Miniature Schnauzers are affectionate, loyal dogs, but they’re not for everyone. I did some research into some of the factors you should consider before buying a Miniature Schnauzer.

So, is the Miniature Schnauzer right for you? This breed is friendly, playful, and extremely loyal to their family. They adapt well to apartments and can be left alone, which makes them ideal for city dwellers. However, they also need a lot of attention and exercise, and they can be stubborn.

As a breed, the Miniature Schnauzer has a lot going for them. They’re playful, fiercely loyal dogs who are known for sticking by their family through anything. They’ll often develop a ‘shadow’ complex, where they follow you wherever you go. Because of their working past, they’ve also developed good watchdog tendencies; however, this also means that they have high energy requirements and need to be exercised enough, or else they become restless. Additionally, the dogs can have a high prey drive, and their stubborn streak kicks in every now and then.

Should I get a Miniature Schnauzer?

So, with that being said, you need to make sure that the Miniature Schnauzer is right for you before you decide to buy one.

If you want a dog who:

• Can live in an apartment and is okay being home alone
• Will follow you everywhere
• Sheds very little
• Is good with other dogs and strangers
• Is constantly alert and will tell you when anyone is approaching the house
• Is sturdy and energetic enough to play with

Then the Miniature Schnauzer might be the dog for you!

However, if you don’t want a dog who:

• Needs to constantly be around your when you’re home
• Requires high amounts of exercise and grooming
• Sometimes has small dog syndrome
• Is known for being stubborn

The Miniature Schnauzer might not be the best choice.

About the Miniature Schnauzer

Like many of the terrier breed, Miniature Schnauzers were originally bred to be ratting dogs. They’re deceptively quick and agile for their size, and their instinct to chase remains with them to this day.

Size and Appearance

Miniature Schnauzers are, as their name would suggest, smaller versions of the Standard and Giant Schnauzer. They typically weigh about 10-20 pounds and stand aboutg 13 inches high at the shoulder. Despite their size, they’re no toy breed; these dogs are built for work, and they have a solid frame to prove it. If you’re someone who likes to play with your dog, you’ll be able to throw your Miniature Schnauzer around to your heart’s content.

 With their long hair, craggly face, and bushy beard, these dogs have a serious complexion that belays their sociable personality. They come in three main colours (black, grey, and speckled), although there is a controversial white colouring that, as of yet, is unrecognized by the American Kennel Club

Personality

Miniature Schnauzers have a complex personality. A terrier to the core, they can be feisty, bold, and sometimes frustrating to work with because of their stubborn streak and tendency to pick fights with dogs who are 50 pounds heavier than them.

However, they’re also kind, well-mannered, and cheerful pets, who love nothing more than spending time with their family. These dogs are loyal and smart, and they adapt well to almost any situation. They have a bit of a mischievous streak, but rarely do they indulge too far into it.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog who always wants to be part of the action. Their sole purpose in life is to have fun, and their definition of fun is to be involved in whatever it is that you might be up to at any given time.

Variability

One defining feature of the Miniature Schnauzer breed is the wide range of personalities you’ll see in this breed. More so than other dogs, no two Miniature Schnauzers are alike, so you need to take much of what you read in this guide with a grain of salt. Physical characteristics, like size, appearance, and alertness, will probably be consistent across most dogs. Personality traits, however, can tend to vary quite a bit.

Some Mini Schnauzers are goofy, while others are stern and serious. Some of them love company, while others remain hostile and aloof to strangers. Some of them are easy-going and friendly, while others feel the need to constantly prove their worth.

There’s really no way to know the personality of the dog you’re getting before you met them. Speaking to your breeder ahead of time can help shed some light on what they’ll be like, but just keep in mind: you don’t always know what you’re going to get with a Miniature Schnauzer.

Pros of the Breed

Having a Miniature Schnauzer brings a lot of positives to your life. This is a dog who will stick by your side and can always brighten your day. Some of the benefits that these dogs bring include:

• Miniature Schnauzers are very loyal
• They’re smart dogs
• Despite being small, they’re built tough
• They don’t shed very much
• They’re alert
• They have good manners and are nice to strangers
• Miniature Schnauzers do well in apartments
• If you want them in a different size, you can always go for one of the larger breeds
• They can be left alone

Let’s look at each of these benefits in greater detail.

