Norfolk Terrier

Description
          The Norfolk Terrier is a strong, sturdy, short little dog. The head is slightly rounded, wide with a good amount of space between the ears. The wedge shaped muzzle is strong, with a well-defined stop. The small, oval shaped eyes are dark in color. The ears are small, hanging tight to the cheeks.
          The legs are straight and the feet are round with black toe nails. The medium sized tail is set high level with the topline and is usually docked by half. Note: it is illegal to dock t`ils in most of Europe. The wiry, straight coat is about one and a half to two inches long. Coat colors include red, wheaten, tan, black and tan, or grizzle with or without dark points and occasionally with white markings.

Height: 10 inches (25cm.)
Weight: 10-12 pounds (4½-5½kg.)
These are the smallest of the Terriers.
Life Expectancy: About 12-15 years


















Temperament
          The Norfolk Terrier is among the smallest of the working terriers. Active, courageous, affectionate, balanced and without any nervousness or quarrelsomeness. They are easy to train, and need consistent rules to follow. These little dogs love everyone and are good with children. Because of their ratting instincts they tend to love anything you can toss so they can chase after it, such as toys, balls, sticks or bones.
          If left outside for along period of time with nothing to do, without providing a long pack walk to drain their energy, they can become barkers and diggers. This breed is generally good with other pets such as cats and dogs, but should not be trusted with small animals such as hamster, pet rats, mice or guinea pigs. 
          Do not allow this little dog to develop small dog syndrome, where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This can cause many varying degrees of behavior problems including, but not limited to, separation anxiety, jealousy and guarding behaviour. They can be difficult to housebreak.

Living Conditions: Norfolks will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Health Problems

• Hip dysplasia - Hind end limping, hind/back leg acts lame, can't move, weak legs. Wear and time causes the femur to fit poorly into the pelvic socket with improper rotation causing the Plott great pain, weakness and difficulty walking. You may notice the dog “hopping”” like a rabbit when running plus hesitating to climb stairs, all due to pain in the hind quarters. The problem actually starts as a very young puppy with an abnormal formation of the hip joint and grows progressively. A vet can locate this with a diagnostics test.
  
  
  
• Atopic dermatitis's—Atopy. Hereditary. Shows at 1 to 3 years age. Skin allergy triggered by dust mites, pollen, poor quality foods and other garbage we put into the dog’s environment. Many breeds are prone to this. The dog will lick, rub, chew and scratch the infected areas. Allergens can also come from fleas, bacteria and yeast infections. See your vet. There are many treatments ranging from medicines, antihistamines, diets, bathing, cleansing the house of dust mites and so on.
  
  
• Patellar luxation—Limping, Hind Leg Held Up, Can’t straighten back leg, weak legs. Caused by an unusually shallow spot on the femur, weak ligaments and misalignment of tendons and muscles that align the knee joint and allow the knee cap (patella) to float sideways in and out of position. This can be caused by injury or be present at birth and can affect both rear legs. It’s most common in small dogs like the English Cocker Spaniel. If your dog has trouble straightening the leg, is limping, lame or is walking on three legs and holding one hind leg up, look for patellar luxation. Several of my dogs have had the problem and all I’ve done is reach down, massage the knee a little until they drop their leg, and we’re good to go for another 3 or 4 months. Severe cases require surgery for a fully lame leg.
  
  
• Heart murmurs—Caused by congenital heart problems of acquired heart disease. A murmur can suggest an abnormal; heart valve, muscle disease, and abnormal opening, heartworms, a thyroid problem, or even anemia. Symptoms: Breathing problems, slow or fast heart rate, loss of appetite, total collapse, weakness, couching. There are many causes of murmur. Treatment depends on the cause and type of source.
  
  
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy—(PRA) An inherited, untreatable disease of the retina affecting both eyes causing blindness. It’s in thd genes of the dog and is not painful. Starts with night blindness and progresses as the retina gradually deteriorates.
  
