Pregnancy in Miniature Schnauzers

The miniature schnauzer breed is a member of the terrier group of the American Kennel Club (AKC). Owners and breeders may join the American Miniature Schnauzer Club (AMSC) in the United States, the governing body for the breed. Miniature schnauzers must be 12 to 14 inches in height and one of three acceptable colors: solid black, black and silver, and salt and pepper.

  1. Heat Cycles

    • Miniature schnauzers come in heat every 6 to 7 months after reaching maturity.

    Gestation

    • The gestation period of the miniature schnauzer is 60 to 67 days.

    Litter Size

    • Miniature schnauzers have litters of 3 to 5 pups.

    Whelping

    • The process of birthing pups, known as whelping, can be difficult, particularly for small dogs such as the miniature schnauzer. If a mother is having difficulty delivering the pups, an owner might need to assist the delivery, or a Cesarean section might be necessary. Owners should be be knowledgeable about the process and should consult a veterinarian prior to whelping.

    AMSC Code of Ethics

    • The AMSC provides a Code of Ethics for responsible breeding of miniature schnauzers. Selling dogs with written health guarantees, three-generation pedigrees and registration papers, if applicable, are among the provisions of the Code. The AMSC strongly recommends that dogs with known hereditary defects not be bred.