Schnauzers are fun, affectionate, high energy dogs that can make a great addition to an active household. Before you bring one into your home, here are some things to consider about Schnauzers.
They’re a medium-size breed.
Schnauzers are part of the Working Dog breed group. They weigh around 30-50 pounds and stand around one and a half to nearly two feet tall at the shoulder. Their lifespan is usually up to 16 years.
They’re athletic.
Schnauzers are great at agility sports as well as herding and tracking. They can retrieve both on land and in water, and have been used to herd animals including cows and sheep.
They’re smart and eager to please.
Known for their sweet, playful yet dignified personalities, Schnauzers make good companions for adults and older children. They are often used as therapy dogs and, once trained properly, are good with younger children as well.
They’re full of energy.
Schnauzers need a lot of activity on daily basis to keep them happy. Without regular exercise or mental stimulation they’ll get bored and get themselves into trouble. They also need variety in their routines to keep them interested in the activities they’re doing.
They can be standoffish to strangers.
Once they know you are accepted by their family, Schnauzers will be cool with your presence. Until that point, however, they can be wary of you.
They’re rodent hunters.
This is great if you live somewhere with a mice or rat problem, as they can help clear it up. This is not so great if you have small pets like hamsters, Guinea pigs, or pet rats and mice, as they won’t understand the difference between a rodent they can hunt and one that is a member of the family.
They can be stubborn.
Schnauzers are smart and they want to make their family happy, but they’re also stubborn and don’t always want to do what you want them to do. They need proper house training and obedience training to keep them on their best behavior.
— Mia V.
SOURCE – Dogtime.com
