They call it “The German Blue Beard” and is a puppy as small as wonderful. Beautiful and active, its striking character surprises wherever it goes. Despite its size, it is not exactly shy or nicknamed.
Always alert and ready for action at any time, he will become the king of the house in the blink of an eye. A hairy and loyal member of the family that will delight its delighted owners.
Table of Contents
Everything you should know about Schnauzer Dogs
Their silver mustaches they attract the attention of their own and strangers, along with their energetic character and their loyalty without limits. They have the ability to give affection to abundance and there are all sizes, starting from the powerful giant schnauzer and reaching the tiny miniature schnauzer.
This little bully loves to share daily vicissitudes with his own. His intelligence leads him to know how to please each of them, while getting everyone to have a good time with him. As if all this were not enough, it is very positive and formal.
From the miniature schnauzer we already know certain things by name, as its small size makes it a reduced version of a larger size, the schnauzer, a German term that is translated by "snout", So it is a German breed of prominent snout.
This brave German working dog is highly valued for his intelligence, his populated mustaches and his innate elegance, which give him the appearance of "gentleman". Classified in the United States in the terrier group, In Europe and the United Kingdom it is classified, however, as a useful dog. Cataloging aside, it is a magnificent companion dog much loved in every corner of the planet.
Among the dog breeds, the schnauzer is not one of the oldest, dating back to 1880. It was in Germany that two varieties of schnauzer developed from the medium schnauzer: the giant and the miniature.
The medium schnauzer was a working dog endowed with great resistance and very common in German farms, which was portrayed by important painters such as the great master Rembrandt, beginning his breeding seriously around 1880.
The smallest medium schnauzer intersect with affenpinschers, thus reducing their size and giving rise to the miniature schnauzer, whose first specimen was born in 1898.
This breed was imported to the United States in 1923, five years before it was made to the United Kingdom. Both the medium and miniature schnauzer were exhibited in the United States in the group of working dogs known as hard-haired pinscher.
The miniature schnauzer were progressing more rapidly in the United States and with less in the United Kingdom, given strict British quarantine laws since the ear cut was banned in that country, while the American and German specimens were still being cut .
Today it is a very popular breed in the exhibitions held in New Zealand, Canada, Europe, South America, Japan, Taiwan and South Africa, captivating the hearts of fans of all these places.
Characteristics and physical features
Its height at the cross is 30 to 35 centimeters and its weight ranges between 5.5 and 9 kilos, with an average life of around 14 years…
Its front legs they are straight and It's tail, up and straight, it is usually cut in some places while in many others this practice is prohibited.
Color and coat
As the small replica that is of the medium and giant schnauzer, it stands out from his peculiar mustache to his striking beard, being in any case a very neat dog. When he has short hair he is straight but if you let him grow he will curl.
The miniature schnauzer fur has two layers:
Your outer layer It is formed by thick nervous hairs that act as water and dirt repellent. In the demonstrations, it usually shows a uniform cut on the back, trunk, head, neck and tail, which gives its fur a smooth appearance, although seen closely you will see that its texture is not completely smooth.
Your inner layer It is dense and soft. Despite being somewhat hidden, it helps keep the dog warm in the colder months. Another advantage of schnauzers is that they barely release hair, so it is a hypoallergenic race. Despite this, the hair of its inner layer dies and has to be removed manually at least twice a year if you want to maintain the distinctive appearance of the breed.
As for the fur of the legs and the face of this puppy is curly. Canine hairdressers refer to these hairs as "feathers," although they have nothing to do with what the birds look like. They get this name because they stand out. Once you have bathed your miniature schnauzer and dried it, both the feathers of the legs, as the mustache and beard will look smooth. Now, if you let the book air dry, these hairs will curl.
With regard to their colors, those that are accepted are pure black with black inner lanilla, black and silver, pure white with white inner lanilla and salt and pepper.
Temperament
What once was an extraordinary dog as a rat hunter, much less noisy and more lively than British terriers, today is a faithful companion of the most valued in North America, where it constitutes one of the favorite breeds.
