mini schnauzer question

[justhat]

My mom is looking into getting another dog and saw a mini schnauzer up for adoption (he's 4 months old) but she doesn't know much about the breed, other than what she'd read in books and on the internet, so I told her I'd try to find something out. She currently has a 5yo beagle and she also had a 6yo pomeranian who died about a month ago (he had a severe heart problem and had a heart attack at the vet's office). For about the past 30 years she's always had at least 1 dog so she knows all about the responsibilities and all that (I swear she treats these dogs better than people treat their kids!). She was going to remain a single dog family after the pom died but the beagle has become lost without his friend. They weren't ever really friends, but I guess at least he had someone to play with, but now all he does is follow my mom around like a shadow-sits directly next to her feet, waits outside the shower door, stands by her car when she's going to work, etc. so she realized he needs another friend cause she can't keep taking him to work because there are 3 cats there who don't care for dogs much.

So she really fell for this little schnauzer but she wants to make sure he's the breed for her first. She's looking for a dog who doesn't shed much (the beagle sheds like crazy!), who's pretty easy to train, and, okay, this is kinda gross, but the pom always had a problem when he pottied that stuff would stick to his fur which she was then always cleaning, so she'd like to avoid that too. He was our 2nd pom and both had that problem. Also, she's looking for a smaller dog-about 10-22 lbs.

Does anyone have a mini schnauzer here? Or know anything about them? We've never met anyone who owns one so some firsthand info would be great! Also, she's not totally committed to the mini schnauzer-if there's another breed that is good then she'll look into that too-she wants a young rescue though which is how she fell upon this little guy.

 

[hiwaygal]

We had a mini-schnauzer when I was growing up!! ^Germanie^ was the BEST DOG!!! She had the most wonderful disposition...so gentle! They are great dogs!! But then, I think EVERY dog has the potential to be a great dog, with the proper training and stuff

All dogs shed to some extent...but the schnauzers don't shed nearly as much as a beagle. They do need to be groomed regularly (daily brushings and a visit to the groomer probably every 6 or 8 weeks or so).

I wasn't really involved with Germanie's training (I was too young) so I can't really tell you how easy or hard they are...

You can also visit a mini-schnauzer rescue website maybe to get more information as well...

 

[dvcgirl]

We've got a miniature schnauzer and we love him to pieces. He'll be two in October and we got him at 11 weeks old. We were also new to the breed and have two Airedales ages 7 and almost 9.

He's very bright...I mean, he amazes us how quickly he learns things. He's crate trained and we used to have to say "Night Night time" and then he jumps off the couch and runs into his crate and waits for his bed-time "cookie". But now he knows that as soon as the TV goes off it's bedtime and he jumps down and runs into his crate. He has an incredible personality...very, very loving and happy. He's great with the other dogs, very playful...not a mean bone in his body. He's definitely a couch guy where our other two dogs are not, but he's small enough that it isn't a problem.

He doesn't shed...not at all, but he does need to be groomed about every 8-12 weeks. He loves to chase squirrels and lizards so a fenced in yard is a good idea. We also take him for a nice walk at least 5 days out of the week. Miniature Schnauzers can be barkers, so keep that in mind. Our guy was a bit of a barker when he was a puppy but he seems to be growing out of it.

I really can't think of anything bad to say about the breed other than the barking thing. We love this guy so much. We have three dogs now and so we'll hold at this number, but down the road when that number decreases I'm fairly certain that we'll go with another miniature schnuazer.

 

[Sandy22]

I'll copy what I wrote about my dogs in an earlier thread.

Mini schnauzers are small but their stocky build makes them more popular with people who don't want small 'dainty' breeds. But they are very popular now - do not buy from pet stores or backyard breeders. That's just asking for a dog with health and disposition problems.

On the plus side:
-Personality, personality, personality!
-they can make all kinds of cute "talking" sounds - groaning, grumbling, throaty sounds it's hard to describe but it's a common trait in mini-schnauzers.
-Almost 100% no shedding!
-Loving lap dogs
-Active robust terriers
-Very loyal
-Super cute and low-maintenance (I get them shaved twice a year, monthly brushing)
-Longer life spans
-Great with kids
-Did I mention personality? They really are tons of fun.

On the negative side:
-must be leashed or kept in a fenced yard at all times when outdoors. Their chasing instinct is very strong. My poor cat was constantly chased around the house.
-it takes them a few minutes to stop barking and calm down when someone arrives at the door or walks in our yard. (I want to be alerted so I haven't tried to stop the barking).