Loyalty

One of the defining traits of the Miniature Schnauzer is how loyal these dogs are. They get along well with everyone, and they’ll be polite to strangers, but you will always be their favourite.

This is part of the reason that they’ve gained such popularity in recent years (Miniature Schnauzers are one of the most popular dogs in America). Nothing makes you feel more loved than having your dog always want to be by your side, and Miniature Schnauzers always make you feel loved. These dogs are happy to do just about anything, as long as they’re doing it with you.

This loyalty can turn into a bit of a ‘shadow complex’, where your Miniature Schnauzer will follow you around the house wherever you go. This can either be endearing or annoying, depending on your preferences, but I’ve always thought it’s cute to see your dog standing in the doorway, observing you with steady eyes as you go throughout your day.

Affectionate

In line with their loyalty, Schnauzers are also very affectionate dogs. They love being as close to possible to their family, and they’re small enough to act as a lap dog.

If you’re someone who likes cuddling, this could be the dog for you. These guys are always happy to be pulled into someone’s lap or hugged on the couch. If you don’t go out of the way to bring your Schnauzer with you when you go to sit down somewhere, it’s only a matter of time before they wander over and curl up as near to you as physically possible.

Intelligence

Like many of the terrier breed, Miniature Schnauzers are very smart dogs. They take well to learning tricks, and many owners will fill up their spare time by working with the Miniature Schnauzer to teach them increasingly complicated commands. With intelligence to spare and a need to please you, your Miniature Schnauzer will be thrilled to learn everything they can.

Schnauzer’s aren’t just smart, either; they’re also highly agreeable, which makes them easy to train. Some intelligent dogs, like Airedale’s, have a large stubborn streak that makes them difficult to work with. Schnauzers, while they can be stubborn sometimes, tend to listen very well to commands. They also don’t mind if training gets repetitive and boring. As long as you’re involved, they’ll be happy to practice for as long as you want.

This makes them a good breed for beginner owners who might not be sure how to train a dog. It’s a difficult process to figure out, and Schnauzers make it easy with how intelligent and agreeable they are.

Sturdy

Like I said earlier: these dogs may be small, but they’re a working breed, and they have a solid build that makes them a lot sturdier than most miniature or toy breeds.

If you’re someone who likes playing with your dog, the Miniature Schnauzer is a good option. They’re energetic enough to fight with you, and sturdy enough that you don’t have to worry about throwing them around a little. Because of their past as farm dogs, this breed delights in getting to wrestle and play rough.

It also means you don’t constantly have to be worried about where your Miniature Schnauzer is. In my article about whether or not the Yorkshire terrier is the right dog for you, I talk about one of the disadvantages of that breed being how frail you are. Yorkies get hurt all the time because they’re accidentally sat on or handled a little too roughly. While you should be decently careful with your Miniature Schnauzer (remember, they’re only 15 pounds), you don’t have to treat them like they’re made of glass.

Low Shedding and Hypoallergenic

My parents are very neat people, and growing up they always opted for dog breeds that had didn’t shed in the house (which is why I’ve turned out to be such a fan of terriers). For a lot of people, not having to constantly vacuum your carpets and lint-roll your furniture is a major factor in choosing a dog breed.

If you’re one of those people, the Miniature Schnauzer is an excellent option. The stiff, wiry coat of these dogs’ sheds very little, especially if they’re brushed regularly. This means that you don’t have to worry about them getting their hair everywhere.

It can also lower the degree to which Miniature Schnauzers will cause reactions in people who are allergic. Because they produce little dander, don’t shed very often, and don’t drool, Miniature Schnauzers are classified as a hypoallergenic breed. Now, this doesn’t mean they cause zero allergic reaction, but with proper cleaning and management, it’s possible for this dog to exist in an allergic household. If you’re sensitive to canines but you still want a pet, the Miniature Schnauzer is a great option.

Watchdog Tendencies

While they’re too small to really work as a guard dog (although, if you talked to a Miniature Schnauzer, they would probably say otherwise), this former farm dog is alert and watchful at all times. They’re constantly on the lookout for anyone approaching their territory, and when they see it happening, they’ll let you know with a bark that’s a lot deeper than you would expect from such a small dog.

