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SmallTerrier Group

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer was developed in late-19th-century Germany by crossing Standard Schnauzers with Affenpinschers and Poodles.

Calculate Miniature Schnauzer age
Lifespan13.3 yrrange 13–14
SizeSmallTerrier Group
Weight11–20 lb5–9.1 kg
Senior at8 yrgeriatric at 12

Gallery (3)

About

About the Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer was developed in late-19th-century Germany by crossing Standard Schnauzers with Affenpinschers and Poodles. It is currently AKC rank 16 and the third-most-represented Terrier in UK VetCompass records.

Aging

How Miniature Schnauzers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.3 years (n=9,670). Idiopathic hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis are the defining breed metabolic concerns — dietary fat restriction is standard preventive care — with urolithiasis and comedone syndrome secondary.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.3 yr · range 13–14Senior careSenior at 8 · geriatric at 12Common health issues7 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
11–20 lb(5–9.1 kg)
Height
12–14 in(30.5–35.6 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
White*Liver*Liver & Tan*Wheaten*Liver Pepper*BlackBlack & SilverSalt & Pepper
Temperament

Temperament

How Miniature Schnauzers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

friendlysmartobedientspirited
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Patellar Luxation

    Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~1 yr

    Congenital Cardiac Defect

    Description and veterinary guidance for Congenital Cardiac Defect land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
45min
per day

Miniature Schnauzers are satisfied by around 45 minutes of daily activity (energy level 3/5). Short, regular outings beat one long session.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.