About Miniature Schnauzers
A Miniature Schnauzer will become a part of your family and invade your heart. They will be devoted to whomever gives them love and attention. They love to play and roughhouse and are active and busy, but at the end of the day they love nothing better than to curl up with you on the bed, or sit quietly on your lap watching television. They are excellent travelers and their small size makes them adaptable to apartment living. They are excellent watchdogs, and bark only for a reason. They are not, however, the breed for those who only give a pat and promise because they will invent their own activities which may or may not be a productive use of their time by human standards.
Miniature Schnauzers adore paper. They love to get into the wastebasket and shred every single piece of paper, the tissues, and the newspaper. However they’re not as interested in your furniture or rugs.
Miniature Schnauzers don’t shed, making them a good choice for those with allergies, however their coats do require regular combing and clipping to keep them looking good. They come in three recognized colors: Salt and Pepper (known as silver to many people), Black and Silver, and solid Black.
Schnauzers are wonderful with children, but should be introduced to them when the dog is fairly young. They are also an excellent choice for the elderly or those who live alone, being excellent companions who gladly devote their lives to keeping you young.
They make excellent therapy dogs and enjoy obedience and agility work. Intelligence also leads them to sometimes insist that they are smarter than the handler. Working with a Miniature Schnauzer in obedience, agility, tracking, and earthdog tests is truly a rewarding experience.
They are indoors dogs, and for their protection, they should have a fenced yard and should be microchipped or tattooed for identification.
Activities with Your Schnauzer
If you’ve got a Miniature Schnauzer and want to do more with the breed, you might look into obedience or agility. They do quite well in both because they’re eager to please (and will do anything for food). Members of the Portland Miniature Schnauzer Club will be happy to get you pointed in the right direction for training classes and moral support.
If you think your dog looks like a champion and would like to show it, the Portland Miniature Schnauzer club has a number of members with many years experience in showing and can help you get started with grooming and training.
Miniature Schnauzers also can compete in Earthdog trials where they are judged on their ability to go after rodents.
Below are the organized activities that you and your Mini Schnauzer can compete:
- Conformation Dog Shows
- Obedience
- Agility
- Tracking
- Earthdog
- Freestyle Dancing
Miniature Schnauzer also make wonderful therapy dogs where you both visit hospitals and/or the elderly.
Check out the links page for information on various activites.
The American Miniature Schnauzer Club
The American Miniature Schnauzer Club is the parent club for the Miniature Schnauzer in the USA. They control the standard of perfection for the breed and have in-depth information on the breed.
AMSC Brochures
- So You Want to Buy A Miniature Schnauzer
- Grooming Chart
- Illustrated Discussion of the Miniature Schnauzer Standard
Books on Schnauzers
- The New Miniature Schnauzer, by Dan Kiedrowski, Howell Book House
- Miniature Schnauzer Today, by Peter Newman Howell Book House
- The Complete Miniature Schnauzer, by Anne Paramoure Eskrigge, Howell Book House
- The World of Schnauzers, by Johan Gallant, Alpine Publications
- The Book of the Miniature Schnauzer, by Anna Kathrine Nicholas
- Clipping and Grooming Your Terrier by Ben Stone & Mario Migliorini, Arco Publishing Company
Books on Training
- Competition Obedience Training For The Small Dog, Barbara Cecil & Gerianne Darnell (book and tapes) T9E Publishing
- Smart Trainers, Brilliant Dogs, by Janet Lewis, Canine Sports Productions
Tracking From The Ground Up, Sandy Ganz & Susan Boyd, Show-Me Publication - Front and Finish, monthly periodical with obedience, tracking, agility and freestyle articles (see links)
- Competetive Agility Training, by Jane Simmons-Moake, books and tapes (available through J&J – see links)