The miniature schnauzer is a small terrier dog breed from Germany with a medium-length coat that doesn’t shed much, a bushy beard and eyebrows, and a square build. They are hardy and feisty little dogs that were bred down from the larger standard schnauzer. They can adapt to living in an apartment or roaming around a farm. And they generally are very alert and family-oriented.

The standard schnauzer can trace its roots back to the 15th century in Germany. They were sturdy working dogs on farms that were used to protect property, assist in herding livestock, exterminate vermin, and more. The giant schnauzer spun off this breed for these tasks as well.

Then, in the late 19th century, farmers wanted a smaller dog that could hunt vermin. Besides the standard schnauzer, the poodle and affenpinscher also went into creating the mini schnauzer. The combination of these breeds made the mini schnauzer more friendly and eager to please than many other dogs in the terrier group.

Thus, the miniature schnauzer also quickly caught on as a lovable companion dog. Actor Mary Tyler Moore, politicians Elizabeth and Bob Dole, martial artist/actor Bruce Lee, and other famous figures were mini schnauzer owners. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1926.

GROUP: Terrier

HEIGHT: 12 to 14 inches

WEIGHT: 11 to 20 pounds

COAT: Medium-length, wiry double coat

COAT COLOR: Black, black and silver, or salt and pepper

LIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years

TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, lively, alert

HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes

ORIGIN: Germany

Miniature schnauzers typically have a bright and vigilant temperament. They tend to be quite vocal and make for good watchdogs. They also generally have very affectionate personalities and enjoy playtime.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	Medium
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	High
Amount of Shedding	Low

Miniature schnauzers need a moderate amount of exercise each day, and they should receive training and socialization from a young age. Plus, their coat needs regular grooming.

Exercise
Miniature schnauzers are no couch potato. These little dogs should get at least an hour of exercise per day in the form of walks, jogging, running freely in a secure area, games of fetch, and more. Puzzle toys also can provide these smart dogs with mental stimulation. And dog sports can challenge them both mentally and physically.

Make sure always to keep your mini schnauzer on a leash or in a fenced area when exercising outdoors. The breed’s strong prey drive can cause it to quickly take off after perceived quarry when given the chance.

Grooming
The miniature schnauzer has a double coat consisting of a wiry topcoat and soft undercoat. It doesn’t shed much, but it must be regularly brushed and trimmed. A quick daily brushing is recommended to remove any loose fur and prevent tangles. Then, most owners opt to take their dog to a groomer every one to two months to have the coat clipped, though you also can learn to do this at home.

Plan on a bath roughly every month, depending on how dirty your dog gets. Check your dog’s ears at least weekly for wax buildup and abnormalities. And see whether it needs a nail trim about every month as well. Also, plan to brush its teeth daily.

Training
Proper training and socialization are both essential for a happy, well-adjusted miniature schnauzer. Start from as young of an age as possible to prevent bad habits from forming. The breed generally learns quickly, but due to its high intelligence it can become bored with repetitive training. Thus, it’s important to keep training sessions fun, using positive reinforcement methods.

Aim to expose your dog from a young age to different people, other dogs, and various locations. Mini schnauzers are generally moderately open to meeting strangers and other dogs. But due to their prey drive, they might not be able to coexist peacefully with smaller household pets, such as rodents.

Furthermore, be aware that this breed has a tendency to be quite vocal at times. So it is important to start working on bark control early to prevent problem barking.