Miniature Schnauzer for sale

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: breed

The Dwarf Schnauzer is a small dog with a lot of heart. He's always been in the top 20 most popular breeds in the U.S., England and Germany, but is bred worldwide. He is a "people's dog" because he is a high energy extrovert who just wants to have fun. And being by your side is fun no matter what you do. He is incredibly loyal to his family and requires special attention.

It has a long beard and bushy eyebrows. Developed as a mouse-catcher, it may look like a smaller version of the standard, giant schnauzer, but it's a distinct breed of its own. He's no longer used as a mouse, although the instinct is still there, but he still has the lively, mischievous personality.

He likes to be at the center of the action. He is quite good with children and is very energetic. The problem is that he has no clue how small he is and often picks fights with other much bigger dogs with no concept of consequences.

Although small, the Dwarf Schnauzer is not a toy breed. This dog is not delicate.

Because of its size, it can be a good city dog, but it needs daily exercise. After all, he is a terrier! He needs to move. A dwarf schnauzer also enjoys suburban families or farms (and there might be some rats where he can take care of them). He adapts well to any climate, but can gain weight quickly if not exercised or fed properly.

He is protective of the people he loves and is often suspicious of strangers. He is an excellent guardian, sometimes to your frustration, and will warn you about visitors.

A miniature schnauzer is smart and a quick learner. Bored in rainy weather? Teach him tricks! At the same time, he can be very stubborn. To keep order in the household, you need to be responsible. If you let up even once, he'll remember it forever and you'll discover his unpleasant behavior. This is one of the disadvantages of living with a dog that might be smarter than you.

But because he can be trained so easily, he tends to do well in obedience and agility competitions.

Historically, schnauzer ears were truncated for cosmetic purposes. Americans generally shy away from trunking because many people feel it is not worth suffering for purely cosmetic reasons. However, most dwarf schnauzers that compete in dog shows still have truncated ears.

Robust in body and mind, the Dwarf Schnauzer is a lively, spirited, smart, happy, vocal, affectionate dog. He brings a plus to an active family.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: brief history

Dwarf Schnauzers were originally bred to be guard dogs on farms. They were developed in the mid-19th century in Germany by crossing the standard schnauzer with smaller breeds such as the dwarf pinscher, affenpinscher and perhaps the poodle or pomeranian. In Germany, it is known as the Zwergschnauzer (zwerg means 'dwarf').

There are no records of how the dwarf schnauzer was developed, but it is clear that the intention was to create a smaller version of the well-established standard schnauzer. The earliest record of a dog of this breed was a black female named Findel, born in October 1888. In 1895, the first breed club was formed in Cologne, Germany, although it accepted several types of dogs.

The First and Second World Wars had a strong impact on dog breeding, especially in Europe, where some breeds were almost lost. But interest in the dwarf schnauzer grew after the World War, and the dog's popularity never waned.

One aspect that has changed since the early days are the preferred colors. You can find a Schnauzer of almost any size in red, black and tan, and yellow, but not in this day and age, black and silver shades are the most sought after. Just as feelings about ear cropping change with the times, the appearance of the dwarf schnauzer can change again.

An interesting twist: while the Dwarf Schnauzer is considered a Terrier by the AKC, the Standard Schnauzer is classified as a Working Group member.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: size

Miniature Schnauzers are robust and don't look like toy dogs. They are usually between 30 and 36 cm tall. They weigh between 5 and 9 kg.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: personality

A dwarf schnauzer is full of life. An extrovert, he loves to be in the family action. He wants to touch you and be with you all the time and you can bet he'll want to sleep next to you.

The Dwarf Schnauzer is a terrier, that means he's full of himself and his job involves having fun. He's not independent, but he needs to be around people and, what's more, he wants to be in close physical contact. He is highly intelligent, which makes training easy, but it also means he is a master manipulator. He is not as scary as some Terriers, nor as aggressive to dogs.

Just like any dog, the dwarf schnauzer needs early socialization: exposure to lots of people, sights, sounds and experiences when young. Regularly inviting visitors and taking him to busy parks, dog-friendly stores and on leisurely walks to meet other people will also help him polish his social skills.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: health

Dwarf Schnauzers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all dogs will have any of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.

