There are three types of Schnauzers, a miniature, standard, and the Affenpinscher. It is important to know about all three dog breeds when you go to choose your dog. In this article we are going to focus on the miniature schnauzer as a wonderful pet. The miniature schnauzer has it's ancestry in farming. They were used to catch rats and other small animals on farms, so that there would no longer be any pests.

You will find the miniature schnauzer is an apt name as they are a small dog. They are usually 12 to 14 inches in height and weigh between 13 and 15 pounds. You will find the miniature schnauzer has pointed ears and very long fur. Typically the upper body and the back don't have as long of fur as the rest of the dog. The legs, tail, and around the face have the longest fur. Their muzzle is rather long and thick, unlike most other dogs. Typical colours for the fur include black, white, tan, salt and pepper. You will find that the coat can get tangled rather easily on these dogs. There for grooming is especially important. The coat is more of a coarse coat so it should be brushed on daily basis with a comb as well. You will find that you may even have to clip out some of the mats. They also have to be clipped in their entirety at least twice a year. The eyes and ears need to be trimmed around, as well as making sure you clean their whiskers on a daily basis. They tend to drool a lot and the hair around their face gets really dirty. They are an average shedder so it is best to keep up with the grooming.

When speaking of care for the miniature schnauzer you also want to consider their life expectancy. Typically the miniature schnauzer will live for fifteen years when you have provided the right kind of care. The schnauzer needs to have brisk walks every day. This means that you should set a fairly fast past that lasts for a half hour to an hour. You may even wish to have play sessions in a yard without the leash for some of that exercise. While their size makes them good for apartments you have to consider the area in which you live. Typically they are going to need a lot of time outdoors so make sure there is a park nearby if you are in an apartment. You will find that typical health problems include kidney stones, live disease, skin disorders, diabetes, Von Willebrand disease, cysts, and eye issues.

The miniature schnauzer offers a wonderful personality for any household. You will find they are very affectionate, energetic, and happy dogs. They will also be very alert and protective. They are pretty great with children, but older children are definitely better to have around the house. You will find that as long as you provide socialization and obedience training for your dog they will make great pets. Typically they don't get along with other dogs as they can be a bit aggressive. This is why socialization is very important. Even with the training you may still see a temperament that is displeasing towards some dogs and other types of pets. You will find that this breed also tends to bark quite a lot. Strangers can be an issue, but again once the dog is trained you can make this a little easier to deal with.