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Breed profile

Miniature Schnauzer

Alert, bearded and low-shedding. A sturdy small dog with terrier spark.

Salt and pepper Miniature Schnauzer in a short summer cut standing on clover-studded grass
A Mini Schnauzer in summer trim.Photo: Psiberfunk / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
5–9 kg11–20 lb
Height
30–36 cm12–14 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Terrier / Utility
Origin
Germany
Popularity
#17 US#13 UK · 2025

Known for: Low sheddingFlat-friendlyFamily dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Alert, Friendly, Spirited, Smart.

Health problems to know about

  • Pancreatitis
  • Hyperlipidaemia (high blood fats)
  • Bladder stones
  • Diabetes

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. Moderate exercise. A low-fat diet often helps.

A good fit for

Apartments, families, allergy-conscious homes.

Probably not ideal for

Owners who dislike barking, people who won't budget for grooming.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Miniature Schnauzer
  2. Science for Animal Welfare (UFAW): Miniature Schnauzer genetic welfare problems
  3. Science for Animal Welfare (UFAW): Miniature Schnauzer pancreatitis and hyperlipidaemia
  4. Wikipedia: Miniature Schnauzer

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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