About the Miniature Schnauzer
The miniature Schnauzer is a hardy little dog that
thinks he's much larger than he really is!
thinks he's much larger than he really is!
What I like about them is that they are big enough that you don't feel like you'd kill them if you accidentally stepped on them, but they are small enough to be portable and easily scooped up if necessary.
They don't shed. That's why they are considered lower-allergen.
They are a double-coated breed and they do need to have their furnishings and beard brushed and combed frequently to prevent matting and keep them looking good! Their grooming requirements are higher as they do not shed and their jacket either needs to be clippered or hand plucked to keep them looking neat and tidy. Most pet owners choose to have them professionally groomed every 5-8 weeks.
They don't have that classic "doggie odor".
They travel well.
They love their people and love to be loved by their people!
They are attention hounds without being needy.
They love toys!
They do well with children if they are raised with them.
They are the 17th most popular breed in the United States (based on the number of AKC registrations).
Their exercise needs are moderate.
They are prey-driven and should not be off-lead without extensive obedience work. A fenced yard is really nice to have! You'll delight in watching them chase squirrels and birds in your yard. Not maybe not so delighted when they catch one!
They are easily house-trained.
They do bark and can bark a lot.
They truly benefit from being constantly socialized and exposed to new situations.
They do very well in performance sports!!!
They don't shed. That's why they are considered lower-allergen.
They are a double-coated breed and they do need to have their furnishings and beard brushed and combed frequently to prevent matting and keep them looking good! Their grooming requirements are higher as they do not shed and their jacket either needs to be clippered or hand plucked to keep them looking neat and tidy. Most pet owners choose to have them professionally groomed every 5-8 weeks.
They don't have that classic "doggie odor".
They travel well.
They love their people and love to be loved by their people!
They are attention hounds without being needy.
They love toys!
They do well with children if they are raised with them.
They are the 17th most popular breed in the United States (based on the number of AKC registrations).
Their exercise needs are moderate.
They are prey-driven and should not be off-lead without extensive obedience work. A fenced yard is really nice to have! You'll delight in watching them chase squirrels and birds in your yard. Not maybe not so delighted when they catch one!
They are easily house-trained.
They do bark and can bark a lot.
They truly benefit from being constantly socialized and exposed to new situations.
They do very well in performance sports!!!
Joy loving Fastcat! Photo by MLBaer Photography
Mini Schnauzer Health
A well bred miniature schnauzer should live to be 12-14 years old. Some have been known to live to 17 years old!
As with people, it's best to keep your dog at an optimum weight and in great condition! Schnauzers LOVE to eat and will tempt you daily to overfeed them!
It is therefore extremely important to feed a healthy well-balanced diet to your dog. As with people,
they are what they eat!
There are a number of extremely good quality foods available today. They include the following brands: Royal Canin, Purina ProPlan, and more. Read the labels carefully, as Schnauzers do not need high levels of fat in their diets as hyperlipidemia or high blood fats can be common in the breed. In fact there is a newer study at Texas A & M University regarding this disease. Choose a food with a fat content of 10% to 15%. A lot of these new Grain Free foods are much higher and our minis don't need those high levels of fat. In addition, there are now studies that are indicating that grain free diets may contribute to a heart disease called DCM. Click here for a podcast regarding this important subject! The FDA has issued an alert regarding this and therefore I have switched all my dogs back to a non-grain free (grain inclusive) diet!
I feed Purina Pro Plan (Salmon & Rice and Small Breed Chicken & Rice) kibble which I add a bit of Purina Pro Plan canned, slow cooker pulled chicken breast or some healthy table scraps as a topper. They also get few high quality dog biscuits for treats and they enjoy Beef Gullet strips and sticks from Best Bully Sticks.
I've also discovered Stella & Chewy's Freeze Dried Super Beef Patties. They are great as a topper or if someone is off their food. I've yet had a dog turn their nose up at them!
I also like natural chews like gullet sticks, tripe sticks and beef jerky. Bully sticks are too hard of a chew for my guys. As with any chew, supervise your dog while they eat it. Here's a great source for these chews. M & M Barkery.
It also helps to brush your dogs teeth weekly. Buy a battery operated Oral B type toothbrush (with a small head). Use doggie toothpaste (not people toothpaste). That too will help keep plaque and tartar at bay.
I also recently became aware of natural product called Petzlife Oral Care Gel and Spray. You can find it on-line and have been using it with some success on my dogs.
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Here are some links to some informative websites.
Marvista Vet I really find this a very helpful website. They offer simple, easy to understand explanations and cover everything from medications, surgical procedures and an index of diseases. A great place to start your research.
Veterinary Partner is a very helpful site as well!