Personality: Miniature Schnauzers are delightful companions with their energetic, charming, and perky personalities.  They make an excellent companion because they are devoted to their home and family, good with children, very intelligent, quick to learn, curious, playful, and are easy to train. 

The typical Miniature Schnauzer is alert and spirited, yet obedient to command. He is friendly, intelligent and willing to please. They should never be overaggressive or timid.  The Miniature Schnauzer is sweet, loving and loyal to the entire family.  The Miniature Schnauzer demands time and companionship from its owner. 

Miniature Schnauzers are not random incessant barkers, they are discriminating and intelligent dogs assume their natural duty to defend.  Once mature, they have a strongly developed territorial instinct that makes them an ideal guard dog, as he defends vocally rather than physically.  A good Schnauzer will bark at anyone who may appear a threat to his home.  They are often guarded of strangers until the owners of the home welcome the guest, upon which they are typically very friendly to them. 

If properly introduced, the Miniature Schnauzer will get along with other dogs, but will not accept every dog that comes its way.  

The breed is generally good with children, recognizing that they need gentle play.  Miniature Schnauzers are highly playful dogs, and if not given the outlet required for their energy they can become bored and invent their own "fun".

Miniature Schnauzers excel in formal obedience trials and are seen more and more in agility competitions.  They are frequently used as Therapy Dogs.  Miniature Schnauzers are also eligible to participate in earth-dog trials and greatly excel at them.

Appearance: The Miniature Schnauzer resembles his larger cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, in general appearance, and of an alert, active disposition.  The Miniature Schnauzer is relatively small in size but in no way toyish or delicate.  When you pick him up you will discover he is sturdy, heavy, and muscular; ruggedness combined with elegance and beauty. 

The Miniature Schnauzer is a squarely-proportioned with a bushy beard, mustache and eyebrows, and a strong muzzle.  The thick, prominent eyebrows and long mustache are often trimmed to accentuate the dog's square cut shape.  The front legs are very straight.  The tail is usually docked.  The oval eyes are dark colored, and the v-shaped ears fold forward when left natural or are cropped to a point and stand erect

Are Miniature Schnauzers good with children: Miniature Schnauzers are generally good with children if raised with them from a young age.  Each dog is an individual with an individual temperament and socialization experience.  Young children need to be introduced carefully to dogs and no young child should be left unsupervised with a dog of any breed.  Miniature Schnauzers are very good with older children and teenagers, joining in all sorts of games. 

Note: Domino Schnauzers is very careful in our adoption process.  We strongly advise potential customers with children to teach their children ways to properly pet and play with the dog; never showing assertiveness by yelling, hitting, or aggressive behavior as it teaches your pet negative behavior.  This is true with any dog.  If we feel that our dogs will be in danger of abuse from a potential customer, then we will reserve the right to deny adoption. 

Does the Miniature Schnauzer require a lot of grooming?
Miniature Schnauzers should be groomed every five to eight weeks to look their best. This is something most people choose to let a professional do, but some choose to learn to do it themselves (see the AMSC's pet grooming section). The equipment needed - clippers and scissors - will pay for itself after just a few groomings. The beard and leg furnishings should be brushed weekly and may be bathed as often. Most people choose to machine clipper pets as this is the most convenient way to keep them looking sharp. The breed has a double-coat; wiry topcoat and soft undercoat. To achieve this look the dog needs to be plucked or hand stripped. A usual pattern can be found in the amsc award winning grooming chart - see the online AMSC publications page. Most pet groomers are not knowledgeable of the stripping process or, if knowledgeable, might be reluctant to take the time to properly complete the task. 

Maintenance is basically 3 month period unless it’s a special family occasions, and you will be surprised how much of it you can do yourself.  You can't make a mistake so go at it.  You can do yourself.