Exploring the schnauzer personality
At first glance, a schnauzer’s body type might set you up to think he’s a little stodgy. Unlike the gentler curves some canines sport, a schnauzer’s rectangular head and sharp angles may inspire us to assign him a rigid persona. A schnauzer personality—whether he’s a giant, standard, or miniature breed—defies categorisation. They may have a regal snout, but they’re anything but snooty.
An unreserved schnauzer sings along with Enigma.
Schnauzers come in all sizes
Another great thing about schnauzers: you can pick from three sizes and colours to suit your lifestyle. A miniature can be as small as 4.5kg (10 pounds), while a giant can get close to 45kg (100lbs), and the standard falls in between. All of them share that schnauzer personality. A quick look from large to small reveals the rambunctiousness and range of schnauzer temperament.
Giant schnauzers
The giant schnauzer has a quiet and reserved nature behind that distinguished moustache and chin strap. They’re intelligent, easily trained, and loyal to their owners but inherently suspicious of others. Just don’t expect this dog to sit around the house like a wise old sage—without exercise and stimulation, giant schnauzers might get restless and wreck your house or garden.
Standard schnauzers
Standard schnauzers are even less stodgy. These active dogs aren’t just filled with energy—they’re smart enough for jobs like search and rescue, bomb detection, and even identifying skin and lung cancer. With acute hearing that makes them instinctively alert, they need mental as well as physical stimulation, even in later years. They’ve even been nicknamed “the dog with the human brain.”
Miniature schnauzers
Perhaps friskiest of all, miniature schnauzers are playful pets that love to perform.
Common schnauzer quirks
With a stranger-suspicious nature and an instinctive drive to view smaller animals as “prey,” a schnauzer needs early training to avoid attacking small animals or pets. Raising them with cats might be one strategy to curb this behaviour early.
Will this schnauzer choose obedience, or the rabbit?
But don’t worry about the kids: in Germany they’re called kinderwachters, beloved as the children’s watchdog.
With the right training and attention, a schnauzer personality might be the perfect complement to your personal balance of solemnity and silliness. They may have a regal countenance and an air of aristocracy, but schnauzers also like to let their hair down.
And remember, if you have to be away from your schnauzer for whatever reason, you can always find a loving dog sitter who’ll be happy to dole out cuddles on Rover.com.
