Mini Schnauzer- anybody got one?

[Mrsfromwales]

This is the breed me and DH think we have settled on for when we start looking for a pooch. (later this year- prob around aug/sept time)
Just wondering if anybody has experience with this breed that could offer any advise/tips etc when we get going?

Background us: ATM there is just me and DH, desperately want 2 or 3 kids eventually but some fertility issues are preventing that just now, so hopefully with IVF we will have a family in the next couple of years.
We both work full time but I have just started a job 5 min drive from home so will be able to walk in morning before work, come home at lunch and home for 5.10 pm if and when any of that would be required.
Not 100% sure how much exercise would be needed.
We are hopefully moving to a new house down the road which is really spacious inside and a decent sized garden.
Would prefer a male (not quite sure why) but happy with a female too.
My sisters boyfriends family have a mini schnauzer who we take for lots of walks and dog sit etc and she is just lovely! Never considered this breed until we met her but sisters bf's grandparents also have one who is total opposite from his personality and nature wise but still a lovely little companion.

Essentially want to know how much excersise would be needed, If they would be ok to be left alone for a few hours at a time, if they are a good breed for children, and if they have any particular negative traits we should be aware of.
Thanks very much in advance!

Hello. I have a little Mini Schnauzer, a girl age 5. I have to say she is such a happy, delightful character, always full of joy! My one absolutely loves cuddles and sitting on my lap. They say schnauzers can be quite a yappy breed as they are part of the terrier group but mine only gives a few yaps if she hears voices outside the front door. She wouldn't make a good guard dog as she is more interested in trying to get a cuddle out of them then anything else!
When we leave her alone she can get slightly anxious and occasionally will chew on a pen or the post, but we've solved that by giving her a treat before we go out. They shouldn't be left on their own for too long though as they do crave company.

As for exercise they do have a lot of energy. Ive taken mine on 10 mile walks around the Peak district and at the end she is still running on ahead of us! But in winter time we stay in more and just have short walks and this seems ok too. They are an intelligent breed so they do get bored easily if not played and interacted with, but also means they are easy to train.
I think you've made a great choice choosing a Schanuzer as they are an excellent family pet if socialised well with children early on. Any negatives would just be that they need grooming regularly as they don't shed, but then that is a positive too! Good luck! :)

If you're thinking of a puppy you won't be able to leave it on its own whilst you work initially. You have to be around constantly at first to toilet train and also to socialise and train. Eventually you should (depending on the dog) be able to build up to leaving him for a few hours but this is not in the short term. I have a puppy myself and work part time - for those days I have a puppy sitter who is here full time. Having said this, mini schnauzers are adorable and seem quite popular at the moment, I think because of their compact size and joyful personalities. I think they're great characters!

The area I live in is full of mini Schnauzers, for some reason - they just seem to be 'in' around here

The ones I have met are friendly (with dogs and people) and good natured without exception, some (according to their owners) are yappy, others are not: luck of the draw! They do seem to get on really well with kids, but I would try and make sure your pup gets to meet and play with children early on - thats what makes the biggest difference.

The one I know personally does get quite a lot of exercise - two good walks per day, and can keep going for ages now she's fully grown.

Thuderboltkid..congratulations how wonderful for you! yep, i definitely believe in sods law!

Elibean good idea about getting pup used to children from the start, hadn't thought of that. will defintitely bear that in mind.

yesbutnobut yes I will take some time off when we first get him/her and then DH will too, and after that PIL's will prob look after him/her in the beginning until s/he is settled into being left alone for periods of time.

AlfieandAnnieRose your schnauzer sounds very much like my BIL's one!
also hadnt thought about grooming, but now I think of it, BIL has mentioned several times about grooming/trimming her. oops!

Thanks everyone for the great advice/tips! Much appreciated!
:)

We have one - he is almost 11 months.

He is a wonderful dog and we all adore him. He's placid, non-barky (unless he hears a police siren!, and really friendly to other dogs and people. He's very sensible - we were at my parents today and he completely ignored platters of food at nose level!

He is frighteningly fast off the lead which can be alarming - but he is becoming very obedient with recall, nearly always!

We spend about £30 every 8 weeks or so at groomers.

He is very content to be near someone, so I couldn't leave him for as long as OP would, but that's just me.