Thinking of raising a schnauzer puppy? The appearance of this breed may make you think of a dog with a reserved and overly conceited temperament. Its rectangular head, its sharp angles, and its unmistakable bearded snout usually give us the idea of a pet with a rigid or little affectionate temperament; however, those who already know him know that he is a mischievous, intelligent, fearless, alert, and familiar dog.
Keep reading below for all the details on the personality of the schnauzer breed, whether miniature, standard, or giant.
Table of Contents
What character do schnauzers have?
In general, they are said to be cunning, sociable, and alert dogs. They can be excellent watchdogs as well as family pets. His combination of intelligence, creativity, high spirits, and sense of fun has earned him many to compare his temperament to that of humans.
Some of the most important traits to keep in mind about the schnauzer personality are:
Socialization and suitability
If you are looking for a completely placid dog that you only need to feed and walk from time to time, then you should consider other breeds. The schnauzer likes to be involved; he loves to be in the center of things. It is a dog that reaches its full potential when treated as part of the family.
He is not considered a 1-man dog. Although it is true that he may have a favorite person, he will also be able to easily accept all members of the family. It is normal for him to show devotion to the circle of interaction closest to him.
How does schnauzer relate to the children?
Despite being robust and energetic, it can be a good pet for children. He is loyal, affectionate, and considerate of children of all ages, being able to play softly and kindly with the little ones.
Obviously, this largely depends on how well he has been raised and trained; if done correctly, the schnauzer will make an excellent friend for the children in your family or anyone else who respects his sense of “self-dignity.”
Keep in mind that in most cases they don’t like to be disturbed. It is important for children to learn how to approach and touch it. Never leave a schnauzer and a small child playing unattended, as the child could inadvertently bite or injure the dog’s ears and tail.
Tip: Your child should never go near a dog while it’s sleeping or eating, let alone try to take its food.
How does schnauzer relate to other dogs and pets?
Animal aggression is a common trait among schnauzers. He is not very fond of interacting with unknown animals, he can even be violent with them, but he can get along very well with the dogs and cats that have been raised with him.
It is always recommended to keep it away from tiny pets, such as mice, rats, hamsters, and other similar little animals; the hunting and pursuit instinct of the schnauzer is still on the surface. In general, they are best for single-pet households.
Schnauzer training
If you are thinking of acquiring a schnauzer puppy, you should know that proper and early training is an important requirement. Due to his intelligence, this dog learns very quickly and retains most of the things that he learns.
Unfortunately, that can include negative behaviors, which is why the consistent and firm direction is sometimes needed, without being harsh.
Don’t be surprised if a schnauzer tries to push the boundaries. He can rule the house if you let him!
Keep in mind that they can be stubborn and get bored easily. If the training does not meet his expectations, he will begin to learn what he wants independently. However, when he is trained with a firm hand from puppy to adulthood, the end result is incredible: a loyal friend and obedient guard dog for life.
Attention and exercise requirements
The schnauzer is an energetic dog. This means that they need a certain level of activity every day; otherwise, you could develop anxious and negative behavior.
Energy levels can vary from individual to individual, but as a general suggestion, it is said that the healthiest thing is to walk 2-3 times a day, for a total of 45 minutes to 1 hour of exercise.
Having this trainable temperament requires its owner to give it new challenges; he needs to get involved in games with a certain level of complexity (with people or other dogs), discover new smells, landscapes, as well as perform tasks that stimulate his instincts and his great curiosity.
Can the temperament vary according to the type of schnauzer?
Although almost all schnauzers show a similar personality regardless of whether they are miniature, standard, or giant, it cannot be denied that the size of the dog has some influence on its character and behavior.
Standard schnauzer temperament
Being the standard, this specimen exhibits the classic temperament of the breed. He is a hard-working, intelligent and sociable dog, who enjoys family life but is not unaware of his own personal importance.
Characteristics inherited from its ancestors make it an excellent watchdog. He is territorial; he will not stay calm if he notices that there is something or someone new around. The normal thing is that he starts barking to warn the owner of him.
The standard schnauzer is mischievous and highly intelligent. He learns fast and likes to please; that is why it is commonly used as a therapy dog. Likewise, his courage, resistance, and spirit of work have led him to become one more member of search and rescue groups.
Many specimens are trained to detect cancer and hidden explosives.
This does not mean that he is known for being a dog with a strong character, often stubborn. He is able to identify weaknesses in his owner and will take advantage of them whenever possible. Not for nothing is it always recommended to maintain a firm and constant training during the breeding of this breed.
Giant schnauzer temperament
Compared to the standard, the giant schnauzer tends to have a more reserved nature, but this does not mean that it will remain quiet without the correct stimulation and exercise. When not given proper attention, it can develop restless and destructive behavior.
It is a pet that is dedicated to its family and the children in it, but it is less suitable for homes with babies and young children. In general, it is recommended to take special care and prevent children and adults from showing a belligerent attitude towards other people or dogs.
It is also intelligent, alert, easy to train, and loyal to its owners, although it is inherently mistrustful of others. This giant needs company, whether it’s a person he can play with or another dog of similar size.
It is important to provide games that he enjoys, such as peek-a-boo, fetch, or chasing a ball; This is how you exercise your mind and body. Considering that he was originally raised to work, he will be particularly happy if he has something to do.
The training of this dog should start from the day you bring it home; The Giant Schnauzer puppy is usually very stubborn. As soon as eight weeks of age he will be able to absorb everything you want to teach him.
Miniature schnauzer temperament
This dog packs a lot of personality into a small size. He is believed to be the king of the place and likes to get as much attention as possible. His temperament is fearless, sweet, and loving, not at all shy. He is an excellent clown; he loves to play pranks, play and run like crazy from one place to another.
Like his older brothers, he is an amazingly intelligent dog and will use that intelligence to do mischief ( open cabinets or cupboards to find food, toys, shoes ).
The Miniature Schnauzer is an excellent choice for active families, especially first-time dog owners. It is true that sometimes they are quite sleepy, but if they decide to get active they can become intense.
Like the other types of schnauzers, it needs several daily walks, but unlike them, it can adapt well to apartment life. Keep in mind that he’s not going to be happy with a brisk walk around the block; if it doesn’t release its energy levels well, you may later find your sofa or carpet in ruins.
He is a good guard dog. He is always on the alert and to top it all off, barking is one of his favorite hobbies. Something quite common is his euphoric behavior as soon as the doorbell rings. This is a dog more inclined to bark than to fight. If you have a miniature installed outside the house, it is likely to cause problems with the neighbors.
He usually gets along well with other pets; from time to time it may chase a cat or other small animal, but it does not represent a great danger to them. He does it for fun. Despite enjoying the company of older children, this schnauzer is not suitable for little ones; young children do not understand that dogs have their own limits and therefore could be hurt or bitten during play.
In general, he prefers to be with his people and not with other dogs. At times, she may show a clear preference for someone specific in the family; it is normal for him to follow that person all day. He can be a bit shy around strangers, but only until he knows his family approves of them.
