Breed Spotlight: Miniature Schnauzer

Coat Type and Colors

Miniature schnauzers have a double coat, with the topcoat consisting of wiry hairs.³ Their undercoat is short and thick, making them minimal shedders. They’re most well-known for their full eyebrows and scruffy beards.

The American Kennel Club recognizes three colors of the mini schnauzer, including:

• Black
• Black and silver
• Salt and pepper

Ears

Miniature schnauzers’ ears are small and v-shaped. When cropped, their ears stand close to their head in proportion to their skull.3 While cropped ears are the breed standard set by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the procedure is purely cosmetic and isn’t deemed necessary for all mini schnauzers unless they’re entering dog shows.

Shedding and Grooming

The miniature schnauzer doesn’t shed often, and they don’t produce much dander, which makes the breed hypoallergenic. Despite this, they do require a high-maintenance grooming schedule to keep their hair short and their face cleaned and styled.

In addition to a grooming appointment every 4 – 6 weeks, the mini schnauzer’s coat should be brushed roughly three times a week to prevent matting or skin conditions from forming under their double coat.

Drooling Level

Miniature schnauzers aren’t known to be heavy droolers, so don’t expect to have slobbery furniture if you adopt one!

Behavior

The miniature schnauzer temperament is widely considered social, and they’re often called a “people” dog. They’re incredibly friendly to both family and strangers, but they’re also loyal to their pet parents at the end of the day. They’re happy as long as they can spend time with you. This desire for connection makes them prone to separation anxiety, so they require hands-on pet parents who can be available to them as often as possible.

Exercise Needs

Miniature schnauzers require daily exercise, but the good news is that they’re happy to tag along with whatever you’re doing. A nice walk, a trip to the store, or a jog on your favorite nature trail will serve them just fine.

Good with Other Pets?

Despite their alpha mentality, miniature schnauzers get along well with other pets in the home. They’re highly adaptable and can find joy and fun in any situation. Of course, every dog is different, so make sure to start with safe and slow introductions when it comes to bringing a new pet into the home.

Trainability

The miniature schnauzer is eager to please and highly intelligent, but they can also be stubborn. Stern training can help the mini schnauzer succeed in following commands, especially when assisted by professional trainers.

Once they have a solid training process in place, they’re unstoppable. Miniature schnauzers are well-known for their tricks and have the ability to learn hundreds of different commands. They thrive in agility and obedience competitions.

Good with Kids?

The miniature schnauzer is very good with children and develops a protective nature when raised with them. Their affectionate and playful nature makes them a great fit for families with children.

Barking Level

Miniature schnauzers are notoriously noisy dogs and have a habit of barking at strangers. Training is key to make sure these dogs don’t become the loud pup on the block.

Miniature Schnauzer: A History

The miniature schnauzer is a breed variation of its larger cousin, the standard schnauzer. The standard schnauzer was bred down in Germany in the 1800s to be a quick and agile ratter, a dog used to hunt rats.³ This breed mix to create the mini schnauzer also included the poodle and the affenpinscher.

Today, the miniature schnauzer is part of the terrier group recognized by the AKC, but it is one of the few terriers with no British ancestry due to its German breeding.