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View 8 More +You’re not alone if you’re less than familiar with the Miniature Schnaupin. This is a small, intelligent dog breed that is a beautiful addition to a family with children.
Breed Overview
Height:
12 – 14 inches
Weight:
10 – 20 pounds
Lifespan:
14 – 16 years
Colors:
black, white, blue, silver, fawn, red, brown
Suitable for:
Small homes and families looking for a fiercely loyal companion
Temperament:
Outgoing, social, alert, loyal, clever
While they are very curious animals and sometimes get into trouble, they are also playful, affectionate, and extremely loyal.As with many small dog breeds, the Miniature Schnaupin has an enthusiastic bark that they use to ward off strangers, but people often overlook their vocals because they make such a perfect and loving pet.
Miniature Schnaupin Characteristics
Miniature Schnaupin Puppies
Miniature Schnaupins have a moderate energy level that is best for someone willing to meet their minimum exercise requirement. Even though they’re intelligent, they are also a bit stubborn and curious about their surroundings. They aren’t the hardest breeds to train, but they are still better suited for someone with some experience.
Miniature Schnaupins also have a good outlook for health and lifespan. These dogs are extremely friendly to other animals. They are a bit skittish around strangers, though, and aren’t afraid to get a little scrappy to protect their pack members.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Miniature Schnaupin
Miniature Schnaupins are the perfect mix between and introverts and extroverts. They love to go out with you and socialize with other dogs, while still coming home and lounging with you over the weekend. Because of their moderate energy level, they are also alert and don’t warm up to strangers at first. Overall, this is a happy and friendly breed with the right socialization.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
We think this breed is an excellent family pet. A huge concern with pets and families is that they aren’t going to adapt well to children in the house. They do require proper socialization when exposed to other pets and children. Once they are comfortable, they are affectionate towards children of all ages. Still, we recommend supervising them whenever in the same room as each other.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Miniature Schnaupins get along great with other pets if they have been exposed to them from a young age. They are more skeptical of human strangers than other animals. Still, it could be overwhelming for dogs with zero animal exposure.
If you already have other pets in the house, consider introducing them slowly to another to make both the new puppy and preexisting pets more comfortable. Keeping them separated and slowly increasing their exposure to each other is a great way for the familiarize themselves with the other one’s scent.
Things to Know When Owning a Miniature Schnaupin:
Food & Diet Requirements
Proper nutrition and calorie intake are essential for keeping your dogs at a healthy weight. The Mini Schnaupin breed, in particular, tends to overeat and suffer from issues with obesity. Most of these dogs benefit from ½ cup to 1 cup of dry food per day, split between two meals (although you could up that to ¾ cup and 1½ cups for larger dogs). Keep an eye on treat intake as well.
Always buy high-quality and trusted dog food brands whenever possible. Dogs should be on a high protein diet and their kibble ingredients should reflect that. If you are unsure about which food brand to buy, ask your vet for a recommendation. They are more than happy to suggest several trusted pet food brands in a variety of price ranges.
Exercise
Being small and energetic allows most dogs to get exercise in small living spaces. Still, it is best to get the breed into a larger room or outdoor space where they can practice their agility and socialize. Give them at least 30 minutes of activity every day.
Because this breed has problems with obesity this recommended exercise time is the minimum. Make sure you don’t overfeed your animals with their regular food or with treats. We know how tempting it is to sneak them our leftover dinner scraps, but it could lead to health issues if you let it get out of control. If you’re ever unsure about how much to feed your dogs, always refer to your pet food packaging for the printed guide based on your dog’s age, breed, and size.
Training
The Miniature Schnaupin is smart and fairly easy to train if you know how to handle its independent nature. Things aren’t always straightforward during the training process, and it is likely that they’ll push back or not catch on to your commands as quickly as you’d like. Remain patient and give them positive and consistent praise, especially when housebreaking them because the males are often harder to potty train than the females.
Grooming ✂️
Grooming isn’t such a big chore with the Mini Schnaupin as it is with other dog breeds. They don’t shed a whole lot and only require brushing a couple of times per week. Avoid bathing them too often to protect their sensitive skin from drying out. Clip their nails whenever they get along as well. Try to wipe their ears clean and brush their teeth every other week.
Health and Conditions
All dogs have health concerns that you should be aware of before buying one. These issues could happen to anyone and could increase the overall cost of the pet. Make sure you consider all the health risks before you commit to owning a dog.
- Congenital megaesophagus
- Patellar luxation
- Eye problems
- Legg-Calve-Perthes
- Epilepsy
- Urinary stones
- Obesity
Male vs Female
The male Mini Schnaupin tends to be a little larger with more muscle mass than the females. Males are also more eager to please and demanding of attention, while the females are a bit more independent. Because of this, the males are also a little harder to keep focused while training them.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Miniature Schnaupin
1. They are half miniature Schnauzer.
The Mini Schnaupin is a designer dog and a cross between two breeds: the first breed being a Miniature Schnauzer. Schnauzers were developed in the late 19th Century in Germany. They were bred to help catch rats and other vermin on farms. As guard dogs, they are fiercely loyal and protective of their family members.
2. They are half Miniature Pinscher.
The other half of the Miniature Schnaupin is the Pinscher breed. The Miniature Pinscher has unknown origins, though experts believe they were originally a German dog bred to keep homes and stables clear from rats and mice. They look similar to a small deer and because popular around the start of the 1900s.
3. They have unknown origins.
Because this is a hybrid species, it is hard to tell exactly where this dog breed first started. Mixed dogs aren’t a new concept, but they have been growing increasingly popular over the last 50 years. You must be extremely careful when buying designer dogs because there are many bad breeders and puppy mills more interested in money than the well-being and proper breeding of these animals.
Final Thoughts
Hybrid dogs are beautiful animals that get some of the best traits of two already impeccable dog breeds. Combining the Mini Schnauzer and Mini Pinscher has created a dog whose whole purpose is to watch over the family. They love to be the center of attention and prefer to spend as much time with you as possible, whether that be running errands or lying on the couch and watching movies. All in all, the Miniature Schnaupin is an adorable and fun dog to welcome into your family.
