Are schnauzers good dogs? Everything you need to know

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Are schnauzers good dogs? Schnauzers are not just good dogs; they are great dogs! They have a personality that has endeared them to many people all over the world. Symbolic for their beautiful colors, coats, and their signature beards, they steal the show when in the midst or array of other dog breeds. They make good companions and are a perfect family due to their smartness and fast learning abilities. So, are schnauzers good dogs? Yes, they are.

Are Schnauzers a Good Family Dog?

A dog lover would ask one question before adding a new dog to their family is; if the dog breed in consideration is a family-friendly dog breed.

All schnauzer breeds make good companions, and they are a perfect addition to the family due to their smartness and fast learning abilities. They are affectionate and good around kids and would thrive well with the loud noises from the young kids. If the schnauzer were brought into the family as puppies, they would get used to the kid’s loud noises with time.

Training is essential to make the schnauzer get on well with the other family pets. Though the schnauzer might take some time to get used to the other family pets, its training must be consistent and boosted with dog rewards for good performance.

Schnauzers will, in time, accept all family members and become their playmates.

Are Schnauzers Good Dogs

Are Schnauzers High Maintenance?

Schnauzers are not high-maintenance dogs but they are often perceived that way. Schnauzers are very low shedding, they are easy to train, full of life, intelligent, and a great family dog. These are some of the characteristics that make Schnauzers a great option for people that do not want a high-maintenance dog.

Even though Schnauzers are not generally high-maintenance dogs, there are a few things that you will have to stay on top of. First of all, Schnauzers do need to be groomed regularly to keep their hair in check and help keep that signature Schnauzer look.

This grooming should happen every 4 to 6 weeks. It is also a good idea to brush your Schnauzer regularly to help prevent tangles or mats.

Occasional shaping is necessary to keep their coat and skin in good condition. When essential, they also require bathing to free and clean any dry drools and food sediments in their beards.

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In addition to the grooming needs, you will also need to make sure to provide your Schnauzer with plenty of activity to keep them entertained. This can be regular walks, going to the dog park, extra toys to play with, or even a second Schnauzer.

Do Schnauzers Bark a Lot?

Schnauzers are incredibly smart, alert, and observant. They quickly sense changes in the environment, and this will often be followed by barking to alert their owners of any potential issue.

Schnauzers were initially bred to be “ratters” which simply means that they were supposed to hunt rats and other rodents. There will be times when that natural instinct kicks in, it could be when they encounter a squirrel when you are taking them for a walk or through a window.

This could become annoying if you do not address it when it is excessive but please understand that it is natural and is to be expected from any dog.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Schnauzer?

The average life expectancy of a miniature schnauzer is between 12 to 15 years. A standard schnauzer’s average life expectancy is 13 to 16 years, and the giant schnauzer, 12 to 15 years. It is not uncommon to see schnauzers live beyond this number of years.

Schnauzers in general are known for being a hearty and healthy breed regardless of their size. A healthy and well-cared-for schnauzer will have a higher life expectancy. So, you must do all you can to give them the best care and ensure they live a healthy lifestyle.

What Problems Do Schnauzers Have?

Schnauzers can suffer from a range of health problems, some are genetic, and some, naturally occurring. Although relatively healthy, miniature schnauzers are more susceptible to health problems than standard schnauzers. These health issues can include eye issues such as cataracts, pancreatitis, epilepsy, heart diseases, urinary stones, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and of course skin conditions.

What Are The Problems With Miniature Schnauzers?

Diabetes:

First on the list of problems with miniature schnauzers is diabetes. It is when their body system cannot regulate and break down sugar.

It can lead to eye conditions such as cataracts, and it is pretty expensive to treat when it’s not treated on time. Daily insulin injections are taken to suppress the effects of this problem in miniature schnauzers.

Kidney Stones:

Another problem of miniature schnauzers is bladder or kidney stones. It is a common health condition in female miniature schnauzers. Periodic and regular checkups with your vet are necessary to detect any early diagnosis of this problem, usually done by testing their urine.  

