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Miniature Schnauzers
Written by author of 34 dog books.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
Written by author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
The Miniature Schnauzer is a perennial favorite, and it deserves to be.
They combine playfulness, spunkiness and intelligence in a compact sharp-dressed body.
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At a glance
Moderate Energy
Energy level
3/5
Regular Maintenance
Grooming
4/5
Small, 11 to 20 pounds
Size
Active, alert, confident
Temperament
12-15 years
Lifespan
Average Trainability
Training
3/5
Vocal
Barking
4/5
At a glance
Energy level
Moderate Energy
Grooming
Regular Maintenance
Size
Small, 11 to 20 pounds
Temperament
Active, alert, confident
Lifespan
12-15 years
Training
Average Trainability
Barking
Vocal
Why people love the breed
Miniature Schnauzers have a long history of popularity. And with good reason: They make their people smile both at their antics and at their love.
People love the Miniature Schnauzers combination of hijinks and affection. These small dogs play hard, eager to partake in games of fetch or tug or keep-away or soccer. But once exercise time is over, they’re equally happy to snooze at your side. They make active outdoor companions for people of any age, are gentle and playful with children, and considerate and cuddly with the elderly. Add to that, they’re alert watchdogs that are brave enough to stand up to trouble. They are generally good inside the home, and easy to housetrain.
In addition, Miniature Schnauzers are dapper-looking companions that look sophisticated as they accompany you about town or around the neighborhood. Their coat, while occasionally needing significant grooming, is easy to care for day to day and doesn’t shed much. They are intelligent and can attain great levels of training.
Appearance
The Miniature Schnauzer appears perpetually poised for action, always alert and capable of taking on any adversary.
This upstanding dog has a nearly square-proportioned body, with a sturdy foundation. The topline is straight, sloping slightly downward from front to back.
The head is rectangular and long, with strong jaws emphasized by an abundant mustache and beard. The eyes are small, oval, and deep set, with the long eyebrows adding to their intense expression. The ears may be cropped (in countries where this is legal) or natural. If cropped, they are pointed and carried erect. If natural they are small and V-shaped, folding close to the skull.
The tail is customarily docked (in countries where this is legal) so it is just visible over the topline. It is set on high and carried erect.
The double coat consists of a close undercoat and wiry outer coat that is much longer on the legs, muzzle and eyebrows. They can be salt and pepper color, black and silver, or solid black. White is allowed by some kennel clubs around the world, but is a disqualification in the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard.
Grooming
To look their best, the Miniature Schnauzer should be professionally groomed. But between professional sessions, work is minimal.
For show dogs proper grooming consists of expert stripping, in which the longer guard hairs are plucked out as they become loose. The hair of the legs and face is left much longer, and shaped. For pets, it means clipping, leaving the coat slightly longer on the legs and face. The longer hair needs to be combed a couple of times a week.
The reason that show dogs are stripped rather than clipped is that clipping exposes the soft undercoat, giving the coat an incorrect texture. Such a coat would not be an effective cover under harsh conditions. But for a pet Schnauzer, the soft coat is perfectly acceptable and may be more enjoyable to pet.
The longer hair will look its best when it is recently bathed. Special care should be taken to keep the beard clean. Long beards should be rinsed daily to keep any food debris from being caught in it.
They shed very little.
Check the ears for debris, keep the toenails cut short, and brush the teeth daily.
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Peach State Miniature Schnauzers
Breed temperament and characteristics
The Miniature Schnauzer is among the more obedient and easy-going of Terriers. But they can still be a challenge.
The Miniature Schnauzer has a different ancestry than most terriers. They are eager to please and comparatively easy to train. They tend to be less dog-selective than most terriers without being less spunky. In fact, they do fairly well with other family dogs and even with new dogs. Most can coexist with cats, although rodent pets may be asking too much. They are great with children, as they love playing.
They are very energetic but do calm down as long as they’ve had some exercise. They enjoy playing games of fetch, keep-away, tug and Frisbee. They make excellent jogging companions but are not always great about coming when called.
They make excellent watch dogs although they do have a tendency to bark to excess.
Exercise
Although energetic, Miniature Schnauzers don't require non-stop action. They like to run and play, but also enjoy being alert but calm in the house.
Most Miniature Schnauzers can have their exercise needs met in an hour of walking, jogging or playing. They are very energetic but are not so large that they can’t burn off their energy in a typical backyard play period or a jog around the neighborhood. They are an extremely playful breed, which makes it easy to entertain them with games.
Some Miniature Schnauzers can do well at dog parks. Some, however, are too domineering and assertive to play well with others. Many enjoy swimming.
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Du Lac Miniature Schnauzers
Training
The Miniature Schnauzer is a combination of an extrovert that is eager to please and show-off, tempered by their need to assert itself and act stubborn. Let them think your training goals are their idea, and all will go well.
The Miniature Schnauzer is clever, and likes to show just how clever they are. If you try to force them into compliance, their terrier temperament will come to the fore and you may have a battle on your hands—which you will probably lose. But, if you let him think he’s training you to dole out treats and playtime, or that the whole thing was his idea, you’ll find this is one of the most amazing dogs to train there is.
They are capable of extremely complex tasks and have competed successfully at the highest levels of obedience and agility. They enjoy competing in organized activities such as Barn Hunt, Nosework, Earthdog, FastCAT, and Tracking. Their energetic, courageous, and playful nature makes them eager to try almost anything, and to do it well.
