About Miniature Schnauzers
Miniature Schnauzers are the perfect breed for an active family, they love cuddling on the couch or running in the park. Loyal companion is the number one word used to describe Miniature Schnauzers; they will follow you like a shadow. Friendly, loving with their distinctive bearded snouts they are protective yet gentle with children.
Miniature schnauzers are agile, athletic, strong-willed, and desperate to please. They are equipped with a double coat, a course wire outer coat and soft under coat. Schnauzers have quite a robust, square shaped with prominent eyebrows and moustache. Their coats may shed a small amount, needing regular brushing to prevent matting and need to be clipped every 8-12 weeks.
Miniature schnauzers are bold and alert, requiring a strong minded and capable owner. They need early socialisation and obedience training to ensure they will be the perfect companion to your family.
When breeding a Miniature Schnauzer, the temperament of each dog is of the highest priority. They might be a small dog but they have a LOT of personality. Miniature schnauzers are very intelligent which make them very trainable. They love running around and playing as well as spending time bonding with their owners. Miniature Schnauzers are a great all-round companion dog.
- Terrific with children and other pets
- Non shedding coat – Ideal for people with allergies
- No doggy odour
- Intelligent
- Easily trained
- Excellent watch dog
The Miniature Schnauzer, the smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds, is a generally healthy, long-lived, and low-shedding companion. Add an outgoing personality, a portable size and sporty good looks, and you've got an ideal family dog. Stocky, robust little dogs standing 12 to 14 inches, Miniature Schnauzers were bred down from their larger cousins, Standard Schnauzers. The bushy beard and eyebrows give Minis a charming, human-like expression. The hard, wiry coat comes in three colour patterns: pepper and salt, Black and Silver and solid black or white. Created to be all-around farm dogs and ratters, they are tough, muscular and fearless without being aggressive. The Miniature Schnauzer is a bright, friendly, trainable companion, small enough to adapt to apartment life but tireless enough to adapt too farm life too. They get along well with other animals and kids. Minis are sturdy little guys and enjoy vigorous play. Home and family oriented, they make great watchdogs.
We are certain that if you decide to add a schnauzer to your family you will enjoy many years of faithful companionship and joy.
The original purpose of the Miniature Schnauzer was to catch rats on farms. Schnauzer means beard.
Size:
Weight Range:
Male: 11-18 lbs.
Female: 10-15 lbs.
Height at Withers:
Male: 14 in.
Female: 13 in.
Features:
Semi-prick ears (naturally)
Expectations:
Exercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day
Energy Level: Average
Longevity Range: 12-14 yrs.
Tendency to Drool: Low
Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: High
Tendency to Dig: Moderate
Social/Attention Needs: High
Bred For:
Ratting
Coat:
Length: Medium
Characteristics: Double coat, hard coat
Colors: Salt and pepper, black and silver, black
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate
Club Recognition:
AKC Classification: Terrier
UKC Classification: Terrier
Prevalence: Common
Miniature Schnauzers are square-bodied dogs with wiry coats.
Males stand 12 to 14 inches tall and weigh 11 to 18 pounds (5 to 8 kilograms); females stand from 11 to 13 inches tall and weigh 10 to 15 pounds (5 to 7 kilograms).
The dog's rectangular head is adorned with bushy eyebrows, a walrus-like mustache and a luxuriant beard. The ears are often cropped to stand erect. If left uncropped, the ears fold forward.
Most Miniature Schnauzers have salt-and-pepper coats, but some are solid black and others are black and silver.
Personality:
Miniature Schnauzers are hardy, alert, spunky little dogs. They can be feisty and may put on a show of scrappiness when confronted by dogs they do not know.
The playfulness of Miniature Schnauzers makes them ideal for families with well-behaved children. They are also known for being obedient, quick to learn and devoted to their human packs.
Living With:
Miniature Schnauzers are adaptable. They can be just as happy living in a city apartment getting a couple of walks each day as they can be on a country estate with lots of room to run.
Because the breed is somewhat fearless around other dogs, it is important to introduce a Miniature Schnauzer to other dogs while still a puppy. Socialisation is key to a happy, balanced Schnauzer.
Miniature Schnauzers are sociable dogs that love to be with their people. Their deepest need is to be fully included in family activities, whether those activities center on watching television or going out for a run.
Because they do not shed, these dogs are ideal for people who are allergic to other breeds. However, they need to be groomed regularly; frequent brushing, hair and nail trimming, and periodic clipping and/or stripping are necessary.
Miniature Schnauzers age gracefully; they do not show signs of age until late in life. The average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.
History:
Miniature Schnauzers are hardy, merry little dogs that were first bred in Germany in the late 19th century. They are descendants of Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers. Not only is he the smallest and most popular of the Schnauzers, but also the only Terrier not originating from European Isle stock.
The word schnauzer means beard. The original purpose of the Miniature Schnauzer was to catch rats on farms. Today, however, the Miniature Schnauzer's main mission in life is to bring companionship and joy to the people fortunate enough to live with this cheerful dog.
In 1933 the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer by the AKC. At one time the miniature schnauzer was the third most popular breed in America, and it remains a favorite.
In 2022 the Miniature Schnauzer was the 9th most popular ANCK breed in Australia.