Any Miniature Schnauzer Owners?

[jds]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are getting a dog and, after much thought, have pretty much decided on getting a miniature schnauzer. Just wondered if there were any other miniature schnauzer owners or at least if anyone knows of any who can advise me of the dog's temperament, health issues, grooming requirements, etc. Of course the Internet provides this information but wanted to ask on the forum, so that I can have accurate, first-hand opinions.

Am general looking for an honest, overall summary of their mini schnauzers...

Thanks in advance.

[bonniebird]

You must make sure the parents are tested for health conditions that affect the breed, especially PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy, its hereditary and my Poodle has been blind since 5 years old, its previlant in Schnauzers. Lovely temprament, we got one for my 9 year old neice, he died aged 16 or 17 and he got a bit grumpy when he was really old, but he was a cracker of a dog, good with kids etc. As for grooming, they are meant to have a wirey coat which if you were showing would need to be handstripped, but most Schnauzers seem to have a soft coat nowadays and therefore need to be clipped, this should be done about every 10 weeks depending on how you want your dog to look, shaggy or preened, they have hair in their ears which is usually plucked during the groom. A neutered dogs coat can change (hormones) ie a black Schnauzer can turn really silvery and a salt and pepper can fade, this can also happen if they are clipped. Over all, I like them, I love the square terrier look, but they are more laid back, they can have a high pitched bark, even as they get older, not all do though, there are loads in the area at Peckham Rye park and Dulwich your bound to come across some, do your research, especially when it comes to a good breeder and the health issues, happy hunting and I hope I was helpful :)

[jds]

Thanks so much for the advice! Really useful! Have carried out a fair amount of research online and nothing mentioned some points above, so a big thank you!

[Mustard]

They do have a high pitched bark, and because of that, I couldn't ever get one, even though they are very popular now. My cousins used to have them back in the day, one after another, and the barking to me was like squeaky chalk on a blackboard.

Bonniebird makes very good points.

[stringvest]

My friend had one, its bark was annoying. The grooming can be tiresome, and with pedigree dogs there can be the health/ eyes, back etc issues because of inter-breeding etc ...

My afghan was a lovely chilled out character, but high maintenance grooming.

My border collie was hard work, demanding attention and constantly wanting something to do !! Drive you bonkers ...

best all rounders were a stray small golden mongrel, and a lurcher cross.

I would advise anyone thinking of getting a dog, to GO TO BATTERSEA !! You could find a lovely dog, that would be so grateful to you, and not be giving hundreds of pounds to an unscrupulous puppy farmer. Battersea work hard to match dogs and owners. Good luck.