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

[PinkCosYouAreSoVery]

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.

Llasa apso are small cute,cuddly and aren't usually yappy

I'd second a bichon friese . Non moulting . Gorgeous little lap dogs . Not very barky . Very loving nature .

My dsis has two. One is very barky. The other is lovely. They were originally breed as alert dogs and therefore barky as far as I'm aware.

We have one and we love her to bits. Completely chilled, will happily walk 10 miles or 10 minutes. Has never chewed anything or been anything but lovely with other dogs.

And no hair shedding!

@TertiusLydgate

We have one and we love her to bits. Completely chilled, will happily walk 10 miles or 10 minutes. Has never chewed anything or been anything but lovely with other dogs.

And no hair shedding!

Agree with all of this... The ones I've known have been great with other dogs, can walk for miles and the no hair shedding thing is the icing on the cake!

I have one and he’s coming up to 2. My DC are the same ages as yours and we have a cat. It took about a year for the cat to be ok with him but they’re fine now.

Ours is a bit barky and I wouldn’t call him the most chilled of dogs (not at all so far) but he is getting better and he always barks because of something and he stops if you tell him it’s fine. He’s very loyal, loves a cuddle, can walk for miles or will have a lazy day, clever so fairly easy to train as long as you’re consistent. They don’t shed, and are easy size to pick up and manage around the house.

I definitely agree with whoever says they are quite a dominant personality type though, we were shamed at puppy school because he was the worst behaved and they can seem aggressive because they are so vocal. At about 20 weeks I was a bit despairing about whether he’d ever be a Good Boy but we’re getting there.

Oh and he was a dream to house train and he’s never ruined anything apart from his own toys

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, they're helpful.

My friend has two, the bitch barks a lot but the dog is fine (barks a bit but no more than any other dog.)

They are v friendly, easy to train, great with kids and generally very confident little dogs.