The Miniature Schnauzer’s distinctive ‘whiskers and beard’ give it a wise appearance – and it is indeed a clever and alert breed. They are robust and fairly vocal, as well as adaptable and family-friendly, with a personality twice their size!
Facts & advice
Miniature Schnauzer
An enthusiastic extrovert with plenty of personality
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Medium and wiry with a thick undercoat, requires grooming at least twice a week |
| Exercise | Around 1 hour a day for adult dogs |
| Life span: | 12+ years |
| Breed group: | Utility |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, obedient, friendly |
Miniature Schnauzer temperament & personality
With boundless energy and a flair for mischief, there’s never a dull moment with the fun-loving Miniature Schnauzer.
- As an out-and-out extrovert, Miniature Schnauzer needs plenty of attention.
- This fun-loving breed is happy to meet new people but can take a while to warm up to other dogs, so early socialisation is really beneficial.
- Miniature Schnauzers are highly intelligent and usually easy to train, but their stubborn streak requires a firm and patient hand.
- Due to their playful nature, these breeds make great family pets and usually get on well with children (but always keep dogs under close supervision around young children).
- It’s important to remember that Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive and aren’t well suited to households with cats or smaller mammals and birds.
Miniature Schnauzer training & exercise
Intelligent and alert, Miniature Schnauzers are relatively easy to train, but their stubborn side makes them best suited to more experienced dog handlers.
Training tips
- Due to their high intelligence, Miniature Schnauzers love to learn tricks and will relish the attention from you.
- Miniature Schnauzers tend to be strong-willed and are known to have “selective hearing” when it comes to obeying commands, so it’s important to introduce recall training early on.
- Their strong personalities mean that Miniature Schnauzers can also lose interest quickly in lessons, especially if you don’t establish yourself as the pack leader.
Keeping them happy
- As a “people person” your Miniature Schnauzer will be happiest in the heart of a busy, active household. This means they won’t tolerate being left alone very well.
- Miniature Schnauzers are incredibly loyal and will normally choose a favourite amongst the family.
Exercise
- With a strong terrier streak, Miniature Schnauzers need more exercise than their small size might suggest – around one hour a day should suffice.
- Miniature Schnauzers also love to roam so should have plenty of space to explore in a secure, well fenced garden.
- As a lively and playful breed, Miniature Schnauzers also need plenty of mental stimulation, so earmark plenty of time for games as well as walks.
Game ideas
- Natural born diggers, Miniature Schnauzers will love finding buried treasure, in the form of their favourite toy, in a sandbox or on the beach.
- These versatile dogs also excel at obedience and agility training. Earthdog trials, in which dogs are judged on their underground hunting, seeking and retrieving skills, are a perfect activity for Miniature Schnauzers to channel their penchant for digging!
Common Miniature Schnauzer health conditions
Like all breeds, Miniature Schnauzers are prone to certain conditions, and choosing a reputable breeder or rehoming organisation should be the first step to having a happy and healthy dog. To help you be more aware and prepared for the most common health issues, if they should arise, we have put together some information on the health issues that we see the most in Miniature Schnauzers.
Miniature Schnauzers, like other smaller breeds, are prone to developing dental and mouth issues, particularly gum disease. Because of their smaller mouths they are more likely to have overcrowding, and food, bacteria and minerals can accumulate on the gum line. This causes a build up of 'tartar' which eventually affects the gum causing 'gingivitis', this means small spaces between the gum and teeth are formed where bacteria grow and results in periodontal disease. This can be serious as the bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented with regular dental descales and at home tooth brushing.
Heart disease in dogs is classified as either congenital heart disease (which means ʻborn with itʼ) or acquired heart disease (which means the disease develops later in life). Both of these defects can lead to a state called ʻheart failureʼ, wherein the heart struggles to pump blood around the body. Miniature Schnauzers are particularly prone to heart murmurs, which are caused by abnormal blood flow. Early diagnosis of heart problems is key, because if they progress to the ʻheart failureʼ stage, treatment will then be needed for the rest of the dogʼs life.
Miniature Schnauzers can be more susceptible than some other breeds to liver disease (hepatitis). This can be caused by several different factors, including infections such as leptospirosis, as well as drug and chemical poisoning. Treatment can take the form of special diets and supplements to prevent any long-term damage to the liver.