Quiet, easy to educate in obedience and little teetherHe is an enthusiastic barker and, therefore, a magnificent guardian. It is said of his bark that it is rather a howl in a low voice. Today they retain the instinct to hunt vermin and there are some who are a little suspicious of strangers, especially if they are not stable dogs, although they are usually very affectionate with all people.
Unfortunately, the increase in its popularity has made it breed indiscriminately and today the breed has very frequent health problems and a somewhat more nervous temperament.
Playful, intelligent, happy and energetic, will want to become the target of the attention of the whole family. They are also very affectionate, committed and docile.
Undoubtedly, this is not a breed for those looking for a sedentary lap dog, as it is a very active puppy that requires owners with a way of life according to their activity needs.
Those who have a miniature schnauzer at home make reference to the constant brightness of their eyes that seems to incite the game with them. His agility, intelligence and the fact that he is always alert are some of the factors that make him tend to see his owner as an equal, a circumstance that makes his training somewhat difficult, but has easy correction.
His relentless activity means that a series of precautions have to be taken with him, including not leaving him loose, unless the enclosure in which he is located is a fenced garden. Think that if you walk around by your side, you could see some other animal that becomes a target for him, such as a cat and could run after him, with the consequent possibility of suffering a traffic accident.
Intrepid and persevering, show a strong character that makes necessary the convenient socialization of the puppy from puppy. In this way, you will avoid that in the future your friend becomes a puppy too scared or showing signs of aggressiveness.
Although its size is small, Miniature schnauzer need a generous dose of daily exercise. A minimum of a couple of walks and a little play a day keep them in a perfect physical and mental state.
Something that they also need is the frequent company of the family so they are not dogs that must remain too long alone, a factor to consider before adopting a puppy of this breed.
In the case of accusing too much the absence of their own, they will tend to develop destructive habits motivated by the undesirable separation anxiety, being able to finish with the furniture and objects of the house and with the shoes.
These puppies have to live inside the houses and will adapt perfectly to life in a small apartment as long as their exercise needs are covered.
Relationship with other pets
As long as the owners show the appropriate level of leadership, the miniature schnauzer can live perfectly with other dogs with the only condition that it has been socialized from puppy, getting it to be the ideal companion for all the members of the home.
Relationship with children
Parents with children will find in their copies a faithful companions for their children who They will be happy to accompany you in your long hours of play.
That said, like any other small dog, the miniature schnauzer requires that children are not too rude to play with him. Not surprisingly, its small size could lead to some mishap if the smallest of the family are not careful with it and, for example, drop it from their arms, which can easily lead to a breakage of one of their legs .
Avoiding it involves instilling children with education and respect towards pets absolutely essential to interact with them in a healthy way.
Feeding
Feeding is a crucial factor in terms of health and the appearance of a dog. When they are puppies, and once the weaning stage is reached, the best food will be the one that meets all the nutritional needs so that it grows and develops properly and with energy. Get a good dry feed of quality That is the basis of their diet, among those that you will find in the market within the junior range, and you will see all your expectations fulfilled.
Once you reach adulthood, you can continue feeding it with a similar feed but from the adult range that suits the nutritional needs of the breed. A feed of these characteristics will ensure that your puppy remains at an appropriate weight.
Although the hygiene of any dog is a determining factor for its optimal relationship with the family, in the case of small dog breeds it is even more so, given that these little ones enjoy passing from one arm to another. In any case, the hygiene of these puppies does not need specific care that is too exhaustive, which makes daily life much easier.
Dental hygiene
As with the rest of the members of the small races, oral hygiene is their great workhorse. If not correct, the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar will be guaranteed, leading to problems from uncomfortable as the bad breath or halitosis to more complicated ones such as infections that, when the time comes, could compromise the health of your furry partner.
If you do not want this to happen, go familiarize it from puppy with regular brushing of teeth, a habit that will not be to your liking but that will tolerate better if it is a constant in your life since childhood.
Bath and drying
The fur of a miniature schnauzer is softer than that of its older brothers, the standard and giant schnauzers, which makes it easier for the hair to get tangled frequently. The molt hair and the knots must be removed before bathing.
There are in the market of canine styling products designed to untie the knots that you will apply on which you cannot untangle, while continuing to brush your puppy while the product is taking effect. Then you will untangle these knots with the comb that you usually use for it.
