Schnauzer Size Comparison (Miniature, Standard & Giant)
The Schnauzer is a purebred dog originating from Germany with the original purpose of being a ratter and watchdog. Despite being a pure breed dog, there are many different sizes of Schnauzer due to the introduction of other breeds to create a smaller and larger version of the standard size over a hundred years ago. This resulted in 3 different sizes of Schnauzer including Miniature, Standard and Giant. Here is a Schnauzer size comparison guide so you know all the similarities and differences between each size.
If you are interested in Miniature, Standard or Giant Schnauzers, keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about the different sizes!
Table of Contents
Miniature Schnauzer
What Is A Miniature Schnauzer?
A Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest size of the Schnauzer breed. They were originally bred by introducing Affenpinscher and Miniature Pinscher breeds into the Schnauzer line to create a smaller dog that could be a ratter and guard dog on a farm. Mini Schnauzers have wiry coats that are often salt and pepper, grey or black in color. Their most distinctive feature are the whiskers and beards around their muzzles.
Miniature Schnauzer Size
What Size Is A Miniature Schnauzer?
Miniature Schnauzers are a small size dog, getting to 12 to 14 inches (30.5cm to 35.6cm) at the shoulder in height when fully grown. As an adult, they weigh between 12 and 20 pounds (5.4kg to 9.1kg).
When Is A Miniature Schnauzer Fully Grown?
A Miniature Schnauzer is fully grown between the ages of 10 to 12 months. Most get the their full height around 9 months and for the final months of growth gain muscle mass and weight.
Appearance
What Is A Parti Miniature Schnauzer?
A Parti Miniature Schnauzer has a white base with large irregular patches of another color. They can have a white base with black patches, silver patches or salt & pepper patches. Parti Miniature Schnauzers are 50% or more white.
Are Black Miniature Schnauzers Rare?
No, Black Miniature Schnauzers are not rare. Black is one of the three most common Schnauzer colors so you are very likely to find one. Black pigmentation is a dominant gene which makes it such a common color.
Are White Miniature Schnauzers Rare?
Yes, White Miniature Schnauzers are rare. While it is a coat color recognised by the World Canine Organization, they are not considered to be a desireable coat color. The reason why there are White Miniature Schnauzers is because they had to breed Affenpinschers into the breed to create the smaller size.
Are Miniature Schnauzer Ears Cropped?
Most Miniature Schnauzers have cropped ears as according to the breed standard they are supposed to be cropped. Nevertheless, you can find Miniature Schnauzers with natural floppy ears. If you don’t want your Miniature Schnauzers ears to be cropped you can request for the breeder to keep the puppies ears to natural before 9 weeks of age.
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Do Miniature Schnauzers Have An Undercoat?
Yes, Miniature Schnauzers have an undercoat as they are a double coated dog breed. Underneath their wiry top coat, Mini Schnauzers have soft, downy fur that is very thick. Their undercoats regulate their body temperature during cold and hot weather events.
Miniature Schnauzer Temperament
What Is The Temperament Of A Miniature Schnauzer?
Miniature Schnauzers have a very extroverted temperament. Despite their relatively small size, they are fearless dogs that are super alert and spirited. Mini Schnauzers are very friendly around their owners and obedient. Their obedience paired with their intelligence makes them easy to train.
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| Friendliness | 🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
| Sociability | 🐕🐕🐕 |
| Trainability | 🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
How Smart Are Miniature Schnauzers?
Miniature Schnauzers are a very smart dog breed that ranks 12th for working intelligence and obedience out of 138 dog breeds. They are ranked higher than the Standard (22nd) and Giant (35th) versions of the Schnauzer for intelligence.
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Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark A Lot?
Yes, Miniature Schnauzers bark a lot, much more than the Standard and Giant sizes of the breed. Due to their small size, they can’t do much to protect their owners except notify them of dangerous or threatening situations through barking. Other reasons why a Mini Schnauzer may bark a lot is because they are bored or are suffering from separation anxiety.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Like To Cuddle?
Some Miniature Schnauzers like to cuddle while others don’t, it depends upon their personality. Many Mini Schnazuers are very affectionate and like to cuddle and snuggle with their owners. That being said, they are not lap dogs and will only put up with a certain amount of pats and cuddles.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Be Left Alone?
