The significance of miniature dogs became widespread over the years, mainly because of the diverse types of canine tasks present in our world today. One of the most common task known for dogs is hunting, wherein several dogs breeds earned a reputation as a fierce and dignified hunter. However, skills are not enough for a dog to excel in the hunting field; some instances require special features for a dog to dominate the field. An example for this scenario is hunting rats and rabbits.
It may be great to have a strong and large dog to help you in the hunting field; however, large breeds are not efficient in hunting small mammals, such as rats. For this reason, miniature breeds came into existence. One of the best-known mini-breeds is the Miniature Schnauzer.
From the name itself, the Miniature Schnauzer is a small version of the Standard Schnauzer, which heavily resembles its appearance. Despite having a relatively small body, the Miniature Schnauzer is known for its exceptional talent in the field. A credible, all-around farm dog: the Schnauzer built its reputation as a working dog ever since its early existence. Its miniature version also proves to be an interesting breed that is useful in the farm. In this article, we are going to look into the incredible history and characteristics of the Miniature Schnauzer.
Origins of the Miniature Schnauzer
As mentioned earlier, the Miniature Schnauzer is a small version of the Standard Schnauzer. Apparent from this breed, the Mini Schnauzer also flaunts its finesse when it comes to field work.
We can trace back the history of the Miniature Schnauzer to hundreds of years ago in Europe. Evidently, it came from the Standard Schnauzer, which once dominated the farmlands in the 15th century. During this time, the Standard Schnauzer was well-known for its remarkable characteristics that fit perfectly for farm works. Versatile and obedient: these are only some of the Standard Schnauzer’s most notable features; it quickly gained recognition as a working dog capable of various types of canine tasks.
However, the reign of the Standard Schnauzer in the field reached its limit. This breed is undoubtedly one of the best when it comes to various farm jobs, but there is one task the Standard Schnauzer seems to be uncapable of: hunting rats. This necessity led to the idea of creating a breed suitable for the job. Although the Standard Schnauzer appears to be competent for the job, its size says differently. That is why, breeders thought of creating a small dog that is built for work.
As expected, they miniaturized the Standard Schnauzer, forming a relatively smaller version of the breed called the Miniature Schnauzer. This smaller version showcases a significant change in its size, while maintaining its remarkable instincts. These characteristics of the Miniature Schnauzer fits perfectly for the job, gaining dominance in the field as a ratter.
Moreover, the Miniature Schnauzer is not purely bred from the Standard Schnauzer; breeders also crossed the Standard Schnauzer with other breeds, such as the Affenpinscher and Poodle. The results were incredible since the breed was a great combination of good looks, skills, and positive nature.
Interestingly, the Miniature Schnauzer may have its fascinating history as a reputable ratter, but those day already came to an end. The exceptional talent of the Mini Schnauzer was shifted into other activities over the years. Today, the Mini Schnauzer earned its reputation as an excellent show dog, dominating the ring around the globe.
Characteristics of the Miniature Schnauzer
Height: 12 – 14 inches
Weight: 11 – 20 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Hypoallergenic: Yes
From the name itself, the Miniature Schnauzer is a relatively small dog, also known as the small version of the Standard Schnauzer. This dog could stand up to fourteen inches tall and weighs up to twenty pounds.
Despite its small size, the Mini Schnauzer built reputation in the field as a ratter and working dog. Today, the breed flaunts its beautiful appearance and remarkable features in the show ring as a show dog. Speaking of its appearance, the Mini Schnauzer showcases its elegant, wiry coat that comes in three varieties: salt and pepper, black and silver, and solid black. Along with its coat is its iconic facial hair, showcasing a bushy beard and eyebrows, which express the breed’s soft and friendly nature.