Now, that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it can be major for some people. The ability to rest peacefully knowing that, if anyone were to approach your house (from any direction), your Miniature Schnauzer will sound the alarm, isn’t something that should be taken for granted.

Your Miniature Schnauzer isn’t barking because they want to play, either. They’re doing so to alert you of a foreign presence, and if you ignore it, they’re going to trot right up to you and start barking in your face.

I should admit that this can get annoying sometimes. Miniature Schnauzers will bark and intruders, sure — but they’ll also bark at passing cars, Amazon delivery guys, and a stray branch blowing through your yard. If you value security, though, and you don’t mind a few false alarms, this can be a handy trait to have.

Good Manners

The Miniature Schnauzer carries themselves very seriously, and part of that includes having good manners. These dogs are very well-behaved, especially around people they don’t know.

Now, you’ll still get some of the breed who are fairly excitable. This can lead to jumping on people, but that dogs are so small that this usually isn’t a massive deal. For the most part, though, Miniature Schnauzers treat other people well and won’t embarrass you in public.

This means that you don’t have to worry about pulling your dog off of someone else’s at the dog park because he started humping them. They also aren’t known for stealing toys or treats. With strangers, these dogs are friendly (if slightly reserved), which is a marked difference from many other terriers.

Even around the house, your Miniature Schnauzer will be well behaved. As long as they’re properly trained, you can expect them to stay off of furniture and not beg, whine, or bark unless it’s appropriate to do so.

Is Good with Other Pets

As an extension of their manners, the Miniature Schnauzer behaves well with other animals. Despite how much they love being the center of attention, they don’t mind when that attention is diverted away from them (or, at least, if they mind, they don’t respond aggressively).

If you’re someone who wants more than one dog, the Miniature Schnauzer will fit right into that type of family. They might not be as affectionate towards the new dog as they are to you (especially if you get the Miniature Schnauzer first and then bring another dog in later), but they’ll be polite and understanding.

As long as they’re properly socialized, Miniature Schnauzers will also work with non-dog pets, such as cats or birds. However, you do need to look out for their underlying prey drive (more on this later), so I would recommend only mixing a Miniature Schnauzer with a different species if you can introduce them to each other from a young age.

Adapts to Apartment Living

As urbanization becomes more popular and more people move into the city, they’ve begun to look for dogs who can accompany them into the high-rises and skyscrapers that they now live in. For such a purpose, the Miniature Schnauzer is a good fit.

These dogs are small enough to do well in apartments. They don’t take up a bunch of space, and they can run around without you needing to worry about them knocking stuff off your coffee table. Like we talked about, they also don’t shed a lot, so you don’t have to worry about dog hair getting everywhere.

Finally, unlike some other small breeds, Miniature Schnauzers don’t have issues being house trained, and they don’t need to go to the bathroom that often. As long as you’re getting them outside 4-5 times a day, they’ll be fine spending the rest of the time in your apartment.

Tolerates Being Left Alone

A common issue that people run into when they buy affectionate, loyal dogs (like the Miniature Schnauzer) is that these dogs don’t do well being left to their own devices. Many dog breeds get anxious when you leave; this can either cause long-term health problems, or can lead to the dog engaging in bad behaviours (like chewing personal belongings) as a way to cope. This is obviously an issue if you work full-time, because you can’t bring your pet with you.

Miniature Schnauzers, however, don’t run into this problem. Raised to be a farm dog, they’re used to spending long periods of time by themselves while their family is out of the house. They’re smart enough to adjust their schedule to your and spend the time when you’re gone napping or playing alone.

If you’re still worried about leaving your Miniature Schnauzer alone (or if you have one who doesn’t do well by themselves — remember, each dog is different), you can always get another pet to keep them company when you’re gone.

Varying Sizes

Okay, so this one is a bit of a cheat, but I still want to include it.

Technically, the Miniature Schnauzer doesn’t come in different sizes, but it does have larger cousins in the Standard and Giant Schnauzer. These two breeds share lots in common with the Mini, so if you’re someone who loves the idea of a Miniature Schnauzer but prefers big dogs, you have options.  

The Standard Schnauzer is about 20 inches tall and tips the scale at roughly 40 pounds, putting them squarely in the medium dog size category. Like their smaller relatives, these are big-boned, intelligent dogs who train well and stick by their family.

