How to Raise Miniature Schnauzers

Like most dog breeds, miniature schnauzers have a number of pros and cons when it comes to ownership. On the one hand, miniature schnauzers are traditionally friendly, good with kids and highly intelligent. On the other hand, they require expensive grooming and often suffer with weight issues if not carefully monitored. If you would like to raise miniature schnauzers, you should make yourself aware of the responsibilities involved.

Instructions

    • 1

      Expose your miniature schnauzer to other people and animals from a very early age. Miniature schnauzers are a highly social breed of dog, but require a great deal of interpersonal contact to develop their social skills.

    • 2

      Play games with your miniature schnauzer every day, but avoid overly aggressive activities. Miniature schnauzers have a great deal of energy and enjoy playing outdoors and interacting, but if you play too rough, your schnauzer may develop bad habits such as biting or jumping on people, according to Mountain High Schnauzers.

    • 3

      Begin house training as soon as possible. During the puppy stage, take your miniature schnauzer outside once every hour when possible, and at appropriate times such as after meals and first thing in the morning. Give him enthusiastic praise whenever he does his business outdoors, and before long it will become a habit.

    • 4

      Feed your miniature schnauzer two to three small meals a day until she reaches about nine months of age, and then reduce the feeding to once a day. The Dog Breed Info Center recommends 1 to 2 1/4 cups of food per day for a 10- to 25-lb. adult dog, with puppies allowed as much as one-and-a-half times more than that. Avoid overfeeding, as schnauzers are especially prone to canine obesity.

    • 5

      Brush your miniature schnauzer every day to avoid matting of the fur, and have her fur trimmed once every four to eight weeks. Miniature schnauzers require extensive grooming due to their wire coats.