We’ve been a bit derelict in putting this post together and apologize for the lateness. First we couldn’t decide who should be next after Norman introduced this series last month and then I couldn’t get him to focus on picking someone from the submissions we received. He kept thinking treats were wrapped up in the entries. Ugh, brothers! Elsa here ready to share this month’s installment of “Meet the Breed.” So without further delay, let’s meet…drumroll please…Schnauzers, Miniature Schnauzers to be precise.
Did you know there are three different breeds of Schnauzers: miniature, standard and giant and each one is considered a separate breed. Our good friend, Princess Xena (click on link to visit her blog) provided much of the 411 for this post. She told us that miniatures range in size from 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere from 10 to 18 pounds. A word to the wise from our Miniature Schnauzer expert: if you’re interesting in this breed, don’t fall for breeders who say they have teacup or toy schnauzers, it’s a distortion of the breed. Schnauzers should be uniform in size; that is the same length from neck to base of tail as they are in height (Xena is 13×13).
According to the AKC, Miniature Schnauzers were bred down from their larger German cousins, Standard Schnauzers. The bushy beard and eyebrows give them a charming expression. They come in four color patterns: salt and pepper, black and silver, solid black and solid white. They were bred to be medium sized farm dogs in Germany, equally suited to ratting, herding and guarding property. The first recorded Miniature Schnauzer appeared in 1888 and they are a member of the Terrier group.
With their working days behind them, today’s Miniature Schnauzer is best known as a friendly, charming companion who continues to be a steady winner in all sorts of competitions.
Miniature Schnauzers are sturdy, clever dogs and enjoy vigorous play. Home and family oriented, they still make great watchdogs and alert their family of any trespassers. Xena says you have to be pretty smart to live with a Miniature Schnauzer or they will outwit you every time. Miniature Schnauzer’s have a strong desire to be with their people and need lots of interaction. They don’t like being left alone and can become bored, inventing their own “fun.” They are active, smart and will happily accompany their uprights on walks or runs. They do equally well in small apartments or on the farm.
Miniature Schnauzers are chow hounds. Left to their own devices, they’d eat a whole bag of kibble. Miniature Schnauzers compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, and tracking. Xena is quite the dancer. Schnauzers have a high prey drive, so ‘tree rats’ should exercise caution when Schnauzers are off leash. Miniatures are consistently rated as one of the smartest breeds and their ability to learn and obey new commands is high. Experts rank Miniatures as 5th among the top 15 breeds for their watchdog barking ability.
We hope you learned a little about these adorably cute dogs. Have you owned one or have stories to share? Next month we’ll showcase another breed. Who could it be? While I’m not giving any clues away, it’s probably someone else from the Blogville community. Just saying. Happy Monday!
Sounds like an amazing dog!! 🐾 🐾 🐾
She’s quite accomplished with a wonderful mum.
😀😀😀
Mee-yow WOW!! Mee frend Xena gotted to repreesent her bredd here! How kewl iss this?? FURRY KEWL!!!
An mee leerned ’bout THE sizess of Schnauzerss…
***purrss*** BellaDharma
Pee S: Elsa you are ROCKIN tore pink bandana an sunglassess!!!!
Isn’t she a wagnificent ambassador for Schnauzers?
I know one who owns a friend of mine 😉 and he is everything you stated, esp. the watchdog bit. He sits on the back of the couch where he can see everything and all who pass get barked at! He’s made working at home very interesting for her – haha!
*Xena raises her paw* and says, “Me too, I do that too!”
🙂
Tree rats!?!? I saw that!!!
Bwahahaha! “Elsa” put that in there just for you. Naturally she doesn’t harbor prejudice against these furry inhabitants…she sees them as a combination exercise machine and a la carte item on the backyard menu. 🐿
This squirrel doesn’t want to be on the dollar menu!
We’d never put you on that menu. Ever.
Xena is a true Princess, Benji
She really is, one who is adorably cute.
We 100% agree 🙂
Our aunt had a Schnauzer. She was a great dog.
Such perky companions!
Thank you for that Elsa, but as cute and lovely as they are, I don’t think they are for me, but I understand they are great companions.
They are probably not suitable for everyone. I doubt I would be a suitable owner.
They are cute dogs and can be quite the barkers, good for alerting burgler’s.
Yup, they definitely are a built in alert system.
Beards for both sexes? I wonder if Terry Pratchett used them as the basic idea for his dwarves.
Apparently so. It works on poodles, I’ve always had smooth noses, never mustaches on the males.
K used to meet a neighbor walking for impeccably groomed mini schnauzer walking around the neighborhood occasionally. I learned a couple of months later her dog was a maltese with a schnauzer cut.
Oh snap!
Hi Xena!!! What an adorable breed you are!!
xoxo,
Jakey, Arty & Rosy
Doesn’t she look like she has a wonderful disposition?
Lovely intro, Monika.. I mean, Elsa!
