If you’re looking for a small purebred dog breed that’s affectionate and good with children, the Miniature Schnauzer could be an excellent choice. A smaller version of the Standard Schnauzer, this lovable breed is outgoing, sporty, and protective of its family. Read on to learn everything there is to know about Miniature Schnauzers.
APPEARANCE
Thoughtful and distinguished, the Miniature Schnauzer resembles the kind of wise, pipe-puffing intellectuals you might find in a Charles Dickens novel. The longer hair around its face creates a square-jowl jaw, giving this breed a mature look. The double coat of fur is wiry and medium-length. Like their Standard Schnauzer cousins, Miniature Schnauzers can be black, black and silver, or salt and pepper for those of you who want your furry companion to look like a wise old man.
PERSONALITY
Intelligent, hardy, and alert, Miniature Schnauzers are the Sherlock Holmes’ of the canine world. They are curious, precocious, and will investigate new people and places thoroughly. This adaptable dog breed will feel just as comfortable and at home in a big city as it will in the rural countryside or quaint suburbs. The only thing that matters to Miniature Schnauzers is that they’re with their favorite person. If you and the family are going for a walk, trip to the park, or a hike, bring your Miniature Schnauzer along!
TRAINABILITY
Thanks to this breed’s high intelligence, Miniature Schnauzers are easy to train. They catch on quickly when introduced to commands. And since they need a decent amount of mental stimulation each day, you can help your Schnauzer put into practice all that you trained him to do during his last puppy training session. This breed is highly eager to please. But with great eagerness comes great responsibility. If you don’t give your Miniature Schnauzer your time, attention, and training instructions, your Schnauzer could become destructive and hyper around the house. Remember, a Miniature Schnauzer will want to be your sidekick.
GROOMING
The Miniature Schnauzer has a double coat of wiry fur. The top coat is coarse and the undercoat is soft and fine. To keep the coat tidy, frequent brushing is required. But the good news is that the Schnauzer sheds very little. Since the Schnauzer has medium-length hair, he could look unruly if he doesn’t get a trim every 5 – 8 weeks. All this is to say that the Miniature Schnauzer is not a low maintenance grooming dog, which is something to consider before you get this unique dog breed. In terms of bathing, a Miniature Schnauzer will need to be bathed with its fur shampooed about once a month. With all of these aspects, many pet parents of Miniature Schnauzers opt to use professional groomers.
EXERCISE
As a high energy dog breed, the Miniature Schnauzer needs regular daily exercise, no less than one hour per day. Many owners of this breed provide their dogs with closer to two hours worth of outdoor activity. It helps to have a fenced in yard where your Miniature Schnauzer can play whether or not they’re with you. This breed has a strong hunting drive, so it’s not recommended that you allow your Miniature Schnauzer off-leash outside unless he’s in a fenced in area. Schnauzers will not be able to resist chasing small, wild animals like squirrels.
Before we wrap this article up, we’ll leave you with 7 fun facts about Miniature Schnauzers!
- Schnauzers date back to the 15th Century when they were first used as farm dogs
- Miniature Schnauzers bond deeply with their owners, and your will be your biggest best friend
- This dog breed sheds very little, so you won’t have to constantly clean your home
- Despite their small size, Miniature Schnauzers can keep up during long walks, hikes, and other athletic outings
- Miniature Schnauzers excel at dog sports and will probably be the fastest dog on the agility course
- They are a hardy, sturdy, strong breed, and not at all delicate even though they’re small
- Even though Miniature Schnauzers belong to the Terrier group of dog breeds, their personality is not very “terrier”
Have you fallen in love with the Miniature Schnauzer dog breed yet? Check out PuppyBuddy’s adorable Miniature Schnauzers, and stop in our Boca Raton location and meet your next furry friend!
