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Miniature Schnauzer breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Miniature Schnauzer the smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds, a mostly healthy, long-lived, low-shedding companion with an outgoing personality, portable size and sporty good looks.
Stocky and robust, Miniature Schnauzers were bred down from Standard Schnauzers and have a bushy beard and eyebrows that give a charming, human-like expression.
Temperament
Created as all-around farm dogs and ratters, Miniature Schnauzers are tough, muscular and fearless without being aggressive. The breed is a bright, friendly, trainable companion that is eager to please and learns quickly.
High intelligence means training should stay fun and interesting, since Miniature Schnauzers get bored with repetition. They should be socialized early.
Lifespan
Miniature Schnauzers live 12 to 15 years. Breeds are prone to a few conditions: cataracts, hyperlipidemia, pancreatitis, liver shunts and urinary stones and breeders test for them.
Dental care is an important part of overall health.
Care
The double coat of wiry topcoat and soft undercoat needs frequent brushing, combing and grooming. The breed sheds very little, show dogs are stripped by hand regularly and most pet owners have the coat trimmed.
Alert and lively, Miniature Schnauzers need regular daily exercise, have a medium energy level and adapt to city or country living. A fenced area where they can run and chase a ball safely suits them.
History
The Standard Schnauzer, one of Europe's supreme all-around farm dogs, has a lineage going back to at least the 15th century and old-time German farmers bred it down to miniature size to work as fearless barnyard ratters.
The Miniature Schnauzer is in the AKC Terrier Group with other diminutive rat-catchers but is unique among AKC terriers in having no British blood, since most terrier breeds were developed in the British Isles.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 5 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 5 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 5 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |