The Mauzer is a designer dog breed that is a combination of a Miniature Schnauzer and a Maltese. These dogs are known for being stubborn but highly intelligent, making them a good option for experienced pet owners. This energetic pup is excitable and can be a great guard dog to alert you to intruders, but they are just as likely to alert you to expected visitors as well.

Breed Overview

People tend to appreciate the low-shedding nature of this dog. They are feisty dogs that will keep you on your toes but also work well in apartments and condos. It’s important to keep in mind that with any designer breed, your pup can take on any combination of the parent traits, so you never know for sure what you’re going to get. Here are the things you need to know about the Mauzer!

Mauzer Dogs Characteristics

Mauzer Puppies

Mauzers are considered a cute designer dog breed. To purchase a Mauzer puppy, it’s important to find a reputable breeder. If you’re going to a breeder, remember to be prepared with what questions to ask them and to ask for the dog’s parents’ information to make sure the pup is safe and healthy. Take into account that most reputable breeders do not breed designer dogs, so a rescue or shelter might be your safest option.

When you welcome a Mazuer puppy into your home, be ready to give them enough time commitment, training sessions, and dedicated care. They aren’t the first choice for small children, so take this into consideration when you’re deciding on which pup to bring home.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mauzer Dog

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Mauzer isn’t the top pick for families for a number of reasons, but they can be socialized with children and safely live with them. Mauzers tend to be on the nippy side, which makes them a poor option to have around children, particularly small children who may be injured by a nip. They may also be touchier than many other types of dogs, thanks to their miniature Schnauzer heritage.

Mauzers tend to be somewhat distrustful of strangers and form close bonds with only one or two people. This means that in a home with children, you may see the dog only bond with the adults or bond with a child, causing the dog to become overprotective of that child. All of this isn’t to say that well-socialized Mauzers can’t be happily and safely kept in homes with children. With proper training, boundaries for the dog and children, and socialization, a Mauzer has the potential to be a great family dog.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

With proper socialization, Mauzers can get along with other animals. If they are not raised around the animals, they may be standoffish or prone to barking at strange animals. Like most dogs, proper socialization is a must to provide the best chance of your Mauzer getting along with other pets. Also, make sure to use extreme caution when introducing your Mauzer to small animals, like guinea pigs and lizards. Schnauzers were bred as vermin hunters, so their instincts to chase or kill small animals may kick in, leading to the injury or death of your small animal.

Things to Know When Owning a Mauzer Dog

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These dogs are prone to obesity, so their diet is extremely important. Providing high-quality dog food is only part of keeping your Mauzer at a healthy weight. You should know how much your dog should be fed to maintain its body weight. Food should be carefully measured or weighed out to ensure you are feeding proper portions. It’s important not to put your dog on a diet without consulting your veterinarian first, though.

Depending on your dog’s age and health status, its dietary requirements will vary. Your dog’s vet is the best starting point for finding out how much your dog should be eating. A veterinary nutritionist is also a good resource for this.

Exercise 🐕

Although these are not overly active dogs, Mauzers do need daily activity. A brisk walk twice a day is likely to suffice for many Mauzers. However, your dog may also need a job, especially if their Schnauzer genes are prominent. Mauzers can be great for jobs like ratting and sports like Earthdog. They can even excel at things like agility and hiking.

The most important thing is to ensure you are keeping your dog physically active every day. This will not only help your dog burn excess energy and stay on their best behavior, but it is also the biggest factor, other than diet, that determines your dog’s body weight. Active dogs are less likely to develop obesity.

Training 🎾

Mauzers are intelligent but stubborn dogs, which can make training difficult. Start training your dog early and set boundaries from day one. For example, if you want your dog to stay off the furniture, then everyone in the household should be on board with keeping the dog off the furniture. Otherwise, you’ll have a dog that doesn’t fully understand the boundaries that have been set, making it far more difficult to train them.

Remember, your Mauzer will likely form a close bond with one or two people, which can make some aspects of training easier. However, it’s important for the entire household to work on training exercises with your dog. Otherwise, you may end up with a dog who only obeys one or two people.

Grooming ✂️

Overall, this breed is surprisingly low maintenance when it comes to grooming. You should take the time to brush your dog out thoroughly at least once weekly but twice is ideal. Regular coat care will not only work to prevent matting, but it will also keep the skin and coat healthy. Some Mauzers may require regular visits to the groomer for brushouts or haircuts.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Male vs Female

Overall, the behavior and personality of your Mauzer will be more dependent on whether your dog has more Maltese or Miniature Schnauzer qualities rather than the sex of the dog. However, male dogs are more likely to be friendlier than females, as well as more accepting of strangers. Females are more likely to be protective and independent than males.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mauzer Dogs

1. The Maltese is a mysterious breed

Maltese have been around in some form for approximately 2,000 years! However, it’s debated where these dogs originated. Their name comes from the island of Malta, where it’s generally believed that these dogs originated. However, the Maltese could have originated as far north as Sweden and as far east as Tibet and China.

2. The Miniature Schnauzer is a young breed

The miniature Schnauzer is a relatively young breed of dog, especially compared to the Maltese. The miniature Schnauzer was first bred around the late 1800s, making the breed approximately 130–140 years old. They were purpose-bred as ratters and guardians for farms.

3. We have a good idea of what breeds make up the Miniature Schnauzer

The history of the Maltese is a mystery, and we are left to garner what we can through assumptions and ancient records. However, the miniature Schnauzer is a much younger breed, so we have a surprisingly good idea where they came from. Miniature Schnauzers are the product of crossing a standard Schnauzer with smaller dog breeds, like the Affenpinscher. The Poodle and Pomeranians may also be part of the history of the miniature Schnauzer.

Final Thoughts

The Mauzer is an interesting designer breed, but it is important to use caution when looking for a Mauzer. Most reputable breeders breed to better one or two specific breeds, and designer breeds are commonly bred for money grabs. Make sure you are spending money with a reliable breeder who has healthy dogs that have been seen by a veterinarian. Ensure they are not a puppy mill, and never purchase a puppy from a pet store. With proper handling and socialization, Mauzers can be great pets for the right people, but they aren’t for everyone. Dedication to training and a willingness to keep the dog active and healthy are necessary when bringing home a Mauzer.

Featured Image Credit: Nicholas Floyd, Shutterstock