| Miniature Schnauzer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 A classic pose | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Germany | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TheMiniature Schnauzer is a Germanbreed of small dog ofSchnauzer type. It originated in Germany in the late nineteenth century. It may have been developed from the smallest specimens of theStandard Schnauzer,[3][4] or crosses between the standard and one or more smallerbreeds such as theAffenpinscher,Miniature Pinscher, andPoodles,[5][6][7][8] as farmers bred a small dog that was an efficientratting dog. They are described as "spunky"[1] but aloof dogs, with good guarding tendencies without someguard dogs' predisposition to bite. Miniature Schnauzers are recognized in four colors internationally: solid black, black and silver, salt and pepper, and white.[9]
It is the most popular Schnauzer breed,[7] and remains one of the most popular worldwide, primarily for its temperament and relatively small size. As of 2022 it is the 17th most popular breed in the U.S.[10]
The earliest records surrounding the development of theStandard Schnauzer in Germany come from the late 19th century. They were originally bred to be medium-sized farm dogs in Germany, equally suited to ratting, herding, and guarding property.[1] As time passed, farmers bred the Standard Schnauzer into a smaller, more compact size for ratting by combining it, according tocynologist theorization, with one or more small breeds such as theAffenpinscher andMiniature Poodle,[5][1][11][12]Miniature Pinscher,[7][8] orPomeranian,[13] or by chance from smallest specimens of the Standard Schnauzer.[3][4] The first recorded Miniature Schnauzer appeared in 1888,[5] black female named Findel,[13] and the Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub (formed in 1895) in its first volume of the club's stud book mentioned Wirehaired Miniature Pinscher.[13] The first exhibition was held in 1899.[11][14]
TheAmerican Kennel Club accepted registration of the new breed in 1926, two years after Miniature Schnauzers were introduced to the United States.[6][14] The American Miniature Schnauzer Club was formed in 1933, from the older parent club Wire-Haired Pinscher Club of America which also included Standard Schnauzer,[7] and initially both competed in theWorking Group until 1927.[13] International Kennel Club classifications vary; by theVDH andFCI it is placed in "Group 2, Section 1: Pinschers and Schnauzers", with "Nr. 183" in "Section 1.2" dedicated to the Miniature Schnauzer breed,[15] theKC,ANKC andNZKC include it in theUtility Group, while by the AKC,UKC andCKC the Miniature Schnauzer is classed in theTerrier Group.[14][16]
The start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States is considered to have a beginning in 1924 when four dogs were imported from Germany. It is argued that almost all American-bred Miniatures partly descend from them, and between 1926 and 1936, 108 more dogs were imported. One of the most notable champions wasCh. Dorem Display,[17] born in 1945 and lived to be nearly fourteen.[7] It is claimed that many champion Miniature Schnauzers in America can trace their lineage back to Dorem Display.[7][17]
Miniature Schnauzers were the 11th most popular breed in the U.S. in 2008, falling to 17th most popular in 2016.[18] Miniature Schnauzers are known for their signature bearded muzzle.[19] They are also known as loving dogs who make amazing companions.[20]
Miniature Schnauzers have a very square-shaped build, measuring 11 to 14 inches (28 to 36 cm) tall and weighing 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kg) for females and 11 to 18 pounds (5.0 to 8.2 kg) for males.[1] They have a double coat, with wiry exterior fur and a soft undercoat. In show trim, the coat is kept short on the body, but the fur on the ears, legs, belly, and face is retained.[21] Recognized coat colors are black, pepper and salt, black and silver, and pure white;[22] pepper and salt coloration is where coat hairs have banded shades of black, gray and silver, fading to a gray or silver at the eyebrows, whiskers, underbody and legs.[23]
Schnauzers are characterized by a rectangular head with bushy beard, mustache, and eyebrows; teeth that meet in a "scissor bite"; oval and dark colored eyes; and v-shaped, natural forward-folding ears (whencropped, the ears point straight upward and come to a sharp point). Their tails are naturally thin and short, and may bedocked (where permitted). They will also have very straight, rigid front legs, and feet that are short and round (so-called "cat feet") with thick, black pads.[6][24]
Docking of tails and cropping of ears has become a controversial practice, especially for non-working dogs, and is now illegal or restricted in a number of countries worldwide, including the UK and Australia.[25]
White is one of four color varieties of the Miniature Schnauzer currently recognized by theFédération Cynologique Internationale. However, they are not accepted forconformation showing by theAmerican Kennel Club andCanadian Kennel Club. The controversy rests on the disputed origins of the white variation, namely whether it was contained within the genes of the originally recognized breed, or whether it was the result of subsequent modifications. Since the other twoschnauzer types have never been available in a white variation, and the original German standard never included white as an acceptable color, the American Miniature Schnauzer Club chooses not to recognize white.[26]
