Breed Profile: Miniature Schnauzer

These energetic terriers originated as German farm dogs. Larger schnauzers were used to pull carts and guard livestock, while smaller schnauzers were used as ratters. Because most farms needed an indoor ratter and these smaller schnauzers fit better inside smaller homes, they became family pets.

Miniature schnauzers were first developed when standard schnauzers were bred with affenpinschers and small black poodles. Other breeds, such as the miniature pinscher and wire fox terrier, may have been used in the breeding process as well. The first miniature schnauzer arrived in the United States in 1920, and the breed was recognized as separate from the standard schnauzer by the American Kennel Club in 1926. Today, although the breed is still suited for ratting and general farm work, it is more often kept as a companion and family dog.

The following description is of an “ideal” mini schnauzer. Not all schnauzers will fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issue unless you want one who can compete in dog shows.

Miniature schnauzers are intelligent, affectionate, and outgoing. Unlike some terriers, they vocal but not aggressive, and they usually play well with other dogs. Nonetheless, miniature schnazers often prefer the company of people to other animals.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well a mini schnauzer is going to fit in with you and your family.

The miniature schnauzer is a lap dog who wants to be anywhere his owner is. Loving and energetic, he makes a great companion dog, provided you don’t mind having your pet around you at all times. Highly intelligent and inclined to please his owner, a mini schnauzer can also insist on having his own way. He gets along very well with children as long as an adult supervises or the dog was exposed to children frequently when he was a puppy.

Miniature schnauzers are highly versatile and can adapt to living in a small home in the suburbs, an apartment in the city, or a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Mini schnauzers living in apartments or condos need more exercise than they would if they had a yard to run around in regularly. The mini schnauzer’s primary job is no longer to eradicate vermin, but he will still do so if given the opportunity.

Without a proper outlet for their energy, mini schnauzers can quickly become destructive. A brisk walk or even a run around the yard isn’t sufficient. Having once been bred for daily farm work, mini schnauzers have a great deal of energy and therefore require a lot of exercise—about 45 minutes a day. Off-leash activity in an enclosed environment such as a dog park will provide a mini schnauzer with both exercise and socialization.

Mini schnauzers are intelligent and adept at learning commands and tricks. They also thrive on attention, so praise for a job well done has a powerful effect on them during training. Like most dogs, they do not respond well to negative reinforcement, which serves only to increase stress and anxiety.