IS A SCHNAUZER RIGHT FOR ME?

  Miniature Schnauzers are alert, active, affectionate companions who double as watchdogs - a well bred, trained Miniature Schnauzer barks to warn, but not for recreation. They are house dogs who love the outdoors. Schnauzers need to be part of the family, and are usually found at your feet unless your lap is available. They have a lively intelligence, and a streak of curiosity that could be called just plain "nosy"! They don't shed, don't have a 'doggy' odor, but do need regular brushing and grooming.

  Miniature Schnauzers and several other breeds of dog may be described as 'hypo-allergenic'. Because they don't leave hair all over the furniture and carpet, they may cause less problem for some people with allergies or asthma. Miniature Schnauzers are easy to keep clean, and may have a weekly bath. But they are living creatures, they will carry in dust, grass, or pollen from the back yard, and they love to be close to you. Some people simply will not be able to tolerate the dog itself or whatever gathers on their feet and hair. Mini Schnauzers are a house and people dog, and leaving him outdoors is NOT the solution. If the allergies &/or asthma are that severe, please consider a beautiful fish aquarium rather than any dog.

  A Miniature Schnauzer won't be as mellow as a Basset Hound, and he'll have a lot more 'bounce' than a Saint Bernard. He'll greet strange animals with an initial feisty bluff, but gets along well with his friends. Miniature Schnauzers can be great with well behaved children, but they aren't willing to be hurt by rough handling, child or adult.

  More characteristics will be inherited from the puppy's mom and dad than you realize, from basic temperament down to funny little quirks. The most important thing to know is that only part of your puppy's personality will depend on how you raise it. That eight week old puppy already shows much of his adult temperament - look for calm, outgoing, friendly, and playful. . . Miniature Schnauzers are great, but do your homework first.
Your first goal should be to decide if Miniature Schnauzer would fit with your home and family, or if another personality would be better.  Try to talk to people who have lived with a particular breed for a long time. Go to a Dog Show or Match. Of course, you can 'surf the Net'! -- but be careful -- a fancy website might also lead to the 'pups for bucks' crowd.

  About color -- The American Miniature Schnauzer Club recognizes three, and only three, colors - black, black & silver, and salt & pepper.   You may see other colors advertised as "rare" or "almost lost" on the internet or in your newspaper.  The Miniature Schnauzer was orginated as a smaller version of the Standard Schnauzer, so any other color was selected 'against', deliberately eliminated, from the very beginning.  When you see a dog represented as a Miniature Schnauzer that actually more resembles a Wire Fox Terrier or a long legged West Highland White Terrier or a chocolate Cocker Spaniel, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out what really happened!!! ... maybe it was a couple of generations back, but... give me a break!!!
  About "Toy" - I suggest you talk with your own veterinarian about the health or mental problems that might go along with the extreme miniaturization of "teacup" poodles, "teacup" yorkshire terriers, and "toy" versions of breeds that are normally fairly small but not tiny or "toy". My impression would be that those producing "toy" schnauzers have used Miniature Schnauzers who are for some reason abnormally small.... Actually, with the improved nutrition, improved health care of dogs in general over the past 30 years, dogs are more likely to grow bigger than before, rather than smaller, unless there is some underlying health problem.
Which ever puppy you eventually choose, be sure to buy it dependent upon your own veterinarian's approval after a health checkup... get it in writing before you pay for the puppy.

WHERE TO FIND YOUR PUPPY?

  Please understand - puppies are not interchangeable. A clean, bright, healthy Miniature Schnauzer puppy from stable, intelligent parents is not going to grow up the same as a sickly, shy puppy from hyper, yappy parents. What you see in that 7 or 8 week old puppy is the basic personality that the dog will grow up to have.

  When you go looking, try to leave your heart at home for a while. Certainly, leave your money and maybe too eager children home for the first visit. All warm, fuzzy puppies are irresistible - you have to find the right one. Talk with the people - the term "breeder" only means the person raised a litter of puppies - you have to find out if they knew or cared about what they were doing. Look for the people who try to have the best puppies they can, who have taken the puppies in for a veterinary exam, shots, check for worms, who ask you about the new home for their puppy, who can explain why your pet should be spayed or neutered, and who will be there to answer your questions for the life of the dog.

  To read the Standard of what a Miniature Schnauzer should look and act like check out these links : 

. . . . . American Kennel Club- Schnauzer page

. . . . . American Miniature Schnauzer Club 

. . . . . Miniature Schnauzer Club of Canada

  Listen to your own common sense - if you are worried, you need to look elsewhere. Buy the puppy on your veterinarian's approval. Get it in writing that you can take the puppy in for a health check within the first couple of days. If it passes, great! If not, you need to take the puppy back, get your money back, and start over somewhere else.