Anyone have a miniature schnauzer?

[amazonianwoman]

We're considering getting a puppy. Yes, I know we should really look for a rescue dog, but every centre we've visited won't give us a dog because we have DS 2.6 and DD 5.3.

I've done lots of internet research - looking for a smallish dog as I'm not keen on big dogs, neither are kids; DH is, but I'll be looking after it most

We have a huge garden, 2 children and 2 male cats (about 8yrs old). I have my own business working from home, so it would hardly ever be left alone. We could always take it on holiday (around 2hr car journey)

The DCs aren't boisterous with animals - never harass the cats/pull their tails etc. A couple of their friends are, but I'd soon put them in their place

If you have a mini schnauzer - do you think it would be a suitable breed for our circumstances?

[amazonianwoman]

No-one?

[nickytwotimes]

My Sil and another friend both have them.
They are lovely dogs and very gentle with ds, even thought he stole their thunder, iyswim?
They both chase cats though, but I guess you could train that out of them. They have an annoying yappy bark too, but if you are around, then they are not going to bother anyone and have less reason to bark too.
I'm sure that any dog would be happy as you are around almost all the time, so I don't thunk you could go wrong really.

[amazonianwoman]

Thanks

Do they bark/yap incessantly, or just when alone, or just at strangers?

Still need to work on DH - his list includes a Rhodesian ridgeback, Weimaraner, Visla, Manchester terrier, doberman. The kids would be scared witless...

[spugs]

I have a shnauzer x bichon and hes lovely. Schnauzers are great with kids when there brought up with them, they dont shed and have lovely characters. They do need regular grooming and trips to the groomer to be hand stripped and trimmed.

[nickytwotimes]

Sorry, had to go last night.

No, they do not yap incessantly at all. SIlL's dog and friend's one only bark at the doorbell, like any reasonable dog. Not yappy like certain terriers can be.

Forgot about the grooming. Yes, they do need clipped and trimmed. Sil spends about 20 quid a month, but if you don't mind a scruffier hound then I reckon you could easily half that. And I think they look cuter when they are a bit hairier.

[amazonianwoman]

Cheers

If you train a puppy really well (spot the novice here) can you "prevent" it yapping/barking too much?

Does your SIL spend £20/month on grooming and stripping/trimming? I didn't think they needed to be trimmed every month? I don't mind grooming, and the cats' vet has a grooming place attached, was just thinking I'd need to visit every 2-3 months?!

[Carrotfly]

This is interesting, as I quite fancied one too.

I think they are lovely looking dogs and have even approached people in the street to talk about them. In both occasions the owners didnt seem to think they would be particularly suitable for children. They were both dogs though. I wonder if that makes a difference ?

[amazonianwoman]

My DC played with a 9 mth old one a couple of weeks ago for a while on the beach. She was lovely with them - she lived with a family with 2 boys aged about 8/9.

Which are generally better with young children - dogs or bitches? In any breed?

[ReddyMealsAreNotWorthIt]

Friend of mine has one - he's lovely. Very gentle and loving temperament. Children are older, but I can't see how younger ones would be an issue.

He barks only when someone comes to the door, AFAIK.

I'm not a dog person, but I think he's lovely - a cross between a teddy and a cat!

[nickytwotimes]

My SIL is very, ahem, particular re:appearance, so I think trimming yourself would be just fine, with the odd 'professional' hairdo.

If the dog has lots of company, which your will, then it will have no need to bark much. Afaik, yes, you can discourage barking from puppyhood.

RE bitch vs dog, the ones I know are all bitches.

[spugs]

I have a dog and a bitch and the dogs better with children but then Ive had bitches before that have been great with children. Personally I dont think it makes a difference.

For any dog to be good with children no matter what the breed it needs to be socialised from very early on with children. If your getting a puppy then I cant see it being a problem.

Dogs can be trained not to yap, my two both yap but its only when there excited or when there first left (I havent tried to stop them yet).

Schnauzers are supposed to be easily trained, my cross is a quick learner and our trainer says it must be the schnauzer in him

Schnauzers look lovely when there a bit scruffy and they dont need to be kept in the proper cut, a trip to the groomers every couple of months would be more then enough and you will be ble to learn how to do a lot of it yourself like trimming beards, paws, clipping claws and plucking their ears(they have very hairy ears and you pull the hair out, disgusting but strangely satisfying!) yourself which will mean you can go even less.

What colour are you thinking of getting?

[amazonianwoman]

Thanks again

I'm not actually keen on the proper show cut/appearance for schnauzers so scruffy sounds good to me! I love the sound of ear defuzzing, not worried about that

I like the black and silver ones best but not too fussy really.

Too excited! Still trying to find a fairly local breeder...

