One of the more difficult decisions that many people will make a lifetime is what breed of dog to choose for their family. Some will look for an animal with intelligence; others will look for humor, affection or a big personality. If you would like all of those factors in a small package, you can choose a miniature schnauzer. They will provide you with plenty of entertainment, companionship and their personality is second to none. Of course, if you do have a miniature schnauzer in the house, you will never be alone again.
Originally, miniature schnauzers were bred to live on farms and work either as guard dogs or as ratters. They were bred in Germany in the late 19th century by crossbreeding the miniature pincher, affenpinscher, poodle and a standard schnauzer. Although it is not fully known how or why they were developed, it is known that it created a smaller version of the standard schnauzer.
If you are looking for a dog with personality, the miniature schnauzer has it in abundance. Once they are part of the family, you will find that they are always in the middle of the action and it doesn’t matter if they are running ahead of you or lying on your lap, you will never find a time when they aren’t entertaining in some way or another. Miniature schnauzers are constant companions and there won’t be a part of the home where you are able to get away from them. In addition, they are highly intelligent so they are easy to train but they can be stubborn at times. They don’t tend to be dog aggressive, but they can be somewhat feisty.
Some of the health issues that may show in a miniature schnauzer are associated with the eyes. Cataracts are a problem that sometimes can occur in older dogs, but they can be removed surgically. Progressive renal atrophy and entropion are also issues which are common in schnauzers, although not all dogs are going to experience these difficulties. Other health problems to watch for include urinary stones, congenital Megaesophagus and von Willebrand’s disease.
If there is one thing that you will discover quickly about the miniature schnauzer, it’s the fact that they are extremely active. This activity will show inside of the house as they are playing with toys and running from one room to another. They will also appreciate the ability to run outside but typically, they don’t need to be exercised regularly because they will get plenty of exercise on their own. Training schnauzers is fairly easy and you may find that crate training a miniature schnauzer is beneficial because it gives both you and them some private space.
As far as entertaining companions are concerned, it is difficult to beat what the miniature schnauzer brings to the table. As long as you’re willing to put up with a little bit of a stubborn streak, you will find that they are a companion dog that is constantly by your side.