Liver Problems:

Liver problems can also be very common with miniature schnauzers. Toxins will not be processed out of their bloodstream when their liver does not function properly. If the blood needed for the liver to function appropriately goes around it and not into the liver, it is said to be a portosystemic shunt (PSS).

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Sensitive Skin:

Skin conditions and Diseases are common problems of miniature schnauzers. When they itch in their most sensitive parts like their ears, feet, belly, and folds, environmental allergies may cause it. Symptoms to look out for are constant licking of the paws and rubbing the face, regular discomfort in the ears, and ear infections.

Even though the Schnauzer breed has some possible health conditions or concerns, no breed is without its own possible issues. 

Are Male Or Female Miniature Schnauzers Better?

Males and female miniature schnauzers have similarities and differences The similarities are not limited to; both female and male miniature schnauzers requiring the same amount of care, effort, attention, vaccination, exercise, love, and training.

Knowing which sex of miniature schnauzer to get is purely a personal decision. What are your reasons for getting a miniature schnauzer?

If you want a female miniature schnauzer for breeding purposes, you should keep her away from male dogs to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

On the other hand, if you are getting a female miniature schnauzer as a pet and not for breeding purposes, spaying or neutering can be performed on them to nullify any chances of getting pregnant. Female miniature schnauzers don’t develop sexually as early as males. 

Male miniature schnauzers are usually larger, stronger, and taller than the females and often eat more than the females. They are bolder, more aggressive, and more challenging to train, and early training is best for them.

They may bond and show fondness to one person, unlike the female who connects with many people. They develop sexually earlier than the females and would be seen to make sexual advances to a female on heat.

If you want a male miniature schnauzer for breeding purposes, it is best to confine it to your living area early. Put the male dog within a fenced area to prevent it from roaming around, thereby protecting the dog from contracting sexually transmitted diseases.  

Common sexually transmitted diseases of canines are brucellosis, canine herpesvirus, and canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT). As earlier stated, the better or preferred choice of sex of a miniature schnauzer is purely a personal decision about what purpose(s) the miniature schnauzer will play in your plans and your life.

Are Schnauzers Easy To Train?

Schnauzers are easy to train because of their high level of intelligence, but early training is best. Dog trainers with lengthy experience agree that standard schnauzers are in the top list of the easiest dogs to train.

Their smartness and intelligence can make them lose focus quickly while being trained, and you might need to be patient with them. 

Crate training is highly recommended to reduce the level of distraction while training them. Ensure that the training sessions are short and consistent, not too repetitive, and not be too hard or harsh.

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Reward them with treats and affection for good behavior and training successes. 

Make sure their training sessions are proportionate to their maturity level. 

Top on the training list is for them to do their business outdoors and not pass the urine or defecate in the crate to maintain a clean space. It is essential to set and enforce rules and boundaries as soon as you take them into your home to succeed with the training.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions:

Are Schnauzers Easy To Potty Train?

Yes, Schnauzers can be potted trained pretty easily over the course of a couple of weeks if you are consistent with taking them out or using a puppy pad. Schnauzers are smart dogs and will pick it up quickly with consistency.

Schnauzers are highly intelligent and can learn anything quickly. However, they are also known to be willful and stubborn at times, so potty training needs to be positive and consistent. Straightforward potty training methods include The Crate Method, The Specific Spot Method, and the Pee Pad Method.

How Long Does It Take To Train A Schnauzers?

It depends on what you are training your Schnauzer to do. Schnauzers are incredibly smart dogs who will learn commands only after a few times of being told, have a great recall when it comes to remembering commands, and respond well to positive reward-based training. This makes Schnauzers one of the easier and faster breeds to train.

Are Schnauzers Good Off Leash?

Schnauzers are good off leash when you put in enough time with the proper training. This should be a good amount of time with your schnauzer on a leash learning the basic commands as well as sometimes where you let them off the leash to test out your schnauzer’s recall ability.

In Conclusion

If you’re looking for a dog that is good with kids, enjoys being around people, and doesn’t shed much, the schnauzer may be perfect for your family. This breed of dog can easily become an excellent companion to any individual who needs some companionship in their life. Schnauzers are loyal dogs that can offer years of love without too many problems or complaints.

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