The Giant Schnauzer, coming in at 28 inches tall and brushing up on the 100-pound mark, is about 5 times larger than the Miniature Schnauzer. This extra size makes them better for utilitarian tasks, like working of protecting your family, but it does have some downsides: these dogs need a lot more daily exercise, and they don’t do as well in apartments.

Cons of the Breed

So, there are obviously some benefits to having Miniature Schnauzer around. They’re friendly, loveable dogs who can make any house feel like a home.

However, there are also some downsides to the breed, and you should be aware of this before you make any buying decisions.

Stubbornness

I’ve touched on this a couple of times, but it’s worth saying again: the miniature Schnauzer, like most terrier breeds, has a stubborn streak in them.

Now, it’s still true that these dogs are highly trainable and well-mannered. However, there are also times when your Miniature Schnauzer will simply choose not to listen to you. This is one of the downsides of having an intelligent dog.

I had a friend who owned a miniature Schnauzer who loved to ride in the car. Sometimes, if my friend was leaving and the Schnauzer was outside, my friend would bring it indoors so it didn’t try to chase down the car as it was driving away.

Well, the Schnauzer eventually learned that when its owners were wearing shoes, that meant they were about to leave. If my friend tried to call the Schnauzer in while wearing shoes, it would simply ignore the command and stand there.

Unless you have the patience for these types of shenanigans, I wouldn’t recommend getting a Miniature Schnauzer.

Needs Attention

Although they do well being alone, whenever you’re home, the Miniature Schnauzer will need to be involved in what’s going on. The endless love and affection that these dogs give is a double-edged sword; you need to give some back, or your Schnauzer will become depressed and lethargic.

This means that, whenever you’re relaxing, you need to be prepared to be petting your Schnauzer. If you’ve been gone all day, schedule at least 15 minutes of play time with your Schnauzer when you first walk in the door.

Whatever it is that you’re doing, you should make an effort to have your Miniature Schnauzer involved.

Small Dog Syndrome

Despite their good manners and friendly attitude, Miniature Schnauzers sometimes forget how small they are. This usually comes out either when they’re playing or when they feel threatened. Terrier to the core, these dogs never back down from a challenge, and they’ve been known to pick fights with dogs much, much larger than them.

Schnauzers aren’t the worst for this — they don’t always feel the need to prove themselves like, say, a Yorkshire terrier does — but if they feel insulted, they’re going to stand up for themselves no matter what the odds may be.

Prey Drive

Remember how I said that you need to watch Miniature Schnauzers around pets that aren’t other dogs? This is why.

Born to keep rats and other vermin off of farms, the Miniature Schnauzer spent years chasing down and killing small, furry animals. Their brains simply haven’t had enough to time to adjust to the indoor life for them to completely loose this instinct.

If you have a cat or a rodent as a pet, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your Miniature Schnauzer to make sure that they don’t turn aggressive. Whenever you have your miniature Schnauzer off-leash, you’ll need to make sure that they’re not running off unexpectedly to chase something down.

High Exercise Requirements

This is the downside of having a playful, former working dog: these guys need a surprising amount of exercise to prevent them from getting bored and restless.

Despite their size, it’s hard to tire a Miniature Schnauzer out. I would recommend getting at least 2-2.5 hours of play-time per day with this dog, spread out throughout the day. A fairly normal schedule could look something like:

• Morning: 45-minute walk
• Afternoon: Come home and play with your dog for 20 minutes. Fetch and wrestling are good games
• Evening: Take your Schnauzer to the dog park for an hour
• Night: If they still have energy, play until they’re tired.

High Grooming Requirements

Their wiry coat means that Miniature Schnauzers need to be brushed once or twice a week, to keep down on their shedding and to prevent their hair from getting matted. Because of their playful lifestyle, you might also need to bathe them either bi-weekly or monthly.

In terms of clipping, you should clip them 4-5 times a year. If you’re going to hire someone to do this for you, make sure you get a groomer who knows how to properly clip a Miniature Schnauzer.

Is the Miniature Schnauzer Right for Me?

So, is the Miniature Schnauzer your perfect dog? After reading the following guide, you should have a little bit more of an idea, but it’s important to remember: each dog is unique, and only by speaking to the breeder (once the puppies have been born) will you be able to get a better idea as to whether or not your Miniature Schnauzer will be a good fit.