  
• Cataracts—Hazy or cloudy vision which if not treated can cause total blindness.
  
  
• Glaucoma—A painful pressure in the eye which if not treated early on, will lead to total blindness.
  
  

Note: Other health problems could occur with your Norfolk Terrier. If you notice any problems with your dog, take it to the vet immediately. 

Group: Terrier, AKC Terrier
Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CET, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR
Intelligence: The Norfolk Terrier will learn quickly what is expected of it, but the training*must be consistent as this terrier has a will of its own. As puppies they could try the patience of a saint at times, as they are so lively and playful.




Grooming

Although the hard adult coat doesn’t appear until the puppy becomes an adolescent, grooming should be started at an early age; as this terrier can object to being restrained due to its independent streak. The coat is relatively easy to keep in good condition and will need to be hand plucked twice a year. A professional groomer or the breeder will be able to give advice on this.          The shaggy, medium-length, waterproof coat is relatively easy, but daily combing and brushing is important. Little clipping is required. Take extra care when the dog is shedding. Bathe and dry shampoo only when necessary. This breed is a light shedder.

Origin
          Developed in East Anglia, England, the Norfolk and Norwich Terrier used to be the same breed with two different ear types, both were referred to as the Norwich Terrier. The English were the first to separate them in 1964. In 1979 the AKC officially deemed them as separate breeds. 
          The Norwich having small perked ears and the Norfolk with dropped ears. Another slight difference is, the Norfolks are angular in shape and the Norwich Terriers are more round. The dogs were used as barnyard ratters and to bolt foxes that had gone to ground during a fox hunt. 
          Their small size allowed them to get in and out of fox dens easily. After the foxes were flushed from their dens hunters on horseback would resume the chase with their hounds.

Colour: They came in variety of colour, more commonly seen in self colours such as all shades of red, wheaten, tan, grizzle or black, some may have limited white.
Coat Length: Short/Medium














Exercise
          These little dogs were bred to work. They are energetic and thrive on an active life, and need to be taken on a daily walk. They can jog for short distance. 
          While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Teach them to enter and exit all door and gateways after the human.
          The Norfolk Terrier puppy can be stubborn and hard to house train, potty train, toilet train, housebreak or whatever you want to call it. If you have a puppy, decide if you want to crate or paper potty train it. For the best results, we have a page at Crate vs Paper Potty Training which will help you decide and from there you can get all the information you need to get the job done.
          Always praise the pup profusely when she goes potty in the RIGHT PLACE so she knows she has done a good thing. Either method will work for this breed.If you have an older dog, take the dog outside every two hours until she gets the idea which door leads to her potty area. Older dogs catch on to the potty or housebreaking pretty fast once they are shown what to do.

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Cairn Terrier

Description 
          The Cairn Terrier is a hardy little terrier, with a fox-like expression. The head is broad in proportion to the length. The strong muzzle is of medium length with a defined stop. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The nose is black. The deep, wide-set eyes are hazel in color with shaggy eyebrows and topknot. 
          The erect ears are small and set wide apart covered in short hairs. The tail is in proportion to the head with short hairs. The shaggy, double, weather-resistant coat has a harsh outer coat with a soft undercoat.
          The coat comes in any color accept for white, including red, brindle, blackish, sand and various shades of gray, often with dark ears, muzzle and tail tip. The final coat color of a Cairn is hard to predict as the coat changes many times for several years. 

Height: Dogs 10-13 inches (25-33 cm)     Bitches 9-12 inches (23-30 cm).
Weight: Dogs 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg)       Bitches 13-17 pounds (6-8 kg). 

Temperament 

          The Cairn Terrier is an alert, animated, hardy, little dog. Loyal, curious, cheerful, lovable and friendly, they enjoy playing with children. Independent, but will listen if they see the human is stronger minded than themselves. Meek and/or passive owners will find the dog to be willful. This breed can be taught to do tricks. A fearless, bold vermin hunter, Cairns like to dig.   