If you buy a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you the health papers of the puppy's parents. Health certificates show that a dog has been tested and recovered from a particular ailment.

• Cataracts: Cataracts cause clouding of the eye lens, resulting in poor vision. The dog's eye will have a cloudy appearance. Cataracts usually appear in old age and can sometimes be surgically removed to improve vision.
• Entropion: Entropion, which is usually evident by six months of age, causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes may be affected. If your schnauzer has entropion, you may notice him rubbing his eyes. The condition can be surgically corrected.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a family of eye diseases involving gradual damage to the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night blind; they lose their vision during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision as long as their surroundings remain the same.
• Urinary stones: these can cause your dwarf schnauzer to start to hold to urinate, blood may pass into the urine, have to urinate more often than normal, and have cloudy or smelly urine. While small bladder stones may pass on their own, your veterinarian should be consulted. Dietary modifications may not get rid of existing stones, but may prevent more stones from forming.
• Von Willebrand disease: This is an inherited disorder that can cause mild to moderately severe bleeding and a prolonged bleeding time. If you suspect that your pet has Von Willebrand's disease, ask your veterinarian to perform a blood test and take necessary precautions before any surgical procedure.
• Congenital myotonia: recently discovered only in dwarf schnauzers, this is a hereditary skeletal-muscular disorder similar to muscular dystrophy. Symptoms begin when puppies are a few weeks old. Their muscles contract slightly and have bulging muscles in the shoulders and thighs. They have difficulty standing up, their fur is stiff. Their tongues are enlarged and stiffen when touched and they have difficulty swallowing.
• Congenital megaesophagus: This is a condition in which food and fluid are retained in the dog's esophagus, causing it to regurgitate its food. As a result, dogs may have aspiration pneumonias or their esophagus may be obstructed. Diet can be adjusted to ensure as little regurgitation as possible. The disease itself cannot be treated, resulting only in conditions such as pneumonia; and the prognosis tends to be poor.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: care

Your Dwarf Schnauzer is active indoors, playing with toys and chasing you from room to room. He likes a yard to play in, but he'll do fine without one if you give him a long walk every day. He needs 45 minutes of exercise every day.

Like any dog, the dwarf schnauzer needs early socialization: exposure to lots of people, sights, sounds and experiences when young.

Regularly inviting visitors and taking him to busy parks, dog-friendly shops and on leisurely walks to meet other people will also help him polish his social skills.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: feeding

Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals.

Note: How much your dog eats depends on its size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and not all dogs need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more food than a less active one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the dog food, the more nutrients and satiety it will provide, without you having to constantly check the bowl.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: coat color and brushing

The Dwarf Schnauzer has solid black, salt and pepper, black and silver or white fur. It has a double coat. Since this dog sheds very little, many people think it's a perfect house dog, especially for asthma sufferers.

Dwarf Schnauzers should be trimmed every five to eight weeks to look their best. Most people take him to professional groomers to have this done.

Brush your dog's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurks inside. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Remove your nails once or twice a month. Start getting him used to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Frequently handle his paws and check his mouth. With a positive experience full of praise and rewards, you'll lay the groundwork for easy vet exams and other maneuvers when he's an adult.

Dwarf Schnauzer for sale: relationship with children and other animals

The Dwarf Schnauzer likes to hang out with his people, he lives for it, in fact. He gets along with children and will protect them, especially if raised with them.

As with every breed, however, you need to teach children how to approach and touch dogs and always supervise any interaction between them to prevent any biting. Teach your child never to approach the dog while eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food. No dog, however friendly, should be left unattended with a child.

A dwarf schnauzer usually gets along well with other dogs, not one of those terriers that can't play well with others. It is usually not as aggressive towards other dogs as many other Terriers are, but it is brave and fearless around large dogs, a trait that can get it into trouble. However, small mammals, such as rats, are no match for the dwarf schnauzer. Training won't change that; that's what he was bred for.