Mini Schnauzer Coat and Achieving the Schnauzer Haircut
Coat and Grooming
We are frequently asked the question, ‘Are Schnauzers hypoallergenic’? Miniature Schnauzers are in the top 10 best dog breeds for allergy sufferers. Certainly in our experience, people who have severely reacted to other shedding dog breeds, have intentionally been licked and touched by our dogs to test their reactivity and have had no reaction at all to our Miniature Schnauzer dogs and puppies.
We have and still own, breeds of dog that shed hair so we are very quick to delightedly tell people who ask ‘Do Schnauzers Shed’? No, they do not! You will see no trace of them on your carpet, wooden floors, lounge, black pants or wonder of wonders, the back seat of your car! For all who have owned a shedding dog, you will know exactly what I am talking about!
The Miniature Schnauzer has a distinctive double coat that is wiry and dense. Here's a breakdown of the coat characteristics:
Outer Coat: The outer coat of the Miniature Schnauzer is wiry, hard, and dense. It forms a protective layer over the body, helping to repel dirt and water. The texture of the outer coat is coarse and harsh to the touch. This outer layer gives the breed its classic "scruffy" appearance.
Undercoat: Beneath the wiry outer coat, the Miniature Schnauzer has a softer undercoat. The undercoat provides insulation and helps regulate the dog's body temperature in different weather conditions. It's usually softer and denser than the outer coat.
Color: The Miniature Schnauzer comes in several colors, including salt and pepper, black and silver, solid black and pure white (not albino, white dogs should have black pigmented skin). The most common color combination is salt and pepper, which features a mix of white, black, and gray hairs. The black and silver variety has a black coat with silver markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, and legs. Solid black or white Miniature Schnauzers are less common but equally striking in appearance.
Grooming: The Miniature Schnauzer's coat requires regular grooming to keep it looking its best. This includes brushing to remove loose hair and prevent matting, as well as stripping or trimming to maintain the characteristic wiry texture. Many owners choose to have their Miniature Schnauzers professionally groomed every few months to ensure the coat stays in top condition.
To achieve a beautiful schnauzer haircut, we use and recommend Wahl KM-2 Professional corded clippers or Wahl KM Cordless - both with detachable #10 Ultimate Competition blades that are interchangeable. Clipper World is our preference for having our blades sharpened and annually sending our clippers in to be serviced.
For brushing and coat care we use the Shear Magic medium sized slicker brush and a metal comb plus I also use Groomer.DK Retro Fine Stripping Knife to card out the undercoat particularly during change of season.
There are some excellent grooming tutorials on YouTube and we are also happy to spend the time showing our puppy families how to achieve a neat schnauzer haircut.
Our preferred Shampoo is Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo and Sebazole medicated shampoo. I use any conditioner that is on special, to close the dog’s hair follicles after it has been shampoo’d. If the dog is only shampoo’d this leaves the hair follicles open and as the coat dries and lays down against the skin, the opened hair follicles draw oil from the skin as they close. This can cause the dog’s skin to dry out and for the skin to appear as flaking and be a bit itchy.
There are many quality leave in conditioners available, some of our favorites are Hairy Pony Essential Oil Coat Conditioner and Wattlelane Stables QI Gold Serum.
Overall, the Miniature Schnauzer's coat is an essential part of its appearance and requires proper care to keep it healthy and looking its best.