Miniature Schnauzer – watchful companion and family dog

The Miniature Schnauzer may be small, but it is by no means a sofa cuddly dog. It is considered clever, attentive and open to many tasks. It prefers to guard the house and yard, which is why it must be well trained so as not to become a yapper. If it is well socialized as a puppy, the robust small dog, the smaller version of the standard schnauzer, proves to be the perfect companion for active families. Another plus point: With optimal grooming, it hardly sheds at all.

The most important things in brief:

• A miniature schnauzer belongs to the schnauzer family, but their breeds have many different characteristics.
• With the Miniature Schnauzer you gain a smart and active family member who can even perform his guard dog duties with flying colors.
• You should keep a Miniature Schnauzer in a residential area that is as quiet as possible; a large garden to let off steam is also an advantage.
• Miniature Schnauzer puppies need to be well trained so that annoying behaviors such as frequent barking are discarded.
• It is important to trim the Miniature Schnauzer to enable ideal grooming.
• You can get a Miniature Schnauzer from a breeder, an animal shelter or through associations that take care of Miniature Schnauzers in need.

History of the Miniature Schnauzer: From Pied Piper to Popular Companion Dog

The Miniature Schnauzer is part of the Schnauzer family, which is divided into three sizes:

• Giant
• Standard
• Dwarf

The individual breeds are visually very similar, differ externally mainly in their size and each has its very own character. Schnauzer breeding itself can be traced back to the 15th century. At that time, however, this breed only existed in larger variants. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the Miniature Schnauzer appeared in public for the first time.

Whether it originated only from the smallest representatives of its large relatives – middle schnauzer and giant schnauzer – or whether small dogs such as the Affenpinscher were crossbred is still controversial today. The fact that the Miniature Schnauzer differs a little from its big brothers in terms of character speaks for the second theory. Initially, the small, compact Schnauzer was mainly used for rat hunting. For several decades, it has been kept primarily as a companion dog.

As early as the 19th century, small forms of the Schnauzer could be observed, which served as loyal companions for noble ladies. Through Josef Berta, the recognition of the breed by the FCI became an issue at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, but did not take place until the 1950s. Since then, Miniature Schnauzers have been increasingly available from breeders.

Appearance of the Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer grows to a maximum height of 36 centimeters in terms of height at the withers and weighs an average of seven kilograms. These dimensions make it one of the small dog breeds. But the size does not stop the Miniature Schnauzer from always being very self-confident.

The body shape is striking due to the tail, which visually resembles a sickle, and a slightly sloping back. The dog has firm joints and ligaments, which usually spares it from signs of wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, the Miniature Schnauzer has a long chin and a dense, wiry and short coat. The eponymous moustache and the bushy, eye-catching eyebrows are striking.

The colors are versatile: A Miniature Schnauzer can be black, white or multicolored (silver-black, pepper-salt). Especially the variant of the Miniature Schnauzer in pepper-salt is coveted by breeders and owners. But whether your Miniature Schnauzer is white, black or colorful: It is important to visit the dog groomer regularly. Because although the animal hardly sheds at all, the coat needs good care. You should therefore have your Miniature Schnauzer trimmed and brushed regularly.

Breed-typical character traits

Of course, all dogs are very individual and the expression of the breed-typical characteristics can certainly vary depending on character, age, upbringing, previous experience and also breeding line.
It is important to know that all breeds were created for a specific reason and that certain character traits were specifically bred out and that you consciously choose these characteristics when choosing.

Character: Is the Miniature Schnauzer a yapper?

The Miniature Schnauzer is characterized by a lively, self-confident and intelligent character. He brings an amazing courage for his size and guards his home with great zeal. The breed is considered to be barking and very attentive. It is important to steer his guard dog activities in the right direction early on, otherwise it could happen that your Miniature Schnauzer decides which guests are welcome in the house and which are not. In addition, he tends to bark frequently if you do not educate him accordingly or if he gets bored. Since the Miniature Schnauzer is quickly bored, he often needs to be kept busy and challenged in everyday life.

His great self-confidence can give the little four-legged friend a certain stubbornness. Although he is basically a cooperative, easy-to-train dog, he likes to go his own way without a clear line in training. Indispensable for a good start is a thorough socialization of the curious puppy. In this way, you can gently shape the miniature schnauzer character, who is surprisingly self-confident for his small body.

An enormous advantage of the usual character of the Miniature Schnauzer is its loyalty and fidelity. Once trained, it becomes a loving and affectionate companion for individuals, couples or families in no time.

What is a pepper and salt miniature schnauzer?

Pepper and salt refers to the dog in a certain coat color and with a certain color gradient. The top coat of the animal is dark in a Miniature Schnauzer Pepper Salt, while the tips of the hair appear in a light shade. The color variation occurs from time to time, even in wild animals, and is based on the mix of pigmented and non-pigmented hair.