 

[LisaR]

Our Mini Schnauzer is the greatest dog. He was the easiest dog to train. He is very smart. He doesn't shed. Likes to cuddle. He isn't yappy like a lot of small dogs tend to be. If you keep him trimmed, nothing should stick. Not to be gross but are you maybe talking about a substance coming out of his bottom? Smaller dogs need to have their anal glands cleaned regularly. If not, some really gross, fishy smelling stuff will ooze out. I know, TMI! I would get another Schnauzer in a heartbeat. Ours has been a wonderful dog.

Lisa

 

[Sandy22]

Smaller dogs need to have their anal glands cleaned regularly. Lisa

I've never had any problems with my two dogs. I think most vets recommend against this.

As for stuff sticking, as long as you keep your schnauzer trimmed on a regular basis, the hair won't be long enough back there to have anything stick to it. My dogs visit the salon 3 times a year.

 

[justhat]

Thanks for the replies! We groomed the poms we had about every 4-6 weeks so that shouldn't be a problem. He wasn't a shedder, honestly I don't think I every really found hairs from the pom around the house. Also, her beagle is the laziest dog on the planet, so if the new one is too, well that won't be a problem, but if he's very active that is fine too-maybe he can make the beagle move a little! She has a fenced in yard and they're free to go in and out when they please so that's good to know that schnauzers like to play outdoors. The beagle howls, so I'm guessing that will drown out any barking cause he probably will have a tiny bark in comparison, right? My mom lives alone, but we visit a lot with my daughter so it's great to know that they're not mean dogs. She loves animals, but she's a little afraid to touch them so we don't have to worry about her pulling it's hair and all that, but we dont' want an aggressive dog either.

Oh, one more question, how large are the dogs you guys have/had? My mom's beagle had an abnormal gene (or so the vet tells us) and he's so big, very tall and about 45 lbs. Seriously, he's twice the size of a normal beagle. Obviously that wasn't something anyone could predict, but are mini schnauzers really in the 10-20 lbs. range?

 

[dvcgirl]

Thanks for the replies! We groomed the poms we had about every 4-6 weeks so that shouldn't be a problem. He wasn't a shedder, honestly I don't think I every really found hairs from the pom around the house. Also, her beagle is the laziest dog on the planet, so if the new one is too, well that won't be a problem, but if he's very active that is fine too-maybe he can make the beagle move a little! She has a fenced in yard and they're free to go in and out when they please so that's good to know that schnauzers like to play outdoors. The beagle howls, so I'm guessing that will drown out any barking cause he probably will have a tiny bark in comparison, right? My mom lives alone, but we visit a lot with my daughter so it's great to know that they're not mean dogs. She loves animals, but she's a little afraid to touch them so we don't have to worry about her pulling it's hair and all that, but we dont' want an aggressive dog either.

Oh, one more question, how large are the dogs you guys have/had? My mom's beagle had an abnormal gene (or so the vet tells us) and he's so big, very tall and about 45 lbs. Seriously, he's twice the size of a normal beagle. Obviously that wasn't something anyone could predict, but are mini schnauzers really in the 10-20 lbs. range?

Well, our guy is pretty big for a mini...our vet calls him a "maxi"..lol. He's 14 inches tall and weighs about 22 lbs. We have cut back on his food and I believe he's lost a pound or two. But he is all muscle....very stocky and sturdy. Compared to the Airedales he seems very small, but my Airedales are 55 and 65 lbs...and the book says that they should be about 40...lol!

 

[justhat]

Our Mini Schnauzer is the greatest dog. He was the easiest dog to train. He is very smart. He doesn't shed. Likes to cuddle. He isn't yappy like a lot of small dogs tend to be. If you keep him trimmed, nothing should stick. Not to be gross but are you maybe talking about a substance coming out of his bottom? Smaller dogs need to have their anal glands cleaned regularly. If not, some really gross, fishy smelling stuff will ooze out. I know, TMI! I would get another Schnauzer in a heartbeat. Ours has been a wonderful dog.

Lisa

No, this was acutal, um, potty stuck to him. We had him groomed, with butt aread shaved, every month-6 weeks. After the grooming he'd be okay but by about 4 weeks things were stuck back there. I know what you mean though about the glands-both of our poms were 'scooters', which is what the vet called them sitting on their butt and pulling themselves across the floor to 'clean' the glands. We did have to bring both of them to the vet occasionally when we'd see them start scooting, but it wasn't that often. (We had the other pom from a puppy till he was 12 when he died of an auto immune disorder.)

