Miniature Schnauzer
Bred down from the standard schnauzer with affenpinscher behind it, to catch rats in smaller spaces. The beard is the breed, and it holds most of the dinner.
Photo by SheltieBoy, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Miniature Schnauzer was bred down from the Standard Schnauzer in nineteenth century Germany, using Affenpinscher and Poodle, to make a ratter that could work smaller spaces. It is the most popular of the three schnauzers by a wide margin.
Unlike the other two it is grouped with the terriers in some registries, which reflects the temperament reasonably well.
Temperament
Alert, spirited and affectionate. Miniature Schnauzers are good with children, sociable with their own families, and they are enthusiastic watchdogs.
They bark, which is the main practical consideration, and it is what they were bred to do. They are intelligent and trainable and they can be stubborn. They are also more inclined to be friendly with strangers than their larger relatives.
Care and grooming
The harsh wiry coat needs brushing twice a week plus hand stripping or clipping every six to eight weeks. The beard needs daily attention because it collects everything. They shed very little.
Hyperlipidaemia is common in the breed and predisposes to pancreatitis, which makes a low fat diet genuinely important. Progressive retinal atrophy, myotonia congenita and bladder stones all occur, and the first two have DNA tests.
Living and exercise
An hour a day plus play. They suit flats given the exercise.
The fat sensitivity is the practical health point: table scraps and fatty treats cause real problems in this breed rather than mild ones. Twelve to fifteen years.
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