Country of OriginGermany
Nicknames and Other NamesZwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer)
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupTerrier Group
Bred ForRatting, herding, guarding properties
SizeSmall-sized
Recognized ByAKC, UKC, CKC, FCI, KC, NZLC, ANKC
Life Span12-15 years
Ideal Weight11-20 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height12-14 inches (male and female)
Fur TypeDouble coat, wiry outer coat,
soft undercoat
Common ColorsBlack, Salt and Pepper, Black and Silver
MarkingsNone
AvailabilityWidely available
AchievementsOne of the most popular breeds in America
Suitable for ApartmentsYes
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToGiant 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.

Two Mini Schnauzers with a small girl. Image Source: Instagram@dotanianthethreepupsketee

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.

Cute Mini Schnauzer puppies playing with each other.

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.

A Mini Schnauzer being trained.

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 HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesCataracts, Progressive retinal Atrophy,
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection,
Epilepsy, Diabetes
HypoallergenicYes
Vaccination RequiredKennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus,
Rabies, Canine Parainfluenza,
Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis,
Canine Parvovirus
SheddingNone to Minimal
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingAdvance Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage to High
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 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.

A man with a Miniature Schnauzer puppy. Image Source: Instagram@schnauzers_ig

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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