          With enough mental and physical along with consistent leadership they will be calm and easy-going. Cairns adapt well to their new homes. They need firm, but not harsh, training and discipline. Without the proper leadership, the Cairn can become destructive and/or bark excessively If they spot a rabbit or other small animal they may take off chasing it. 

          Do not allow this little dog to develop small dog syndrome, human induced behaviors, where they believe they are pack leader to humans. Cairns with this syndrome will develop all types of varying degrees of behavior problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety, stubbornness, snapping, growling and guarding.

Living Conditions :The Cairn Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Life Expectancy : About 12-15 years.

The most common health problems in Cairn Terriers:

          Allergies (causing itchy skin and often leading to bacterial skin infections called pyoderma) are common in all terriers.The most common orthopedic disease in Cairn Terriers is luxating patella (loose knees). Other orthopedic diseases occurring in Cairns are craniomandibular osteopathy and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Even hip dysplasia occurs in Cairns.

          The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 64 Cairn Terriers and found 6% dysplastic. Compare that to Australian Terriers with a 2% rate.The most common eye disease is cataracts. When cataracts appear before 2 years old, they often progress to blindness. Another eye concern in the Cairn Terrier is lens luxation leading to secondary glaucoma. 

          Occasionally, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) has been reported in Cairns.Ocular melanosis (pigmentary glaucoma) is an eye disease that occurs ONLY in Cairn Terriers. Appearing at 8-12 years old, pigment granules form in the whites of the eye, making it harder for fluid to drain out, which leads to elevated fluid pressure (glaucoma) in the eye. Older Cairns should be checked yearly for pigment changes in their eyes.

          Lysosomal storage disease (specifically, globoid cell leukodystrophy) is a degenerative disease of the brain and spinal cord. It appears at 2-6 months old and is rapidly progressive, with death usually occurring prior to a year old. Fortunately, a simple DNA test is available for GCL so you can find out at any time whether your Cairn Terrier has the disease, carries the disease, or is completely clear of it.

          Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung disease where your Cairn's lungs become chronically inflamed and scarred to the point where he has a very hard time breathing. It appears around 9 years old and the prognosis is very poor.

          There are quite a few other diseases to be concerned about in Cairn Terriers, most of them serious. These include epilepsy, heart disease (mitral valve disease), blood-clotting diseases (von Willebrand's and hemophilia B), kidney disease (polycystic kidneys), liver shunt, pyruvate kinase deficiency, cerebellar ataxia, hypothyroidism, and hernias.

Group :Terrier, AKC Terrier

Recognition :APRI, CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CET, ACR, DRA, NAPR

Exercise 

           These are active little dogs, who need a daily work. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. 

Grooming 
Pet coat (less work): Cut his coat short every few months and then it only needs to be brushed every so often. 
Show coat (more work): Strip his coat every six months and brush it daily. 

          That shaggy "natural" looking coat actually takes quite a bit of maintenance and a neglected coat soon becomes a sorry, matted mess. Brush several times a week, being gentle with the soft undercoat. Once a month, bathe the dog and brush the coat while it dries. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors and clip the nails regularly. The Cairn sheds little to no hair. 

Origin 

          The Cairn Terrier originated in the 1500s, in Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye and is one of Scotland's original terriers. At one point it was considered the same breed as the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier up until the 1900s when the breeds began to be bred separately. The Cairn is also said to be related to the Skye Terrier.

          The Cairn was named for the way it would squeeze down into "cairns" and bark at fox and badger until the farmer could arrive to kill it. "Cairns" were rock dens where badgers and fox lived, usually in piles of small stones used to mark Scottish farm borders and graves. 

          The breed was first publicly presented in 1909 and became popular after the 1930s. It was first recognized by the AKC in 1913. It was a Cairn Terrier who played "Toto" in the Wizzard of Oz. Some of the Cairn's talents are hunting, tracking, go-to-ground trials, watchdog, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. 

