The Crested Schnauzer is a cross between two unique ratting breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer and the Chinese Crested. The two dogs are different in appearance but fairly similar in temperament, creating a hybrid as spirited, playful, and intelligent as their parents. The Crested Schnauzer came about with the explosion in popularity of hybrid breeds in the last two or three decades, although their exact origins are largely unknown. We’ll take a brief look at the parents to get a better understanding of this unique hybrid.

Despite their name, the Chinese Crested originated in Africa but developed into the dog we see today in China. They are expert ratters and were kept on Chinese ships to hunt vermin. They made their way to Europe in the 1700s. They are now commonly kept as companion dogs because they are affectionate and intelligent, but they have a stubborn streak.

Breed Overview

The Miniature Schnauzer was created by crossing a Standard Schnauzer with other smaller breeds in Germany in the late 1800s. They were bred as ratting dogs on farms, but today, they are popular companion animals that form strong bonds with their owners and are known for their high intelligence and affectionate nature. Like the Chinese Crested, they have a stubborn streak, too.

If you’d like to find out more about this unique hybrid, read on for our in-depth guide!

Crested Schnauzer Characteristics

Crested Schnauzer Puppies

The Crested Schnauzer is a friendly, affectionate, and social dog that forms strong bonds with their owners and makes a great family dog. However, they are not ideal for novice owners. Although highly intelligent, they have a stubborn streak that can make training a challenge. They are inquisitive animals that need a great deal of mental stimulation to stay happy, and they do not enjoy being left at home for long periods. If you are away from home frequently, they may not be the right pet for you.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Crested Schnauzer

The Crested Schnauzer is an athletic and active breed, and while they enjoy cuddling on the sofa with their owners, they enjoy playing and running in the backyard just as much. They are also highly intelligent dogs that make great companions and bond strongly with their owners. They are more affectionate than their Schnauzer parent but can inherit the needy and anxious traits of the Chinese Crested, so adequate socialization is vital.

Still, these dogs do not enjoy being left at home alone and are known to suffer from separation anxiety when they are away from their people. They are inquisitive dogs that love to be exposed to new sights, sounds, and smells, so they must be taken out on walks to new places as much as possible. They also need a great deal of mental stimulation to keep them happy.

Both of the Crested Schnauzer’s parents have a stubborn streak, which will likely be passed on to your puppy. With the right training and socialization, though, they can be trained as well as any other dog because they are highly intelligent and eager to please their owners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

With the proper training and plenty of socialization early on, Crested Schnauzers can make great family dogs. They are affectionate and playful animals that generally love the company of children and will spend hours in the backyard playing fetch. They love their downtime too and adore cuddling on the sofa with their family after a hard day of playing.

Despite their origins of hunting vermin, they have become far more popular as family companions.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Crested Schnauzers have a history of ratting and hunting small vermin, and as such, any smaller pets in your home are likely to be seen as prey. They will need a lot of socialization early on to prevent them from chasing small animals. This is less likely to be an issue if they are raised alongside them. They are generally okay with cats and other dogs. They are known to get along well with dogs that are larger than them and are rarely aggressive.

Things to Know When Owning a Crested Schnauzer

Food & Diet Requirements

Crested Schnauzers are small dogs and do not eat much. However, they are prone to becoming overweight, so their diet must be carefully monitored. It’s best to feed them a nutrient-rich diet free from filler ingredients to keep them from gaining weight, and high-quality dry food is ideal.

Check the ingredient list, and ensure that animal-based protein is listed in the top three ingredients, but it should ideally be the first. You can supplement this food with lean meats or wet food to add essential omega acids and give them variety. They’ll need 1–2 cups of dry food per day, ideally split into two meals. As with any dog, they’ll always need constant access to fresh, clean water.

Exercise

Crested Schnauzers are relatively active and energetic dogs and will need a minimum of 1-2 hours of exercise daily, but the more, the better. They’ll need a few brisk walks, playtime, and training in the backyard. They can do well in apartments provided they get enough exercise, but having a backyard is certainly a bonus.