[Georgelassosthemoon]

We have a 4yo Mini Schnauzer and he's great. He does bark quite a lot but only at strangers coming to the house/ the postman/etc. He does like to sit in the front window and bark at canine passers by but does get told off for this. We have him trimmed every 8 weeks or so - the groomer does the ears/claws etc- costs us £20. I agree - he looks so cute when he is s bit fluffy. He is a real family dog - he does like company and hates being left out of anything. My DCs are 11 and 16 now but he is lovely with my cousins DCs who are 3 and 5.

[amazonianwoman]

How does he get on with other dogs when you are out? I'd have to leave him tied to the school fence where there are a couple of other dogs each morning/afternoon. Only for 5 minutes, but are they like some terriers who always seem to be ready for a dog scrap?!

Might have to socialise a puppy with the milkman because he comes at about 3am. Don't fancy being woken by barking at that time...

Where are you based? Do you know any good breeders?

Oh and does he like water? We go to the beach a lot!

[Georgelassosthemoon]

He is ok with other dogs - a bit over friendly if anything. He can be a bit over enthusiastic with the sniffing and not all dogs like this. He's certainly not aggressive towards other dogs but he will stand his ground if they show aggression towards him.

He absolutely HATES water and is reluctant to go out in the rain even. We live near the beach too - he doesn't mind sand. Our breeder was based near Brecon in Wales - I'm not sure if she is still breeding, will check for you if this is your part of the world.

[amazonianwoman]

Thanks again. South Wales is a bit too far - we're in Cheshire, but thanks anyway

[mum2seb]

I think there's someone on the wirral that breeds miniature schnauzers, if that helps - I think I found her on Champdogs - worth a look on there, anyway. They advertise breeders who have had pups recently, and give contact of breeders so that you can phone/ email and ask them. THe Kennel club can do an email alert for breeders who contact them, too. You could also see if there's a Miniature Schnauzer club or something similar that you could contact - I did just that to find my Lakeland Terrier. Their club secretary got back to me with the details of a breeder for my pup. I'm sure schnauzers must have the same sort of set up! I was looking at Miniature Schnauzers, too, before I met and fell in love with a Lakey!! Somehow, I don't think dh would go for a schnauzer too! Maybe in a couple of years.....

[amazonianwoman]

Cheers!

Tell me a bit more about your Lakeland terrier. Might have to suggest alternatives if I can't persuade DH

[mum2seb]

I totally love my Lakey - SOOO good with the children, not very barky at all. He seems to have endless patience. He is rather headstrong, but I think that's the Terrier in him. We have had problems housetraining, but the breeder keeps his dogs in Kennels, and I don't think they had a different area for toileting. I've met other Lakey owners who don't have the same problem at all. They're very low shedding, and need to be hand stripped (dh has learnt how to do it, so it can't be that hard!!).
He's 6 months now, so being a teenager, and he gets rather enthusiastic with other dogs (but very good with them at the same time!!), but he's sat on my lap as I type, trying to have a go on the keyboard himself!! Wouldn't be without him (even if he DOES try to steal anything worth chewing!!). A great family dog, I'd say. I'm glad dh talked me round, actually! I still like mini Schnauzers, though!!

[amazonianwoman]

We've got one!!!

He's coming home in about 4 weeks. We can't wait!

Cue lots of posts on training/feeding/equipment

[spugs]

Congratulations, what colour have you got

[amazonianwoman]

Pepper & salt

[kaz1966]

i have a miniature schnauzer 21 months old. over the last two months she has been making growling noises when doorbell or when the front door being unlocked soon as i call her to confront her fear she stops until the other day my friend came round with son she fine with my friend not son the growling constantly until he steps out side house she has always been around very young children and never had a problem as she is really fun loving puppy very well behaved please can any help me solve this abnormal behaviour.

[wifeofdoom]

Sorry - only just read this thread or would have posted earlier. I have a 5 yr old mini schnauzer bitch (S&P) - she's lovely. Very chilled out, very loving and just fits in with anything really. She can do long walks (although she lags behind quite a bit if off the lead), and needs at least 2 walks a day, but they don't have to be long- just to the park. Loves to see other dogs, but only occasionally plays with them now (when she was little she would all the time). We get her trimmed about every 3 months - a scruffy schnauzer is a thing of beauty in my eyes!

I have a 1 yr old and she has been great - thought she might be jealous as shes always been my baby, and have always been careful, but she is ever so gentle and the baby loves her. Don't think she likes the baby as such, but sees her as one of the family and knows she has to be looked after iyswim.

She is quite barky though, especially at the neighbours dogs and anything that comes through the door before 7pm After then she's off duty apparently). Very trainable (except the barking thing), very food oriented. Has never damaged the house and she doesn't shed any hair.

the more you put in the more you get out of them - I used to do loads of training ,games, walks etc with her and she was very lively, since having the baby less so and she is much less active. recommend dog agility - we do this every week with her, and although she'll never be the fastest she is pretty accurate!

Good luck with your mini schnauzer. You'll love him!