Miniature Schnauzer

also known as Zwergschnauzer

Pros Summary


The Miniature Schnauzer is a small, terrier breed that originated in Germany. They were originally bred as a ratting and guard dog. The breed's name "Miniature Schnauzer" comes from its small size and its origin as a Schnauzer breed. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1926.

Breed Information


Type

Is Miniature Schnauzer a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Miniature Schnauzers originally used for?

ratting

Lifespan

How Long Do Miniature Schnauzers Live? What is average life expectancy for a Miniature Schnauzer? How long can Miniature Schnauzers live?

12-14 years

The average Miniature Schnauzer lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Miniature Schnauzer Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Miniature Schnauzer?

What is the average height of a Miniature Schnauzer? How big is a Purebred Miniature Schnauzer height? Miniature Schnauzer dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 12-14 inches (30.5 - 35.6 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) 11.5 inches (29.2 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm)
Female 11-14 inches (27.9 - 35.6 cm) 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) 12.5 inches (31.8 cm)
What is the average weight of a Miniature Schnauzer? How much should Miniature Schnauzers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 14-16 pounds (6 - 7 kg) 11.5 pounds (5 kg) 13.5 pounds (6 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg)
Female 13-15 pounds (6 - 7 kg) 10.5 pounds (5 kg) 12.5 pounds (6 kg) 14.0 pounds (6 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Miniature Schnauzers get fat easily?

The Miniature Schnauzer is a breed that has an average to high tendency to gain weight if their weight is not closely monitored. It is important to maintain a balance between exercise and food intake to keep them at a healthy weight. This can be achieved by scheduling at least one daily walk and engaging in regular playtime with them.

Hypoallergenic

Are Miniature Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Miniature Schnauzers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Miniature Schnauzer personality? What are Miniature Schnauzer dogs best known for?

Alert
Friendly
Obedient
Fearless
Intelligent
Spirited

Shedding Level

Are Miniature Schnauzers heavy shedders? How Much Does a Miniature Schnauzer Shed?

Miniature Schnauzer will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Miniature Schnauzer dog?

The Miniature Schnauzer dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Miniature Schnauzers come from?

Germany

Ancestry

What are Miniature Schnauzers descended from?

schnauzer, affenpinscher, poodle

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Miniature Schnauzer breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Miniature Schnauzers first bred? How old is the Miniature Schnauzer breed?

1800s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Miniature Schnauzer?

Terrier (AKC:1926)(UKC)

Miniature Schnauzer Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Miniature Schnauzer eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Miniature Schnauzer nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Miniature Schnauzer coat be naturally?

Black
Gray
Silver

Coat Length

How long is a Miniature Schnauzers coat?

The coat of a Miniature Schnauzer falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Miniature Schnauzer Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Miniature Schnauzer?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Miniature Schnauzer have in a litter? How many puppies can a Miniature Schnauzer have in her first litter?

12-14 puppies per pregnancy

A Miniature Schnauzer can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Miniature Schnauzers are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Miniature Schnauzer Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Miniature Schnauzers have a lot of health problems?

The Miniature Schnauzer is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Miniature Schnauzer?

Pulmonic Stenosis
Portosystemic Shunt
Pancreatitis
Sick Sinus Syndrome

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Miniature Schnauzers?

Bladder Stones
Cushing's Disease
Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Miniature Schnauzer breed?

Blood Test
Heart
Liver Ultrasound
Blood And Urine Protein Screens
Physical Examination

Miniature Schnauzer Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Miniature Schnauzers have a lot of energy?

Miniature Schnauzers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Miniature Schnauzers need socialization? How social are Miniature Schnauzers?

Miniature Schnauzer have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Miniature Schnauzers get?

The Miniature Schnauzer dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Miniature Schnauzer have? Do Miniature Schnauzers sleep a lot?

Miniature Schnauzers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Miniature Schnauzer drool a lot?

The Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Miniature Schnauzers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Miniature Schnauzers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for their strong territorial instinct and protective nature. They will fiercely defend their territory and are highly alert and vigilant against any perceived threat to their home and family.

Mouthiness

Are Miniature Schnauzers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Miniature Schnauzer running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Miniature Schnauzer dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Miniature Schnauzers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Miniature Schnauzer busy?

Barking, Walk, Walking, Fetch, Go to Park, Running, Sniffing, Jumping, Snuggle, Playing, Rolling, Eating Snacks, Play, Run, Sniff, Lick, Run in circles, Moustaching, Belly rubs, Balloons, Tug-of-war, Nap, Chase, Cuddle, Road trip, Groom, Bath time, Off-leash, Bike ride, Swim

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Miniature Schnauzer? How much energy does a Miniature Schnauzer have?

Medium

Miniature Schnauzers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Miniature Schnauzer walk each week? How many miles should a Miniature Schnauzer walk every week?

6 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Miniature Schnauzer, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Miniature Schnauzer should exercise a day? How much activity does a Miniature Schnauzer need?

60 minutes

In general most Miniature Schnauzers usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Miniature Schnauzer?

The Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Miniature Schnauzer?

Daily

Ideally, Miniature Schnauzer should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Miniature Schnauzers?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Miniature Schnauzer eat?

1 cups

For an average 14-16 pound (6 - 7 kg) Miniature Schnauzer feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Miniature Schnauzer Cost Daily?

$1.10 - $1.40 / day

The average cost of a Miniature Schnauzer is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Miniature Schnauzer Cost Per Month?

$28 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of a Miniature Schnauzer is between $28 - $42. This makes an average of $336 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Miniature Schnauzer Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Miniature Schnauzer?

The Miniature Schnauzer breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Miniature Schnauzer dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Miniature Schnauzer dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Miniature Schnauzer do well in apartments? Are Miniature Schnauzers good indoor dogs?

Miniature Schnauzers are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Miniature Schnauzers good with kids? Are Miniature Schnauzers good around children?

Miniature Schnauzers are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Miniature Schnauzers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Miniature Schnauzers good with cats? How friendly Miniature Schnauzers are toward cats?

Miniature Schnauzers are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Miniature Schnauzer dogs get along with other dogs? Are Miniature Schnauzers OK with other dogs?

Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Miniature Schnauzer dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Miniature Schnauzers friendly with strangers?

Miniature Schnauzers are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Miniature Schnauzers like to play? Are Miniature Schnauzers playful?

Miniature Schnauzers have an average level of playfulness. The Miniature Schnauzers, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Miniature Schnauzer easily trained?

Miniature Schnauzer dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
    Due to their hypoallergenic properties, Miniature Schnauzers are a good choice for those with allergies who want a dog.
  • Lack of odor
    The Miniature Schnauzer has a minimal likelihood of having a bad smell.
  • Minimal to no shedding
    Miniature Schnauzer dogs are known for their minimal to no shedding coats.
  • Boat Dog
    Boating is often an activity that the Miniature Schnauzer breed enjoys.
  • Friendly
    Miniature Schnauzers are friendly and outgoing, making them great family pets.
  • Intelligence
    They are intelligent and respond well to training.

Cons

  • Tendency to gain weight
    Not paying attention to a Miniature Schnauzer's weight can cause it to become overweight.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    A Miniature Schnauzer may not be the best choice for a dog to have in an office setting.
  • Energy
    Miniature Schnauzers have a high energy level and require regular exercise.