Miniature Schnauzer Dogs Information

Written by: Debbie Moore

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Mini, Mini Schnauzer

Common Misspellings: 

Learn all about Miniature Schnauzer Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Miniature Schnauzer dog breed. You'll find solid information about Miniature Schnauzer dog history, Miniature Schnauzer life expectancy Miniature Schnauzer dog appearance, Miniature Schnauzer temperament and personality, Miniature Schnauzer health problems, Miniature Schnauzer puppy care, training Miniature Schnauzer puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Miniature Schnauzer dog breeder.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a well known, mid-sized dog. With an alert and intelligent temperament, this breed is suitable for apartment dwellers as well as for family homes with spacious yards. This robust dog is reliable and adaptable and will keep you active.

The Mini is a member of the Terrier Group and recognized by the American Kennel Club (see exceptions below). This dog of German descent was originally brought to North America in the early 20th century and is is a now well established breed.

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Miniature Schnauzer Facts

The Miniature Schnauzer Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: Germany

Miniature Schnauzer Height: 33 cm (female)
36 cm (male)

Miniature Schnauzer Weight: 7.5 kg (female)
9 kg (male)

Miniature Schnauzer Color Variations: Black Minature Schnauser
Black and Silver Minature Schnauser
Salt and Pepper Minature Schnauser

Miniature Schnauzer Size Variations: small to medium

Miniature Schnauzer Exercise Needs: Moderate

Miniature Schnauzer Grooming Demands: Reasonable

Miniature Schnauzer Trainability: Easy

Miniature Schnauzer Life Expectancy: 10 - 15 years

Average Miniature Schnauzer Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes, with supervision.

Good With Other Pets: With caution - see below.

Breed Group: Terrier

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Miniature Schnauzer Dog History

The Miniature Schnauzer was originally bred in Germany in the late 1800's. It was likely a cross breed between a Standard Schnauzer and an Affenpinscher. Originally, these square built dogs were bred to guard herds and small farms. Later, they were used to hunt rats and other vermin - they had (literally and figuratively) the nose for it.

Early on, attempts were made to lessen the size of the Standard Schnauzer by introducing other breeds. Unfortunately, the result brought forth colours that breeders deemed unacceptable, notably white. While breeders worked toward stabilizing the genetic pool for the Miniature Schnauzer, undesirable mixes and white puppies were removed. Since the 1950's, both have re-emerged and have become common, although the white variation is not recognised by the American Kennel Club. The debate over the pedigree and legitimacy over the white variety continues.

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Miniature Schnauzer Dog Appearance

The Miniature Schnauzer appears as a solid, squarely built dog. Perhaps the one of the most distinctive features is the ears which sit high upon their heads and tip forward. Additionally, Miniature Schnauzers have luxurious beards and eyebrows.

Miniature Schnauzers have a double coat, the outercoat has a wiry texture, but the undercoat is considerably softer. The Miniature Schnauzer is sometimes described as a non-shedder, but this is not entirely true. The shedding is however minimal with regular grooming.

The tail of the Miniature Schnauzer is naturally thin and short, and may be docked (where permitted). The legs are relatively short and appear rigid. Their feet, sometimes groomed to look comically short, have a cat-like shape.

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Miniature Schnauzer Grooming

Miniature Schnauzers require regular grooming. The two most common types are stripping (used on virtually all show dogs) and clipping used mostly on family pets. Stripping removes the dead, loose coat using a laborious, time consuming process. Best let a professional groomer attempt this task. For most Miniature Schnauzer owners, clipping is the pragmatic choice. Either way, the coat is kept very short around the body and falls fringe-like (called furnishings) around the underside.

The beard of the Miniature Schnauzer is left to grow and will reach a length of 4 inches or so. This area does require some regular grooming as you might expect. Matting and curling can become a problem for you and consequently for your Miniature Schnauzer.

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Miniature Schnauzer Exercise Needs

Your Miniature Schnauzer will be fairly easy to please with relatively undemanding exercise requirements. If your schedule means a day in the yard without the benefit of a long walk, your Miniature Schnauzer will adapt. However, he is happiest and most fit when a long 5 km walk is a part of his daily routine. This is especially true as Miniature Schnauzers tend to carry extra fat and keeping your dog healthy will require a little of your effort too.

