Buying or Adopting a Miniature Schnauzer

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Miniature Schnauzer the right breed for you?

Miniature Schnauzer Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Miniature Schnauzer?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
• No young children in the household
• No dogs of the same sex in the household
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Miniature Schnauzer stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• Brushing – moderate
• Trimming/clipping – every few months
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Miniature Schnauzers are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Miniature Schnauzer to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior or aggression
• Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Schnauzer, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Miniature Schnauzer?

Miniature Schnauzers are very common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Miniature Schnauzers rank 17th. It's very easy to find this breed.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Miniature Schnauzers are frequently available from Dog Rescue groups. Mini Schnauzers may be turned over to Rescue because they need too much grooming. Owners may give up their Miniature Schnauzer when the dog is too active for them, or perhaps there are dominance issues, or aggression toward other dogs. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization that they are lacking.

Other Miniature Schnauzers are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Miniature Schnauzers can sometimes be found here, although Schnauzer Rescue groups do try to move Miniature Schnauzers out of shelters and into their rescue network.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Miniature Schnauzer from a show breeder, who breeds Miniature Schnauzers to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You can also buy a Miniature Schnauzer from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Miniature Schnauzer puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Miniature Schnauzer ends up with eye diseases that lead to blindness.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Miniature Schnauzers are frequently found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Miniature Schnauzer Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Miniature Schnauzer puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Miniature Schnauzer puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?