TheAmerican Kennel Club breed standard describes temperament as "alert and spirited, yet obedient to command ... friendly, intelligent and willing to please... never overaggressive or timid".[6] Usually easy to train, they tend to be excellent watchdogs with a good territorial instinct, but more inclined toward barking than biting. They are often aloof with strangers until the owners of the home welcome the guest, upon which they are typically very friendly to them.[27] While the Miniature Schnauzer is included in the Terrier Group in North America (due to rat-catching background), it does not have common ancestry withTerriers from Great Britain,[6][13] and compared to them has a different personality, being more laid back, obedient, friendly, and less aggressive to other dogs.[7]
Miniature Schnauzers can compete indog agility trials,obedience,showmanship,flyball, andtracking. Schnauzers have a high prey drive, which means they may chase other small animals and hence should not be off leash when not in a fenced area.[6]Stanley Coren ranked the Miniature Schnauzer 12th out of 140 breeds in his bookThe Intelligence of Dogs (2006). Coren grouped the breed amongst "excellent working dogs". Additionally, experts contacted by Coren ranked the Miniature as fifth among top 15 breeds at watchdog barking ability.[28]
A UK study found a life expectancy of 13.3 years for the breed, higher than the 12 year average for crossbreeds.[29] A study in Japan for pet cemetery data found a life expectancy of 13.4 years, below the overall average of 13.7 years and the 15.3 year average for crossbreeds below 10 kg.[30]
A Japanese study found a significant predisposition togall bladder mucoceles for the Miniature Schnauzer with a 5.23 odds ratio.[31]
A North American study found the breed to be predisposed tocongenital portosystemic shunts, with 1% of Miniature Schnauzers having the condition compared to 0.05% formixed-breed dogs.[32]
Miniature Schnauzers are also prone tovon Willebrand disease (vWD). vWD in dogs is an inherited bleeding disorder that occurs due to qualitative or quantitative deficiency ofvon Willebrand factor (vWF), amultimeric protein that is required for platelet adhesion.[33]
The breed is predisposed toatopic dermatitis.[34]
Schnauzer comedo syndrome is a type offollicularkeratinisation defect found exclusively in the Miniature Schnauzer that is similar tonevus comedonicus in humans.[35] The condition is characterised by smallcomedones developing on the dorsal spine (back) of the dog.[36] The condition is believed to be caused by an inherited developmental defect in hair follicles, causing abnormal keratinisation and subsequentlycomedo formation,follicular plugging, and secondary bacterialfolliculitis which leads toalopecia and crusting.[35]
Miniature Schnauzers are hardy, merry little dogs that were first bred in Germany in the late 19th century. They are descendants of Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.
Questions as to the roots and origins of the Miniature Schnauzer produce varied responses. Some breed authorities have maintained that the breed is a result of using only the smallest specimens of the Standard Schnauzer. Others have felt Miniatures to be the result of crossing the Standard Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher and other small breeds. This latter is considered to be the more probable origin...
The Miniature is said to have come from mating with the Affenpinscher. They may have been developed entirely by chance, often the main reason for a new breed...
It is thought that the miniaturisation was brought about by the infusion of Affenpinscher blood.
...the Miniature Schnauzer resides in the AKC Terrier Group with other diminutive rat-catcher breeds. But the Mini is unique among AKC terriers in that he has no British blood in his veins... Alone among terriers, the Miniature Schnauzer is wholly a product of Continental stock: Standard Schnauzer, Affenpinscher, and Poodle. This explains that though the Mini was born to the traditional work of small terriers, his personality is quite different. Not for him is the dour independence of the Scottish Terrier or the fiery temperament of the Irish Terrier. Rather, he is an overtly friendly dog, spirited but obedient and willing to please.
Size reduction, in the Miniature's case, may have been achieved by introducing Affenpinscher and poodle blood... To create the Miniature Schnauzer, it is theorized the Standard Schnauzer may have been crossed with the Affenpinscher or Miniature Pinscher.
This miniature relation of the Standard Schnauzer first appeared around the beginning of the nineteenth century and is thought to be the product of crosses between small Standard Schnauzer and/or Miniature Pinschers with Affenpinschers and Poodles.
The Miniature Schnauzer is derived from the Standard Schnauzer and is said to have come from mixing of Affenpinschers and Poodles with small Standards
Most experts believe that the Miniature Schnauzer is the result of crossbreeding Poodles and Affenpinchers with smaller Standard Schnauzers. If this is correct, the addition of these other two breeds with their positive traits of vigor and intelligence certainly improved the result.
He was never a Terrier in the English sense of a small breed used to bolt vermin from the earth, and has little or no true Terrier blood... During the years, other crosses were invariably made, but there are no definite records as to the outcrosses. Affenpinschers, Miniature Pinschers, and Toy Spitz (Pomeranians) are mentioned.