A dog’s pancreas produces insulin, which is required to regulate body sugar and fat metabolism. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Certain conditions make dogs more likely to develop diabetes, such as being overweight, inflammation of the pancreas, and drugs that interfere with insulin (such as prescribed steroids and hormones). Also, some breeds are more prone to the illness than others, including Miniature Schnauzers. Diabetes can be managed successfully in the long term with an injection of insulin once or twice a day, along with regulated feeding routines.
The pancreas is a fragile organ that lies between the liver and the small intestine. Miniature Schnauzers can be prone to a condition called pancreatitis, which means ‘inflammation of the pancreas’. It occurs when the digestive enzymes within the pancreas start attacking it and there are mild and severe forms. Treatment for the mild form revolves around supportive care and avoiding highly fatty foods in the longer term. The severe form can require more intensive treatment, such as IV drips and various medicines, to restore good health.
Miniature Schnauzer grooming
Miniature Schnauzers’ double coat is both low maintenance and low-shedding, which may make them more suitable for allergy sufferers.
- Miniature Schnauzers’ main coat doesn’t need too much maintenance, brushing once a week will suffice. However, their wiry “beard” and ears will need more regular attention to prevent matting.
- Some owners choose to wash their Miniature Schnauzer’s beard after they eat to keep them looking spick and span, but this isn’t always necessary.
- The Miniature Schnauzer needs regular grooming – at least twice a week. The dog’s ‘beard’ should also be combed every day to avoid matting.
Miniature Schnauzer nutrition
Miniature Schnauzers love their food, but don’t be taken in by their puppy-dog eyes as they can quickly put on weight if over-indulged.
- Keep an eye on portion sizes to maintain a healthy weight.
- Miniature Schnauzers can be more prone to diabetes than other breeds so their diet should be closely monitored by you and your vet.
- Make sure your Schnauzer also has access to plenty of water as this breed can also be prone to urinary conditions.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Miniature Schnauzer
Considering welcoming a fun and feisty Miniature Schnauzer into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- Miniature Schnauzers are not the most dog-friendly dogs and can be very vocal, although they are rarely aggressive.
- This intelligent breed loves to learn tricks but needs a firm and patient owner when it comes to training.
- Miniature Schnauzers tend to get on well in a busy, family household.
- Choose a licensed and reputable Miniature Schnauzer breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, Miniature Schnauzers can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
Miniature Schnauzer frequently asked questions
Miniature Schnauzers don’t tend to shed, making them an ideal choice for those who suffer from allergies. Their short coat is also relatively low maintenance but certain areas, such as their signature “beard”, may need a little more attention to prevent knotting and matts.
Miniature Schnauzers’ gruff appearance and tendency to bark can make these dogs look less cuddly than other breeds. However, the Miniature Schnauzer’s appearance couldn’t be more deceptive, and this breed is incredibly affectionate and thrives when in the heart of the family.
Miniature Schnauzers can get on well with cats, provided they are introduced carefully and from an early age. However, this tends to be the exception and not the rule; Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive and will often chase smaller animals, including cats. As this is an instinctive behaviour, it can be difficult to train out and is likely to be distressing for other pets.
Miniature Schnauzers are very sociable and outgoing dogs and don’t tolerate being left alone very well. If you do have to leave your Miniature Schnauzer alone for a few hours, make sure they have plenty of toys available to keep them occupied and consider having someone come round and check in on them.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a Miniature Schnauzer or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.
As an intelligent and outgoing breed, Miniature Schnauzers love to learn tricks and spend training time with their owners. However, they can be headstrong and can be known to have selective hearing. For this reason, Miniature Schnauzers need clear and consistent training, with plenty of positive reinforcement to keep them engaged. Short and fun training sessions will also help to keep your playful Miniature Schnauzer engaged.
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Miniature Schnauzer insurance considerations
Most Miniature Schnauzers live long and happy lives, but they can suffer from specific health problems, such as diabetes and liver conditions. That’s why it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, you consider the length of time policies cover different conditions. Petplan’s Covered For Life® plans refresh the veterinary fees each year allowing you to claim for ongoing conditions for the rest of your pet’s life providing there is no break in cover.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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