What Is Good About Schnauzers?

Schnauzers are a commonly bred dog that may be used for working dogs or as family pets. Schnauzers come in miniature, giant and standard sizes and are known for their unique ears and mustaches. Schnauzers are intelligent, social and hard-working dogs. They have many good qualities that make them great family pets or working dogs.

  1. Unique Appearances

    • Schnauzers have unique features including their square heads, bushy brows, mustache and beards. Ears of a schnauzer stand up, with its tips drooping slightly outward. This makes the schnauzers look alert and attentive at all times. Eye colors are dark and their coats come in salt and peeper, black, white or black and silver. Schnauzers stand about 17 to 20 inches and weigh about 30 to 45 lbs., with male schnauzers being bigger than females.

    Social Qualities

    • The schnauzer is chosen by many families due to the dog's friendly and loyal nature. Schnauzers love to play with children and their parents. The schnauzer does best with a family that is available to it often -- no long vacations and work trips -- so the family can provide reliable companionship. Some schnauzers introduced to family pets, like cats and other dogs, do well with the animals. Other schnauzers may have some problems with animals if not introduced at an early age. Schnauzers are quite intelligent dogs with good problem-solving abilities and easy trainability.

    Guard Dog

    • Although social and friendly with their own family, they are aloof with strangers they do not know. Schnauzers are also known for their protective nature over both their family and home, barking and alerting owners when they hear strange sounds or people approaching.

    Easy Maintenance

    • Schnauzers can be happy either indoors or outdoors and just as satisfied in a small apartment or a large house. Although they do love exercise in the forms of long, brisk walks, schnauzers also enjoy playing indoors and snuggling with their owners. Schnauzers do have to be groomed, which requires daily brushing and combing; but the schnauzers shed little to no hair.

    Playful

    • Schnauzers are playful and love to play fetch, perform tricks and speak on command. The playful nature can make it difficult to train but once training is established, the schnauzer is an obedient dog and will listen to a firm and dominant owner. For this reason, schnauzers make excellent search and rescue dogs, military dogs and therapy dogs.

    Longevity

    • Schnauzers are a relatively healthy breed, with most living around 12 to 14 years of age. This is a great reason to bring a schnauzer into a young family, as children can grow up with it. Minor health problems include dermatitis and canine hip dysplasia.