Miniature Schnauzer: temperament, training and care

At a glance

Temperament

• Alert and spirited
• Hardly sheds, needs clipping
• Barks at the doorbell

Training tips

Teach a Place cue for when the doorbell rings.

Miniature Schnauzers usually pick things up quickly, which also means they learn bad habits quickly. Keep sessions short and varied, and reward the calm behavior you want to see more of.

Start with a marker word, sit, come and leave it. For a puppy, see the puppy training guides.

Exercise and energy

A healthy adult Miniature Schnauzer typically needs around 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day. Walks alone rarely cover it: add sniffing games, training and play so their brain gets tired too. Puppies need much shorter sessions while they grow.

See how much exercise a dog needs and our games and enrichment ideas.

Health to watch

Things the breed is known to be prone to. Ask your vet what to check for your dog.

• Teeth. A small mouth crowds the teeth: brush them a few times a week.
• Eyes. Prominent or sensitive eyes: see the vet the same day for squinting or a cloudy eye. See: Eye Injuries.
• Weight. Gains weight easily: measure meals and count the treats.