I know Princess Xena is a girl but they all look so Mister-like to me!
Those beards do make it confusing to gender roles.
Funny… Some breeds just look more feminine or masculine than others!
That’s very true, come to think of it.
🙂
So true, and why I keep a pink collar on her, LOL!
Smart move!!
😁
They sound like a fun dog to have! Cute and smart to boot, what could be better? I think the dog in the book “Following Atticus” was a mini schnauzer. Loved that book (it’s a true story)!
I’ll have to check that book out-always up for reading another dog book! Thanks for the recommendation.
We have a couple of miniature schnauzers in our neighborhood. They seem to be pretty nice pups. Thanks for telling us all about them.
Woos, Lightning and Timber
There are a couple around here who seem vocal about wanting us to cross the street when we see them. 😆
They have such the professorial look.
They are a fun-loving, perky little dog.
That they are.
Wow- what a great dog! Now only if Lucy would allow us a dog! Cheers and be happy and healthy!
Xena and her mom are big favorites of ours. 😊
What a lovely post, Elsa. We know Schnauzers only from name, but they’re sure a very cute breed😸Clean Pawkisses for a Happy Monday. Stay Safe Healthy and Yourselfie🙏🐾😽💞
Thanks, Binky. They might give you a run for your money at catching birds and mousies.
I had a schnauzer and can attest to all the information. Thanks, Monika.
They are definitely members of the Terrier group!
For sure. They can bark anyone to St Louis.
Hahahaha!
When Max was growing up in Utah, his best buddy at the local dog park was a Mini Schnauzer named “Ollie.” They had great fun together but Ollie could run circles around the the leisurely Maltese. Nice little dogs. I admire the looks of the Giant guys but never was fortunate enough to meet one and get to know the big breed.
I came close to rescuing a giant years ago from the Dumb Friends but it didn’t work out. I think that’s about the same time when the OES
bulldozed their waystepped into my life and well…we know how that turned out. 🤣 Max grew up in Utah??Owned by the OES!
Well…yeah…that’s of course quite true but I don’t like to say that around Elsa. She takes it too personal.
Beautiful pup. They are great companions.
Have a fabulous day and week, my friend. Big hug. ♥
She’s a real cutie. And so is her mum. Here’s to a wonderful week.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. ♥
Thanks for hosting!
🙂
Had to laugh because of a neighbor’s dog – Kordell. He has a difficult time accepting me, but I’m wearing him down with treats. Stay safe.
Well now you know how to get him on your side. 😊
He is a challenge …. but the power of treats will overcome him.
🤞🏼
You forgot one of the more endearing, sometimes exasperating traits of terriers in general: you can teach them anything, but you will need to get them to want to do it to succeed, especially the small ones. They were bred to be ‘vermin’ dogs, and hunted alone. Independence was a survival trait, and it was reinforced for generations of breeding. The 2 schnauzer minis I had considered food sufficient. My Norfolk/Brussels Griffon mix went thru 5 weeks of obedience training–and sat occasionally. The trainer said don’t worry, he will pass next week, and he did with flying colors. I adore terriers.
All of mine would (and will) do anything for treats. Extremely food-driven.
Not necessarily a bad thing (unless they figure out how to get their paws on a bag of kibble). 😆
Not possible. No kibble in this house.
You’re such a good dog mommy.
Thanks. I try.
Terriers can be a breed unto themselves and super smart. 😍
Thank you for featuring miniature schnauzers, and Xena in particular. Great job, Elsa! Even though Xena’s a real love bug, most folks won’t know that until she stops barking at them!
Our pleasure. It fun learning about new breeds and Xena is such a sweetie. My niece used to have a pair-they were barkers, too. 😍
Xe’s a soprano. Sometimes I think my eardrums will explode like a glass with high C.
BOL…I can only imagine!
I have known a couple giant schnauzers and LOVE them.
Great athletic dogs!
we love schnauzers!!! before we brought Easy home we pondered about getting a giant schnauzer or a russian black terrier (don’t google this breed , it is typical for us to want the same, but different LOL)
What a small world; we contemplated a giant too. There was a Russian black terrier at obedience classes which was enough exposure for me if you get my drift. LOL
Cute – I love that they are super intelligent and outsmart their humans from time to time….we all need to be on our toes! Our neighbors have a standard schnauzer. He’s super friendly and playful but big enough if he jumps up on you, you’d better be steady on your feet!
Hugs, Pam
We once nearly rescued a female but alas she did not play nice with the other dogs in the family. She was a beauty.
Thanks Elsa for an informative post. And, I love the scarf and sunglasses ensemble. You wear it well.
Mom thought I needed to look professional for these posts. I will but only if she can take a photo in less than two nano-seconds. BOL
What a fun post. Our next door neighbor has one of these cute dogs. The description in your post fits him to a “T”.
Thank you. They are cute little dogs that make great companions. We’re big fans of Princess Xena.