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for about eight hours if they have been properly house trained. If they are going to be left home alone, Mini Schnauzers need to be left plenty of toys to keep them entertained throughout the day. Otherwise they can become destructive and/or suffer from separation anxiety.
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Do Miniature Schnauzers Get Along With Cats?
Miniature Schnauzers can get along with cats if they have been put through proper socialisation at a young age. Nevertheless, Miniature Schnauzers were originally bred to be ratters so they have a natural instinct to prey on small animals. This instinct means that they are likely to chase cats.
Lifespan
How Long Do Miniature Schnauzers Live?
On average, Miniature Schnauzers live for 12 to 15 years. There are many factors that may influence the lifespan of your Miniature Schnauzer including genetics, health conditions, lifestyle and nutrition. If you want to give your Miniature Schnauzer the best chance of living a long life, make sure that you give them an adequate amount of exercise daily and also feed them a well balanced, healthy diet.
Shedding & Grooming
Do Miniature Schnauzers Shed?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed much at all. They are classified as low shedders and will only lose a few hairs here and there from their undercoat throughout the year. To further reduce a Mini Schnauzer’s shedding, you should regularly brush them with a slicker brush to capture and remove loose fur.
Are Miniature Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Miniature Schnauzers are hypoallergenic as they are a low shedding dog breed and therefore don’t release much dander (dead skin cells) into their surroundings that can cause allergies.
Miniature Schnauzers are sometimes considered more hypoallergenic that then Standard and Giant sizes of the bred as the size was created by breeding Affenpinschers into the line. Affenpinschers are a dander-retaining breed and Miniature Schnauzers inherit this trait.
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Price
What Is The Price Of A Miniature Schnauzer?
The average price of a Miniature Schnauzer is between cost between $1000USD and $2000USD. Their price can vary depending upon litter size, coat type and coat color. Rarer coat colors generally increase the price of a Miniature Schnauzer.
Miniature Schnauzer Breeders
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Miniature Schnauzer FAQs
How Were Miniature Schnauzers Bred?
Miniature Schnauzers were first bred in the late 1800s in Germany by introducing Affenpinschers and Miniature Pinschers into the Standard Schnauzer breeding lines. The genes of these smaller breeds reduced the size of the Schnauzer until they consistently produced the Mini Schnauzer size.
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Standard Schnauzer
What Does A Standard Schnauzer Look Like?
A Standard Schnauzer has a very distinctive appearance due to their wiry coats with bristling eyebrows, beards and whiskers. They have a compact, sturdy, squarish build and are usually black or salt & pepper in color. Standard Schnauzers have dark brown eyes, black noses and either cropped or natural ears.
Standard Schnauzer Size
What Size Is A Standard Schnauzer?
A Standard Schnauzer is between 17 and 20 inches (43.1cm to 50.8cm) tall at the shoulder when fully grown. They are the middle size of Schnauzer.
Standard Schnauzer Weight
Standard Schnauzers weigh between 35 and 50 pounds (15.9kg to 22.7kg) when fully grown.
Male vs Female Size
| Height | Weight | |
| Female Standard Schnauzer | 17 to 19 inches. (43.1cm to 48.3cm) | 35 to 45 pounds. (15.9kg to 20.4kg) |
| Male Standard Schnauzer | 18 to 20 inches. (45.7cm to 50.8cm) | 40 to 50 pounds. (18.1kg to 22.7kg) |
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When Do Standard Schnauzers Stop Growing?
Standard Schnauzers stop growing around 12 months of age. They usually reach their full adult height between 10 and 11 months and for the next few months continue to gain muscle mass and fill out.
Standard Schnauzer Temperament
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| Sociability | 🐕🐕🐕 |
| Trainability | 🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
Do Standard Schnauzers Bark A Lot?
Standard Schnauzers bark a considerable amount but not as much as Miniature Schnauzers. The reasons why a Standard Schnauzer may bark is because they are being territorial or protective, due to fear or as an attempt to get your attention because they are lonely or bored.
Do Standard Schnauzers Like Water?
Standard Schnauzers generally do not like water. They were not bred to be water dogs but rather ratters so they do not have an inherent affinity to the water. They aren’t naturally strong swimmers but with time and patience they can learn to love to the water.
Some people get their Schnauzers dog life jackets to give them more support while swimming.
