Tell me about miniature schnauzers......

georgiegirl

georgiegirl

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As title please :)

There is the possibility of a new arrival in our household and I would like to hear others thoughts/experiences of mini's :)
 
as no one else has jumped in......i dont have any experience of them myself but have friends with 2 children who have one and he has been brilliant wiith the kids, has been very easy to train and is small enough so the kids (8 and 6) can hold the lead when they go for walks so they are learning how to be responsible......my friend would recommend them and she hasnt had any problems with hers......hope this helps and we must have pics, pleeeeeeeease if you get your new arrival
 
I know quite a few and they can be quite assertive. They are really terriers and have the terrier attitude. They need a lot of training as they like to get their own way - not ideal when the 6 month old pup that has run riot comes in to be groomed and doesn't know how to stand or what a comb is.
There are several recommended health tests that a decent breeder will do including having the litter eye tested prior to sale but these are a breed popular with puppy farmers so be careful where you go for one.
 
They need plenty of exercise, firm handling but don't most dogs. They make good house dogs, can be quite vocal.

Yes make sure all health tests have been done.
 
Mini Schnauzers are not terriers.

"The AKC groups this breed with the Terriers, because it was developed for a similar purpose and has a similar character to the terrier breeds of the Britain and Ireland, but because the Miniature Schnauzer was bred to be a ratter, and not used to 'go to ground' like British terriers, it is more correctly termed a Pinscher ("biter", a descriptive word like "setter" or "retriever").origination: Germany from Giant and Standard Schnauzers crossed with Affenpinschers and Miniature Pinschers"

They are, however, the best dogs ever! I may be biased though. We got our first mini schnauzer a year and a half ago and she is an absolute pleasure. She is clever, quick to learn, stubborn, loyal and has a lovely temperament. She can be vocal, as they all can. We love her so much we decided to get another one just before christmas. We thought we wouldn't find another fantastic dog as her, but we did! he is an absolute cutie. He is more willing to obey than our female (she likes to consider whats in it for her first), but razor sharp clever, like her, quick to pick up commands and despite being very unsure of strangers very affectionate.

I have started dog agility with the girl and she is a machine! we have only been 3 times and she is off the lead doing it like she's been doing it for years!

I love the breed, I wouldn't have another breed now. If I want a bigger dog I would go for either a medium or giant schnauzer, would love a giant schnauzer one day! They have the same temperaments and the same wise look in their eye.

I would recommend them every time.
 
While I have been considering having a MinSnzr as my next dog - I do really like the breed - there are still some things to consider when choosing one.

First, they are a noisy breed of dog - they can serenede you with the loudest high pitch voice ever. I had two in yesterday (from different families) who just about made my ears bleed from the noise they made. Another two that I groom (from the same family) can be heard from about 100yards from the shop (while we're closed inside it and dryers going!).

Unless you're happy to have "short back and sides, legs off" type look they do require a reasonable amount of grooming. Their furnishings look beautiful when kept properlly, but they are soft and do form rather difficult knots to brush out. Often my schnaauzer owners are shy with the brushing...but those that do yield the brush well are rewarded with a fantastic looking dog :)

Their ears do require much attention as they grow profuse thick hair which is difficult to pluck and the mostly don't like it much ;) I had a pup in yesterday who stood like an angel to get his ears plucked, but he is for the most part, an exception to the rule.

They are heaps of fun, bouncy and entertaining. They are so trainable and alert - but they do take work. :)
 
Serephin said:
Mini Schnauzers are not terriers.

"The AKC groups this breed with the Terriers, because it was developed for a similar purpose and has a similar character to the terrier breeds of the Britain and Ireland, but because the Miniature Schnauzer was bred to be a ratter, and not used to 'go to ground' like British terriers, it is more correctly termed a Pinscher ("biter", a descriptive word like "setter" or "retriever").origination: Germany from Giant and Standard Schnauzers crossed with Affenpinschers and Miniature Pinschers"

They are, however, the best dogs ever! I may be biased though. We got our first mini schnauzer a year and a half ago and she is an absolute pleasure. She is clever, quick to learn, stubborn, loyal and has a lovely temperament. She can be vocal, as they all can. We love her so much we decided to get another one just before christmas. We thought we wouldn't find another fantastic dog as her, but we did! he is an absolute cutie. He is more willing to obey than our female (she likes to consider whats in it for her first), but razor sharp clever, like her, quick to pick up commands and despite being very unsure of strangers very affectionate.

I have started dog agility with the girl and she is a machine! we have only been 3 times and she is off the lead doing it like she's been doing it for years!

I love the breed, I wouldn't have another breed now. If I want a bigger dog I would go for either a medium or giant schnauzer, would love a giant schnauzer one day! They have the same temperaments and the same wise look in their eye.

I would recommend them every time.
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They are much closer to terriers than the larger varieties (I've had a giant) and to all intents and purposes from a pet owners perspective they have terrier traits rarther than toy breed traits.
BTW not all terriers go to ground and the mini schnauzers original purpose matches a Manchester terrier.
They are active, opinionated and need firm handling. Too often they are purchased because people see a well trained older dog and are not prepared for the "terrible twos" they often go through at approaching a year.
They can be yappers and they do need grooming. A good coat won't shed but not all have good coats.
 
s4sugar said:
They are active, opinionated and need firm handling. Too often they are purchased because people see a well trained older dog and are not prepared for the "terrible twos" they often go through at approaching a year.
They can be yappers and they do need grooming. A good coat won't shed but not all have good coats.
Click to expand...

I totally agree! We have to be very firm with ours otherwise they can be trouble! They know the boundaries and like it that way.

Our female was very obstinate to begin with but over time has become a lovely responsive little dog with good manners, albeit a bit cheeky at times. The boy is far more obliging.

I can't stand yappy dogs and luckily neither of mine are, its not tolerated. But when they do get woofy they sound hilarious!

Ours are taken to the groomers every 8 weeks or so - still need a bit of brushing in between as they are burr magnets!!
 
Thankyou for all the advice and comments guys.

We recently lost our 18yo Parsons Jack Russell (wirey haired) and hence had organised to go and see the minature schnauzer puppy. In a rather emotional turn of events my mum decided that she really did want 'a scruffy jack russell' again and we have been and bought a lovely little wire haired 9 week old jack russell boy who we have named Morris :D Thankyou again for your advice but we really did have to follow our hearts xx
 
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