Information on Schnauzer Puppies

The schnauzer is a highly popular dog, ranking 13th out of 137 registered American Kennel Club breeds. Schnauzers were originally bred for their ratting abilities as well as their herding skills. Standard and giant schnauzers were often used as guard dogs. Schnauzer puppies make excellent additions to families because of their size and temperament.

  1. Sizes

    • Miniature schnauzer puppies will reach about 12 inches at maturity and weigh 5 to 13 lbs. A standard-sized schnauzer can weigh 26 to 37 pounds and be roughly 18 inches tall. The giant schnauzer reaches 24 inches in height and weighs 75 to 85 lbs.

    Appearance

    • Each size carries the trademark bushy beard and eyebrows. Puppies do not have the bushy beard until they reach maturity. They have a wiry outer coat covering a soft layer of fur underneath. Because of their wiry coats, schnauzers are considered hypoallergenic and non-shedding dogs. Coat colors range from silver to black.

    Grooming

    • Schnauzer puppies need to be brushed every day. A trip to the groomers every eight weeks will keep a puppy's coat from becoming tangled. A full body clipping needs to occur once in the spring and again in the fall.

    Temperament

    • Lively and sociable, these puppies are intelligent and excellent at guarding the family home. Schnauzers are rarely aggressive toward strangers, but are quick to bark at perceived threats. They tend to have a high energy level, requiring daily walks and exercise in the backyard.

    Training

    • Schnauzer puppies are eager to please, so training should be fairly simple. However, they must be properly trained once they enter the home. Consistent and firm commands keep them from developing small dog syndrome. Puppies with small dog syndrome develop bad habits such as excessive barking, disobedience and destruction of the home when bored.