Diet and nutrition
Most Miniature Schnauzers are good eaters and do well on a variety of commercial diets.
Feed a Miniature Schnauzer puppy as you would any puppy. Offer them three meals a day until they are about 4 months old, then twice daily. Adult diets can be offered starting at around nine months of age twice daily.
Young Miniature Schnauzers may be so active it can be hard keeping weight on them. But with age, and especially if your dog is neutered or spayed, they can start to pack on pounds. A Miniature Schnauzer should be trim and muscular, with an indication from the side and top of a smaller waist. Ask your veterinarian's opinion if you worry your Schnauzer may be over or underweight.
Discuss any special diet concerns with your veterinarian. Your dog’s optimal diet may change with age. Some health problems require special diets that may only be available through prescription.
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Rivertree Miniature Schnauzers
Health issues
Miniature Schnauzers are a generally healthy breed.
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years.
Myotonia congenita
This is a disorder of the skeletal muscles which results in increased contractions and stiffening, increased muscle mass, enlarged tongue, difficulty getting up, stiff legged gait, and bunny-hopping. This condition occurs more in Miniature Schnauzers than any other breed. It is autosomal recessive and a DNA test is available.
Urolithiasis (urinary stones)
This is a condition in which minerals form stones in the urinary tract that can cause blockages. The most common stone compositions are calcium oxalate and struvite. The mean age of detection in this breed is 5 years.
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease)
When a tumor of the adrenal or pituitary gland results in increased thirst, urination, abdominal distention and hair loss.
Pancreatitis
In which the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing abdominal pain and vomiting.
Cataracts
An opacity in the lens that occurs in Miniature Schnauzers.
Diabetes mellitus
The failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar.
Other health issues
Liver shunts, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, atherosclerosis, pulmonic stenosis, sudden acute retinal degeneration syndrome.
History
The Miniature Schnauzer is not your typical terrier. While most terriers come from the British Isles, the Schnauzer came from Germany. They were bred down from a much larger dog.
What we now call the Standard Schnauzer originated in the Middle Ages in Germany as an all-around farm dog, guardian, and vermin hunter. By the early 1900s they were popular as cart pullers and guardians of farmer's carts at market.
Originally called wirehaired pinschers, the name Schnauzer comes from a particular dog who was named Schnauzer (meaning snout) in 1842.
Standard Schnauzers were probably bred with Affenpinschers to create the smaller version. In 1888 one named Findal was first identified as a Miniature Schnauzer. The Miniature Schnauzer was shown as a distinct breed as early as 1899.
The first Miniature Schnauzers came to the United States in 1924. Both the Standard and Miniature were originally in the Terrier group, but in 1933 the breed was divided into two sizes and the Standard moved to the Working group.
In European countries, all three Schnauzer sizes are together in Working or Utility groups. In North America, the Miniature is in the Terrier group.
They are called Zwergschnauzer in Germany. They are one of the most popular breeds.
Celebrity owners include Janet Jackson, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Sugar Ray Leonard, Usher, and 50 cent.
About the author
Canine specialist, Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is the author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She’s written thousands of magazine and web articles about dogs. She specializes in canine science, health, breeds and competitions. Caroline has won 20 national dog-writing awards, and was a 2015 Inductee into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.
Breed Scorecard
Characteristics and temperament
Affectionate with family
4
Watchdog level
5
Playfulness
4
Adaptability
4
Social needs
4
Temperament
Active, alert, confident, inquisitive, stubborn
Intelligence
4
Good with other dogs
3
Good with cats or other pets
3
Friendly with strangers
3
Good as a service dog
3
Good for apartments
3
Barking level
4
Appearance
Height
12-14"
Size
Small, 11 to 20 pounds
Colors
Wheaten (non-standard), White (non-standard), Parti (non-standard), Liver (non-standard), Black, Salt and pepper, Black and silver
Coat texture
Harsh
Coat length
Medium
Training
Trainability
3
Exercise
Exercise needs
3
Exercise time
1 to 2 hours daily
Mental exercise needs
4
Favorite activities
Earthdog, Nosework, agility
Grooming
Grooming needs
4
Brushing frequency
Daily
Needs professional grooming?
No
Drooling level
2
Health issues
Myotonia congenita
Urolithiasis (urinary stones)
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease)
Pancreatitis
Cataracts
Diabetes mellitus
Other health issues
Other
Bred for
Ratting
Country of origin
Germany
Popularity level
1
FAQs
On Good Dog, you can search for Miniature Schnauzer puppies or dogs in rescues and shelters. Adopting a Miniature Schnauzer from a shelter or rescue is generally less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder with ethical practices. Across the United States, there are dedicated rescues that specialize in specific breeds and may even help transport a Miniature Schnauzer dog to you from another part of the country. Although it can be more cost-effective, adopting the exact breed you're looking for is typically more difficult than working with a responsible breeder. Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue.
The typical price for Miniature Schnauzer puppies for sale may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. On average, the price of Miniature Schnauzer puppies from a breeder is $1,910
They are amongst the very best choices for people wanting a smaller dog that is energetic, smart, playful, and affectionate. The downside is that many bark to excess, and some can be domineering over other dogs.
Not all, but most. This, along with their alert nature, makes them good watchdogs, but it can be a problem with neighbors.
They are higher maintenance than many breeds, but it really consists of visits to the groomer every 6 weeks or so. In between a twice-weekly combing of the longer hair will do.
