Ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, the Miniature Schnauzer is a cute little square faced furry coat. It is among the top twenty favorite breeds in the USA, UK, and Germany. It is characterized by small size, square furry face, and a double coat furry body. The females are 10-15 pounds in weight, and males are 11-18 pounds in weight, and their height varies between 13-14 inches. It’s available in four colors, which are black and silver, salt and pepper, solid black and sometimes full white.
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History of the Miniature Schnauzer Breed
It was in the nineteenth century when some farmers in Germany were experimenting with dog breeding to find a breed that would suffice the need for a small watchdog without much aggression. The result was the Miniature Schnauzer, which was obtained from the cross breeding of the Standard Schnauzer with the breeds like Affenpinscher and Poodle.
Miniature Schnauzer Personality and Temperament
There are some great reasons for you to love a Miniature Schnauzer. It is a family dog and will be with you always. It has a very nice temperament and is a great companion who won’t leave your side until the time you are within its sight. The cuddly thing loves couching on its master’s lap and enjoys being the center of attraction. You can easily train it. With a happy mood, and a great sense of humor to make you laugh with its activities most of the time, its responsible character has some great traits. It is a good guard for the territory or premises and yet won’t bite unnecessarily and instead create an alert by barking. It doesn’t mind being left alone in the house for some time and doesn’t grow fussy for that as many other dog breeds do.
The extroverted breed is always energetic and loves playing around. The dog is always in high spirits, very obedient, intelligent, and the best thing about it is that it’s never overaggressive. That is why you can always feel safe with it around your children and family. However, the silly dog doesn’t know how small it is and may get into a scuffle with bigger dogs without even knowing what may come up next. Hence you better watch it for not getting extra smart with bigger dogs.
The Miniature Schnauzer can be very stubborn at times, and therefore you must not let it get something its way if that’s objectionable behavior or something to ruin its habit. If you allow it something it’s way even once, then you will have to tolerate it’s stubbornness with it forever, as the dog is really smart and intelligent in remembering things.
Miniature Schnauzer Exercise Needs
Exercising is very important for the Miniature Schnauzer to stay in shape and stay healthy. The dog needs ample exercising to avoid getting overweight so that it can guard your property well and also run and play and have fun it needs. The dog has strong legs for great jumps, and you can make it jump high. You must give it some form of activity else it will find out activities on its own notorious and funny ways which you may not like. The fetch game, jumps, and playing with kids at home, are good enough to keep it active and in shape. Walking it at the park can be fun, and any family member may do so on getting time.
Miniature Schnauzer Suitability as a Family Pet
The Miniature Schnauzer is a very social and people-oriented dog breed. It’s great as a watchdog and guard dog, and won’t bite you or any member suddenly, but bark at the highest voice to alert you. Happy and fun loving, playful and mischievous, the cute animal is a perfect family dog for small or big families.
Miniature Schnauzer Known Health Issues
An average dog would live 12 years of life span, and in few cases, it may stretch up to 15 years. It won’t give you much health concerns except fat deposition related problems giving in way to pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia. Other known issues with it are gallstones, diabetes, and vision problems which are also not frequent. Some dogs may get pus filled bumps at their back known as the Comedone Syndrome, and some may get the Von Willebrand disease. However, these are all treatable. Care should be taken after bathing the dog to wipe its uncropped ears dry for avoiding ear infections.
The Miniature Schnauzer is an ideal family pet that will adapt to your lifestyle. As long as you show the dog affection it will be a happy and loving pet.