Schnauzer Miniature Profile

Other Names: Zwergschnauzer

Country of origin: Germany

Dog Group Kennel Club: Utility

General appearance:

Miniature Schnauzers have a robust and compact appearance with long 'beards', long eyebrows and long hair on the legs.  They have dense undercoats with wiry outer coats that do not moult.The Miniature Schnauzer has a hard and wiry outer coat, while the undercoat is close and dense. The coat of this breed should be plucked to remove dead hair.The Miniature Schnauzer is a small sized dog.They are sturdy and muscular with an alert outlook.

Colours:

A variety of colours

Size:  

Bitch          33 - 35cms

Dog            35 - 36 cms

Weight:

                              Min               Max
 
Bitch            7kg (15lbs) 7kg (15lbs)
 
Dog              8kg (18lbs) 8kg (18lbs)

Temperament:

Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent and alert and show loyalty to their owner.  They are energetic and usually easy to train. The Miniature Schnauzer can have troubles with other dogs, however if properly trained and socialized; this breed can do all right. This breed should be supervised around small children, and does best with older children and more respectable children. The Schnauzer can be combative with other dogs, however if raised with them this breed can do well. They are not recommended for a home with smaller animals such as the cat as they have the tendency to chase them.They can be stubborn and wilful and do need a firm hand when training. They are quite vocal and will be quick to alert the family of any strangers approaching their territory.

Movement:

Free and powerful.

Care and training:

The Miniature Schnauzer should be brushed regularly to prevent matting or tangling, however is fairly easy to comb through. This breed should be clipped professionally twice a year, however is not required if brushed regularly. Professional plucking is required on the coat of this breed. The coat of this breed, while it can still become tangled and/or matted, has a fairly tangle resistant coat.

The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent dog that is easily trained and likes to please, although it does not enjoy repetitive training for its own sake. The breed is contented and not destructive when left alone. Obedience training must be started at an early age as they have the tendency to be stubborn. The Miniature Schnauzer is very eager to learn and is fairly easy to housebreak if the right techniques are used.

Overall Exercise: 40 - 60 minutes per day.
The Mini Schnauzer enjoys exercise and play, and happily fit into their family’s life style

Feeding requirements:

Feeding of this little dog is relatively easy, however care must be taken that they do not become overweight

Exercise: Med

Grooming: Med

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: Medium

Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium

Level of Aggression: Low

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often docked?  Yes

Average litter size: 3 - 6

Life expectancy (yrs): 12 - 14

Health issues: Bladder stones, allergies, diabetes, liver diseases, skin disorders and cysts. They can also have eye problems including PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), melanoma, and  myotonia congenita.

History:  Miniature Schnauzers' actual roots are uncertain, but there is speculation that the black Poodle, the Wolfspitz and a rough coated German Terrier are breeds which may have played a part in the Schnauzer's early development. The Miniature Schnauzer was developed by breeding the Standard with other small dogs, possibly with Poodles and Affenpinschers. They were primarily used for droving, stock tender, hunting vermin, pulling carts, guarding flocks and children, as well as serving the duty of a watchdog. But since they were not used for going to ground, they have a slightly different temperament than other terriers. The breed goes far back into history. In 1492 a painting was created by Albrecht Durer, titled "Madonna with the Many Animals", in which a Schnauzer was depicted. In Germany, the breed had become known to watch children in their spare time, becoming known as "kinderwachters". The Schnauzer was mainly used on farms. Back then, the Schnauzer and German Pinscher were the same breed--simply differentiates by their fur. Wire-haired and smooth coated dogs were born in the same litter, with the wire-haired being called "schnauze" (meaning "beard"), and the smooth coats called "pinschers".