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West Highland White Terrier

Description 

          The West Highland White Terrier, often simply called the Westie is a small, sturdy dog. The head is in proportion to the body and when viewed from the front gives off a round appearance. The blunt muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull and tapers towards the nose. There is a defined stop. The nose is black. The teeth meet in a scissors bite with teeth that are large in proportion to the dog. The almond-shaped, deep-set, dark brown eyes are set wide apart. 

          The ears are erect set wide apart on top of the head, triangular in shape coming to a point. The legs are somewhat short but not too low to the ground. The undocked tail is relatively short, about 5-6 inches (12.5-15 cm.) long, thicker at the base and tapering to a point. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The double coat has a straight, hard outer coat that is about 2 inches long (5 cm.) and a soft, dense undercoat. Coat colors come in solid white. 

Height:  Dogs 10-12 inches (25-30cm.) Bitches 9-11 inches (23-28cm.)

Weight: Dogs 15-22 pounds (7-10kg.)  Bitches 13-16 pounds (6-7kg.) 

Health Problems : Prone to chronic hernias, liver disease Legg-Perthes disease (hip problems), jawbone calcification and skin problems.

Exercise 

          These little dogs, need a daily walk.  Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. 

Grooming 

          The harsh, straight, short-haired double coat is fairly easy to groom and sheds little to no hair. Simply brush regularly with a stiff bristle brush. Brushing should keep the coat clean, so bathe only when necessary. Trim around the ears and eyes with blunt-nosed scissors. The whole coat should be trimmed about every four months and stripped twice a year. 

Living Conditions : West Highland White Terriers are suitable for people in towns and cities as well as in the country. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Life Expectancy : About 15 or more years.

Origin 

          The West Highland White Terrier originates from Poltalloch, Scotland and was once called the Poltalloch Terrier and later was called the Roseneath Terrier, named after the Duke of Argyll’s estate. The breed came about in the mid 19th century when a Scottish breeder of the Cairn Terrier whelped some white pups in his litters. 

          Those pups were selected and bred to obtain the West Highland White Terrier, which is simply a white Cairn. The West Highland was first shown in the USA in 1906 and first recognized by the AKC in 1908. In 1909 the breeds name was changed from the Roseneath Terrier to the West Highland White Terrier. Like the Cairn, the Westie was originally bred for controlling the population of rats, fox, badger, otter and other vermin. 

Temperament 

          West Highland White Terriers are game and hardy little terriers, which are easy to train. They are fairly friendly toward strangers and get along well with children. Easy dog to travel with. They are lively and extremely self-assured toward other dogs, but will not pick fights, if their owners know how to display proper leadership. They may chase a cat for fun, and need to be corrected if they do attempt this. Robust, friendly and spirited. Westies just love companionship. 

          Despite its size, they make a very good watchdog. The Westie likes to dig and bark. If a Westie is allowed to become the pack leader, they may snap when irritated and be combative with other dogs. A lack of leader ship on the owners part can cause many behavior problems, such as biting,guarding food and furnitures.

          A Westie who has an owner who knows how to display firm, confident, consistent, leadership will not experience these behavioral problems. These problems can be corrected once the owner becomes the dogs true pack leader. Do not allow the Westie to develop small dog syndrome. 

Color : White as defined by the breed's name. Faults- any coat color other than white. Heavy wheaten color.