Whatever exercise regime you select for your Miniature Schnauzer, be sure to begin it early and keep it consistent. This will allow your Mini to adapt to your healthy lifestyle and together you can enjoy many years of companionship.

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Miniature Schnauzer Temperament

The Miniature Schnauzer is a ball of energy, alert and quick-moving. Fortunately, this breed when trained early, can be obedient to commands and is keen to please.

The Miniature Schnauzer are very territorial and vocal dogs and will bark to greet anyone entering your home, particularly strangers. Unlike some Terriers, they tend not to be aggressive toward strangers, but will bark relentlessly until the owner reassures the Mini that the guest is welcome. Then, the Minature Schnauzer will be friendly and relaxed.

The Miniature Schnauzer is playful so older, well behaved children will enjoy this breed's energy. In fact, the Miniatire Schanuzer will seek fun and create its own 'games' if proper attention is not paid. This characteristic can flirt with destruction, so be sure to spend plenty of play time with your Minature Schnauzer.

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Miniature Schnauzer Training

Training your Miniature Schnauzer is a mostly about the response of the owner to the puppies actions. Because Miniature Schnauzers are so keen to please, strategic use of praise can often fast-track training. Some experts suggest that only when your Miniature Schnauzer behaves properly to a command should praise be given, otherwise, totally withhold it. To assist the Mini (and your patience) try using a movement or stance specific to a command. The visual cue may help your Miniature Schnauzer better understand. Remember, as soon as your Miniature Schnauzer understands and responds to a new command, praise him-a-plenty!! This will reinforce the positive response to the command. And do begin training immediately. Puppies, like children, learn best at young ages.

Miniature Schnauzer Health

Generally, the Miniature Schnauzer is a healthy breed. But, this breed is prone to high fat levels (but who isn't?), which can lead to other, more serious problems.
These problems include hyperlipidemia, which is linked to pancreatitis. Diabetes, bladder stones and ocular problems are somewhat common. Choosing low fat or non-fat and unsweetened foods may help avoid these problems, even it seems joyless.

Other afflictions common to Miniature Schnauzers are comedone syndrome. This is a condition that produces pus filled bumps, usually on their backs. Miniature Schnauzers' ears do require some attention. To avoid infection, especially in dogs with un-cropped ears, always dry carefully after a bath or swimming.

There are many treatments for this and all ailments. Your local vet is your best resource. And of course, always choose a responsible breeder who places the health and welfare of the Miniature Schnauzer above all other concerns. Resist the urge to purchase a dog inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.

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Is the Miniature Schnauzer Right For You?

The Minature Schnauzer is heaps of fun. He can be comical and flirtatious, charming and loyal. To a Mini, the best game in the world is fetch (also known as Get the Ball, Where's the Ball? and Where's the Stick?) He will run tirelessly for hours and seldom grow tired of this game. This is an important, money saving tip because in the absence of a dog and owner game, the Miniature Schnauzer may create his own, more destructive game involving the chewing of couch cushions and new Manolo Blahniks. Best to avoid this.

With minimal effort, reasonable grooming and undemanding feeding regimes, this loyal breed makes a fine pet. He will fill your days with fun, exercise and undiluted admiration. What more could one ask in a dog?

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Miniature Schnauzer Prices

Average Miniature Schnauzer Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Miniature Schnauzer dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Miniature Schnauzer puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Miniature Schnauzer dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Miniature Schnauzer puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Miniature Schnauzer breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Miniature Schnauzer prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Miniature Schnauzer puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Miniature Schnauzer Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Miniature Schnauzer puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Miniature Schnauzer Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Miniature Schnauzer breeders. We actively screen Miniature Schnauzer breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Miniature Schnauzer breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Miniature Schnauzer puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Miniature Schnauzer puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Miniature Schnauzer dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional Miniature Schnauzer Resources:

• Miniature Schnauzer Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Miniature Schnauzer Breed Profile
• Miniature Schnauzer Pictures
• Miniature Schnauzer Videos

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