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Miniature Schnauzer: Training, History, Temperament, Exercise (Mini Schnauzer)

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About Miniature Schnauzer

Country of Origin, History of Miniature Schnauzers

Miniature Schnauzer is the result of breeding that started with the Standard Schnauzer, a much larger dog. They were developed by crossing the Standard Schnauzer with smaller breeds like the Miniature Pinscher, Poodle, or Affenpinscher. He is a German breed. ‘Schnauzer’ comes from the word ‘schnauze’ which means ‘muzzle.’ Its purpose was to keep vermin (mainly rats) away from the home and also to make a fine companion. Its watchdog skills are still in effect.

Schnauzers hunt, track, do watchdog duties, and compete in obedience and agility and perform tricks.

Miniature Schnauzer Tools

Breed Selector Tool - is the Miniature Schnauzer the right breed for you?

Is the Miniature Schnauzer the right breed for you and your family?

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Check Your Miniature Schnauzer's Learning Style

Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your Miniature Schnauzer's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper Miniature Schnauzer training methods.

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Miniature Schnauzer Calorie Calculator

Do you know how many calories your Miniature Schnauzer needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Miniature Schnauzer Calorie Calculator.

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A General Appearance of the Dog

The breed is a small, rectangular dog with a long head. The bushy eyebrows, beard, and mustache are often trimmed to accentuate the squareness of the head. The back is very straight and level, parallel to the floor. The Mini Schnauzer has v-shaped ears which fold forward on each side of the head. Often the ears are cropped to a V and stand up erect.

The dog’s nose is black and the eyes are dark. the docked tail of the dog is carried high. The front legs are straight. This dog is a very sturdy-looking dog, strong and muscular with a very alert expression.

Coat Color

The dog coat colors include salt and pepper, black, black with silver, and white (white is not an AKC recognized color).

Coat Type

The dog’s coat is double with the outercoat being hard and wiry and the undercoat being softer.

Weight: 10 – 15 lbs

Height: 12 – 14 inches

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Miniature Schnauzer Personality Traits

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Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Dog

The Spanish Water Dog is an extremely intelligent, fearless, ever-active, strong, attentive, happy and well balanced versatile working dog with strong herding, hunting and guardian instincts. It is a devoted companion. It is reserved, not shy, with strangers. They can be protective and territorial.

Are they suited to families with kids?

Most of them are good with children and other animals if properly socialized.

Miniature Schnauzer Activity Level

How Active is the Breed?

The dog is very active indoors. He likes a yard but it is not necessary as long as he gets short walks through the day.

Apartment life is agreeable with this breed but will need occasional walks on lead to complete its exercise needs.

How Much Exercise Does the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?

Puppies are more active than adults. They would like an occasional romp in a yard or at a dog park. Adults and puppies are very active indoors.

Is your dog causing you trouble by eliminating inside your house? Get our Free tips on Housebreaking your Miniature Schnauzer and put an end to all the housetraining nightmares - permanently.

Training your dog can be fun and a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. Get step-by-step tips on Miniature Schnauzer Training – now.

Grooming

The distinctive look of the face and body of this breed comes from very specific grooming and should be done professionally every 6 weeks. A longer, less complicated puppy cut can be done 3-4 times a year as well and save on grooming expenses. Both will require frequent brushing by the owner to keep its coat in shape and mat free.

Almost daily combing or brushing with a wire brush is necessary for this dogs.

Whiskers and beard need to be cleaned after meals.

Show dogs require hand stripping of the coat.

Grooming your dog yourself, at your home and at your convenience will help you build a strong bond with your breed. You will not only save yourself the hassle of taking him to a groomer regularly, you save some money too.

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Free Miniature Schnauzer Training Secrets

Free Course on Miniature Schnauzer Training & Obedience
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Health and Care

While the SWD seems to be a very healthy breed there are some issues that the SWD have, just like all other breeds. There are cases of Hip Dysplasia in the breed, so choose your breeder carefully.

All breeding dogs should have their hips tested, either by OFA or PennHIP. There have been a few cases of PRA reported in Europe so it is advised that all breeders should test their breeding stock for PRA and other such genetic eye diseases with a yearly CERF exam. A responsible breeder will be able to produce the results in writing.

Like other Water Dogs and related breeds, they grow hair in their ear canals and can be prone to ear infections. The ears must be kept dry and clean. . Because these dogs are (as a general rule) so active and energetic as puppies, they may seriously injure themselves from too much running and jumping when their skeletal structure is still developing.

National Breed Clubs

National Breed Clubs

British – Miniature Schnauzer Club
Schnauzer Club of Great Britain – (all 3 sizes) – www.schnauzerclub.co.uk
US – American Miniature Schnauzer Club - http://amsc.us

Other Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Rescue Link: http://amsc.us/rescue.html

Train Your Miniature Schnauzer To Listen To You

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Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers Min Schnauzer information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, Min Schnauzers have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.

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Our Dog Experts

The Miniature Schnauzer training information you will read here was developed by a panel of renowned dog training experts whose combined wisdom represents nearly 100 years of specialist experience training dogs.

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