Miniature Schnauzer – Dog Breed Information
Country of Origin | Germany |
Nicknames and Other Names | Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer) |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Breed Type | Purebred |
Group | Terrier Group |
Bred For | Ratting, herding, guarding properties |
Size | Small-sized |
Recognized By | AKC, UKC, CKC, FCI, KC, NZLC, ANKC |
Life Span | 12-15 years |
Ideal Weight | 11-20 pounds (male and female) |
Ideal Height | 12-14 inches (male and female) |
Fur Type | Double coat, wiry outer coat, soft undercoat |
Common Colors | Black, Salt and Pepper, Black and Silver |
Markings | None |
Availability | Widely available |
Achievements | One of the most popular breeds in America |
Suitable for Apartments | Yes |
Used in World War | No |
Most Similar To | Giant Schnauzer |
Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest breed of the among the three Schnauzer breeds that originated in Germany as barnyard ratters in the late 19th century.
The Miniature Schnauzers are highly sociable dogs that thrive on close and frequent interaction with their owners and loved ones.
Origin & History
The Miniature Schnauzers were developed in the late mid-to-late 19th century in Germany to be ratters and guard dogs for farms. They were developed by crossing the Standard Schnauzers with smaller breeds such as the Miniature Pinscher, Affenpinscher, and the Poodle or Pomeranian.
Though there aren’t any records of how the Miniature Schnauzer was developed, the clear intention was to develop a smaller version of the well-established Standard Schnauzer.
Of the all three Schnauzer breeds, Miniature Schnauzer ranks highest(18th) in registrations made by the AKC(as of March 2019).
Are they Child-friendly?
Yes, the Miniature Schnauzers are considerably very child-friendly dogs. They are friendly and lively dogs that thrive on affection. They get the required affection from the kids and play with them with gentle and kind behavior.
However, no matter how much friendly a dog is, it shouldn’t be left unsupervised while with kids. It can unintentionally knock down small toddlers. So, be careful to keep an eye on them.
Behavior, Temperament & Personality
The Miniature Schnauzers are very clownish and friendly dogs that love to play and run outside with the people they love. They have a habit of excessive barking, chasing and digging.
The Miniature Schnauzers are affectionate and gentle when it comes to their temperament. They are very much friendly with kids and won’t become impatient or intolerant of plating with them.
The Miniature Schnauzers have an outgoing, portable and independent personality. They like being in the center of attraction and are always eager to please their families. They are fearless but not aggressive.
Size
The height of a female Miniature Schnauzer is 30–36 cm with a weight of 5.4 kg-8.2 kg. Whereas a male Miniature Schnauzer is 30-36 cm tall weighing around 5.4-9.1 kg.
Trainability
Training a Miniature Schnauzer is relatively easy because of its intelligence and ability to learn quickly. Their high intelligence makes it important to keep training interesting and fun as they get bored with repetitive tasks easily.
Facts about the Miniature Schnauzer
Here are some facts about the Miniature Schnauzer:
- The Miniature Schnauzer originated in Germany.
- They were developed as an all-around farm-dogs and ratters.
- It is a robust and active breed.
- It is a very healthy breed with very fewer health issues.
- They are very intelligent, and thus highly trainable.
Health Issues of the Miniature Schnauzer
General Health | Healthy |
Common Health Issues | Cataracts, Progressive retinal Atrophy, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection, Epilepsy, Diabetes |
Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Vaccination Required | Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus, Rabies, Canine Parainfluenza, Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, Canine Parvovirus |
Shedding | None to Minimal |
Drooling | Low Drooler |
Grooming | Advance Grooming Required |
Weight Gain Potential | Average to High |
Separation Anxiety | High Chance |
Allergies | None |
Diets and Supplements | Protein: 23% Fat: 8% Glucosamine Probiotics Antioxidants |
The Miniature Schnauzer lives a life of 12-15 years through which it suffers from a few health issues. Some of them are:
Diabetes
Diabetes is a hereditary disease in which the blood glucose or blood sugar of the dog increases and becomes too high.
Obesity
The state of being excessively fat or overweight is known as Obesity. It can have a negative impact on the dog’s health.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disease that causes severe unprovoked seizures on the dog’s brain.
Color Patterns
Miniature Schnauzers are found in four different colors which are as follows:
- Black
- White
- Black & Silver
- Salt & Pepper
Price of Miniature Schnauzer puppy
A healthy Miniature Schnauzer mother gives birth to 3 to 8 puppies at a time. You can expect to pay $400 to $1500 for a well-bred Mini Schnauzer puppy.
Which dogs are they similar to?
Here are some dog breeds that are similar in appearance to the Miniature Schnauzer:
- Standard Schnauzer
- Affenpinscher
- Brussels Griffon
- Kerry Blue Terrier
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