Group: Terrier

Weight: 10-15 pounds

Height: 12-14 inches



History

All of the three Schnauzer dog breeds have its origin in the South of Germany. These were developed as all-purpose dogs. The largest of the three Schnauzers were used as guard dogs, trainer dogs and watchdogs. The down-sized small breed, or the Mini, was originally used as a rat catcher and as a watchdog. Today however they are very popular family pets.

Characteristics

This miniature breed of dogs is very lively and energetic. They are very fond of playing, and they have extremely expressive personalities. These dogs are very devoted to their owners, and they love to be involved in all of the family activities. They are also very fond of taking walks. The majority of these dogs get along very good with children, but they are a bit too small to be the pet of a toddler. In general they will get along well with the other animals in the family.

Temperament

Miniature Schnauzers are very small dogs, but also very popular. They are known to be very trustworthy, and they also show much affection toward their families. They make wonderful family companions, and this breed is well suited to people with previous or even no previous dog ownership experience. Miniature Schnauzers are very warm dogs, and they love to socialise. It should be known that these dogs bark a lot, and they will definitely make an alarm if something is not right.

Care

These dogs do require some work when it comes to grooming. Their beards should be cleaned on a daily basis, and they hair around their bottoms should also be trimmed for hygienic reasons. It is advised to brush the coats of these dogs more than once during the week - and it is also important to strip their dead coats every few months or so. These are very low shedding dogs, and therefore they might work well for people suffering from allergies. For more detailed info, take a look at the Miniature Schnauzer Grooming page.

Training

These are very clever dogs, and they learn very quickly. The Miniature Schnauzer is easy to train, and they excel in obedience training. These dogs are very flexible dogs, and they always want to please their families - but it should be noted that they can be quite obstinate at times. The Miniature Schnauzer is very fond of giving and receiving love and affection. They are not suited for families unable to give lots of time to their pets. Early socialization, preferably from puppy hood onward, will help in order to develop a steady and positive attitude.

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