What is a Miniature Schnauzer?

The Miniature Schnauzer is descended from the Standard Schnauzer and the Affenpinscher (a toy dog with a terrier-like attitude) with perhaps a dollop of Poodle thrown in. The Miniature Schnauzer inherited his ancestor's courage and resolve as well as the job of rat-catching on the family farm.

In the United States, there are three colors of Miniature Schnauzers: salt-and-pepper (hairs are banded with black bands toward the tips and white bands towards the body; some solid black and solid white hairs are mixed in); black and silver, and solid black.

These are the only colors recognized by the American Kennel Club and the American Miniature Schnauzer Club.

The breed has a double coat. The outer (top) coat is hard and wiry while the undercoat is softer and closer to the skin. The "furnishings" (the longer hair on the legs and stomach) should be thick and not silky. The coat must be "plucked" or "stripped" to maintain the wiry texture.

However, many pet owners elect to clip their dogs as stripping takes much time and effort. Thus, many dogs that are actually salt-and-pepper color appear to be light gray or silver. Whether stripped or clipped, the Schnauzer must be brushed frequently to prevent mats, particularly on the legs and in the beard. (Please visit our grooming page for more information on the care of your schnauzer.) The Miniature Schnauzer is a distinctive dog with a square body, wiry coat, and a rectangular head accented by bushy eyebrows and a luxurious beard. (In fact, "schnauzer" in German means "muzzle" or "beard"). He stands 12-14 inches at the withers and weighs 15-20 pounds. The Schnauzer body is square, with the height at the shoulders approximately the same as the length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks. The tail is docked to about three-quarters of an inch when the puppy is about three-to-four days old so that it will be clearly visible over the topline of the body when the dog is in proper coat.

The Schnauzer is generally healthy and hardy. Major problems in some lines include hereditary eye problems and urinary tract (bladder) stones. The Miniature Schnauzer is a merry dog with a mischievous streak. He is very intelligent and highly trainable. His character can run the gamut from extrovert to timidity with strangers, but he generally enjoys a good game, likes well-behaved children, and adapts well to apartment living.

More and more Mini Schnauzers are competing in the obedience ring and the little dogs often enjoy the challenge of agility training. Those who are interested in earning performance titles will find a well-bred Schnauzer to be a bright, perky obedience dog -- if he understands who is boss in the relationship. However, many Mini Schnauzers are smart enough to take over the boss' office if they sense a weakness in the human head of the household. Once a Schnauzer sits in the CEO's chair, it may be difficult to convince him to revert to being just another pack member. He is a popular dog with pet stores, and pet store specimens can be high-strung or otherwise poor specimens of the breed.

If you want a healthy, happy Miniature Schnauzer that will be a part of your family for years to come, it is important to find a good breeder. Responsible breeders answer buyers' questions, keep puppies they cannot place, allow bitches to recover sufficiently from whelping one litter before breeding another, and take back any puppy that does not work out in its new home. Responsible breeders breed dogs because they admire their breed and want to contribute to its betterment. They guarantee their pups free of genetic diseases common in their breed and replace the pup if a disease should crop up.

Responsible breeders consider the puppies they produce to be their responsibility for the life of that puppy, so they follow-up frequently to see what's going on. They evaluate their puppies as show and breeding quality or pet quality and sell pet puppies with a spay-neuter contract.

Pet-quality puppies are not deficient - they just may not meet the breed standard for size, color, coat type, bone structure, head type, etc. Many responsible breeders sell pet puppies at a lower price than show puppies.

Area breed clubs are excellent sources of information about local breeders. Using newspaper classified ads to locate a breeder is a gamble. Few responsible breeders advertise in local classified ads because they have no trouble placing their dogs, sometimes keeping waiting lists for years in advance of the puppies' births. Therefore most breeders who advertise in the newspaper are amateurs who know little about their breeds.

When you decide the time is right for a puppy, spend at least as much time looking for an ethical breeder with quality puppies as you would in shopping for a new car or a special dress or suit. A puppy is a long-term investment that will be with you for 10-12 years or more.

A truly responsible and professional breeder cares where his puppies will grow up. Really good breeders have a "sixth sense" about people. They will ask you many questions and scrutinize your behavior with their dogs, the dogs' behavior with you, and the behavior and attitudes of your children. If the children are rowdy and disobedient, chances are your dog will be too, and the breeder may not want one of her dogs going to your home. (This page based on materials written by CSMSC members.)