Shih-Tzu

(Lion Dog) (Chrysanthemum Dog) 

Pronounciation
        In the Chinese pronounciation the "ds" is pronounced the same as the "ds" at the end of the word "Words". It is Chinese Mandarin, and translates directly to "lion". That is where the term "lion dog" comes from. The moniker "chrysanthemum dog" and "sheet-sue" are common in America, but are both inaccurate American renditions of the original Chinese.  
Description
         The Shih-Tzu is a small, sturdy dog, with a body that is slightly longer than it is tall. The head is round and broad, wide between the eyes. The square muzzle is short, an inch or less from the tip of the nose to the defined stop. The nose is broad, with well open nostrils. Nose, lips, and eye rims are liver on liver colored dogs and blue on blue dogs and black on all other colors. The teeth meet in a level or under bite. The large, round eyes are dark in color, but lighter on blue and liver dogs.
          The large, pendant, low-set ears hang down and are covered in abundant hair. The back is level. The muscular legs are straight and well-boned. The high-set tail is carried over the back covered in abundant hair. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The double coat is dense and long, flowing down over the dog. The hair above the eyes is often tied in a topknot. There is a profuse beard and mustache and the hair on the muzzle is short. Coat comes in all colors. 

Height:  Up to 11 inches (28cm.)
Weight: 9-16 pounds (4-7kg.)
Life Expectancy: About 15 years or more. 









Temperament
          The Shih-Tzu is an alert, lively, little dog. Happy and hardy, packed with character. The gentle loyal Shih-Tzu makes friends easily and responds well to consistent patient training. They make a very alert watch dog. Courageous and clever. Playful and spunky, this affectionate little dog likes to be with people and are generally good with other pets. Some can be difficult to house break. 
          The Shih Tzu needs all of the humans in the house to be pack leader, with the rules of the house made consistently clear. Owners who allow their dogs to take over may find them to be snappish if they are surprised or peeved. Because of this dogs sm`ll size and it's adorable face, they commonly develop small dog syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is the boss of human. This causes a varying degree of behavioral issues, such as, but not limited to separation anxiety, guarding, growling, snapping, and even biting. 
          They may become untrustworthy with children and sometimes adults, as they try and tell the humans what THEY want THEM to do. They will be obstinate as they take their stand and defend their top position in the pack. They may bark obsessively as they try and TELL you what they want. These behaviors are NOT Shih Tzu traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way they are treated by people around them. Give this dog rules, and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do. Be their firm, stable, consistent leader pack. Take them for daily pack walks to burn mental and physical energy. Their temperament will improve for the better, and you will bring out the sweet, trustworthy dog in them. 
          Shih Tzu are lively and energetic companions. Yet, they are also amazingly low-key and satisfied—assuming they get an adequate amount of attention. They like nothing better than to be held, stroked, petted and pampered by their owners, and are perfectly happy sitting on the couch with you for hours while you dote on them. This is a noble breed—sometimes translating into arrogance and haughtiness, other times into courageousness and politeness—but they are never too proud for a roll on the floor with a treasured squeaky toy. 

 Living Conditions: The Shih Tzu is good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. This breed is sensitive to the heat. 



Health Problems
          Prone to slipped stifle and spinal disc disease caused by a long back and short legs. Also ear infections, eye problems and early tooth loss. Tends to wheeze and snore and can have respiratory problems. These dogs gain weight easily and should not be overfed.  
Exercise
          The Shih Tzu need a daily walks.  Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. Do not over feed this breed or it will quickly become fat.

Grooming
          These little dogs require a good daily grooming using a bristle brush. When kept in along coat a topknot is usually tied to keep the hair out of the dog's eyes. Some owners prefer to have them trimmed to make the coat easier and less time consuming to care for. Keep the ear passages and area around the eyes clean. Shih-Tzu's have sensitive eyes that need to be kept clean. There are special drops you can buy to put in them if needed. Ask your vet what to use on your dog. This breed sheds little to no hair and are good for allergy suffers if their coats are kept very well groomed, do to the fact that they shed little skin dander.

