Miniature Schnauzer

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Germany
MOST SUITED AS Vermin destroyer, watchdog, and family pet.

SIZE
Height is 12 to 15 inches (30.5 to 38 cm) and they weigh 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 7 kg).

COAT
The coat is rough-haired and salt-and-pepper coloured (with dark face), or black (with black and silver markings on the head, legs and belly). There are also, more rarely, white examples.

CARE REQUIRED
The rough-haired coat of the Miniature Sch­nauzer needs to be plucked by hand or with a blunt trimmer at least twice a year. They must never, in any circumstances, be clipped because this spoils the coat for many years.
The excessive hair between the pads of the feet should, however, be clipped, and comb the embellishments regularly to prevent tangles. By embellishments is meant the beard, moustache, and long eye-brows. When necessary, remove excessive hair growth within the ears.

CHARACTER
This lively, attentive, intelligent dog can be wilful and stubborn, and is vigilant , untiring, loyal to the family, and is not led astray by bribes.

TRAINING
The Miniature Schnauzer needs a confident handler despite its size, and also needs to be handled fairly and with consistency. Schnauzers are quick and bright pupils, although they fre­quently have their own ideas about your commands. Vary the drills with play and do not repeat them too frequently.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
In general the Miniature Schnauzer gets on well with other household pets and children. They are very uncertain about strangers and will announce visitors with full throated barking.

EXERCISE
The Miniature Schnauzer has enormous amounts of energy. Country walks and romping in your garden please them. Take them out of doors as much as possible.