If your kids have been adamant about getting a family dog, then the first question that comes to your mind would be about the suitable dog breed for families with kids. Schnauzers are one of the most common breeds that are considered good for such families. However, deciding on getting a schnauzer should be a thorough process. To make an informed decision, you should have all the information about this breed of the family dog.
Let us break down the hoard of information about schnauzers you will find on the internet. We have put together everything related to having schnauzers at home with kids – including the history, size, hypoallergenic information, space they need, friendliness, etc.
Schnauzers: An Overview
Schnauzers make up for an excellent family pet. Their breed is exclusively trained over the years to be with people and around little kids. They love the family relationships and value them immensely. They are affectionate and loyal dogs (you will know more about their loyalty in the next section). These dogs weigh about 8 to 100 pounds, depending on their type of breed.
History
One of the types of breeds of schnauzers, the standard schnauzer, is known to be a guard dog since the middle ages. This breed was raised to control vermin and be on guard always. Although this breed is no more today, they used to protect their human companion in the older days. This schnauzers’ history has led them to become loyal to their owners and protect them at every cost.
Of their original traits, the schnauzers have kept the trait of being the best companion dogs ever. They love being around children and glee when they are given importance. For a detailed overview of each of the various types of breeds of schnauzers, head over to the next section in which we have categorized the information in various points that you need to consider before finally getting a schnauzer for your family.
Are Miniature Schnauzers Good Family Pets?
This type of schnauzer breed dates back to the 19th century. They are very small and considered a relatively modern schnauzer breed. Their history relates to being used to ward off mice in Germany to protect the farms and crops. They are about 10-24 inches in height and weigh 10-20 pounds. They have a life span of about 10 to 16 years. This schnauzer breed is a crossbreed of Standard Schnauzers, Affenpinschers, and Poodles.
Miniature Schnauzers were recognized as a separate breed in 1933. They are considered one of the top 20 most popular dogs in the United States for eighty years.
1. Temperament
Miniature Schnauzers are very apt for keeping as a family pet. They are the most fun-loving companions your kids can get. They are very sporty and playful. They love to be the center of attention and hence require constant love and petting. Their temperament is suited for regular activities and moderate exercises; therefore, it is important to design activities that vent out their energy. They are also very intelligent and make very loyal friends with all the family members.
2. Size
Miniature Schnauzers are the smallest of their breed – which makes them perfectly manageable as a pet. Their size is big enough to be handled by the kids without overwhelming them. Nevertheless, be wary of this breed’s smallest size – also known as a teacup size weighing a little less than 8 pounds – as they are more vulnerable to harsh play or roughhousing.
3. Good with other Pets and Kids?
Though miniature schnauzers might be a little shy of strangers at first, they are generally very welcoming and friendly. They warm up in no time and playfully get along with visitors. They are an amazing companion for the kids as they thrive and adapt to family relationships. However, small children should never be left alone with dogs as there is always a risk of jumping or accidental scratching. Children should be trained in handling dogs, even if they are their family pets.
If you have other pets at home and are wondering how a miniature schnauzer will get along with them, then do not worry. They get along well with other pets, such as cats and dogs. The pets should be introduced to each other with care. Nevertheless, it is important to mention that as schnauzers have an innate instinct to catch rodents, you have to be careful if you have a pet mouse.
4. Hypoallergenic
You do not have to worry about allergies around these schnauzers as they are hypoallergenic. They do not shed much but require regular maintenance of their coat and beard.
All about Standard Schnauzer
The standard schnauzer is big, about 20 inches tall, and weighs around 35-45 pounds. It is amongst the oldest breeds of dogs in the country. They served as watchdogs and hunting companions in the old times in Germany. However, their breed has been trained to be family dogs, which is why they make an excellent family pet.
Temperament
Owing to their instinct, standard schnauzers are very loyal and protective of their human owners. They want attention and interaction and are very intelligent. They require training to be around kids but catch up on the learning quickly. They are innately a little bossy as they like to be in charge mostly – which can cause trouble as a family pet. However, you would want to start obedience training as soon as you bring them home so that they are safe to play with and enjoy.
Getting Along with Kids and Other Pets
The big size of these dogs might be a tad bit problem for adjusting with little kids. However, as they are not aggressive by nature, it is safe to have them around. They do not hurt people unless threatened. They are very playful and need tons of mental and physical stimulation exercises to burn energy. They are ideal for families with teenage kids as they are old enough to play with them outside or tale them for a run.
They also get along well with other pets but might be slightly possessive or territorial about their position in front of a new dog. You can proactively and gradually introduce them to the other pets. Yet, it is not recommended to leave a standard schnauzer with a very small pet, such as birds or rodents alone.
Hypoallergenic
Standard schnauzers are also a hypoallergenic breed. They do not shed like other breeds of dogs, so you do not have to worry about pet hair here and there in the house. Their coat is high-maintenance and requires daily brushing to avoid tangles and remove food debris from the fur.
What about the Giant Schnauzers?
Giant schnauzers are the biggest of their breed. They are about 28 inches tall and weigh somewhere between 65 to 110 pounds. Their roots go back to the Bavarian region of Germany in the 17th century. They are considered a crossbreed of standard schnauzer with much larger dogs, such as Bouvier des Flandres, Great Danes, and German Pinschers.
They were used as guard dogs historically for protecting the farms, crops, stockyards, factories, and industries. They were also used in the German army during the two World Wars.
Temperament
Giant schnauzers are very protective by nature. They easily get suspicious of strangers and have to be trained to socialize and interact with other animals and kids. Once trained, they become the best companion you have ever had. Due to their size, they might appear threatening, but they have been bred for years to be unaggressive and non-attacking by nature.
Are They Good With Kids And Other Pets?
They are very loyal and affectionate with kids. They will protect your kids from any impending danger at any cost. However, due to their enormous size, they are a bit unpredictable to be handled by little kids alone. If you have grown-up kids, a giant schnauzer might be the best choice for your family. They can accompany your kids to the park, play, jump, and learn sports.
They require a lot of physical and mental exercises to vent out their energy. So, the older kids that can take them outside and play with them are ideal companions for these dogs. Contrary to the assumption of their big size, giant schnauzers get along well with other pets such as cats. However, to be on the safe side, they should never be left alone with smaller pets.
Conclusion
Schnauzers are a great choice for a family pet. They are affectionate and friendly and require a lot of physical stimulation. They are bored with repetitive schedules or routines but are very safe to be around your kids and family after being trained. However, it is important to train them to socialize so that they do not become possessive or territorial instantly when introduced to a new pet.