Miniature Schnauzer
A bearded farm ratter with big-dog confidence.
- Weight
- 11–20 lbs
- Height
- 12–14 in
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
In short
The Miniature Schnauzer is a small Terrier-group breed from Germany, bred in the late 1800s as a farm ratter and watchdog, weighing 11–20 lbs and living 12–15 years. Owners should know the breed is prone to high blood fats and pancreatitis, so rich table scraps are a real risk.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a sturdy, small dog with a big personality
- prefer a low-shedding coat
- want an alert watchdog
Think twice if you…
- have neighbors sensitive to barking
- keep pet rodents
- can't budget for grooming every 5–8 weeks
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 40–60 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyActive7.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingLight shedder3.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Bristly beard and brows
The signature facial furnishings need daily wiping and regular trimming to stay clean.
-
02
Wiry double coat
The harsh coat sheds little but needs clipping or hand-stripping every 5–8 weeks.
-
03
Alert watchdog
Mini Schnauzers bark at everything new, which makes them excellent alarms but needs management in apartments.
Size & coat
| Weight | 11–20 lbs | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 12–14 in | |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Wiry, harsh double coat with soft undercoat | |
Personality
Mini Schnauzers are spirited, sociable and funny, with big-dog confidence in a sturdy small body. They are alert and vocal, and want to be involved in everything. Most are affectionate and adaptable.
With kids
Usually good with kids; sturdy enough for gentle play.
With other pets
Usually fine with dogs and cats, but rodents and small pets may trigger the ratter instinct.
With strangers
Alert and vocal at first, then friendly once introduced.
Alone time
Copes with moderate alone time but may bark when bored.
Training
Mini Schnauzers are smart and quick to learn, but can be stubborn and test limits. Short, fun, reward-based sessions work best.
-
How often
Two or three short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm exposure to new people, sounds and other dogs, plus daily handling of the beard, paws and coat.
-
Self-control
Teach a 'quiet' cue early, because barking is the most common complaint, and a 'leave it' for small animals.
-
What it works for
Most are very food-motivated. Use small, high-value pieces kept within 10% of daily calories, and skip rich, fatty table scraps.
Exercise
Mini Schnauzers need daily brisk walks plus play and brain work. They have more stamina than many expect.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Brisk walks
- Earthdog or barn hunt
- Agility or rally
Brain work
- Scent work
- Food puzzles
- Trick training
Best home
Adapts well to apartments with daily exercise and barking management.
Watch for Keep them lean and avoid fatty foods, which can trigger pancreatitis.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Miniature Schnauzer (11–20 lbs) lands around 375–575 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 475–725 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–75 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–4 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 375–575 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 40–60 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 525–800 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 55–80 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 325–500 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 35–50 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 475–725 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 50–75 kcal | 2–4 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 375–575 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 40–60 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
| Active / Working | 525–800 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 55–80 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Senior | 325–500 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 35–50 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Mini Schnauzers are prone to high blood fats (hyperlipidemia), pancreatitis, bladder stones and inherited eye disease. Keeping them lean and avoiding fatty table scraps helps most.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Inherited eye disease, including cataracts | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Myotonia congenita | MC DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Progressive retinal atrophy (Type A) | PRA Type A DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Hyperlipidemia | Fasting triglyceride and cholesterol blood test | At adult and senior checkups (ask your vet) |
| Heart disease | Heart exam by a veterinary cardiologist | Before breeding; ask for the latest result |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Miniature Schnauzer breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Heart exam
Also recommended
- Myotonia Congenita
- Mycobacterium Avian Complex
- PRA Type B HIVEP3 DNA test
Grooming Low; dead hair stays in the coat until brushed or stripped
Brush 2–3 times a week and wipe the beard daily. Book a professional groom (clipping or hand-stripping) every 5–8 weeks, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.
History
Late 1800s
Farm ratter
German farmers crossed Standard Schnauzers with smaller breeds such as the Affenpinscher to make a smaller ratter.
1888
First records
The first recorded Miniature Schnauzer, a female named Findel, was registered in Germany in 1888.
1926
Arrival in America
The AKC recognized the breed in 1926, and it became one of the most popular small breeds in the US.
Questions owners ask
Are Miniature Schnauzers easy to train?
Yes, mostly. They are smart and food-motivated but can be stubborn. Short, fun sessions work best.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good with kids and other pets?
Usually, yes. They are good with kids and other dogs, but small pets like rodents may trigger chasing.
How much exercise does a Miniature Schnauzer need?
About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and mental work.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed?
Very little. Dead hair stays in the coat until brushed out, so brush 2–3 times a week and groom every 5–8 weeks. No dog is truly allergen-free.
What health problems do Miniature Schnauzers have, and how long do they live?
Hyperlipidemia, pancreatitis, bladder stones and eye disease are the main concerns. They typically live 12–15 years.
Is a Miniature Schnauzer good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes to both. They adapt well to apartments and suit first-time owners who manage barking and grooming.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Miniature Schnauzer needs only 2–3 pieces a day, well inside the 40–60 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Miniature Schnauzer ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Miniature Schnauzer
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