Try to vary their exercise and take them on new routes during their walks, as they are inquisitive dogs that enjoy new smells and new sights. Dog parks are great because they allow your pup to socialize with other dogs, but they’ll love the variety of walking on trails, too, especially if they live in a home without a backyard.

Training

Crested Schnauzers are intelligent and eager to please, and with an experienced owner, they are not too difficult to train. However, they have a notorious stubborn streak that can be a real challenge for novice owners to overcome, so early socialization and beginning training as early as possible are vital.

Patience is essential when training these dogs because their progress may be gradual, and it may take a while to see results. A firm and consistent hand is necessary because you need to establish yourself as the pack leader before they do. Remember that they are somewhat sensitive dogs that do not like harsh training methods, so reward-based methods are best.

Grooming ✂️

Depending on the coat that your Crested Schnauzer inherits, grooming is fairly easy in most cases. If they inherit the coat of the Chinese Crested, they will only need minimal brushing, but they may also inherit the coat of the Miniature Schnauzer, in which case, they’ll need regular brushing to avoid knots.

Chinese Cresteds are almost completely hairless, so if your pup inherits this trait, you’ll need to pay careful attention to their skin, especially in the hot sun, and provide them with jackets when it’s cold.

Other than that, you’ll need to check their ears regularly for any signs of infection and clean them regularly and keep them as dry as possible. Keep their nails short and trim them to avoid breakages or injuries, and brush their teeth a couple of times a week to prevent dental disease.

Health and Conditions

Miniature Schnauzers are well known for their impeccable health, and this trait is likely to be passed down to your pet. If your dog inherits the coat of the Chinese Crested, you’ll need to pay careful attention to their skin, watch out for allergies, and keep them warm in winter and well-protected from the sun in summer. Other than that, they can be prone to eye issues and dental problems.

However, they can live for 15 years or more.

Male vs. Female

If you’ve decided that the Crested Schnauzer is the pet for you, you’ll need to decide whether you want a male or female. If you have a male dog at home, it may be easier for them to get along with a female, as same-sex pairings can sometimes result in territorial issues. The personality of your Crested will be influenced mainly by their upbringing and environment, far more than their sex, and a well-trained and socialized Crested Schnauzer will make a great pet regardless of whether they are male or female.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Crested Schnauzer

1. The Chinese Crested Is a “World’s Ugliest Dog Competition” Champion!

The Chinese Crested has won more Ugliest Dog Competitions than any other breed and has won nine times since 2002. A Chinese Crested named Sam won the competition three times in a row, from 2003 to 2005.

2. They Are Surprisingly Athletic

Despite their small size and being commonly kept as lapdogs, Chinese Cresteds are athletic little pups that excel at agility competitions and can even scale fences that seem impossibly high. Luckily, they do not have much of a reputation for wandering, but they can undoubtedly be expert escape artists should the mood strike them.

Miniature Schnauzers were bred for ratting on small farms and are pretty athletic. With these parent breeds, you can bet your Crested Schnauzer will be highly energetic!

3. Miniature Schnauzers Are the Most Popular of the Schnauzer Breeds

According to the American Kennel Club, the Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular of the Schnauzer breeds, the other two being the Standard and Giant Schnauzer. This is likely because of the breed’s prominent personality, intelligence, and adorable looks.

Conclusion

The Crested Schnauzer is a unique hybrid, and the blending of two remarkable parents makes for a one-of-a-kind companion. They make excellent pets for families, singles, and seniors, and they do well in apartments or on farms because they are hardy and highly adaptable. They are intelligent, playful, affectionate, and loving, and they enjoy cuddling their owners after a day of interactive play.

They become attached to their owners and are certainly unhappy being left alone for long periods. They can be stubborn at times, too, making them a challenge to train for novice owners. However, with patience and dedication, this can be largely overcome, and their eagerness to please their owners usually wins out.

If you are looking for a unique and affectionate companion animal, the Crested Schnauzer is certainly not lacking in either of these traits and makes a beautiful pet for almost any home!

See also:

• Chonzer (Bichon Frise & Miniature Schnauzer Mix)
• Miniature Schnoxie (Dachshund & Miniature Schnauzer Mix)

Featured Image Credit: Left – Veronika_Andrews, Pixabay; Right – ClarissaBell, Pixabay