Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a smart looking little dog that's native to Germany. They are the smallest of the three Schnauzers being the more recent addition to this charming breed. Since they first appeared in the show ring they have become one of the most popular of all the Schnauzers thanks to their size as well as their charming looks and kind loyal natures. The Miniature Schnauzer is a low shedder which is another reason why they have gained popularity not only here in the UK but elsewhere in the world too.

They are sturdy robust in appearance with an almost square look about them being just as tall as they are long. Miniature Schnauzers are very adaptable being just as happy living in an apartment as they would be living in a country house providing they are given the right amount of mental stimulation and daily exercise. Always alert and eager to please the Miniature Schnauzer is a real crowd pleaser in the showring both with audiences and judges alike.

The actual origins of the Miniature Schnauzer are a bit vague although the breed is thought to be an ancient one with their ancestry dating back to the 15th century. Similar dogs can be seen depicted in works of art that date back to that period in history but one thing that is certain is that they have always been highly prized in their native Germany thanks to their loyal characters even temperaments and the fact they are able to distinguish between a friend and a foe which makes them excellent watchdogs. This together with their reputation for being exceptionally good "ratters" has always meant that Schnauzers were always in demand with people who lived in the country and in towns too.

Some breed enthusiasts believe that Miniature Schnauzers were created by breeders only using the smallest examples of a Standard Schnauzer in their breeding programmes to achieve a smaller version of the breed. However other people feel they came about by crossing a Standard Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher as well as other small breeds. These charming little dogs were first exhibited at a dog show in 1899 and they were an immediate hit thanks to their size and their charming looks.

Interestingly the Schnauzer takes its breed name from a dog that won the International Show in Hanover that took place in 1879. The dog's name was "Schnauzer" and he was a wire-haired Pinscher. The name "Pinscher" was used after the first Breed Club was established in 1895 in Cologne which included the wire-haired Schnauzer as well as the smooth coated Pinscher. The name is believed to be a reference to "terrier".

However a breed standard had already been drawn up for Short-haired Pinschers around 15 years earlier which was to become the "prototype" for many German breeds. Miniature Schnauzers were officially recognised as a unique breed in 1899 in their native Germany and were first introduced to America in the mid-twenties where they were an immediate hit. In 1901 the Bavarian Schnauzer Club was founded which a few years later in 1918 joined with the Pinscher Club and became known as the Pinscher-Schnauzer Club.

Over the years the Miniature Schnauzer earned a reputation of being an excellent watchdog with the bonus being that they are not aggressive but rather very vocal "barkers" with an excellent ability of determining who was out to do mischief and who was a friend.

The breed was officially recognised by The Kennel Club in 1948 when a breed standard was established. Today Miniature Schnauzers remain a very popular choice both as companion dogs and family pets thanks to their charming looks and loyal affectionate natures both here in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Miniature Schnauzer a vulnerable breed? No they are among the most popular in the UK and elsewhere in the world
• Miniature Schnauzers were first bred to be ratters and watchdogs in their native Germany
• The breed came about by crossing Standard Schnauzers with small breeds which included the Miniature Pinschers as well as Affenpinschers and even Pomeranians and Poodles or so it is thought
• Miniature Schnauzers like their bigger cousins do not shed
• They are extremely intelligent which makes Miniature Schnauzers highly trainable

Height at the withers: Males 30 - 36 cm Females 30 - 36 cm

Average weight: Males 5.4 - 9.1 kg Females 5.4 - 8.2 kg

The Miniature Schnauzer is a charming looking little dog with their bushy eyebrows and whiskers. They boast a compact athletic appearance with nicely proportioned heads which are a good length and quite broad between a dog's ears. Their foreheads are flat with Minis having well-muscled cheeks and a medium stop that accentuates their eyebrows. Muzzles are powerful and blunt with lots of bristly hair that forms their charming moustaches and whiskers. Noses are black with nice open nostrils and lips are tight.

