A miniature schnauzer who appreciates the closeness of his pet

Origin and history of the breed

The Miniature Schnauzer has its roots in southern Germany. Schnauzers were originally kept on farms there and used mainly as dogs for hunting mice and rats. At the turn of the 1880th and 1955th centuries, a type of dwarf schnauzer appeared in the area of ​​Frankfurt am Main, which, however, was called a rough-haired pinscher. The first breed standard for schnauzers and pinschers was established in XNUMX. The name Miniature Schnauzer was coined at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, and in XNUMX the breed was recognized by the FCI. Initially, the miniature schnauzer was not as popular as its larger brothers. However, this changed after World War II, when the miniature schnauzer became a highly valued family dog.

Miniature Schnauzer - appearance

According to the FCI classification, the miniature schnauzer belongs to group 2 - pinschers, schnauzers, molossoids and Swiss herding dogs, section 1.1 - pinschers. This dog is characterized by a strong, square, harmonious silhouette. In addition, the characteristics of the Miniature Schnauzer's physique include: a gently sloping back, a long beard, bushy eyebrows, a sickle or saber-like thin tail and angled hind legs. Representatives of this breed, regardless of sex, reach 30-35 cm at the withers, and their weight ranges from 4 to 8 kg. The schnauzer's ears are set high, hanging, V-shaped. Its coat consists of a dense, soft undercoat and rough, quite long proper hair. On the ears, belly and legs, the coat is strong and long. The rest of the body is covered with short hair that should not be wavy.

Miniature Schnauzers come in 4 colors:

• black (black coat and undercoat, white markings above the eyes, on the cheeks, chin, breasts, paws, around the anus and under the neck),
• pepper and salt (mid-tone, with a uniform pepper-colored coat and gray undercoat),
• white,
• black and silver (no clear bright markings).

Character and disposition

The Miniature Schnauzer is alert, durable and courageous. He is full of life, has a cheerful disposition and loves to play. He is sociable, loves to be in the center of the family. He appreciates close contact with the owner. He is a devoted companion, although you should also take into account the fact that the pet also has his own opinion and often tries to enforce it. It's just that servility and blind obedience are not in his nature. For this reason, early socialization is recommended to help raise a versatile and balanced dog. It also helps to eliminate or reduce excessive barking.

The Miniature Schnauzer behaves with a certain reserve and suspicion towards strangers and other animals. Often males are feisty towards dogs of the same sex. However, properly accustomed, he lives in harmony with other four-legged household members and accepts guests without any problems.

The need for exercise in this breed is extremely high. The miniature schnauzer is a volcano of energy, he loves walks, ball games, searching, fetching, tracking, running, swimming and all this in a large dose. He is very intelligent, which greatly facilitates his training. He is enthusiastic about learning new tricks. As long as he gets enough exercise, he can be successfully kept in an apartment.

Miniature schnauzer - health

The Miniature Schnauzer is generally considered a healthy dog, although as with all breeds, there are predispositions to certain diseases. Miniature Schnauzers are especially susceptible to:

• kidney stones,
• eye diseases, including cataracts, ectropion, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA),
• a musculoskeletal disease similar to muscular dystrophy
• diabetes
• inflammation of the pancreas,
• blood clotting disorders,
• hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol.

The average life expectancy of representatives of this breed is from 12 to 15 years.

Miniature Schnauzer and its care

The miniature schnauzer requires systematic and professional care. To prevent tangling and matting of the coat, the pet should be combed regularly (preferably once every 2-3 days), paying special attention to the long beard, bangs and hair on the limbs. A metal comb or a brush equipped with steel needles, i.e. a so-called poodle. In addition to routine care, the Miniature Schnauzer's coat requires professional hairdressing, usually performed every 3-4 months. Regular treatments, including bathing, trimming and shearing as well as brushing the coat, virtually eliminate shedding and ensure that your four-legged friend does not shed hair at home.

In addition, regular ear care is extremely important. Miniature Schnauzers should be plucked out of the hair, which tends to grow into the ear canal. Although it is not a painful procedure, it is best to get your pet used to it as soon as possible. It is also important to trim the claws regularly and check the condition of the eyes.

Interesting and worth knowing

• The adorable miniature schnauzers are taking the hearts of celebrities and the media world by storm. In the movie "The Indian Cloth" (mystery master Edgar Wallace) these dogs play a small but significant role.
• In The Wizard of Oz, staged in the West End, a Miniature Schnauzer named Dangerous Dave plays the role of Toto.
• American actress Katherine Marie Heigl is one of the miniature schnauzer lovers. As she emphasized many times, nothing in her house happens without the participation of a miniature schnauzer - Romeo.

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