The Wauzer is a hybrid that crosses the West Highland Terrier with the Schnauzer. They’re considered a good breed for owners with dog allergies because they’re low shedding. They’re intelligent, like to play, and are fearless and friendly around strangers, but they also enjoy playing on their own and chewing toys and treats. Considered a good all-rounder dog, the Wauzer will enjoy curling up with you just as much as they enjoy getting outside and burning off energy.
Breed Overview
Height:
7–14 inches
Weight:
12–16 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
Silver, white, brindle, black, brown, cream
Suitable for:
Active families looking for a hypoallergic, fun, energetic dog
Both parent breeds were used for ratting, and the hybrid is equally at home hunting and controlling vermin. This means you will need to train your Wauzer when they are young to prevent them from chasing and hunting small animals. Use training as an opportunity for early socialization too, to help ensure that your dog gets along with others.
Wauzer Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
The Wauzer is a hybrid, which means that it might be difficult to find breeders that specialize in the breed. They can’t be registered with kennel clubs either, so you will have to research breeders yourself. Look in newspapers, check online, and join breed fan groups. If you know of any in your local area, speak to the owners, and ask for their opinion of breeders.
Always meet a breeder before you buy a dog from them. Ensure that you can meet the puppy that you want to adopt, as well as at least the mother. Check that mother and puppy look healthy, that they are alert, and that they are not too aloof or stressed when they encounter you for the first time. You should also be able to arrange for your children to meet the puppy before you bring them home.
Since this is a hybrid breed, the Wauzer can likely be found in local shelters and pounds. Although you will not usually be able to get their full life story, you should get as much information about them as possible from the shelter.
Image Credit: Left- antschabaer, Pixabay | Right – PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay
Temperament & Intelligence of the Wauzer
The Wauzer is a medium-sized dog. While both parents were bred for hunting vermin, they also make excellent family pets. Expect a cross of the two breeds to be similar, but be prepared to put time and effort into puppy training and socialization.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
The Wauzer is a companion dog. While some breeds might favor a single member of the family, forming an especially close bond with one human, the Wauzer will share their love equally with all family members. They can live with children of all ages and will not only be accepting of your children but will also enjoy companionship with anybody willing to throw a ball or pull a toy around.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The parent breeds are both hunting dogs, so the resulting cross does retain hunting instincts. This means the Wauzer might be tempted to chase small animals. To prevent your dog from giving chase every time they see a cat, a squirrel, or even a smaller dog, ensure that you socialize them from an early age and encourage good practices through early and ongoing training.
The Wauzer is a good family pet that will get along with most people and other animals, but they do require a good amount of exercise every day, and their intelligence can lead to stubbornness in some cases. Read on for more information about the breed and to find out what you need to keep one of these loving and intelligent dogs as a pet.
Food & Diet Requirements
As a medium-sized dog, the Wauzer will require approximately 1 cup of decent-quality kibble per day. You can feed them a little more or a little less, according to the dog’s age, activity levels, and whether they have any existing health conditions. Always follow your vet’s advice if it differs from general guidelines. Food should be split over two meals, and if you use treats or food as a training tool, take this into account when calculating your pup’s daily food allowance.
Exercise
This hybrid is a lively and energetic dog, which means that they will need a reasonable amount of exercise every day. You should provide 45 minutes of moderate to heavy exercise. This can include time playing in the yard or the house, but it should also include some time walking. If you enjoy outdoor activities, try to find a way to involve your Wauzer, as they will be able to keep up with you. They can also compete in dog agility and other canine sports.
Since the Wauzer likes to please their humans and are intelligent, they’re considered an easy dog to train. Make training sessions fun, praise positive behavior, and be consistent in your training efforts, and you should enjoy good results.
The intelligence of this breed means the Wauzer can be stubborn if they get bored and are not given consistent training. Go to puppy classes to learn basic commands. This will also allow you to better socialize your dog.
Grooming ✂️
Although the breed sheds minimally, they can have moderate to high grooming requirements. You will need to ensure that their whiskers do not become matted and that the hair around the eyes doesn’t prevent proper vision. The hair around the paws can also grow excessively long. Daily brushing will remove dead hairs and help ensure that your dog is more comfortable.
Your dog needs your assistance in managing dental hygiene. Brush their teeth at least three times a week, ideally starting from when they are a puppy, when it’s easier to get into the habit.
Trim your Wauzer’s nails when you can hear them clipping on a hard floor surface. This will usually mean cutting them down every 2 months, and it is best to start from when they’re a puppy. Alternatively, if you do struggle to cut your dog’s nails or are worried about it, you can get a professional groomer to do it for you.
The hardy Wauzer is a generally healthy dog, but there are a few conditions that they’re genetically predisposed to and therefore, more likely to develop. Look for signs of the following, and consult a vet if your dog shows any.
There are few, if any, differences between the sexes. The male Wauzer may grow slightly taller and be a little heavier than the female.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Wauzer
1. The West Highland Terrier Is a Skilled Ratter
The West Highland Terrier, or Westie, is one of the parent breeds of the Wauzer. They originate from the Highlands of Scotland, where they were partly bred as a companion but primarily for vermin control. They were skilled at hunting rats down burrows and holes. The tail of the West Highland Terrier is short and strong, enabling the dog to be able to lever themselves out of any burrows that they go down. The modern Westie can use their tail for the same purposes, though they’re just as likely to use it to get out of a chair. The Westie also has a loud bark, especially for a dog of their size. The volume meant that hunters could still hear their dogs when they were underground.
2. Schnauzers Were Used by the German Army
The other parent breed of the Wauzer, the Schnauzer, is of German descent. The Standard Schnauzer protected livestock and acted as a companion for hunters, along with hunting vermin. Like the Westie, they adapted to become a highly proficient hunter. The Standard size was ideal for the breed because they were still easy to transport in a cart and small enough to get into burrows and holes but big enough to take on large rats and other animals. The whiskers of the Schnauzer are arguably their most recognizable attribute, and these were developed to protect the dog from being bitten around the snout and face. Besides being used as a skilled hunter, the breed was employed by the German Army as a guard dog.
3. Wauzers Are Considered Good for Allergy Sufferers
The Schnauzer and the Westie are considered hypoallergenic. Both shed only a small amount and have wiry hair. The resulting hybrid has a similarly hypoallergenic coat, and while they will still trigger allergies in some people, they’re considered better for sufferers. This doesn’t mean you won’t have to maintain your dog’s coat, of course. In fact, since the Wauzer sheds less, they will require regular grooming. Grooming removes dead hair, helps the dog maintain a decent temperature, and ensures that they are comfortable and relaxed.
The Wauzer is a hybrid breed that crosses the West Highland Terrier with the Schnauzer. Since they come from two hunting breeds, you can expect the Wauzer to be lively and energetic. They may also retain a hunting instinct, which will need training out from a young age. The breed makes a good family pet and an excellent companion for walks and hikes, and they will develop a bond with all family members while also getting along with visitors and strangers.
Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