Their eyes are dark and oval shaped being medium in size with dogs having lovely bushy arched eyebrows which adds to their charming appeal. Their ears are V-shaped being set high on a dog's head and dropping forward. The Miniature Schnauzer has a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite where their upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. Necks are strong slightly arched and moderately long before merging cleanly into a dog's shoulders.

Minis have strong forequarters with well laid back flat shoulders and they have nice straight well-muscled front legs. Chests are deep and moderately broad with dogs having a quite noticeable breastbone that reaches as far down as the elbow. Their backs are straight and strong being slightly higher at the shoulder than over a dog's hindquarters. Loins are short and well developed with dogs having well sprung ribs.

Their hindquarters are powerful with dogs having well-muscled thighs and strong back legs with both upper and lower thighs being well developed. Feet are round and very cat-like being compact with nicely closed arched toes strong dark nails and firm black coloured pads. Their tails are set high being thicker at the base before tapering to a tip and which dogs carry straight.

When it comes to their coat the Miniature Schnauzer boasts having a harsh wiry short coat with a dense softer undercoat. The outer coat being short adds to the smart look of a Mini. The hair on a dog's neck shoulders ears and skull is clean but harsher on their legs with furnishings being thick but never silky to the touch. The accepted breed colours for registration with the Kennel Club are as follows:

• Black
• Black & Silver
• Pepper & Salt
• White

Miniature Schnauzers should always have a nice pigmentation no matter what colour coat they happen to have.

Gait/movement

When a Miniature Schnauzer moves they do so with a vigorous balanced and free-moving gait covering a lot of ground with their front legs and having excellent drive from their hindquarters. A Miniature Schnauzer always keeps a nice level back when they move.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any departures or exaggerations in the breed standard and would judge any faults on how much they affect a Miniature Schnauzer's overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.

Male Miniature Schnauzers should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums. It is also worth noting that a dog might be slightly taller or shorter and that they can be a little lighter or heavier than stated in their breed standard which is issued by the Kennel Club as a guideline only.

Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent lively little dogs and they thrive in a home environment. However they do have a bit of a stubborn streak in them which is why their socialisation and training has to start as early as possible so they understand their place in the pack and who is the alpha dog in a household. Their training also has to be consistent and they need to be handled with a firm yet gentle hand. These little dogs are never happier than when they know who they can look to for direction and guidance.

They are quite vocal and are always very quick to let an owner know when there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on in their environment which in short means the Mini is a good watchdog. They tend to be a little wary and aloof around people they do not know but rarely would one of these little dogs show any sort of aggression towards a stranger preferring to keep their distance and bark.

Because they are so intelligent and energetic they do well with people who lead active outdoor lives. The good news is they are not known to suffer from separation anxiety and providing they have been given enough daily exercise and things to keep their minds occupied Minis are quite happy to be left alone although never for too long.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Miniature Schnauzers are a good choice for first time dog owners providing the people have enough time to dedicate to socialising and training their canine companions. Miniature Schnauzers are active energetic and intelligent and they form strong bonds with their owners. However they can be stubborn and strong willed when the mood takes them which is why their education must start early and it must be consistent throughout a dog's life.

What about prey drive?

The Miniature Schnauzer was originally bred to be an expert ratter and this is a trait that is deeply embedded in a dog's psyche. In short if given the chance a Miniature Schnauzer would chase anything that moves which is why care should always be taken as to where and when a dog can run safely off their leads.

What about playfulness?

Miniature Schnauzers are smart and playful dogs by nature and thoroughly enjoy taking part in interactive games. They also excel at all sorts of canine sports which includes agility.

What about adaptability?

Miniature Schnauzers are highly adaptable little dogs and thanks to their size they are just as happy living in an apartment as they would be living in a house with a back garden providing they are given lots of daily exercise and enough mental stimulation to keep them occupied.

What about separation anxiety?

