The Schnauzer is marked by its muscular build, wiry coat, and especially its animated facial hair. Their face is framed with a grand-looking beard and bushy eyebrows. Schnauzers range widely in size and come in three varieties: Miniature, Standard, and Giant.
Aside from their height and weight, the varieties share the same coat, needs, and instincts. All varieties have a history as farm dogs and rat hunters. They are lively, keen, and lovable, and they come in all-black or salt-and-pepper coloring.
Schnauzers are extremely intelligent, willful, and crafty. They do not have a long attention span but luckily, they learn new tricks relatively quickly. Some owners opt to place their puppies in obedience classes which can be very beneficial.
It is very important that they are socialized from a young age to prevent them from perceiving all strange things as dangers. Schnauzers are social dogs who grow very attached to their owners and thus, do not do well if left outside and ignored.
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All Schnauzers have an average lifespan of 12-16 years. This breed may be susceptible to certain diseases which include hip dysplasia, eye disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis. The health of their predecessors plays a large role in the health of your Schnauzer, so it is important to buy from a responsible breeder.
Schnauzers have dense, wiry, double coats. They don’t shed much at all, but their coats require regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. If their wiry coat is kept long, hand stripping is a necessary element of grooming. Some owners opt to have their Schnauzers trimmed. This is common, but clipping their wiry topcoat makes them less dirt and water-resistant, as well as more apt to shed.
In addition to their coats, Schnauzers have nails that need to be trimmed monthly as well as teeth that should be brushed several times per week. Their ears should be kept clean and dry to avoid build-up and infections.
All Schnauzers are energetic dogs. They require a good amount of physical exercise each day to stay happy and healthy. Hikes, family activities, and long walks are great ways for them to exercise. Mental exercise is also important with a breed this intelligent. Schnauzers do very well in competitions that combine the two, like agility, barn hunts, herding, and lure coursing.
Schnauzers vary in size depending on which variation they fit into.
- Miniature Schnauzers are 12-14 inches tall and weigh 11-20 pounds.
- Standard Schnauzers are 17-20 inches tall and weigh 30-50 pounds.
- Giant Schnauzers are 23-27 inches tall and weigh 55-85 pounds.
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