These products enjoy great cleaning power that will facilitate the rapid removal of dirt, the original texture of the hair being perfectly respected thanks to the texturizing effect of the formula.
When you take this little one out of the bathroom and after removing the excess water with a towel, you will use an electric dryer with some power, of course, at a moderate temperature and just bringing it closer to your skin so as not to burn it.
As we have been commenting on the hair of the miniature schnauzer tends to form knots, the best way to prevent them from being brushed, with a soft bristle brush preferably.
When they are in the stage that goes from 12 to 15 months they have to be brushed daily, because they are growing what is going to be their definitive adult fur, not allowing puppy hair that is dead Keep getting tangled up with the new hair that is growing.
Reached 15 months of age, you can now go to brushing several times a week, not having to be daily.
The beard and hair of the miniature schnauzer's legs have to be brushed equally. We must start from the basis that brushing is a habit that, practiced on a regular basis, will be pleasant for your pet, which at first is normal to show concern about it.
This breed has the peculiarity that it will require the services of a canine stylist that he cuts his hair after 15 months of age. Unfortunately for them, in many cases dogs for display are subjected to a technique called stripping which consists of plucking dead hair instead of cutting it.
This is because because it is a hard hair, experts indicate that it should not be shaved since it would lose its texture similar to that of cotton. Luckily for them, most of the copies that go to the family company are subjected to conventional haircuts.
Generalities
- The Schnauzer can be of different sizes so you should keep in mind that depending on its characteristics you will need more space and activities to be a calm and happy dog.
- Miniature Schnauzer: due to its size it can adapt to different spaces. He is always alert to take care of you and to play. o Medium Schnauzer: although they are usually very obedient they are fun and occasionally naughty. They are very intelligent and active.
- Giant Schnauzer: he is very strong and that is why he must be well educated. It is sweet and calm despite its size. - With all your attention and care, he can accompany you for around 15 years. Can you imagine 15 years of adventures and stories to tell?
Personality
- Their face reflects that they are full of sweetness and although they can be dominant they are excellent playmates, if you have small children it is important that you control their temperament. Your education should start at the sixth week.
- Your Schnauzer will always be full of energy and eager to play. For this reason it is important that within your schedule you establish a time in which you motivate your temperament. They are very sensitive dogs and have to get depressed without your attention
- They love to be attentive to everything that happens in their environment for this in addition to being great companions they are one of the best guardians.
- It is very important that your dog socializes with others of its kind, with other species, children and adults. They have to be jealous and territorial, which is why building an environment where you know other smells, people and situations is going to be your dog's best companion.
Vaccines and antiparasitic treatments
No owner should allow the health of his dog to be in danger for not administering the doses of vaccines that the veterinarian recommends. For this, it is best to give this professional the vaccination card that you will receive at the time of adopting your pet.
On the other hand, fleas, ticks and intestinal worms can not proliferate in the body of your kid if you place pipettes and antiparasitic collars Let the vet tell you.
More common diseases
The miniature schnauzer is a healthy breed in general but, like any other, it has a genetic predisposition to suffer a series of diseases, which in its case are the following:
- Legg-Perthes disease. A bone disease that affects both this breed and that of Scottish short-legged terrier. It is not a hereditary disease but it seems to be deb> Training
The miniature schnauzer is not a difficult dog to train. With a certain constancy, an owner who likes this facet can have a great time training him. This breed can boast of having been getting titles in obedience tests since they started.
Another facet in which this breed stands out is in the agility tests in which the dogs run through a circuit with stairs, fences, jumps and various obstacles. They will not only exercise the pet but also the owner.
This is the consequence that the miniature schnauzer is an energetic pet that needs a good daily walk that should be complemented with a good dose of play.
This breed has a tendency to suffer "Small dog syndrome", consisting of believing the leader of the pack and therefore wanting to take the initiative in everything around them. It is a good owner to make him see that he is the one who takes the initiative and the command of the situation, showing himself inflexible.
A good way to make your miniature schnauzer understand this situation is to make him stick to your heel or behind you when he walks, so that he understands that it is you who rules. You can also teach them to go through entrances and doors behind people.