Miniature Schnauzers form extremely strong bonds with their owners and families which means they hate being left on their own for any length of time. All too often when a dog is left to their own devices they develop separation anxiety which sees them developing lots of unwanted and destructive behaviours around the home and this includes barking incessantly.

What about excessive barking?

Miniature Schnauzers are known to be "barkers" and will use any excuse to be vocal even if owners gently attempt to curb this trait when dogs are still young which is why they make great watchdogs. However incessant barking or barking for no reason can turn into a real problem more especially as it might upset and disturb neighbours.

Do Miniature Schnauzers like water?

Some Miniature Schnauzers like swimming whereas others don't even like getting their feet wet and it would be a mistake to make them go in the water when they don't want to because it would just end up frightening them. Anyone who shares a home with a Miniature Schnauzer that enjoys swimming should take great care when walking their dogs off their leads anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case they decide to leap in.

Are Miniature Schnauzers good watchdogs?

Throughout history the Miniature Schnauzer has always been highly prized as being an excellent watchdog. As previously mentioned although not aggressive the Schnauzer is very vocal when they are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on around them.

Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent and they are always willing and eager to please which makes them easy to train. However the key to successfully training one of these active and alert dogs is to make training sessions short and extremely interesting. Longer more repetitive sessions do not bring the best out of these little dogs because they would soon lose interest in what is going on.

They are quite sensitive dogs by nature and therefore they do not respond well to any sort of harsh correction or heavier handed training methods which could end up making a dog shy and timid rather than have any positive outcomes. They do answer very well to positive reinforcement training which always brings the best out of a Miniature Schnauzer.

Puppies need to be taught the basic commands as early as possible so they understand the ground rules and it also helps a young dog establish their place in the pack. The commands a young Miniature Schnauzer should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Once a dog is older they can be taught other more complicated commands to ensure they grow up to be more obedient and well-behaved.

Miniature Schnauzers are known to be wonderful family pets being tolerant and well behaved around children of all ages. However younger children should be taught how to behave around a dog. With this said any interaction between a dog and children should always be well supervised by an adult to make sure things don't get too noisy or boisterous. This is particularly true of toddlers and younger children who may want to pull their pet around.

They also get on well with other dogs and especially if they have been well socialised from a young enough age. If they have grown up with a family cat in a household they generally get on well together however a Mini would think nothing of chasing off any other cats they come across. Care has to be taken when they are around smaller animals and pets just in case they see them as prey so any contact is best avoided.

The average life expectancy of a Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 and 15 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Like so many other breeds the Miniature Schnauzer is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these active and good-looking dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:

• Mycobacterium Avian Complex (MAC) – test available
• Demyelinating Polyneuropathy – test available
• Renal Dysplasia (RD)
• Hereditary cataracts (HC) – dogs should be tested before being used for breeding purposes
• Congenital hereditary cataracts (CHC)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – BVA/KC test available
• Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome (PMDS) - DNA Test Available
• Diabetes
• Urolithaisis
• Von Willebrand disease (VWD)
• Schnauzer comedone syndrome – and more specifically a form of follicular dermatitis
• Fatty Tumours
• Adenomas

More about Mycobacterium Avian Complex (MAC)

Sadly Mycobacterium Avian Complex is a fatal condition that affects dogs when they are quite young. It is a sort of "tuberculosis" and studies suggest that the condition could well be what is known as "zoonotic" which in short means it can cross from species to species including being transmitted to humans. The most susceptible being very young children and anyone who has a compromised immune system which includes the elderly. With this said there has never been a case of a person having contracted the disorder from an animal which includes from a dog to a person.

More about Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Three years ago the mutation that causes demyelinating polyneuropathy was identified thanks to the efforts of the University of Bristol the Animal Health Trust and the University College London which now means Miniature Schnauzers can be DNA tested for the disease. It was found that the condition is an autosomal recessive disorder and that dogs typically show symptoms of having the disease when they are around 3 months old with the clinical signs getting progressively worse as time goes on.

