Miniature Schnauzer
BREED INFO
- Group – Terrier
- Height – 12-14 inches at the shoulder
- Weight – 6-8 KG
- Life Span – 12-14 years
The Miniature Schnauzer is playful and spunky breed. They love being the center of attention and reward their owners with loyalty and affection.
History
The Miniature Schnauzer descends from the slightly larger Standard Schnauzer and is believed to also include Affenpinscher and Poodle in its ancestry. Some authors speculate that Miniature Pinschers, Wire Fox Terriers and Zwergspitz may also have contributed to the mix. While paintings suggest that Miniature Schnauzers date back to the 1400s, they were not recognized as a distinct breed until the late 1800s. Georg Riehl and Heinrich Schott, both fanciers of Schnauzers and Affenpinschers, are credited with miniaturizing the Schnauzer by cross-breeding and line-breeding the smallest puppies in Schnauzer litters. In 1888, the first Mini Schnauzer was recorded in a German stud book. The breed first appeared at a dog show in 1899. Miniature Schnauzers have been bred in North America since roughly 1924 and have steadily gained in popularity. The Wirehaired Pinscher Club of America was formed in 1925, covering both Miniature and Standard Schnauzers. The breed was moved to the Terrier Group and renamed “Schnauzer” in 1926. In 1927, the breed was split into two varieties: the Miniature Schnauzer and the Standard Schnauzer. In 1933, the Schnauzer Club of America was divided into the Standard Schnauzer Club of America and the American Miniature Schnauzer Club, with both breeds competing in the AKC Terrier Group. The Standard Schnauzer was moved to the Working Group in 1945.
The Miniature Schnauzer was developed as a farm dog, with a particular aptitude as a ratter. He is equally at home in rural and urban environments, and his small stature makes him particularly well-suited to apartment and city living. Today’s Miniature Schnauzer is predominantly a charismatic companion: naturally happy and completely devoted to its people. This breed also excels as a guard and watch dog, with keen hearing and a sharp bark. Miniature Schnauzers are highly intelligent, obedient and trainable, making them competitive in both obedience and rally trials.
Personality and Temperament
Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent and attentive, yet have a stubborn streak. Despite this, they’ve very loyal to their family.
This breed gets along well with children, other dogs, and most household pets. Strangers are announced with loud barking.
Hair, Care and Grooming
Its coat is double, with a close undercoat, and hard, wiry outer coat which is longer on the legs, muzzle, and eyebrows. Its wire coat needs combing once or twice weekly, plus scissoring and shaping (clipping for pets and stripping for show dogs) every couple of months.
Health
This breed is usually healthy, although some are prone to kidney stones, liver disease, skin disorders, diabetes, liver ailments, and cysts.
Training and Activity
This breed requires a confident and consistent handler. They are eager to learn, but require a non-repetitive approach to keep them on track.
The Miniature Schnauzer has a lot of energy, so it needs to run and play in the yard and take long walks.
Feeding
Like many smaller breeds, it’s easy to coddle the Miniature Schnauzer with a lot of food and too little exercise, particularly if you live in the city. That’s why it will be important that you regulate its diet: give them plenty of exercise and don’t let them eat too much. To give your Miniature Schnauzer plenty of good nutrition, be sure to try cooking for it a while, mashing in chopped vegetables along with bits of meat to ensure it’s getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