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Schnauzer Lifespan
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Standard Schnauzer?
A Standard Schnauzer has a life expectancy of 13 to 16 years. They have the longest life span of all Schnauzer sizes, living on average for one year longer than the Miniature Schnauzer.
Shedding & Grooming
Do Standard Schnauzers Shed?
Standard Schnauzers do not shed much at all and are thus classified as a low shedding dog breed. They only lose a little bit of fur throughout the year, a few strands here and there. Owners can regularly brush their Standard Schnauzers to reduce their shedding even more.
Are Standard Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Standard Schnauzers are hypoallergenic as they are a low shedding dog breed. Dogs drop dander when they shed which can irritate allergy sufferers. Standard Schnauzers are therefore hypoallergenic as they don’t release much dander (dead skin cells) into their surroundings that can cause allergies.
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Standard Schnauzer Price
What Is The Cost Of A Standard Schnauzer?
Standard Schnauzers cost between $850USD and $1500USD. They are the cheapest Schnauzer size as there is currently a trend for miniature and tiny dog breeds which makes the Miniature Schnauzer much more popular. There can be price variation for Standard Schnauzers vary depending upon litter size and coat color.
Standard Schnauzer FAQs
What Size Dog Crate For A Standard Schnauzer?
A Standard Schnauzer should use a medium sized dog crate. The best way to measure a Standard Schnauzer for a crate is to measure the length from their nose to the base of their tail, then add 2 or 3 inches for the crate measurements.
We recommended the Diggs Revol Dog Crate (pictured below) for Standard Schnauzers as is a highly unique design that has been inspired by baby industry quality standards through it’s incorporation of diamond shaped mesh pattern that prevents injury to paws and jaws. Additionally, it is travel friendly as it is collapsible with a carrying handle and wheels and perfect for puppies as it includes a puppy divider and multiple door options!
Find Out The Current Price On Digg’s Here
What Was The Standard Schnauzer Bred For?
The Standard Schnauzer was originally bred for guarding and ratting. They have extremely good hearing to be able to locate vermin. Standard Schnauzers have also been used as police dogs in the past.
Giant Schnauzer
What Breeds Make a Giant Schnauzer?
To make the Giant Schnauzer, Black Great Danes and Rough Hair Sheepdogs were introduced into the breeding lines of the Standard Schnauzer.
What Does A Giant Schnauzer Look Like?
Giant Schnauzers look like a massive version of the Miniature or Standard Schnauzer. In addition to their intimidating size, they have a square, sturdy build with very long legs. Giant Schnauzers have a wiry coat with bristling eyebrows, beards and whiskers. They most commonly come in black or salt & pepper coat colors. Giant Schnauzers may have either cropped or natural ears.
Giant Schnauzer Size
How Big Does A Giant Schnauzer Get?
A Giant Schnauzer gets to 23.5 to 25.5 inches (59.7cm to 64.8cm) at the shoulder when fully grown. They weigh between 55 and 80 pounds (24.9kg and 36.3kg) depending on their height and whether the Schnauzer is female or male.
Giant Schnauzer Temperament
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| Friendliness | 🐕🐕🐕 |
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| Trainability | 🐕🐕🐕🐕 |
Are Giant Schnauzers Smart?
Giant Schnauzers are a smart dog breed as they are ranked 35th for working and obedience intelligence out of 138 dog breeds. However they are not as smart as other Schnauzer sizes, where Mini Schnauzers rank 12th and Standard Schnauzers rank 22nd.
Do Giant Schnauzers Bark A Lot?
Giant Schnauzers do not bark a lot, especially in comparison to the smaller Schnauzer sizes. Due to their large size, they do not feel as fearful or frightened as smaller breeds which in turn means they bark less. Giant Schnauzers only bark when they are being protective e.g. when a stranger or animal enters their territory.
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Do Giant Schnauzers Get Along With Cats?
Giant Schnauzers can get along with cats if they are properly socialised and introduced to them from a very young age. If the cat accepts the Giant Schnauzer and isn’t frightened by their enormous size, they can definitely live together. In fact, Giant Schnauzers are more likely to get along with cats than the smaller Schnauzer sizes as their prey instinct is not as strong.
Are Giant Schnauzers Good Guard Dogs?
