Small, cheerful, loyal and bearded are the main features of the miniature schnauzer.Although its size does not exceed 35 centimeters, it is a very brave and dynamic dog.This is the miniature version of the standard schnauzer and giant schnauzer, so it is the ideal life companion for those who love this breed but have no room to offer their older siblings.
Although it is a small dog, it requires a lot of daily activity as it is a very active and playful breed of dog.Just as you need proper nutrition, this is the key to making sure your health stays in optimal condition and doesn’t make you overweight.Want to know more? Read on and find out all about the miniature schnauzer in this Animal Expert file.
- The miniature schnauzer has its origin in Germany.
- Specifically in Frankfurt.
- Although there is no absolute certainty about the crosses made to reach the current breed.
- It is thought that the affenpinscher and the poodle are their ancestors.
Originally, they were used as hunters on farms, but gradually their beautiful appearance and pleasant personality earned the sympathy of the inhabitants of the city and, today, the miniature schnauzer is an extremely popular pet dog worldwide.
In general, it is a small dog, elegant, compact and robust square profile, which is distinguished by its dense eyebrows and thick beard.
The back and lumbar of the schnauzer are strong and short, and its upper line descends slightly from the cross, the hip is slightly rounded, the chest is moderately wide but deep and the belly is subtly compact.
The head of this dog is rectangular, strong and elongated, with a well-defined stop or naso-frontal depression, the nose is black and the snout has a truncated corner, its bite is strong and in scissors, the eyes of the miniature schnauzer are medium, oval and forward facing; They have a cheerful and lively expression.The V-shaped ears fold and fall forward, resting their inner edges on the cheeks.In the past, they were cut to stand, but today this custom is forbidden in many countries because it is a cruel act that greatly harms the health of the animal.
The tail of the miniature schnauzer is shaped like a sword or sickle, years ago it was amputated and, unfortunately, today, this tradition is still visible in many countries, however, this custom is gradually disappearing, because it has been banned in most of them and that the FCI standard of the breed requires natural tails.It should be noted that the tail of the dog, along with the ears, is the most expressive part of his body, through which he shows his emotions and moods.at the same time it constitutes the extension of the spine, so the amputation is totally counter-private.
The hair of the miniature schnauzer is composed of two layers: the inner layer is formed by dense hair, while the outer layer is composed of hard, rough and well attached to the body. Accepted colors are:
To finish with the physical characteristics of the miniature schnauzer, the height range of this breed, whether male or female, varies from 30 to 35 centimeters.The ideal weight, on the other hand, varies between 4 and 8 kilos.
These dogs are very active, intelligent, curious and faithful, they learn easily and when treated well they are very friendly, they are also brave and persevering animals, the miniature schnauzer usually has a strong personality, so it is important to socialize the miniature schnauzer puppy.This prevents you from become aggressive or fearful in adulthood.Correct socialization also facilitates interaction between miniature schnauzers and adults.
The miniature schnauzer’s coat requires daily brushing and an occasional bath when the dog is very dirty (approximately every two months) .It also requires a haircut about four times a year, which is preferable at a pet store due to the characteristics of its coat. An advantage of this breed is that it does not lose too much hair, making it ideal for allergy sufferers who wish to have a dog.
Although small, the miniature schnauzer needs a good dose of daily exercise, a few walks a day and a few daily games are necessary to keep these dogs in good physical condition, of course, they also need frequent company, they are not dogs that can be alone for long periods, as they can develop anxiety about separation and destructive habits, biting furniture, shoes or other household objects.Similarly, the miniature schnauzer dog lives better indoors and adapts very well to apartment living, although it should receive a lot of exercise, attention and a lot of affection.
The miniature schnauzer dog is a breed that learns easily, canine training is simple and fun, however, the miniature schnauzer should be educated through positive training styles, since traditional training does not work very well.
When the miniature schnauzer is not properly socialized and educated, it may present behaviors typical of the watchdog.To avoid this behavioral problem, the socialization and early education of the schnauzer puppy is important, as we have noted in previous sections.Behavioral problem, dog obedience training does not directly solve the problem, but it helps a lot because it teaches the dog to have more confidence and self-control.
On the other hand, these dogs usually bark a lot. This can be an advantage when you want a companion dog that also serves as a keeper and warns you of the presence of people.However, this can be a serious problem when you live in an apartment.Therefore, we recommend that you check out our article on “How to prevent my dog from barking”.
In general, miniature schnauzers have great qualities as pets for young people, adults and the elderly, they are intelligent, friendly and wonderful companions.However, they do not respond well to careless treatment and are therefore not the best choice for young children.
Like many other breeds of dogs, miniature schnauzer is prone to certain canine diseases and other health problems, the most common being:
Although not a pathology, many miniature schnauzers have reactions to mandatory vaccines, so be careful if your miniature schnauzer dog has an abnormality, it will also be important to dewode it following the specialist’s instructions and offer you a quality diet.