Education and keeping of the Miniature Schnauzer

When you decide on a Miniature Schnauzer, take into account the strong guard instinct. You have to train the Miniature Schnauzer puppy consistently and with clear rules so that he does not stubbornly get his way later. Due to the high intelligence of this dog breed, inconsistent actions are noticed immediately and you could lose your authority in this case.

Living together with other animals such as dogs or cats usually only works if the Miniature Schnauzer has been well socialized as a puppy and accustomed to these other four-legged roommates in good time. The combination between Miniature Schnauzer and small mammal works less often.

With good occupancy, there is nothing to be said against living in a small apartment. However, if this is in a busy residential complex, it can happen that your dog is constantly under pressure and barks a lot. A quieter environment and, in the best case, a garden are better suited for the little schnauzer.

How much exercise does a Miniature Schnauzer need?

Despite its small size, the Miniature Schnauzer needs a lot of exercise and work for the head. The persevering runner enjoys search games, nose work or dummy work. Especially at a young age, these dogs show a noticeable hunting instinct. With a tow leash you can secure your companion and work on obedience at the same time. Teach him a few dog tricks – with a tasty motivation he will be on fire for this joint activity.

Underestimate the walking times not only because of the small size of the Miniature Schnauzer: You should plan at least 1.5 hours of walking time per day for an adult dog, preferably even more.

Care: How often does a miniature schnauzer have to go to the hairdresser?

The Miniature Schnauzer has a rough, longer top coat and dense undercoat. Depending on the hair structure, you will have to trim it several times a year. A professional dog groomer will help you groom your pet. You should refrain from using scissors on your Miniature Schnauzer, as this will destroy the rough coat structure. This makes the coat soft and no longer withstands the weather as well. The beard also needs care. To avoid unpleasant odors, it is best to clean it shortly after eating.

How often you should trim a Miniature Schnauzer depends on its hair growth. However, trimming three times a year is the rule. In addition, there is the so-called “intermediate trimming”, which keeps the cut in shape and removes dead underhair. This is done every eight weeks.

For further grooming, brush the coat at least twice a week with a brush that has smooth tips and straight teeth. This way, grooming the Miniature Schnauzer is comfortable for both sides.

How healthy is the Miniature Schnauzer?

Diseases occur comparatively rarely in the Miniature Schnauzer. The dog is considered robust and resistant, unless it is an animal with a hereditary predisposition from the outset. There are some hereditary diseases in the Miniature Schnauzer that a responsible breeder can rule out by testing the parents. Before buying a puppy, ask about the breeding association and the tests carried out.

Signs of wear and tear of the joints are hardly an issue in this dog due to the physique. Possible diseases in the Miniature Schnauzer are, for example:

• Bladder stones
• Diabetes
• Inflammation of the pancreas

The best way to keep an eye on the health of your four-legged friend is to visit your veterinarian’s office regularly for check-ups and also follow the common vaccination recommendations for dogs.

How old can a Miniature Schnauzer get?

If you avoid diseases in the Miniature Schnauzer and ensure good care, the Miniature Schnauzer can live to be 14 or 15 years old. A long life with a faithful companion is therefore ahead of you if you decide to adopt the loving dog.

ProfileMiniature Schnauzer

Where can I buy a Miniature Schnauzer?

The Association for the German Canine Society (VDH) provides you with addresses of breeders. Buying the Miniature Schnauzer from the breeder has the advantage that you learn more about the parents and possibly even entire previous generations and possible hereditary diseases are highlighted. However, the price for a Miniature Schnauzer is somewhat higher. Sometimes there are also waiting times when there are no animals available. In this case, you can look around for a litter announcement. Then you will be informed when new puppies have been born and can express your interest.

With a bit of luck, you can also adopt a miniature schnauzer at the shelter. Feel free to look around for the furry noses that are waiting for their second chance at the shelter. The shelter finances itself with a nominal fee and at the same time ensures that you are aware of the responsibility towards your new roommate. You can also buy a miniature schnauzer if you look around for certain clubs.

With a reputable breeder, the prices are usually in the upper three-digit or low four-digit range. You can usually read about this in the litter announcement of a Miniature Schnauzer.

Don’t forget additional costs!

In addition, there are costs for the Miniature Schnauzer for equipment, food, veterinary care and training or leisure activities. Don’t forget the dog tax and insurance!

Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer as a new family member?

Do you like the Miniature Schnauzer in black, white or multicolored and are you also enthusiastic about the self-confident character of the animal? Can you offer him enough variety and exercise in everyday life? Then contact an experienced breeder or the nearest animal shelter to find a possible companion for you and your family.

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