Mini Schanuzer v Border Terrier

[Hawknotdove]

Hello,

We’re looking for a family dog and I’ve narrowed it down to a Mini Schnauzer or a Border. Will get a pup as I have three kids incl an 5-year old so I’m not confident about a rescue.

Im looking for a small-ish dog that’s tolerant with kids, has plenty of energy and personality (but no so much that they’re unmanageable), low or non-shedding coat, easy-ish to keep clean.

I grew up with dogs, am confident with them and used to terrier-type traits. However, this will be my first time training a pup myself.

After lots of research, I’m pretty confident that both Borders and Mini Schnauzers fit this bill (though feel free to tell me otherwise). But how do I decide between them?! Anyone out there with experience of both breeds who can compare?

Advice from those in the know much appreciated. I’m probably over-thinking but want to make a good decision!

ps goes without saying that behaviour will depend on the individual dog, socialisation etc. Just trying to get a general sense of breed traits and others’ experiences.

If you live in a semi or a flat, I would avoid a Mini Schnauzer. They yap. Incessantly. I've never met one that wasn't a yappy nightmare. Lovely dogs...but honestly I'd never have one based off that alone. My neighbour has one (and used to breed them) and when I thought about getting one advised me against it - based off the yapping. And gods. She was right. Border Terriers are lovely (again a bit vocal IME but nowhere near as bad as the Mini Schnauzer).

If I was to get a little dog I'd get a BT. They're plucky little things!

Was going to say the same about schnauzers and barking.

We have a border called Elvis and he is just gorgeous. Borders are such characters and so clever.
Our grandchildren adore him as he is such fun but is also very good at coming back when called etc.and is well behaved.
They are not at all yappy thank goodness as that would drive me mad! So exciting for you choosing a new puppy!

Ah, thanks all. Have been leaning towards Border as I’m worried about Schnauzer barking. You’ve so far confirmed my fears! We live in a detached house so not too worried about the neighbours but that my husband will drive me mad with moaning if it’s too yappy!!!

@Daz57 Is your Border affectionate? I enjoy a bit of pluck and independence but want some love too!

He is so affectionate! He cuddles up to us every evening and loves being stroked and hugged.

We have two mini schnauzers living next door. Friendly dogs, but the high pitched barking is relentless. I'd opt for the Border terrier - ( I have two Bichons and found they have been fantastic with the children but a pain to keep on top of grooming)
Good luck !

I have a schnozzy who is amazing. First time I have owned (or should say been owned by) a schnauzer and I can't imagine having another breed now. She has such a fantastic personality.

Yes she does bark but it's not constant. Mainly if someone walks past the house, and we're not in the room with her; so we don't leave her where she can see the street if we're not in the house. If she's in the garden she'll react to neighbours dogs but we'll bring her in if she doesn't stop quickly.

Not sure where you live, but there are often meet ups and walks organised. If you search for your area + schnauzer walk on Facebook see if there are any you could attend and meet some for yourself.

They can be prone to gastro issues such as pancreatitis, however a good quality low fat diet (once past puppy stage) can help prevent this.

Happy to answer any questions if you have any.

Schnauzers are gobby. Borders are a touch belligerent, but in a loveable rogue kind of way. I'd go with a border.

Border every time for me. I’ve got friends with both breeds and the borders are less yappy and just nicer to be around. Find a groomer who will hand-strip the coat, though.

We have a mini schnauzer and she's amazing. They are independent funny curious and affectionate. If you train them right they don't bark, ours doesn't but you have to be consistent with the training. They are intelligent and loyal, quirky and fun.
I wouldn't choose any other breed!

My Border is very loveable and quiet - rarely makes a noise unless he's snoring x

I have a schnauzer who isn't particularly yappy. And she doesn't shed, unlike the border terriers I know that absolutely cover me with hair every time we hang out.

She is stubborn though, took her on a 10k walk today and at 8k she sat down and refused to go any further . Luckily she is tiny so we carried her. Also her prey drive is so strong we can't walk her off lead.

She is brilliant with kids.

I have a mini schnauzer and he's fantastic. Cuddly, cheeky, amazing with kids. But he does love to yap at strangers walking past his garden. But those eyes make you melt lol

We have an old border, he has been an amazing dog. He's 15 now and still has loads of personality. So so affectionate. He was amazing with our kids from the day we brought them home from the hospital! He's just the most lovely boy!

