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Miniature Schnauzers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Miniature Schnauzer personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Miniature Schnauzer, including these excerpts: "Miniature Schnauzers vary tremendously in personality, from merry and extroverted to serious and introspective, but generally this breed has a pleasant, playful, spunky temperament. He can be a busy dog and loves his walks, but mostly he just wants to participate fully in the family. He makes an alert watchdog and may welcome strangers with enthusiasm or be a bit standoffish, even timid if not well socialized. Most Miniature Schnauzers are good with other family pets -- though he may chase the family cat for fun, he's seldom serious about it. Some are scrappy with other dogs of the same sex, but it is a tribute to their overall amiability that Miniature Schnauzers can often be grouped together with little or no bickering. Although he knows his own mind and often displays an obstinate resistance to walking on the leash, the Miniature Schnauzer responds well to obedience training. Many individuals win top awards in advanced obedience. This breed is adaptable, makes an excellent traveling companion, and even if slightly spoiled, doesn't take as much advantage of it as many other terriers. They can be barky, though." History All three Schnauzers (Miniature, Standard, and Giant) originated in Germany, the Miniature being utilized as a vermin hunter. They are all three separate breeds -- the Miniature is the youngest (and most popular) of the three. Size 12-14 inches and 13-18 lbs

Miniature Schnauzers What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is conveniently-sized and sturdy, yet also elegant and light on his feet Has a wiry coat that doesn't shed much, and a whiskery face with a wise expression Makes a keen watchdog, but is usually polite with everyone Is usually good with other family pets A Miniature Schnauzer may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Providing enough exercise and activities to keep them busy Suspiciousness or shyness when not socialized enough Boldness toward other animals -- chasing instincts Stubbornness Barking Regular clipping and trimming of the wiry coat A Miniature Schnauzer may not be right for you. If I were considering a Miniature Schnauzer... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Miniature Schnauzers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. I strongly recommend that you get your Miniature Schnauzer involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, or in agility (an obstacle course for dogs). Suspiciousness and barking. Some Miniature Schnauzers will put on a display of excited ferociousness (i.e. they "pitch a fit") when other people or animals approach what is theirs. It's not funny, because if you don't curtail it, your Mini Schnauzer may end up suspicious of everyone in the world, which is a short step to biting. Animal aggression. Some Miniature Schnauzers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. This can make for conflict if you own a cat. It may be much worse than that if you own a pet rabbit or hamster! Mind of their own. The best Miniature Schnauzers are very smart and capable of learning a great deal, but they must be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. Some Miniature Schnauzers are stubborn, manipulative, and/or dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Miniature Schnauzer to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Mini Schnauzer Training Page discusses the program you need. Grooming. To keep their wiry coat free of mats, Miniature Schnauzers require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every couple of months. Not all Miniature Schnauzers are alike! There are energetic Mini Schnauzers, and placid Mini Schnauzers. Hard-headed Schnauzers, and sweet-natured Mini Schnauzers. Serious Mini Schnauzers, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Mini Schnauzers, and Mini Schnauzers who love everyone. If you acquire a Miniature Schnauzer puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Miniature Schnauzer... There are plenty of adult Miniature Schnauzers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/miniatureschnauzers.html">Miniature Schnauzers: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.