Last Updated: 12/11/2025
Thinking of getting a Schnauzer? Our complete vet-written breed guide explores the personality, history, and key health concerns of all three Schnauzer sizes (Miniature, Standard, and Giant). Get expert tips on nutrition, grooming, and training.
Author: Dr Michelle Wong BVSc
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
With their distinguished beard, expressive eyebrows, and spirited personality, it's easy to see why Schnauzers are such popular companions. But there's more to this breed than just their unique looks. Available in three distinct sizes—Miniature, Standard, and Giant—each variation shares that classic Schnauzer intelligence and loyalty.
Whether you're looking for a compact apartment companion or a robust working dog, our vet guide explores their temperament, specific health needs, and essential care tips to help you decide if a Schnauzer is the right fit for your family.
The Schnauzers most well-known predisposition, especially for Miniature Schnauzers, is a risk of developing pancreatitis. This serious condition is often linked to high-fat foods, making it crucial to manage their fat intake - this means avoiding fatty table scraps and choosing a balanced diet that isn't excessively rich.
This breed can also be prone to forming calcium oxalate bladder stones. To help manage this, promoting hydration is key; adding water to their kibble or incorporating a high-quality wet food helps to dilute urine and helps to prevent urinary issues.
For more information, read through our guide to What is the best dog food for Schnauzers?
Modified fat content to help reduce the risk of pancreatitis
Wet food to support urinary health
Ingredients such as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, to support skin and coat health
Schnauzers come in all three sizes - small, medium and large. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to select a premium food that is specifically formulated for dogs in that size group.
For example, Giant Schnauzers will do best on a large breed puppy food as they contain an appropriate balance of calcium and phosphorus with a lower overall calcium content for optimal bone and joint development. These are also less energy dense to reduce the risk of overfeeding as obesity is an important risk factor for the development of orthopaedic disease. Large breed puppies take longer to develop and will need to stay on puppy food until they are 15 - 18 months of age.
Standard Schnauzers can be fed a medium breed dog food and once your puppy reaches 12 months of age, you can transition onto an adult diet.
Miniature Schnauzer puppies are best fed a small breed puppy food, until 10 months of age, when they can then transition to an adult food.
For more information, take a look at What is the Best Puppy Food? and for answers to all your puppy feeding questions, check out Everything You Need to Know about Feeding Your Puppy.
Balanced energy and calcium to phosphorus ratio for healthy bone development
Highly digestible formula to help prevent tummy upsets
DHA for healthy brain and eye development
Both modern oral (chewable) treatments and topical (spot-on) products are excellent and highly effective options.
Many pet parents love the convenience of 'all-in-one' oral chews. These are ideal as they are simple to give and can't be washed off.
However, topical 'spot-on' treatments are also a fantastic and very common choice. The key to success with a Schnauzer is correct application. Due to their dense, wiry coat, it's essential to part the fur thoroughly and apply the liquid directly onto the skin between the shoulder blades, not just onto the hair.
Ultimately, the best product is one that is used correctly and consistently throughout the year.
Effective year round flea, tick and worming control
All in one products for simplicity
Always double check the weight range to ensure an effective dose
Pancreatitis is a serious and very painful inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that helps digest food. Risk factors include a high fat diet, obesity and trauma to the organ. Since Schnauzers are prone to hyperlipidemia, it is thought this condition may be associated with symptoms of pancreatitis.
Prevention is centred on strict dietary control. The most important step is to avoid feeding any high-fat foods or treats and to secure your rubbish bin. Maintaining your dog at a lean, healthy body weight is also critical, as obesity is a significant risk factor.
Management of an acute pancreatitis attack is a veterinary emergency that often requires hospitalisation for intravenous fluids, pain relief, and nausea medication. Once the dog has recovered, long-term management is essential to prevent flare-ups. This involves permanently switching to a prescription, ultra low-fat therapeutic diet and adhering to it strictly for the rest of the dog's life.
Ultra low-fat prescription veterinary diets for dogs with a history of pancreatitis
Moderate fat diets for dogs at-risk of, but no history of, pancreatitis
Lower fat treat options
Schnauzers, particularly Miniatures, are unfortunately one of the breeds most predisposed to developing calcium oxalate bladder stones.
For prevention in a healthy Schnauzer, the single most important goal is to promote dilute urine. The most effective "product" to achieve this is a high-moisture diet; incorporating a high-quality wet food is one of the best ways to increase your dog's total water intake. A water fountain can also be a useful product, as the flowing water encourages many dogs to drink more often.
For management of a Schnauzer who has already formed stones, your veterinarian will recommend a specific prescription urinary diet. These products are precisely formulated with controlled levels of minerals (like calcium and oxalate) and protein to create a urinary environment where stones are less likely to form. These therapeutic diets must be fed exclusively and only under the direction of your veterinarian.
Prescription urinary diets for dogs with a history of urinary stones
Wet foods to increase water intake and hydration to support urinary health
Water fountains to encourage increased water intake
Schnauzers are famously bright and full of personality, which means they can get bored without a 'job' to do. The best toys cater to their clever minds and energetic instincts.
Interactive puzzle toys, such as food-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, or puzzles, are fantastic for engaging their brains and preventing boredom.
