Small
15 Years
9 Kg
Utility Dogs
Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively
The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog breed that also originated in Germany during the mid-1800s but the original Schnauzer has been existing in Germany since at least the 1300s. The Miniature is a product of the Standard Schnauzer and the smaller Poodle and Affenpinscher. It is a sturdy-built dog, robust with an alert attitude. Its height nearly equals its length. The head is characterized by a blunt muzzle with stubby moustache and thick whiskers. It also has small dark-brown eyes, prominent eyebrows, black nose, flat, creaseless forehead and highly-set v-shaped ears that drop forward to temple. In the US, the ears are customarily cropped with pointed tips. The tail is either docked or undocked, where it is carried high, thick at the base and tapering to the tip and carried cheerfully. The teeth form complete scissors bite. The head is supported by a moderately long and slightly arched neck. The straight forelegs are straight and muscular. The topline is slightly higher at the shoulder than the hindquarters. The hindlegs are equally muscled with slanting thighs. All four feet are cat-like, short and round and cushioned by firm black pads. The double coat is made of dense undercoat and harsh, wiry topcoat. Coat colours are pure black, black and silver, white, and pepper and salt. The typical height of an adult Miniature Schnauzer is 36 cm and 33 cm for males and females respectively.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The origin of the Schnauzer (schnauze means muzzle in German) is thought to be that of a cross between the Wurttenberg cattle dog, the Spitz or the Standard Poodle. Albrecht Dürer (1471 – 1528), a painter and printmaker during the German Renaissance depicted a Schnauzer in one of his paintings in 1492. However, the Standard Schnauzer came into prominence only in the late 19th century where it was used as a herder, ratter, and guard dog. These wirehaired Pinschers of German origin were originally displayed in 1891 at the German International Show in Hanover where a dog named “Schnauzer” won top prize. The need for a much smaller Schnauzer aroused when farmers needed a much agile and compact ratting companion. They bred the large Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher and Miniature Poodle to come up with a breed that we know today. The first recorded Zwergschnauzer (as it is called in German) was in 1888. It was officially recognized by the Kennel Club in the mid-1930s just before the Second World War.
The Miniature Schnauzer is described as an alert and spirited breed, friendly and intelligent, always willing to please its master and members of the family. It is an excellent watchdog with an intuitive territorial instinct – traits that it inherited from its ancestors. It will typically bark when it sees unfamiliar faces. It is a family-oriented dog who is always craving for attention. It has a very high level of energy and needs a lot of mental and physical exercises to keep it healthy.
This dog is intelligent and highly trainable but it can also be really stubborn at times. It can compete in dog agility trials, obedience competitions, showmanship contests, flyball and tracking events. It is highly suspicious of strangers and will bark non-stop when someone rings the doorbell. Training him not to do so will be beneficial particularly if the owner lives in a neighbourhood where it can disturb others with his loud barks. Training and socialising the breed to coexists with other dogs and/or pets inside the house early on in its life is also highly recommended.
The Miniature Schnauzer’s coat requires regular grooming. Stripping is highly required for show dogs which removes the loose, dead coat. Clipping is suggested for family pets using an electric clipper or shaver to produce a soft, silky and tightly-fit trim. If the coat is not regularly stripped or clipped, it will form tangles and mats which can irritate the dog’s skin and turn into allergies. The ears should also be regularly cleaned and always kept dry particularly after bathing to prevent any types of infection.
It is generally a healthy breed, but just like other dogs, it is not without a health problem. Chief among these is that they have a tendency to have hyperlipidemia or abnormal levels of lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood. It is also prone to pancreatitis. Other health issues include diabetes, bladder stones and eye diseases. A diet that is low in fat and sugar may help curtail these health problems. It is also prone to von Willebrand disease (vWD). A survey by the Kennel Club found that the average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is a little over 12 years but there are known dogs to have lived up to 15 years.
This is a highly playful breed which requires plenty of exercise or it will channel its boredom into unpleasant activities. It is an active breed who prefers running around at full speed and will not be content with a quick walk around the corner. It will get along well in an apartment life provided that it gets enough daily exercise and mental stimulation. An ideal home would be a large house with a large protected yard or a farm house where he can play until he decides he’s had enough. An inadequately exercised Miniature Schnauzer can quickly gain weight which may lead into all sorts of health problems.
The Miniature Schnauzer, being originally bred as a vermin hunter has a high prey drive and may chase and/or attack other small animals including rats, mice, squirrels, gerbils, guinea pigs, birds, and other similar pets. There are some Miniatures that are also fond of chasing cats but early socialisation and training can correct this issue. Most Miniature Schnauzers are dog-friendly and are not particularly aggressive with other dogs. It is generally good with children particularly if it is raised with them from puppyhood but it is advised to not let the dog go unsupervised when it is around very small young children because it is sensitive to loud noises and sudden movements.
Copyright © 2024 Mypetzilla UK