Origin
          Sixteenth century documents and paintings show dogs resembling the Shih-Tzu. The Shih-Tzu is said to have descended from crossing the Lhasa Apso or Tibetan mountain dog and Pekingese, in the city of Peking in the 17th century. The dogs were favorites of the Chinese royals and were so prized that for years the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give away any of the dogs. It was not until the 1930s that the first pair was imported to England, when it was discovered by English soldiers during World War II. The Shih-Tzu was recognized in Britain in 1946. The AKC recognized the breed in 1969. 

Group: Herding, AKC Toy classed under the Non-Sporting Dogs category. 
Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR 







Things You Should Know
           As you can see by looking at one, Shih Tzus require more care than other breeds, especially when the hair is kept long. They need daily brushing and regular haircuts to avoid tangles. However, they shed very little dander, making them a great pet choice for people with allergies. Though good family dogs, Shih Tzu are not especially good with very young children. They cannot be handled roughly or awkwardly and tend to get snappish when their patience wears thin.

Feeding note: Keep an eye on Shih Tzu while they are drinking. Because their noses are so centrally located, water can easily block their breathing.
 
          A healthy Shih Tzu can live as long as 15 years. Common health issues include hip dysplasia, ear and kidney infections, and eye problems. Check their ears and eyes regularly for cleanliness. (You can even find special eye drops for them). They are great apartment dwellers, but not happy in hot climates. And while they don’t require as much exercise as a Lab, a daily walk is necessary.

Hypothyroidism This is a thyroid malfunction that occurs when the thyroid gland stops functioning and producing thyroid hormone responsible for proper metabolism. This malfunction is commonly attributed to immune system problems. It is usually affects middle-aged dogs and is seen in all breeds. Symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, muscle loss, and lethargy. If left untreated, it can result in heart problems. This disease is usually diagnosed through blood tests. It can be effectively treated with drug therapy

Mini Schnauzer

Origin And History

          The actual origin of the Miniature Schnauzers is quite unclear, though speculations declare that the German Terrier, Wolfspitz, and black Poodle are the dog breeds that possibly have took part in the first evolution of the Miniature Schnauzer. This breed was nurtured by means of breeding the Standard Schnauzer with several small dogs, probably with Affenpinschers and Poodles. These dogs were largely employed for hunting, droving, pulling farm carts, stock tender, as well as watching kids and herds. They have a somewhat distinctive personality than other terriers.

          In 1492, Albrecht Durer crafted a painting called “Madonna with the Many Animals”. In this masterpiece, a Schnauzer was portrayed as a domestic buddy. All Schnauzers are believed to have developed in Bavaria and Wurttemberg kingdoms. The Miniature Schnauzers became recognized in Germany as “kinder watchers” and was chiefly utilized to look after children and farm animals. Eventually, these dogs were also utilized to catch mice since they’re good at it in addition to its petite stature which was ideal to slip into snug areas to seize mice.

          In those days, the German Pinscher and Schnauzer were of similar breed with only distinction is by their fur. Wire-haired dogs were dubbed as “schnauze” which means “beard”. Smooth coated ones were called “pinschers”. These two dog types were born in the same brood.

         Before the year 1910, the Schnauzer is only recognized in Germany. However following World War I, it grew to be admired all over the globe. In the course of the war, giant schnauzers were espoused as messengers and police. In 1925, the Schnauzer was transported to the United States America and was categorized under the Terrier Group. The next year, they were recognized by the American Kennel Club and became famous in the country as well as other parts of the world.

         The schnauzer is categorized into three separate breeds and sizes–the Miniature Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer and Standard Schnauzer. The Standard Schnauzer is the earliest, archetype breed while the Miniature Schnauzer is considered the smallest and newest breed. The chic Miniature Schnauzer now belongs to the top 10 of the most prevalent dog breeds in the States.

Description

          The Miniature Schnauzer is a small, sturdily built, little dog. The body is square in proportion. The strong head is rectangular in shape. The width of the head gets slightly smaller from the years to the eyes. The muzzle is strong and ends rather bluntly. The nose is black. The bite is scissors. 

