Miniature Schnauzer Breed Information

Miniature Schnauzers are a member of the ‘Utility’ breed group. Dogs in the Utility group were essentially bred for a specific purpose and so contain a variety of breeds. The function they have been bred for is not included in the sporting and working categories.

Miniature Schnauzers are playful and inquisitive dogs. They can get on well with children if they’re introduced at an early age. Grooming is needed 2-3 times a week, and they’ll normally also require clipping or stripping by a professional groomer periodically.

Breed-related health problems:

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Miniature Schnauzers are prone to include:

• Bladder stones – a collection of minerals that form in the bladder.
• Schnauzer comedo syndrome - specific type of follicular dermatitis.
• Progressive retinal atrophy – gradual deterioration of the retina of the eye. Symptoms can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness.
• Atopy – hypersensitivity to certain allergens, causing itching and skin trauma.
• Urolithiasis – stone formation in urine.
• Cushing's syndrome (Hyperadrenocorticism) - hormonal disorder which results in the production off too much cortisol.
• Intervertebral disc disease – abnormality of the discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae (back bones).
• Dry eye – Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) occurs when one or both eyes don’t produce a normal amount, or type, of tears. This leads to the eye becoming very dry, which in turn can cause infections and ulcers.
• Cataracts – opacity of the lens of the eye – giving a ‘cloudy’ appearance.
• Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas – a painful condition that varies from being mild to severe, commonly causes vomiting

For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. The Canine Health Schemes allow breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases, so it’s a good idea to check the parents of any puppy you’re looking to rehome have been screened under these schemes. We’d also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppy’s parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

You can find out more about the Canine Health Schemes on the BVA's website.

Exercise requirements:

Miniature Schnauzers need around an hour of exercise daily to keep them happy. They can be stubborn so will need patience and commitment when training – for more information on training using reward-based techniques, take a look at our dog behaviour page where you can pick up plenty of tips to help you and your canine companion better understand each other.

Estimated lifetime cost:

The likely lifetime costs for a Miniature Schnauzer are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:

• Initial costs of the purchase of the pet
• Neutering
• First vaccinations and booster vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Accessories
• Food
• Pet insurance
• Toys
• Grooming
• Worming
• Flea treatments

The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

Insure your Miniature Schnauzer with PDSA:

1 in 3 pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Miniature Schnauzers that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

1. Dog and cat insurance policies from 8 weeks of age.
2. 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone with Petcall.
3. Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
4. Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Miniature Schnauzer with PDSA Pet Insurance you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets.

For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section.

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a dog from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from.

Not sure if the Miniature Schnauzer is the right pet for you?