Miniature Schnauzer
Origin: The Miniature Schnauzer was first bred in the 1800s in Germany to serve as small farm dogs. It is the result of crossbreeding between the Standard Schnauzer and Affenpinscher or Poodle. Their job was to hunt vermins on the farm. As the breed moved from farm to household pets, became one of the world’s most popular breeds. The American Kennel Club recognized Miniature Schnauzer as a breed in 1933. It is the only Terrier that does not originates from the British Isles.
Size: The Miniature Schnauzer has a sturdy physique and does not look like a toy dog by any means of imagination. It stands 12-15 inches tall at the shoulder, and its weight ranges from 10-15 pounds. It has a rectangular head with small, deep eyes and ears that fold above the head, flat back, and round tiny feet.
Coat: A Miniature Schnauzer has a double-layer coat with a soft and thick undercoat and a rugged and wiry outer coat. Miniature Schnauzers are commonly solid black, black and silver, salt and pepper, or white. They hardly shed as the undercoat catches the stray hair.
Temperament: The Miniature Schnauzer is a brave, intelligent, playful, and spunky dog with an even temperament. They make excellent watchdogs as they do not get friendly with strangers. Your lap is no longer your own if you own a Schnauzer, as this breed loves to be in physical contact with their family, especially their favorite person. They are intelligent, which makes them easy to train. A Miniature Schnauzer gets along well with children and familiar pets. They are protective and loyal to their family. A Miniature Schnauzer may get stubborn and aggressive if left alone for a longer time. They are noisy and bark even at the slightest sound.
Care: A Miniature Schnauzer is an indoor dog; it is active inside the house, following you all the time or playing with toys. They have moderate energy requirements, so a daily walk or 40 minutes of exercise is enough to keep them healthy. A Miniature Schnauzer is a quick learner, but it shows a stubborn nature sometimes, so consistent training is necessary to train them. It enjoys going for runs with its owners. A Miniature Schnauzer requires weekly brushing and grooming after every five to six weeks. Excessive hair around the pads should be removed. Miniature Schnauzers with cropped ears are more prone to ear infections so ear cleanliness should be taken care of. Brush their teeth twice or thrice a week to remove tartar build-up.
Health: Like all other breeds, a Miniature Schnauzer is a healthy breed, but there are some common health issues seen in them. Entropion, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Myotonia Congenita, Congenital Megaesophagus, Von Willebrand’s Disease, and Cataracts are some of the health concerns a Miniature Schnauzer can be affected to. These diseases can be treated medically or avoided by taking necessary precautions. Do ask for a health clearance when you plan to get a Miniature Schnauzer home.
