Deciding Whether a Miniature Schnauzer is Right for You

If you are thinking about getting a miniature schnauzer, it is important to know the traits commonly associated with this friendly breed of dog. Breed typing may not necessarily tell you everything there is to know about whether a certain breed of dog will be right for you, but it can at least help you make your decision.

Miniature schnauzers tend to be very friendly dogs, especially toward children. This makes them great dogs for single people and couples, as well as families with kids. They are very much "people dogs," and enjoy spending time playing and cuddling with their owners. In addition, their size makes miniature schnauzers an excellent choice for anyone living in an apartment. Although like any breed, they benefit from regular walks, they can get most of their exercise from playing in the apartment. A large yard is always nice, but it is not a necessity for this small breed of dog.

Like most dogs, however, this breed does require training and proper socialization. This is best done when the dog is still a puppy, as a dog's personality is more malleable during its youth, and its habits are not yet formed. With the proper socialization, a miniature schnauzer will be friendly and playful with other dogs; however, if they are unfamiliar with being around other dogs, they may exhibit some aggression toward other dogs. This is not just inconvenient for you as an owner, but also dangerous for your dog, as he or she may challenge a much larger dog that is more than a match for them in size and fighting skills.

Another reason why proper training is a necessity with a miniature schnauzer is because this breed is susceptible to developing what is known as small dog syndrome. This is where a small dog becomes aggressive and barks a lot, particularly toward people and other dogs. Small dog syndrome is also often accompanied by separation anxiety and other potentially troublesome behaviors. With the proper training, however, miniature schnauzers are not particularly yippy dogs; although they may still bark frequently, their bark tends to be deeper and longer than many other small breeds, and therefore less annoying.

A miniature schnauzer is also fairly easy to care for. Their coats are rather wiry and require grooming, but they shed little or not at all. They are typically groomed to accentuate their squarish shape: with their hair short on top, left longer under their belly and on their legs, and shaped to highlight their strong jaw and muzzle. For the casual owner, a miniature schnauzer can be groomed and clipped twice a year, and at other times their coats can be maintained simply by brushing, cutting out mats, and carefully trimming the fur around their eyes with a blunt-tipped pair of scissors.

Because they are so easy to keep and care for, miniature schnauzers make excellent dogs for all different people in all kinds of different lifestyles. Their lack of shedding makes them ideal dogs for anyone with allergy problems, while their size makes them great apartment dogs. In addition, their friendliness makes them perfect dogs for singles as well as families.

Finally, don't forget that knowing about the breed's personality and other traits is important when you are considering bringing a dog into your household, but so is the individual dog's personality. Get to know any dog, even a miniature schnauzer, before you bring it home, and arrange introductions with other members of your household, both human and animal, to make sure that everyone will get along.

When all is said and done, though, miniature schnauzers are great dogs with great personalities. If you take your time in choosing a dog, a miniature schnauzer is sure to make a great addition to your family!