To satisfy their natural desire to chew, durable rubber toys are ideal, especially when stuffed with food. Many Schnauzers also love a squeaky plush toy to 'hunt' and 'kill', though these often require supervision.
Finally, to burn off their high energy, fetch toys or a sturdy tug toy are perfect for an interactive game.
Fetch toys to burn energy
Food dispensing toys and puzzles to slow down mealtime and reduce boredom
Durable chew and tug toys
When walking a Schnauzer, particularly a Miniature, a harness is the safest choice over a collar. This is because pulling on a collar can put direct pressure on the trachea (windpipe), a sensitive area for many smaller breeds.
While a harness is best for walks, a collar is still essential for holding identification tags. A leather or smooth fabric collar is an excellent choice, as it is less likely to tangle or cause breakage to the fur around their neck.
Finally, a standard, non-retractable lead will provide the best safety and control for your energetic and intelligent walking companion.
Well fitting harnesses to reduce pressure on the neck
Flat collars for ID tags
Bite sized, high value treats and a treat pouch for training on the go
To maintain their classic shape and prevent matting, they require professional grooming every 6 to 10 weeks for a clip or traditional 'hand-stripping'.
Between visits, daily home maintenance is essential. Their soft undercoat can easily form painful tangles and mats, especially in their 'furnishings' (the longer hair on their legs, belly, and beard).
Daily brushing with a slicker brush and a metal comb is crucial to reach the skin and prevent matting, which can lead to skin irritation and infections. Their famous beard also needs regular cleaning to prevent food build-up.
Miniature Schnauzers in particular are prone to dental disease, so attention to oral health at home is very important. Daily toothbrushing with a pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrush, dental chews, dental diets and oral supplements are all great ways to optimise your Schnauzers dental health.
Toothbrushes, toothpastes and oral supplements for dental health
Slicker brushes and metal combs for daily maintenance, particularly of the beard
Shampoos and conditioners that support a healthy skin barrier
While energetic, Schnauzers are also happy to be a 'lounge lizard' and cuddle up. They will, however, act as alert watchdogs, and their terrier nature means they are often quick to bark at noises or strangers.
At night, they need a comfortable, warm bed inside - many appreciate the security of a crate, which can become their personal "den." A secure fence is also essential, as their strong instincts can lead them to chase or dig.
Choosing the right bed for a Schnauzer means catering to their comfort, health, and hygiene. An orthopaedic bed with a memory foam base, particularly for Giant Schnauzers is an excellent investment to support their joints and provide maximum comfort.
Schnauzers are versatile sleepers; some love to curl up, while others love to sprawl out and hang their heads over the edge. For this reason, bolster beds are a popular choice, as they provide a secure wall to snuggle against, while flat, lounge-style beds are great for 'sprawlers'.
An elevated or raised bed is also a fantastic option, as it provides airflow to keep them cool in summer and lifts them off cold floors in winter.
Most importantly, given their wiry coat and famous beard - which can get a bit damp and grubby - look for a bed with a removable, machine-washable cover to make regular cleaning simple and maintain skin health.
Extra support for joints from orthopaedic or memory foam
Durable, machine washable covers
Elevated beds for extra air-flow and ventilation
Feeding a high quality diet that is tailored to your Schnauzer's age and size will help to keep them healthy and happy. Getting nutrition right can help to prevent, reduce or manage some commonly occurring health conditions in Schnauzers such as urinary stones and pancreatitis.
Keeping your Schnauzer protected year round against common parasites is essential to maintaining their health. This should include coverage against fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal worms.
The most significant concern, especially for Miniature Schnauzers, is high blood fat levels (hyperlipidaemia) and a high risk of pancreatitis, requiring careful dietary management. They are also highly prone to developing calcium oxalate bladder stones, making hydration crucial.
Schnauzers are highly intelligent and energetic dogs that thrive on both mental and physical stimulation. They excel at training, responding well to positive, consistent methods, but they can sometimes show a stubborn streak. Daily walks are essential, but they also need "a job" to prevent boredom, such as learning new tricks, playing with puzzle toys, or participating in dog sports like agility.
The Schnauzer's iconic look is defined by their unique double coat - a harsh, wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat. While they are a low-shedding breed, they are not "no-maintenance", and do require regular grooming.
Schnauzers are highly adaptable dogs that fit well into almost any home, from city apartments to large houses, as long as they receive adequate daily exercise. Their most important requirement is living indoors with their family. They are true companion dogs that bond very closely.
Place of origin
Germany
Weight range
Miniature: 7-8kg, Standard: 14-20kg, Giant: 34-43kg
Breed size
Miniature, Standard, Giant
Height range
Miniature: 33-35cm, Standard: 47-50cm, Giant: 65-70cm
Breed group
Utility
Life expectancy
12 - 14 years
Coat colours
Pepper and salt, Black, Silver
Grooming needs
High
Coat type
Wiry, double coat
Health issues
Hyperlipidaemia, pancreatitis, liver shunts, cataracts, urinary stones
Shedding factor
Low
Exercise needs
Daily walks and play essential
Play style
Puzzles, fetch, tug, and chew.
Housing needs
Adaptable if activity needs are met, depending on size
Trainability
High, very intelligent
Social needs
Moderate
Family suitability
Excellent with all ages
Tendency to bark
Moderate
