There's no escaping the look of sheer questioning in the eyes of almost all Miniature Schnauzers, especially when that canine is looking directly at you. Whether it's time for a walk (or romp) in the park or he's waiting for you to fill the water bowl, the eyes of Miniature Schnauzers make you wonder what's going on in that intelligent brain.

The standard Schnauzer is a German breed and the Miniature Schnauzer reportedly came to be as the result of selective breeding of the Schnauzer and the affenpinscher. Some think poodles may also have been introduced into the line to form the current day Miniature Schnauzer, though there's no solid documentation of that fact. The wiry coat is somewhat reminiscent of the poodle's coat, indicating that poodles may be among the contributing gene pool.

One of the physical characteristics of the Schnauzer family is the bearded face. Regular grooming is needed to keep that beard clean, especially after mealtimes. Most Miniature Schnauzers are black, black and white, or black and silver. White Schnauzers have been known to occur though the AKC lists a white coat as a disqualifying fault.

During the years of its origin, the Miniature Schnauzer was used largely as a farm dog and was charged with chasing and killing rats that sought refuge in buildings and fields on the farm. This breed is also a capable hunter, with a sense of smell quite sufficient to make good at tracking his prey.

The Miniature Schnauzer will seldom reach a weight of more than 15 pounds, but these little guys are very courageous. As is the case with several of the smaller breeds, it's not always a healthy trait because the Miniature Schnauzer may very well be aggressive to other dogs, even if those dogs are much bigger. Socializing will help, but owners should keep a close eye on their Miniature Schnauzer to be sure he (or she) doesn't tackle something too big to handle.

Miniature Schnauzers of today are seldom used for hunting as their ancestors were. Typically, these canines become beloved family pets. Unlike some smaller dogs, Miniature Schnauzers as a rule love children and are quite able to bond with even the smaller members of your household. Though the Miniature Schnauzer tends to be friends with almost anyone - even someone he's just met for the first time - they also tend to raise a ruckus whenever something new is happening. That means that they're very likely to bark if someone new comes into your home. They can be trained not to bark so much, but remember it's a natural tendency and you'll probably always have at least some barking from this four-legged pal.

The Miniature Schnauzer tends to be very playful and has energy to burn. Thanks to their small size, you can help them get a great deal of their daily exercise right in your living room, though they'll usually love outdoor playtime or walks. And if you're thinking of skipping today's walk? Yes, those questioning, intelligent eyes probably are looking at you and wondering when you'll be ready to go.