Considering a Miniature Schnauzer as 1st time dog - experiences of them please?

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We have been thinking about getting a family dog for a long time and can finally do so now that I am working from home. We are seriously pondering a mini schnauzer. We haven't owned a dog before and don't have any experience of schnauzers. I have been doing lots of reading and am finding very mixed experiences.

Ideally, I'd like a companion dog, who is happy to chill out/laze around at home but equally happy for a couple of good walks a day.Also one that is affectionate and likes to cuddle up. I have 2 children aged 12 and 16, no pets at home.

I am interested in the mini schnauzer as we have cat allergies and also have reacted allergy wise to some dogs. I'd like a smallish dog and one that can can used to no-one being at home for an hour or two (it wouldn't usually be any more than that) once a day. I work from home and have fairly regular online meetings so I wouldn't be able to give a dog attention at all times during the day (though I'd be happy if it were to just chill/play in the room I work from), I suppose im worried that I'll get a constant barker demanding attention at all times and wouldn't be able to concentrate on work. I realise this breed do have a tendency to bark if someone comes to the door which I can handle but im fearful of having. dog which barks incessantly or if I can't give it attention when im in a meeting etc.We're quite a calm household so would like a dog that would suit a calm loving family. I don't think id want a bouncy dog that stays puppy like for years.

So my question is really - if you have a mini Schnauzer, what has your experience been like and do you think this breed would be a good fit? I'm so nervous, I want do find the right breed for both our sakes and the dogs. We want nothing more than for our potential dog to be happy.

My friend has one, it is VERY barky!

Nice but yappy is how most of the ones I've met seem to be!

2 out of 2 replies so far confirming my fears, may need to rethink breed... schnauzers are so cute though but I need to be practical. Thank you both. Interested to hear any further experiences, same or different?!

We have 2 mini schnauzers. They like human company and couch time for snuggles but also love their walks.. One barks but only to welcome you home..the other is a great watch dog will bark only if something is strange around the house/garden..We wouldn't be without them...

Sorry, our neighbours have one and it is by far the yappiest dog on the street.

My neighbour over the road has two. They're both quite skittish and yep, they bark at any sound outside

I have friends with a mini schnauzer. He does bark when people knock on the door (not when they let themselves in though - he knows that if they have a key they are one of 'his' people!). The rest of the time he is quiet and chilled, playful at times, very cuddly and completely charming.

Barky little dogs. How about a bichon frise?

We have one as our first family dog and we all agree she is the best thing that ever happened to our family. She does bark but only when any self respecting dog would bark but we do live in the middle of nowhere, so not exactly over stimulated. She is affectionate and funny with a real character. She won’t walk in the rain. Downside she has such a strong hunting instinct we haven’t been able to train her not to chase sheep so she is always on a lead out of the garden. I have friends with miniature schnauzers who are perfectly well behaved off lead though so it could be my failing! She doesn’t like being left much but does cope fine.

I love my dog ❤️

My dog got attacked by a pair of mini schnauzers who then attacked me when I tried to stop them. So I’m not a fan

I have friends with two and they’re very chilled and not barky.

Very cute, know a few - all barky (coming from someone with a Jack Russell. The schnauzers are a whole other level of bark)

My in laws got one, it is very very barky and is very protective of them, it barks at us if we come over and had to be shut away in the utility room (where it still tends to bark but at least it's not so loud).

We have one - so characterful, affectionate, clever and fun. She doesn’t bark for no reason - will bark if a knock at the door and does also bark at other dogs when we are out walking - but with a waggy tail and the other dogs wag back - so more of a yelp communication. V quiet at home. Doesn’t do rain or go in water (which is advantage over my sisters Bischon who seeks out any muddy puddle to roll around it!)

Doesn’t bark when we come home - but will sing us a lovely song which we encourage! Might even get that if return from popping something out in the recycling bin!

Friends inherited one, neighbour's friend has several, they are all yappy and react to every sound and movement with barking. If you hate the people living around you and have industrial grade earplugs, go ahead.

Very very clever dogs. Love them

My border terrier’s best friend is a mini schnauzer and I look after her a lot. She’s really loving but is very vocal. She barks at everyone who walks past the house and pretty much barks at everyone we cross paths with on walks. But it’s a “hello” bark as opposed to an aggressive bark. Other than that, she’s sweet and we love looking after her (I have to warn my neighbors beforehand). Of course I’m going to suggest a border terrier to you

I would love a border terrier too. They make the absolutely cutest puppies.

I loved my mini, so chilled and loving. Lots of health problems however.

I always hear how “yappy and barky” they are on here, but mine isn’t at all like that 🤔

They do have very strong personalities though, mine rules the house! Mini schnauzers don’t have owners they have staff! I adore them though because of their hilarious characters, never a dull moment with an ms around. And they are very intelligent.
She was our first dog and I was terrified of getting it wrong with her, but everyone who meets her falls in love with her.

What about a mini poodle op?

OP, if you can’t give a dog attention all day long you need to think about how you’d handle the puppy stage - for a good few months they need supervising like a toddler, taking outside up to every 20 minutes to toilet train and a lot of playtime/training.

My best friend has had 3 mini schnauzers - to me they are dream dogs (I have french bulldogs )

None of hers bark much, for small dogs they can walk for miles and they are beautifully mannered - I would have one in a heartbeat!

I started thinking I wanted one but had same concerns as you re barky and hyper . Then I met one.... now I have a greyhound. No shedding