Yes, Giant Schnauzers are good guard dogs due to their large size and their very loyal and courageous temperament. They have naturally protective instincts and want to protect their family and home. In fact, Giant Schnauzers were originally bred to be a guard dog so with proper training they are very suited to the job.
Giant Schnauzer Lifespan
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Giant Schnauzer?
A Giant Schnauzer has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. They have the shortest life span of all Schnauzer sizes as they are the larger size. Sadly, larger dogs die at a younger age than smaller dogs as they age quicker.
Giant Schnauzer Price
How Much Does A Giant Schnauzer Cost?
Giant Schnauzers cost between $2000USD and $5000USD. They are the most expensive Schnauzer size as they are so rare and in low demand. Not many people breed Giant Schnauzers so people have a hard time finding them. Their price can vary depending upon litter size, coat type and coat color.
Are Giant Schnauzers Expensive?
Yes, Giant Schnauzers are an expensive dog breed because they are so rare. Not many people want to own the Giant version of the Schnauzer breed as they need large backyards and are more demanding to look after. The resulting low supply increases the price of them.
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Shedding & Grooming
Do Giant Schnauzers Shed?
Giant Schnauzers do not shed much at all, only dropping a bit of fur here and there throughout the year. They are not seasonal shedders despite having a double coat. Even though they are light shedders, you can decrease the amount Giant Schnauzers shed by regularly brushing them.
Are Giant Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Giant Schnauzers are hypoallergenic as they are a low shedding dog breed. They therefore don’t release much dander (dead skin cells) into their surroundings that can cause allergies as they don’t shed much fur at all.
Giant Schnauzer FAQs
What Size Crate For A Giant Schnauzer?
A Giant Schnauzer should use a large or extra-large sized dog crate. The best way to measure a Giant Schnauzer for a crate is to measure the length from their nose to the base of their tail, then add 2 or 3 inches for the crate measurements.
If you need to get a crate for your dog, we recommended the Diggs Revol Dog Crate (pictured below)!
Find Out The Current Price On Digg’s Here
Do Giant Schnauzers Need A Lot Of Exercise?
A Giant Schnauzers needs an hour of vigorous exercise daily. They have a lot of energy to burn daily that can be done by walking, running, playing fetch or doing agility training. Going out and exercising with your Giant Schnauzer is not only great for their health but it’s also a great way to bond!
*Pro Tip: If you want to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise daily, you can use a health monitoring collar such as the FitBark Collar that monitors your dog’s everyday activity and sleep and turns that data into deep, actionable health insights.
Do Giant Schnauzers Come In Different Colors?
Yes, Giant Schnauzers come in two main colors: solid black or salt & pepper. A salt & pepper coat is when they have an even distribution or mix of black and white hairs which often appears to be a dark grey from a long distance away.
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Size Comparison Summary
Miniature Schnauzer vs Standard Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is slightly smaller than the Standard Schnauzer, standing at 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder versus 17 to 20 inches for the standard size. Standard and Miniature Schnauzers have a similar personality however Miniature Schnauzers have a higher tendency to bark.
Standard Schnauzer vs Giant Schnauzer
Standard Schnauzers are smaller than Giant Schnauzers, standing at 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder versus 23.5 to 25.5 inches. They have similar temperaments however Giant Schnauzers are slightly more easy going and calmer. Giant Schnauzers require more exercise than Standard Schnauzers.
Giant Schnauzer Vs Miniature Schnauzer
Both the Giant and Miniature Schnauzer are Schnauzer sizes that were cross bred with other breeds over a hundred years ago to produce the variations in sizes. Miniature Schnauzers are thought to have been bred with Affenpinschers or Mini Pinschers while Giant Schnauzers with Black Great Danes. This resulted in Miniature Schnauzers standing at 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder while Giant Schnauzers stand at 23.5 to 25.5 inches at the shoulder.
Summary Table
| Miniature Schnauzer | Standard Schnauzer | Giant Schnauzer | |
| Shoulder Height | 12 to 14 inches (30.5cm to 35.6cm). | 17 to 20 inches (43.1cm to 50.8cm). | 23.5 to 25.5 inches (59.7cm to 64.8cm). |
| Weight | 12 to 20 pounds (5.4kg to 9.1kg). | 35 to 50 pounds (15.9kg to 22.7kg). | 55 to 80 pounds (24.9kg to 36.3kg). |
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