More about Renal Dysplasia

Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to developing renal dysplasia (RD) which is a condition that negatively impacts the development of a dog's kidneys. It is known that the disorder can either be inherited or acquired and unfortunately there is no cure and as such the prognosis for any dog diagnosed with RD is always very poor with dogs succumbing to the disorder.

More about eye issues in the breed

Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to suffering from several eye issues which includes congenital hereditary cataracts (CHC) hereditary cataracts (HC) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and because there are no DNA tests available for the breed reputable breeders and other people who intend on breeding from their dogs should have them eye-tested and to screen all litters they produce. It is mandatory for all KC Assured breeders to have stud dogs tested under the BVA/KC eye scheme and dogs should be tested annually for both HC and PRA. All Miniature Schnauzer puppies should be eye-screened by breeders for congenital hereditary cataracts between the ages of 5 - 8 weeks and before they are sold to prospective owners.

It is worth noting that dogs need to be around 6 months old and sometimes even older before they can be diagnosed as suffering from hereditary cataracts which are often referred to as "juvenile" cataracts and that all Miniature Schnauzers must be eye tested before being used for breeding purposes.

Dogs may not show any signs of suffering from progressive retinal atrophy (generalised) until they are around 1-year old although some dogs may show signs of having a problem when they are as young as 6 months old whereas others might not show any symptoms until they are 6 years old. In the Miniature Schnauzer the earliest a dog has been recorded as suffering from the condition is when the dog was 3 years old.

More about Comedone syndrome

Why some Miniature Schnauzers develop Comedone syndrome remains a mystery. The condition is also known as Schnauzer Bumps with lumps developing along a dog's spine which are frequently filled with pus when an infection takes hold. When dogs spend more time in the sunlight studies have shown they suffer fewer outbreaks of Schnauzer Bumps.

What about vaccinations?

A Miniature Schnauzer would have been given their first vaccination before being sold but it is up to their new owner to ensure they are given a follow-up shot. The vaccination schedule is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

These days a lot of vets recommend neutering and spaying Miniature Schnauzers when they are anything from 6 to 9 months old with some vets preferring to wait until a dog has matured that much more before they undergo the procedures.

What about obesity problems?

Miniature Schnauzers are known to like their food and as such they are prone to putting on weight a little too easily. As such it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline and to adjust their food and daily exercise accordingly. Obesity is a real problem and can shorten a dog's life by several years.

What about allergies?

As previously mentioned Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to suffering from a condition known as Comedone Syndrome and when an outbreak flares up the lumps along a dog's back need to be treated to avoid an infection taking hold. As such a quick trip to the vet would be in order so a dog can be examined and the right sort of treatment set in place to prevent an infection taking hold. Common triggers include the following:

• Environment
• A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
• Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
• Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
• Tick and flea bites
• Dust mites
• Mould

Participating in health schemes

All responsible breeders would have their puppies eye-tested to confirm they are clear of congenital hereditary cataracts and can be tested when they are between 6 to 8 weeks old. Dams and Sires should also have been eye-tested annually to establish they are clear of hereditary cataracts congenital hereditary cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy under the BVA/KC Eye Scheme.

Miniature Schnauzers can be eye tested for hereditary cataracts when they are around 6 months old onwards although it is also possible to have a dog eye-tested for the condition when they are 2 years old too.

When it comes to progressive retinal atrophy Miniature Schnauzers can be eye-tested when they are 2 years old and onwards.

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Aside from the standard breeding restrictions that cover all Kennel Club registered breeds there are currently no other breed specific breeding restrictions in place for the Miniature Schnauzer.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

It is mandatory for all Kennel Club Assured Breeders to have stud dogs tested using the following schemes and they strongly recommend that other breeders follow suit:

• Eye testing

The Kennel Club also strongly recommends that all breeders use the following schemes before using a Miniature Schnauzer in a breeding programme:

• BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme - Litter Screening
• Other schemes that are available for the breed include the following:
• DNA test - MAC