SCRAPS Breed Profile MINIATURE SCHNAUZER

Stats

Country of Origin: Germany Group: Terrier Use today: Family companion and farm dog. Life Span: 15 years Color: Coat colors are salt & pepper, black, and white. Coat: Double coat, which has a hard, wiry outer coat and close, soft undercoat Grooming: The wiry coat is reasonably easy to look after, but unless it is combed or brushed daily with a short wire brush, it will become matted. Clip out any knots. The animal should be clipped all over to an even length twice a year, in spring and fall, but this is a job best left to an expert. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt- nosed scissors and clean the whiskers after meals. On pet dogs the coat is usually clipped short on the upper body and left somewhat longer on the under-parts, legs and head. Show dogs require trimming and hand stripping instead of clipping. This breed sheds little to no hair and is a good dog for allergy sufferers. Height: 12 – 14 inches Weight: 10 – 15 pounds

Profile

In Brief: The Miniature Schnauzer is smart, Schnauzer is a form of albinism, while others trainable and consistently cheerful, this beg to differ. diminutive breed adapts easily to small city apartments, yet remains just as much at home in Temperament: Very perky and bright-eyed. the country with lots of space to run around. Loving and intelligent. Energetic, affectionate, Their double coat requires hand stripping for the and obedient. Playful, happy and alert, they like show ring or clipping for the average pet owner, children. The Miniature Schnauzer demands but sheds very little. time and companionship from its owner. It can be feisty and fairly dog-aggressive - putting on a Description: The Miniature Schnauzer is a show of superiority without necessarily intending small, squarely-proportioned dog with a long to fight. This can be fairly dangerous for the head, bushy beard, mustache and eyebrows. Miniature Schnauzer, who will challenge even The thick, prominent eyebrows and long large dogs, sometimes bringing more trouble on mustache are often trimmed to accentuate the himself than he really wanted. Socialize this dog's square cut shape. The front legs are very breed well with other dogs when it is still a straight. The tail is usually docked. The oval puppy. If properly introduced, the Miniature eyes are dark colored, and the v-shaped ears Schnauzer will get along with another dog, but fold forward when left natural or are cropped to a will not accept every dog that comes its way. point and stand erect. It has a long head, strong Since the temperament of this breed can be muzzle, a well-developed black nose and a quite variable, select a puppy from parents scissors bite. Coat colors include salt & pepper, whose temperament you enjoy. They make black, white or a harsh black & silver outer coat good companions and family pets. Schnauzers with a soft undercoat. The white Miniature tend to bark a lot, but it does not have a yappy Schnauzer is a bit controversial. It is not bark and is not as annoying as one may think. recognized by the AKC. Some claim the white Most of the time the dog's bark sounds like it

talking to you in a low carried-out voice. They Living Conditions: The Miniature Schnauzer is make good guard dogs and mouse catchers. a good dog for apartment life. It is fairly active They are excellent watchdogs and are great to indoors and will do okay without a yard. travel with. Some can be reserved with strangers, but most love everyone. Exercise: These energetic little dogs enjoy long, brisk, daily walks, and love play sessions off the Health: This is usually a healthy breed. leash. Although some are prone to suffer from kidney stones, liver disease, skin disorders, von Origins: The Miniature Schnauzer is reportedly Willebrand's disease, diabetes, liver ailments a result of crosses between the Standard and cysts. Also hereditary eye problems. Eyes Schnauzer, the Affenpinscher and perhaps the of breeding stock should be checked for this. Do Poodle. He is originally a German breed, named not overfeed the Schnauzer, for he tends to gain after the German word for muzzle, "Schnauze." weight easily. The Miniature Schnauzer excels at killing rats, but today it is mostly a popular and esteemed companion. Some of the Schnauzer's talents include: hunting, tracking, watch dogging, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service 6815 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • Washington • 99212 (509) 477-2532 voice (509) 477-4745 fax www.spokanecounty.org/animal