          The deep-set, small eyes are dark brown in color. Ears set high on the head are often cropped to a point. When the ears are left natural they are small and V-shaped folding close to the head. The front legs are straight. The docked tail is set high and carried erect. The tail is cropped just long enough so that it can be seen over the backline of the dog. 

           Note: it is illegal to crop or dock a dogs ears or tail in most parts of Europe. The Mini Schnauzer has a double coat. The outer coat is wiry and the undercoat is soft. The coat is clipped so it has a bushy beard, mustache and eyebrows. Coat colors include black, white, salt and pepper, and black and silver.

Temperament

          The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent, loving, happy dog. They are energetic, playful and get along well with children and like to be with their people. Affectionate, keen, devoted and docile. With proper leadership they can get along with other dogs. Socialize this breed well. They make good companions and family pets. The Mini Schnauzer will not listen if they sense they are stronger minded than their owner. Owners need to be calm, but firm, possessing a natural air of authority. They do not have a yappy bark, but rather sounds like a low, carried-out howl of a voice.

          This breed makes a good watchdog and vermin hunter. An easy dog to travel with.Some can be reserved with strangers if the humans do not provide stability in their lives, but most love everyone. Socialize them well. Do not allow this little dog to developed small dog syndrome , human induced behaviors where the dog runs the home. This can cause a varying degree of behaviour problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety willful, nervous, barky, guarding, bold, sometimes temperamental, not hesitating to attack much bigger dogs.

          A well balanced dog, who gets enough mental and physical exercise will have a totally different personality. These are not Miniature Schnauzer traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around them. It is all up to the humans. As soon as the humans start being true pack leaders, the dogs behavior will change for the better.

Height: 12-14 inches (30-36cm.)

Weight: 10-15 pounds (5-7kg)

Living Conditions: The Miniature Schnauzer is a good dog for apartment life and will be calm indoors so long as they get enough exercise.

Life Expectancy: About 15 years. It shows no signs of age until quite late in life.

Exercise

         These energetic little dogs need daily, long, brisk, walks or jogs, and love play sessions off the leash. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. Teach them to enter and exit door and gateways after the humans.

Grooming

          The wiry coat is not hard to groom, although it does need attention. Comb and brush daily with a short wire brush to prevent matting. If any appear they should be cut out. They should be clipped all over to an even length twice a year, in spring and fall. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors and clean the whiskers after meals. On pet dogs the coat is usually clipped short on the upper body and left somewhat longer on the under-parts, legs and head. Show dogs need to be hand stripped and trimmed instead of clipping. This breed sheds little to no hair and is a good dog for allergy sufferers.

Activity Level

How Active is the Breed?

The dog is very active indoors. He likes a yard but it is not necessary as long as he gets short walks through the day.

Apartment life is agreeable with this breed but will need occasional walks on lead to complete its exercise needs.

How Much Exercise Does the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?

Puppies are more active than adults. They would like an occasional romp in a yard or at a dog park. Adults and puppies are very active indoors.

Health and Care

Health problems that are hereditary can be of the eye, liver and skin.

Do seek a reputable breeder to limit these concerns and to observe the temperament of the parents which will indicate the future temperament of the puppy you choose.

If you carefully watch the diet and do not overfeed, you will have an active lively dog that can live 15 years and beyond. That because Mini Schauzer easily gain weights.

Genetic Problems

Usually healthy, but they can suffer from kidney stones, liver disease, skin disorders, von Willebrand’s disease, diabetes, and cysts.

Breeding the Dog and any Cautions

Your breeder should be consulted on what mate would be a good match for your dog.

National Breed Clubs : British – Miniature Schnauzer     Club, Schnauzer Club of Great Britain, US – American Miniature Schnauzer Club

Other Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Group: AKC Terrier; KCGB Utility

Ranking : 10 in AKC; 13 in KCGB

Also Known As: Mini Schnauzer, Zwergschnauzer