Only issue is he is terrible with other dogs and always has been. We had years of him going nuts on the end of a lead at the mere sight of another dog. We've worked with several behaviourists and never made much headway with it and they all told us they had seen other borders the same, it was a common issue with the breed. He's now partially blind and almost completely deaf and doesn't notice other dogs - but I still remember how stressed it made us and we couldn't ever let the kids walk him which is a shame!

I've had 3 Borders - eldest one now 16 . I would not agree with borders being bad with other dogs. My eldest is now blind going deaf - but in his youth he would leave any dog alone unless they nipped at him
Middle one ( sadly PTS he was 15 ) and youngest (two and a half ) have always been lovers not fighters 😁🐾

Interesting @BasiliskStare Maybe we have just been unlucky then. It's good to know because we have been thinking about what to do after Ddog eventually passes (he has declined a lot in the last few months) and that's the only thing that has put us off another lovely border in future !

My SIL has a border. Lovely dog, very chilled, but moults like mad when her coat starts to blow. I banned her from my sofas in the end as it was driving me mad.

I love Borders. My friend's one is very intelligent, very tolerant of dogs and kids, but can disappear off in search of a deer, fox, or interesting smell!

Borders here too and love them - proper dog personalities but in a manageable sized package. Ours are really cuddly and affectionate, adore each other and us. Definitely stubborn! They do jump at kids wanting to play with them - ours aren't phased by this and have learnt how to manage it but friends kids can be overwhelmed by them.

We do have the same issue as a pp above that we can't walk off lead due to prey drive - and also one can be really hit and miss with other dogs - sometimes fine and sometimes a teeth baring thug.

Friends had a schnauzer and loved her, but she was never cuddly or a lap dog - really independent - they wouldn't get another because of this.

Border terrier every time! Schnauzers can be quite grumpy (obviously there are nice ones but I’m generalising) whereas I’ve never met a border terrier who wasn’t adorable and loads of fun, they’re a great breed for kids.

I have a border. She’s lovely and very cuddly. We are a family of 5 and she loves us all. She tries her best to be friends with the cat but is always ignored or hissed at but never retaliates. She can be funny with other dogs, especially on lead but most of the time is friendly. Her best friend is a mini schnauzer. She is a super lovely dog except… she barks and barks and barks. I look after her once a week when her owner is at work. She’s not too bad inside but as soon as she’s in the garden she starts. Once we took her on holiday with us because her owner went abroad and never again. We always say that if it wasn’t for the barking she’s the perfect dog but honestly sometime my head hurts after she’s visited.

I have an 18 month old border bitch. She’s our first full terrier and first young puppy. Our last dog was a rescue terrier hound cross so we’re used to the breed traits. She’s from a very experienced KC breeder who breeds a line for health and temperament. We met several of her relatives and also full litter sister from a previous litter who were delightful.

I’ve taught lots of borders agility and have always liked them. They are cheeky lively little dogs and generally fit and healthy.

She is whip smart. She’d run rings around you if she could. I find her easy to train but you need to motivate her (food and play). They’re labelled stubborn but no such thing. Ours has a great recall but we’ve worked hard on it. She needs at least an hour of offlead exercise a day. She also needs brainwork! She does two classes a week (obedience and agility) and I train and play training games daily. She is a busy dog and does often need encouragement to settle. Terriers are very slow to mature for their size and she is still very puppy like. She’s very sensitive but a kind dog. She’s lovely with the children in our family.

She’s affectionate and friendly. She loves people. All people. She can take or leave dogs. Not aggressive but just doesn’t really want to interact. That’s normal for terriers. We have a mature dog savvy cat and she irritates him but doesn’t chase. He doesn’t care. She is calming down with him now and they sleep together regularly.

Dog or bitch is personal preference. They have become popular and are being farmed. It took us a while to find one we were happy with. Expect to pay £1.5-2.5K for a well bred puppy. I don’t know many schnauzers but the few I’ve come into contact with are similar in temperament but louder! My border I would say is a low to medium barker generally. She is on the sparkier end of the breed which can make her hard work in certain situations but by no means unmanageable. She’s just quite an expressive little dog.

First time schnauzer owner here and would 💯 recommend!
So funny, cuddly (like hugging a koala!) and clever.
The barking isn't an issue- she has a cue to stop which she does - no worse than any other dog.
Amazing with kids and gentle with older people.
Doesn't shed!!!

Downsides- steals socks and hides.

You just described my schnauzer completely!! Extremely affectionate, brilliant with kids, not yappy, stubborn as fuck 😂

Although ours is very good off lead.