Oh, and Sandy22, you're right, she doesn't want a 'dainty' type dog, mostly cause she has such a large beagle she'd rather get a more sturdy type. The beagle, being a hound, needs to be leashed/fenced too-he's escaped before and catching that dog is very hard work.

 

[bekkiz]

Our guy is a bit on the big side, and he weighs between 18 and 20 lbs, depending on how much time he's spent at doggy day care that week I recently met a mini schnauzer the same age as Indy, and she was tiny, only weighed about 12 lbs!

In terms of grooming, we haven't had any of the icky problems you've mentioned, but we get him cut every 8 weeks or so. Indy doesn't shed at all, but that also means his fur gets matted if we don't brush him every couple days (especially in the "armpit" areas)

We think it's a great breed--good temperament and personality, really smart and playful etc. I would tell your mom to go for it!

 

[justhat]

Thanks everyone! I emailed your replies to my mom and she's on her way to adopt her new little girl! She's been researching the breed for awhile but was really just waiting to hear from some owners so you guys convinced her! I never thought she'd go today, but she's afraid since the puppy is only 4 months old that she'll get adopted right away so she doesn't want to lose her. She's bringing her beagle so they can do a trial play, just to be sure there aren't any problems, but if not then the doggie comes home today. Now she just needs a name....

 

[LisaR]

Actually, they are supposed to get done so they do not get infected or impacted. Not all dogs need to have them done. It is most common in smaller dogs.

http://www.inkabijou.co.uk/anal.htm

 

[disykat]

She'll love her mini! Ours is our spoiled little princess, but she's a great dog. Barking and chasing are her downfalls also, but other than that she is quite obedient. I'm surprised to hear so many others talk about their "maxi" minis. Ruxie is much larger than average weighing in at a trim 24 pounds. She is much bigger than her mom or dad were - we had to buy a new crate because she kept growing. She doesn't shed at all. Dh and I both grew up with different breeds that we were very loyal to, but after having Ruxie we both agree we'll always have miniature schnauzers.

 

[Sandy22]

Thanks everyone! I emailed your replies to my mom and she's on her way to adopt her new little girl! She's been researching the breed for awhile but was really just waiting to hear from some owners so you guys convinced her! I never thought she'd go today, but she's afraid since the puppy is only 4 months old that she'll get adopted right away so she doesn't want to lose her. She's bringing her beagle so they can do a trial play, just to be sure there aren't any problems, but if not then the doggie comes home today. Now she just needs a name....

You'll have to post pictures!

My male schnauzer - the silver one in my siggie weighs about 15 pounds. The female weighs about 8 pounds. She was the runt of the litter and has always been undersized. My male doesn't shed at all. The female has much coarser hair and sheds a tiny bit...but nothing at all like other dogs shed.

 

[MrsNick]

My neighbor has a mini-schnauzer - Bela. Bela is so adorable, smart and friendly. She does not yap, but loves to play with my Rottweiler. She's way too quick for him, tho'. Go for it. They're awesome. aw:

 

[Mr.BsMom]

We have one and he is the best dog!! I'm sure your mom will love hers! Ours is 11 years old, and we've had him since he was 8 weeks old. I think I've found maybe 4 of his hairs around the house in the past 11 years... no shedding!!

He's also always been very good around kids. He was our baby before we had our son, so I was very concerned about how he would be towards Mr. B when he was born. I had no need to worry at all... he's always been good with him and has the best personality. He weighs about 16 pounds, which I think is pretty average.

I would definitely choose another miniature schnauzer if I was ever looking for another dog.

 

[justhat]

Thanks again everyone! "Molly" is home with my mom now and she seems to be pretty happy so far, according to my mom. She has learned how to work the system already too-my mom had her in her crate while she went out to the pet store so buy her the food she's been eating in the shelter and when she came home Molly was sleeping on her doggie bed in the crate (my mom also had to buy a smaller crate since the one from our beagle is huge). As soon as she saw my mom walk by she immediately starting whining and crying to be let out of the crate. They learn fast!

I will definitely post photos, but unfortunately I probably won't see her for at least 2 weeks (though probably a month). I'm trying to get my mom to e-mail some photos to me, but that will be a little tough as she's really not that skilled with the computer as it is, and she just got the digital camera 2 weeks ago. But I'm dying to see her so I'll try! (We can't have a dog in our condo and it's so hard for me growing up around them so I have to live vicariously through my mom for the time being!)

Oh, and congrats MrBs Mom on the impending arrival!

 

[Mr.BsMom]

...

Oh, and congrats MrBs Mom on the impending arrival!

Thanks! OMG!! I'm having a baby tomorrow!!!!! I think I'm starting to freak out a little bit!