Miniature Schnauzer - Popular Dogs
The Miniature Schnauzer was developed in the late 1800s in Germany. Breeders cross bred the Standard Schnauzer with various small breed in order to try and reduce the breeds size. The first recorded Miniature Schnauzer dates from 1888 and the success was proudly exhibited the following year. Originally the Miniature Schnauzer was bred to guard herds and small farms however it later became a rat catcher because of its small size and its agility. The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1926, two years after they were first imported to the USA.
Today the Miniature Schnauzer is regarded as a loving and friendly, but mischievous dog that is highly intelligent and very energetic. They are very much a people-dog and demand a lot of attention from their owners. They love children and other pets as long as they are introduced to the household as a puppy and grow with the family. Miniature Schnauzers don’t react well to new additions to the family, be they pets or children and can become very withdrawn and depressed.
Because of their heritage, Miniature Schnauzers make great watchdogs and will alert their family with profuse barking to any dangers that are nearby. They have been known to show aggression towards other dogs when out; this is just for show and they very rarely actually fight however this bravado may cause trouble if off the leash! Puppy training classes will help to socialize the dog before they reach the adult stage. Also be aware that as ‘rat catchers’ they will chase any small animal or even objects that resemble animals until they either catch it or lose it. If let off the leash while out, it should be in a large open area with no roads or other possible dangers.
As energetic little dogs, Miniature Schnauzers love to go for long walks, especially if they include a game of ‘fetch’ in the park. They are well behaved indoors and less energetic and so are an ideal pet regardless of the size of the home. Their energy stays with them until very late in life and as they live for about 15 years, they need a dedicated owner who likes to exercise.
The Miniature Schnauzers coat will benefit from a daily grooming with a wire brush to stop it from becoming matted and knotty. Any knots that cannot be brushed out should be carefully clipped out. Most Miniature Schnauzers need to be professionally clipped twice a year as the breed sheds very little hair and so it tends to get very thick bulky. The hair around the ears and eyes needs to be trimmed regularly to stop infections from occurring and the whiskers should always be cleaned after eating as they are prone to staining, especially in lighter coloured dogs.