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Schnauzer Miniature

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General
OtherNames		Zwergschnauzer
Dog Group Kennel Club		Utility
Breed Classification		The Miniature Schnauzer is a member of the utility group in Britain and Australia, but in the working group in the United States. They were originally used as ratters; today they are companion dogs
Cost of Ownership Visit our dog food department
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50
Feeding Requirements		Feeding of this little dog is relatively easy, however care must be taken that they do not become overweight.
Other Expenses		The average purchase price of a puppy is £550-£650.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years
Average Litter Size		3-5
General Physical Description		The Miniature Schnauzer is a small sized dog. They are sturdy and muscular with an alert outlook. Their eyebrows, moustache and leg hair gives them a very distinctive appearance.
Height Min Max Bitch 33cm 33cm Dog 35cm 35cm Weight Min Max Bitch 7kg 7kg Dog 8kg 8kg
Size Category		Small
Weight Height Range		Ideally dogs should measure 35cms at the withers and weigh 8kgs. Bitches should measure 33cms and weigh 7kgs.
Ailments		There are several conditions that occur in the breed. Breeders are trying to reduce them by careful and responsible breeding and screening where possible.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness Pet insurance for dogs resource Pet health and vet advice		Low
Other
History		A Schnauzer type dog has been represented in art and sculptures as early as the 1400’s. This breed is a result of crossing the Standard Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher and other small breeds. The name Schnauzer was first associated with this breed in 1879. They were recognised as a separate breed in 1899 in Germany and first appeared in America in 1925.
Intelligence		The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent dog that is easily trained and likes to please, although it does not enjoy repetitive training for its own sake. The breed is contented and not destructive when left alone.
Show Characteristics		The head should be strong, being flat between the ears. They should have a powerful blunt muzzle and a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite. The eyes should be of medium size, dark and oval, with arched bushy eyebrows. The ears should be V shaped and high set. The neck should be strong and slightly arched. The chest should be deep and broad, and the topline strong and straight, slightly higher at the shoulder than the back end. A short-coupled breed, the body length should be the same as the height at the withers. The front legs should appear straight when viewed from all angles, the back legs should be well muscled. The feet should be compact, round and cat like. The tail is customarily docked to 3 joints, high set and carried high. The coat should be harsh and wiry with a dense undercoat however for the show ring this is stripped out to give a shorter and cleaner outline. The preferred colours for the show ring are salt & pepper, black with silver markings or solid black.
Country Of Origin		Germany
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics Visit our dog training aids department
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		40 - 60 minutes
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Low
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Low
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		The Mini is a lively, active little dog. They can be stubborn and wilful and do need a firm hand when training. They do get on well with children and other household pets if they are introduced at an early age. The Miniature Schnauzer makes an ideal family pet and watchdog. They are quite vocal and will be quick to alert the family of any strangers approaching their territory. The Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, it also is said to have the best temperament.
Grooming Visit our dog grooming department
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming
Requires Professional Groomer		True
Grooming		The coat of the Mini is harsh, wiry and short with a dense undercoat. All over grooming is required at least twice a week. Hand stripping is a must for the show ring but clipping is straightforward and easy for the smart family pet although the body colour does pale over the years.
Colour		They can be salt and pepper, black with silver markings, solid black or white in colour. White is not a common colour and is rarely seen in the show ring.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies