep him interested for longer. This guy loves toys, especially squeaky toys or ones that look like rats, and delicious treats. He loves to please, despite being stubborn. A little praise can go a long ways.
The Mini Schnauzer is well-known for his chewing ability. As a puppy, he nip, chew, and lick many. This is more than any other breed. You can show him by his littermates how hard he can bite. But you must continue to do this once he is home. If you notice that your dog is getting too much nipping, nip him in the bud immediately!
As a fearsome and independent pup, he may become protective of strangers. He might start to bark at other dogs without realizing it. Mixing your Mini Schnauzer with other dogs and people as a puppy is the best way to improve his socialization skills. He will learn to be polite and happier as a result. It’s best to keep him away from rodents as it will not work out well.
The Miniature Schnauzer is a fearful dog and will become anxious if he’s left alone. crate training him . is a great way to get over this. This will provide him with a safe place to call his own, and it will also alleviate his anxiety. You can also keep him in the room for a while, knowing your sofa and shoes are safe from his teeth.
Health
The Miniature Schnauzer is a relatively healthy purebred dog breed, who enjoys a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. While you cannot predict how long your Miniature Schnauzer will live with you, there are many things you can do to make sure he stays healthy. You can keep him healthy by getting him plenty of exercise and giving him the best nutrition.
They are at greater risk for certain health issues than others. The below list isn’t exhaustive but it will give you a good idea of the conditions that you should be aware of. Learn about the symptoms and read the following list. These symptoms can be identified in Schnauzers. Get him to the vet.
Eye Conditions
This breed is susceptible to many eye problems. His most common issues include progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. If not treated promptly, many of these conditions can lead to complete blindness. Eye conditions include redness, itching, and abnormal discharge levels.
Cardiac Concerns
Mitral valve disease is the most serious cardiac problem. This is when the valve becomes more and more damaged over time. This eventually leads to heart failure which is the leading cause of death in this breed. This can be detected by regular veterinary inspections. Heart murmurs are often the first sign that something is wrong with the dog’s cardiac system.
Portosystemic Shunt
This is also known as a liver bypass. This refers to an abnormal connection between the liver and blood vessels, which causes blood to bypass his liver. This means that his liver is unable to effectively filter out the toxins. Liver shunting can cause vomiting, delirium, and excessive urination.
Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome
This concern is only for the Mini Schnauzer. Affected dogs may develop lesions on their skin or scab-like lumps. These lesions are typically found on the dog’s back and look similar to blackheads we sometimes get in humans. This concern is characterized by hair loss and itching that doesn’t stop.
Nutrition
They will consume one-cup of food each day. Every Mini Schnauzer is unique, so this will vary depending on his size, energy level, and age. Senior Schnauzers will need more food than younger, energetic puppies. A kibble made for small breed dogs is best for a small puppy with a small mouth.
A balanced diet is essential for a person’s nutritional needs high quality kibbles provide this. You need high-quality meat proteins, carbs, fibers and vitamins. Feeding him life-stage appropriate food, or puppy food when he is a puppy, is also crucial to ensure that he gets the right nutrition.
Hyperlipidemia is a condition that some Schnauzers have been known to be suffering from. This is because he has high amounts of fat ,, or lipids in his blood. Keep fatty foods from humans to a minimum or none at all. If you find that he is getting a little too porkier than he should, switch him to a weight management kibble.
Grooming
Their grooming schedule depends on the hairstyle they choose. If you opt for a teddy-bear cut, it isn’t anywhere hands-on than a traditionally tricky Schnauzer cut. A teddy bear is where you use grooming clippers to clip close to their body and follow the curves. It is easy to do at home. To prevent his loose curls from getting tangled, you will need to brush him once a week.
It’s a little more difficult to get the Schnauzer cut. Many Schnauzer owners choose to have their dogs professionally groomed every five- to eight weeks. It will take some practice to master the techniques, even though there are numerous YouTube videos. If you have special events, don’t try this.
A traditional haircut involves styling his mustache, distinguished facial hair, and unique eyebrows. You should also consider the longer hairs on his legs and beneathbelly. Some parts of his hair need to be trimmed by hand, rather than using clippers. To prevent hair from getting tangled and dirty, daily brushes is necessary for longer hair. A shampoo with special ingredients for dogs will be required to give him a bath at least once a month.
You may also need to take time for other grooming activities, such as brushing your teeth. To reduce the chance of developing periodontal disease, this should be done at least twice per week. You can hear his nails clipping on the floor once per month. Make sure to clean his ears and inspect his eyes every week for changes.
Breeders & Puppy Costs
This breed is very popular in America. This is a good thing. However, it also means that there are many low-quality breeders. It’s up to you to find the best. A great place to start your search is with the AKC’s list of reputable and registered Miniature Schnauzer breeders.
The average price of a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder will cost around $1,000 and up. A reputable breeder will ensure that your puppies are healthy and happy. They will not only raise them in a clean and loving environment but also socialize them. You can rest assured that your child will be happier in return.
Poor quality breeders won’t be interested in the promotion of the health and well-being of the breed. They will instead be motivated to make as much money as they can. They breed too many dogs, often sick, and offer little or no medical care to their puppies. do your own research on these men and stay away from them.
This breed isn’t the most expensive to take care of, which is always a good thing. He will still need to be fed, watered, and provided with bedding. This adds up over his lifetime, so make sure you are able to care for him.
Rescues & Shelters
If you’re interested in saving a Miniature Schnauzer you will not only save a life but also help to reduce the initial cost. Everyone wins! You can find Mini Schnauzers at your local rescue shelter, or several. There might be a few or none. Talk to staff members who can give you advice and inform you when a Mini Schnauzer arrives.
There are rescue groups that rehome Mini Schnauzers. If you’re looking for something a little more exotic, most rescue organizations will list Mini Schnauzer mix dogs. The American Miniature Schnauzer Club of America has compiled a list of all the recognized Mini Schnauzer rescue organizations state by state.
As Family Pets
- These dogs are stout, muscular, and can handle most physical situations.
- Expect a more independent dog when you start training.
- These pups can be very protective, making great guard dogs.
- This breed is slightly suspicious of strangers at first.
- They are affectionate and loves to snuggle with his family
- The Miniature Schnauzer has a higher prey drive.
- This means other dogs should be fine, but your pup may struggle with small animals.
- He is a vocal dog, and love to bark. If you live close to him, keep that in mind.
- A true social butterfly, these pups hate to be left all alone.
- Expect to spend at least 60 minutes per day exercising this breed.
- These dogs can be a handful for first-time dog owners if you aren’t strict.
Final Thoughts
The Miniature Schnauzer is a fantastic little dog that makes an ideal family pet. He is a lively, active dog who needs to be a part of a small family. He doesn’t mind if you have a smaller apartment or prefer cuddling on the couch. As long as he is the center of attention, that’s all that matters.
We hope you have some clarity about this dog breed. Although he’s not easy to take care of, he is a great dog and full of canine charm. He is a hipster with a bossy attitude and a great personality.