Origin of the Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that originated in Germany during the mid to late 19th century. It was originally bred by farmers crossing the Standard Schnauzer with smaller breeds such as the Affenpinscher and the Miniature Poodle to create a more compact version of the Standard Schnauzer that could be used as a versatile farm and ratting dog.

Originally, Schnauzers were bred to be farm dogs who were used to guard properties and alert to changes and also for hunting vermin. The Mini Schnauzer’s distinctive bushy eyebrows and beard are thought to have originated from a desire to protect it’s face from injury while hunting.

Through it’s origins and instinctive behaviours, the Miniature Schnauzer still exhibits a moderate to high prey drive so it will show extreme interest in smaller animals and birds. Due to it’s original purpose of guarding and alerting, the Miniature Schnauzer also excels at alerting to any changes in it’s environment - hence why they can be known for excessive excitable barking.

It is always important to understand and respect a breed’s origins and instincts as it tells us a lot about their inherent behaviours and will serve as a good guide for their training and mental stimulation. Importantly it will also guide us on how to manage introduction of other species of animals or birds, in a way that keeps the introduced animal safe.

The breed gained popularity outside of Germany during the early 20th century, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1926.

During World War I and World War II, the Miniature Schnauzer faced a decline in numbers due to food shortages and the general chaos of wartime. However, dedicated breed enthusiasts helped to preserve the breed and it experienced a resurgence in popularity after the wars.

Today, the Miniature Schnauzer is beloved for its affectionate yet feisty nature, intelligence and distinctive appearance. It is often kept as a companion animal and excels in various dog sports and activities such as obedience trials, agility competitions and are successfully being accredited as Assistance Dogs and for therapy work.